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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

Tires complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
285,000 miles · Dec 21, 2017
Latches/locks/linkagesTiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE TIRE BLEW THEY MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO DETACHED THE SPARE TIRE, HOWEVER IT DID NOT DETACH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED THAT IF THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT DETACH THE LATCH MECHANISM WAS IN SAFETY MODE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE TIRE BLEW THEY MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO DETACHED THE SPARE TIRE, HOWEVER IT DID NOT DETACH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED THAT IF THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT DETACH THE LATCH MECHANISM WAS IN SAFETY MODE. THE CONTACT CALLED A TOW DRIVER AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE PER GMC OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT REMOVE THE TIRE. THE TOW DRIVER CALLED ANOTHER TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THEY CUT THE LATCH MECHANISM OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THE TIRE WAS LOWERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO THE SALT ON THE ROAD THE LATCH CORRODED. RYAN CHEVROLET LOCATED 911 HWY 55 BUFFALO, MN WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT DUE TO THE STATE THEY WERE LOCATED IN IT WAS AN INHERENT FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT STATED IT WAS NOT STATED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE CUT AND THE SITUATIONAL FAILURE SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 285,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED WHEEL BLOCKS, ONLY MADE THE VEHICLE LESS STABLE AFTER IT WAS LIFTED UP BY THE SPARE TIRE, BALANCING ACT. DESIGN PROBLEM UPDATED 10/1/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11055981

89,000 miles · Feb 2, 2013
StructureTiresWheels

YOU CAN NOT LOWER THE SPARE TIRE,UNDER THE VEHICLE,THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAS A SPRING LOADED LOCK ON IT THAT CANNOT RELEASE BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN OFF IT,THEIR IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE ABOUT IT (GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT IT) YOU NEED TO CUT THE TIRE DO…

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YOU CAN NOT LOWER THE SPARE TIRE,UNDER THE VEHICLE,THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAS A SPRING LOADED LOCK ON IT THAT CANNOT RELEASE BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN OFF IT,THEIR IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE ABOUT IT (GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT IT) YOU NEED TO CUT THE TIRE DOWN WITH A CUTTING TORCH, THIS IS A BAD IDEA AROUND A GAS TANK, I CAN NOT EXPRESS HOW MAD I AM RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN THINK OF THAT MANY CUSS WORDS,AND IT IS GOING INTO HEART A TACK MODE, I WOULD LOVE TO MEET THE ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THIS, AND HAVE HIM CHANGE THE TIRE, FIRST YOU NEED A TOW TRUCK THEN A SHOP WITH A LIFT THEN TWO MECHANICS IF NOT THREE AND YOU THEN NEED A TRANSMISSION JACK TO PUT UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE TIRE TO RELEASE THE TENSION OF THE LOCKING DEVICE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE, AFTER YOU LET THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE, I CAN OVERHAUL THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO THIS OR ANY OTHER CAR,BUT THIS IS A BIG BIG MISTAKE IN DESIGN,CAN YOU IMAGINE A LADY HAVING TO CHANGE A TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! IF A MECHANIC (MALE OR FEMALE) CANT DO IT,HOW CAN THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, DO IT? AND WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN A RECALL,I KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO PAY FOR IT AND FORGET IT,WELL I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT LOOKING FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS AND SONS HAVE ALL BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM,BUT IT CAN'T BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER CHEVY VEHICLE OF THIS MAKE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU CAN NOT DO THIS SAFELY,NO I DON'T HAVE A FLAT TIRE EITHER I WAS JUST EXPLAINING TO THE WIFE THAT IT MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SO I WANTED HER TO SEE IT JUST INCASE SHE HAD A PROBLEM AND SHE WOULD BE PREPARED ON HOW TO HANDLE IT (WRONG) IT SHOULD TAKE TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES TO DO, CAN'T BE DONE,AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496178

114,150 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Tires

TIRE TYPE: SIGMA STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV P265/70R16 111S, 6N-93 USA65,000 TIRE PURCHASED FROM TIRE KINGDOM KINGSLAND GA ON 09/24/08. HAD BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION ON 10/14/12 CAUSED $2,050.00 DAMAGE TO MY 2003 TAHOE. I SEE WHERE THE P265/70R17 HAS BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE MY TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. I NEED INFO IF AVAILAB…

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TIRE TYPE: SIGMA STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV P265/70R16 111S, 6N-93 USA65,000 TIRE PURCHASED FROM TIRE KINGDOM KINGSLAND GA ON 09/24/08. HAD BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION ON 10/14/12 CAUSED $2,050.00 DAMAGE TO MY 2003 TAHOE. I SEE WHERE THE P265/70R17 HAS BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE MY TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. I NEED INFO IF AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TIRE, THE SERVICE CALL AND THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I DO HAVE THE REMAINS OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480841

30,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Tires

WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TOYO OPEN COUNTRY H/T 111S OWL 265/70R16 WERE DRY ROTTED. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES APPROX 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN CLOSED GARAGE VIRTUALLY EVERY NIGHT. ONLY 30,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE TIRES FROM POINT OF PURCHASE TO POINT OF OBSERVATION BY TIRE STORE WHICH MEANS DRY ROTTING HAPPENED…

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WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TOYO OPEN COUNTRY H/T 111S OWL 265/70R16 WERE DRY ROTTED. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES APPROX 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN CLOSED GARAGE VIRTUALLY EVERY NIGHT. ONLY 30,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE TIRES FROM POINT OF PURCHASE TO POINT OF OBSERVATION BY TIRE STORE WHICH MEANS DRY ROTTING HAPPENED AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO 30K MILES. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO US THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND MY FAMILY SO WE ELECTED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353284

40,300 miles · May 27, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES, SIZE P165/70/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD DEVELOPED FATIGUE CRACKS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES CONTAINED A LARGE BULGE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.

