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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tahoe years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe are substantially higher than the model-year median of 246.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

408 reports with mileage · 99 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 193 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

193 reports
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30,000 miles · Jul 11, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

VERY WELL DOCUMENTED VIA INTERNET: SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES FAILED TO WORK. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STICK AT A RANDOM POINT AND THEN ADD THE SPEED TRAVELING , AND THIS RESULTS IN THE SPEED NOT BEING ACCURATELY DISPLAYED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 2 YEARS STARTING WITH THE GAS GAUGE SHOWING FUEL REMAINING BUT THE TA…

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VERY WELL DOCUMENTED VIA INTERNET: SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES FAILED TO WORK. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STICK AT A RANDOM POINT AND THEN ADD THE SPEED TRAVELING , AND THIS RESULTS IN THE SPEED NOT BEING ACCURATELY DISPLAYED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR OVER 2 YEARS STARTING WITH THE GAS GAUGE SHOWING FUEL REMAINING BUT THE TANK BEING EMPTY. VERY UNSAFE AND COSTLY KNOWN PROBLEM BY GM AND MOST OWNERS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196084

91,000 miles · Jul 6, 2007
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER ON 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE GIVES INCORRECT READING. RPM GAUGE ALSO FAILS TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READINGS. CONTACTED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WANTED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH GMAC AND OBVIOUSLY A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10195468

125,000 miles · Jun 25, 2007
Electrical System

TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED. SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY PROPER SPEED ON HIGHWAY. IT READ 0 WHEN GOING 65 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10194122

86,650 miles · Jun 25, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT ON JUNE 17, 2007. ON JUNE 19, 2007 THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN READING 120 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PARKED. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO RETURN TO ZERO. ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WERE READING INACCURATELY. PARKLAND CHEVROLET WAS MADE AWAR…

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WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT ON JUNE 17, 2007. ON JUNE 19, 2007 THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN READING 120 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK WAS PARKED. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO RETURN TO ZERO. ADDITIONALLY, WITH THE ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM, THE FUEL GAUGE AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WERE READING INACCURATELY. PARKLAND CHEVROLET WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT THEY INFORMED ME WAS QUITE COMMON ON GM VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE FOUND OVER 1000 POSTS ON THE INTERNET WHERE THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO OTHER GM VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 2001 TO 2006. WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIR PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10194096

75,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

I PURCHASED THE 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE IN FEBRUARY 2004 AT ABOUT 60000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, LATER THE RPMS, AND THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND THESE COMPONENTS OUT AND IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK OR TWO, AND THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $1,100. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIR…

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I PURCHASED THE 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE IN FEBRUARY 2004 AT ABOUT 60000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, LATER THE RPMS, AND THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND THESE COMPONENTS OUT AND IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK OR TWO, AND THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $1,100. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED, YET, I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING A SECOND VEHICLE SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO LET THE VEHICLE GO FOR THAT LONG. I HAVE NOTICED ON THE INTERNET A NUMBER OF THIS SAME COMPLAINS . ONE WEBSITE HAD 622 EMAILS OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT ,AND GENERAL MOTORS NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10193607

74,000 miles · Jun 5, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN DISPLAYING THE INCORRECT SPEED FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE INDICATOR FLUCTUATES FROM 120 TO 80 MPH, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO GET A REPAIR ESTIMATE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN DISPLAYING THE INCORRECT SPEED FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE INDICATOR FLUCTUATES FROM 120 TO 80 MPH, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO GET A REPAIR ESTIMATE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR ALONE WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $700. THE CONTACT CONDUCTED RESEARCH TO DETERMINE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE, BUT NONE WERE FOUND. THROUGH AN INTERNET SEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED OVER 600 COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR FAILURES FROM OTHER TAHOE, DENALI, AND YUKON OWNERS. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 79,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED COPIES OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THE SAME DEFECT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192504

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2007
Electrical System

SPEED ODOMETER ON THE 2003 CHEVYROLET TAHOE WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE SUV. THIS WAS SO ODD TO THEM, SOME MECHANICS WERE NOT EVEN FAMILIAR WITH REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. IT ALL STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I DROVE OUT OF TOWN AN…

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SPEED ODOMETER ON THE 2003 CHEVYROLET TAHOE WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE SUV. THIS WAS SO ODD TO THEM, SOME MECHANICS WERE NOT EVEN FAMILIAR WITH REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. IT ALL STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I DROVE OUT OF TOWN AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS NOT ADDING UP, AND FINALLY IT JUST WENT TO 120 AND STAYED THERE. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES WERE OUTRAGEOUS, $400+. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR, I NEEDED HELP BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THESE ARE CHEVROLET TAHOES, YUKONS, AVALANCHES. ALL CHEVROLET OR GM. WE NEED HELP BECAUSE THIS MUST BE SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED TO LOOK INTO AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE FOR US. DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. THANK YOU, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU. *AK *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191568

61,000 miles · May 7, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING. REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REST AT ZERO OR GET STUCK AT 40 MPH, REGARDLESS OF THE DRIVING SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO MAKES A TICKING SOUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING. REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REST AT ZERO OR GET STUCK AT 40 MPH, REGARDLESS OF THE DRIVING SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO MAKES A TICKING SOUND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 05/23/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10190007

54,000 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER AND/OR TACHOMETER QUIT WORKING AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR'S DRIVING TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188606

43,000 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Electrical System

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DEC. 2002. STARTING IN FEBRUARY, THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY, SOMETIMES READING HIGHER THAN SPEED TRAVELED, SOMETIMES READING SLOWER THAN SPEED TRAVELED OR BEING STUCK ALL TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 43,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS STARTED AND ONLY HAS 46,200 NOW. RIGHT NOW THE SPEEDO…

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WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DEC. 2002. STARTING IN FEBRUARY, THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY, SOMETIMES READING HIGHER THAN SPEED TRAVELED, SOMETIMES READING SLOWER THAN SPEED TRAVELED OR BEING STUCK ALL TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD AROUND 43,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS STARTED AND ONLY HAS 46,200 NOW. RIGHT NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK ON 52 WHETHER I AM SITTING STILL OR TRAVELING 70 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188576

Official recalls

4

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

03V094000 · Structure

Mar 7, 2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

03V037000 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

Feb 6, 2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA11001 · Brake Line Corrosion Failure

Opened Jan 5, 2011 · Closed Apr 8, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t

DP05009 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed May 31, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake:conventional

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Parking Brake

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

PE03026 · Steel Wheel Rim Fracture

Opened Jun 12, 2003 · Closed Nov 3, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:multi Piece; Wheels:rim

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Wheels

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Wheels:multi Piece

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Wheels:rim

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.