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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.

About this comparison →

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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51,000 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Electrical System

WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVY TAHOE, WHICH ONLY HAS 51K MILES. CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY REGISTERED HER AS GOING 100 MPH. THE ENGINE WASN'T REVVING. SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND IT REGISTERED HER DOING 120 MPH, WHEN SHE WAS REALLY ONLY DOING ABOUT 35 MPH. TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER AND HAD T…

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WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVY TAHOE, WHICH ONLY HAS 51K MILES. CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY REGISTERED HER AS GOING 100 MPH. THE ENGINE WASN'T REVVING. SHE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND IT REGISTERED HER DOING 120 MPH, WHEN SHE WAS REALLY ONLY DOING ABOUT 35 MPH. TOOK IT TO LOCAL DEALER AND HAD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $500. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173656

38,000 miles · Nov 13, 2006
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

SINCE JANUARY OF 2006, THE SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE STANDING STILL IT WILL REGISTER ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 OR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WILL REGISTER 0 MPH. THE TACHOMETER HAS FAILED TO WORK THREE TIMES AND THE GAS GAUGE HAS REGISTERED HALF A TANK WHILE IT TAKES 20 GALLONS TO FILL THE 25 GALLON TANK.…

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SINCE JANUARY OF 2006, THE SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE STANDING STILL IT WILL REGISTER ANY SPEED ABOVE 30 OR WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT WILL REGISTER 0 MPH. THE TACHOMETER HAS FAILED TO WORK THREE TIMES AND THE GAS GAUGE HAS REGISTERED HALF A TANK WHILE IT TAKES 20 GALLONS TO FILL THE 25 GALLON TANK. LAST YEAR I HAD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT BECAUSE IT WAS CLUNKING. IT IS NOW STARTING TO CLUNK AGAIN!! THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST RECEIVED A WARNING FOR SPEEDING, 54 IN A 45MPH BECAUSE I CAN"T TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING!!!!!! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173424

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

ODOMETER STICKING - UNHAPPY CHEVY OWNER - RECURRING EVENT I PURCHASED MY 2003 CHEVY TAHOE A YEAR AGO AND JUST WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS MY ODOMETER HAS BEEN STICKING AT 120. OF COURSE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THAT FAST EVER AND THIS IS HARD TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN TRUCK IS IN NEUTRAL (YET IT READS 120..)EVENTUALLY, IT RESETS ITSELF AND T…

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ODOMETER STICKING - UNHAPPY CHEVY OWNER - RECURRING EVENT I PURCHASED MY 2003 CHEVY TAHOE A YEAR AGO AND JUST WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS MY ODOMETER HAS BEEN STICKING AT 120. OF COURSE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THAT FAST EVER AND THIS IS HARD TO ACCOMPLISH WHEN TRUCK IS IN NEUTRAL (YET IT READS 120..)EVENTUALLY, IT RESETS ITSELF AND THAT TAKES A COUPLE DAYS. I HAVE BARELY REGISTERED 10,000 MILES OF THE 54,000 THAT ARE ON VEHICLE AND CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS COULD BE HAPPENING. I DID CALL THE DEALER AND OF COURSE JUST IN CONVERSATION BALL PARK FIGURE WOULD BE AROUND $500 PLUS NO TRANSPORTATION FOR AT LEAST 3 - 5 DAYS. I DECIDED TO TAKE MY 2003 CHEVY TAHOE TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A LESS EXPENSIVE REVIEW. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEIR IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PARTY. SO KNOW I HAVE THIS TRUCK THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BY NC STATE DUE TO FAULTY ODOMETER. WILL FOLLOW UP WITH FURTHER ACTION WITH MANUFACTURER AND WHOEVER ELSE. NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. VERY UNHAPPY 1ST TIME CHEVY OWNER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172881

51,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Electrical System

FAULTY SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2000 TAHOE. READS OVER A 100 MPH IN PARK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172022

48,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Electrical System

2003 CHEVY TAHOE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN WORKING ERRATICALLY FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS. ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER, THE SPEED DISPLAY SHOWED SLOWER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED. STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING USUALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON 10/9/06 THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF, AND NOW DOE…

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2003 CHEVY TAHOE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN WORKING ERRATICALLY FOR THE PAST 12 MONTHS. ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER, THE SPEED DISPLAY SHOWED SLOWER THAN THE ACTUAL SPEED. STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING USUALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON 10/9/06 THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF, AND NOW DOES NOT EVER FALL BELOW 60. ONLINE, I'VE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM CHEVY & GMC CUSTOMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NOT INDICATED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS, BUT A DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SEE MANY REPAIRS OF THIS TYPE. I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED IN TWO WEEKS AT MY EXPENSE (SINCE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY) BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ENOUGH COMPLAINTS INDICATE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #10170367

43,000 miles · Oct 9, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

AT 43,000 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER GOT STUCK AND WILL NOT WORK. AT PARK IT READS 80 OR 20. I BOUGHT MY TAHOE NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES AND NOW IT IS 3 YEARS OLD. I CALLED A DEALER AND HE SAID THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN TO A NEW VEHICLE. WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOOK AND IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 60 THEN A SECOND LATER IT REA…

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AT 43,000 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER GOT STUCK AND WILL NOT WORK. AT PARK IT READS 80 OR 20. I BOUGHT MY TAHOE NEW WITH ONLY 10 MILES AND NOW IT IS 3 YEARS OLD. I CALLED A DEALER AND HE SAID THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN TO A NEW VEHICLE. WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I LOOK AND IT SAYS THAT I AM GOING 60 THEN A SECOND LATER IT READS THAT I AM GOING 120 AND IT IS STUCK. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE AND I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAIN THAT THERE TAHOE DID THE SAME THING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170251

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2006
Electrical System

OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH 43939 MILES AS OF THIS EMAIL. YESTERDAY, WE NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER REGISTERS HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREE-WAY THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 0 MPH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169144

30,000 miles · Nov 11, 2005
Electrical System

THIS IS NOW THE 2ND WINTER SEASON THAT THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR PULSES BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW APPROXIMATELY 35 DEGREES. THIS SEEMS TO CONTINUE UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP THEN STOPS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A CAUSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142472

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEATER COMES ON BY ITSELF. BLINKER SENSOR WILL TELL ME THAT THE BLINKER IS ON WHEN IT ISN'T. CD/RADIO LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLS DOWN BY ITSELF. FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WILL OFTEN SAY IT'S FULL WHEN IT'S EMPTY OR IT'S EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL OR HALF A TANK WHEN IT IS EMPT…

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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEATER COMES ON BY ITSELF. BLINKER SENSOR WILL TELL ME THAT THE BLINKER IS ON WHEN IT ISN'T. CD/RADIO LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLS DOWN BY ITSELF. FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WILL OFTEN SAY IT'S FULL WHEN IT'S EMPTY OR IT'S EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL OR HALF A TANK WHEN IT IS EMPTY. FUEL INJECTORS KEEP CLOGGING UP WITH CARBON. TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM STOP AND DELAY ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10093644

200 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Electrical System

DIGITAL CONSOLE SUDDENLY READ FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND THEN BLINKED OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE CONSOLE COMPONENTS WERE NOT READABLE. IN SOME CASES, THE CONSOLE STAYED ILLUMINATED IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY DIED ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED…

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DIGITAL CONSOLE SUDDENLY READ FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND THEN BLINKED OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE CONSOLE COMPONENTS WERE NOT READABLE. IN SOME CASES, THE CONSOLE STAYED ILLUMINATED IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY DIED ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MODULE IN THE CONSOLE. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10083617

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.