NHTSA ODI #10270032

75,000 miles · Jun 20, 2008
EquipmentTires

IN THE PERIOD OF 4 WEEKS I EXPERIENCED TWO HIGH SPEED TIRE FAILURES WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN VIRGINIA. IN EACH CASE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. IN EACH CASE THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND OFF THE RIM. AFTER THE SECOND CASE I CHOSE TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRE REPLACED AND P…

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IN THE PERIOD OF 4 WEEKS I EXPERIENCED TWO HIGH SPEED TIRE FAILURES WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN VIRGINIA. IN EACH CASE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. IN EACH CASE THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND OFF THE RIM. AFTER THE SECOND CASE I CHOSE TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRE REPLACED AND PRIOR TO ACTUAL REMOVAL I CHECKED THE TIRE STEM ON ONE OF THE 2 REMAINING (NOT NEW TIRES) AND DISCOVERED THE VALVE STEM HAD A SPLIT. THE SAME WAS DISCOVERED ON THE OTHER TIRE STILL ON THE VEHICLE. I ALSO CHECKED THE VALVE STEM ON THE LATEST TIRE THAT HAD GOBE FLAT AND IT TO HAD A CRACK. IT IS CLEAR THAT AT LEAST 3 AND MOST LIKELY FOUR OF THE VALVE STEMS FAILED CAUSING THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF TWO RELATIVELY NEW TIRES (LESS THAN 17 K MILES) AND ALMOST RESULTING IN TWO HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231710

69,100 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Tires

EXPERIENCE TIRE FAILURE OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE ON 2003 CHEV. TAHOE ON 4/6/2008 WHEN RETURNING TO MEMPHIS FROM ATLANTA. WAS TRAVELING AT 70-75MPH WHEN ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CAUSING A VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF TIRE. I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE. THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS G…

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EXPERIENCE TIRE FAILURE OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE ON 2003 CHEV. TAHOE ON 4/6/2008 WHEN RETURNING TO MEMPHIS FROM ATLANTA. WAS TRAVELING AT 70-75MPH WHEN ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CAUSING A VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF TIRE. I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE. THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS GONE FROM THE TIRE. THE REMAINING MATERIALS WERE NOTHING MORE THAN STEEL BELTING MATERIALS. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL LINING, FENDER, REAR DOOR, FENDER AND BUMPER AS WELL AS PAINT DAMAGE. THESE TIRES HAD 68,000 MILES ON THEM WITH APPROX. 1/4" OF TREAD REMAINING. I EXAMINED THESE TIRES AND VERIFIED 34 LBS OF PRESSURE PRIOR TO LEAVING MEMPHIS FOR ATLANTA. NO OBJECT WAS STRUCK IN THE ROADWAY. THIS WAS SIMPLY A TREAD FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223565

37,000 miles · May 14, 2006
Tires

TIRE FAILURE - FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE 265/70R16 III M/S T/W 480 - TRACTION A - TEMP B- TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING BLOWOUT WITH DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. NO ROAD HAZARD - TIRE INFLATION (35PSI) (2003 CHEVY TAHOE 4X) CHECK 45 MINUTES BEFORE TRIP. LOST ALL TREAD. BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AND OUT $500 DEDUCTIBLE. I HAVE THE TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157506

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Tires

ALL TIRES OR CUPPING, TIRES HAVE BEEN SERVICED FROM DAY ONE BY FIRESTONE DEALER. OUT SIDE COMPANY CHECKED FRONT END AND ALLIGNMENT AND ALL WAS OK. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FIRESTONE DEALER 3 TIMES 6000, 10000, AND 16000 MILES, THERE OR 17800 MILES OF TAHOE NOW. THERE IS A WARRANTY ON TIRES FOR 12 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE BUT I CA…

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ALL TIRES OR CUPPING, TIRES HAVE BEEN SERVICED FROM DAY ONE BY FIRESTONE DEALER. OUT SIDE COMPANY CHECKED FRONT END AND ALLIGNMENT AND ALL WAS OK. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FIRESTONE DEALER 3 TIMES 6000, 10000, AND 16000 MILES, THERE OR 17800 MILES OF TAHOE NOW. THERE IS A WARRANTY ON TIRES FOR 12 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE BUT I CAN'T GET FIRESTONE DEALER OR CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED TAHOE TO HELP ME AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #10071209

6,899 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER. WE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ANOTHER MILE OR SO, NOT REALIZING THAT OUR TIRE HAD JUST "POPPED". THE TIRE PROCEEDED TO GO FLAT. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10049505

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.