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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

What owners actually said

507 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2008
Electrical System

AT FIRST, THE FUEL GAGE ON OUR 2003 TAHOE, WOULD ONLY READ FROM 1/2 - ENTIRELY FULL AND THEN WOULD DROP INTO THE RED WHEN ALMOST EMPTY. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A 1 1/2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REGISTER THAT THE CAR WAS GOING 40 MPH WHILE WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR AT 0 WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE…

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AT FIRST, THE FUEL GAGE ON OUR 2003 TAHOE, WOULD ONLY READ FROM 1/2 - ENTIRELY FULL AND THEN WOULD DROP INTO THE RED WHEN ALMOST EMPTY. THIS BEGAN ABOUT A 1 1/2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD REGISTER THAT THE CAR WAS GOING 40 MPH WHILE WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR AT 0 WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 1/2 YRS OLD. IT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITHIN 6 MOS. WE WOULD NEED TO STOP, TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO RESET ITSELF. HOWEVER, THIS WOULD ONLY BE TEMPORARY AND IT WOULD BEGIN TO READ INCORRECTLY WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THIS WAS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD SO WE TOOK IT TO OUR DEALERSHIP, WHO CALLED GM AND SAID SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 70,000 MILES, THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, WE WERE TOLD THAT IF WE HAD PURCHASED A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THIS WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO ME SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CHEVY BRAND BECAUSE OF ITS RELIABILITY AND WOULDN'T EXPECT A SPEEDOMETER TO PROBLEM TO BEGIN SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213972

74,000 miles · Jan 4, 2008
Electrical System

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2003 TAHOE IS GOING BAD. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUNF ~400.00. I RECEIVED A LETTER FORM GM SAYING THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR 70K MILES. THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND ARE JUST NOW OFFERING TO COVER IT AFTER MOST VEHICLES ARE OVER THE 70 K MILE LIMIT. I CALLED GM TO…

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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2003 TAHOE IS GOING BAD. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUNF ~400.00. I RECEIVED A LETTER FORM GM SAYING THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR 70K MILES. THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND ARE JUST NOW OFFERING TO COVER IT AFTER MOST VEHICLES ARE OVER THE 70 K MILE LIMIT. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THEY COULD WORK WITH ME ON THIS. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC ($60) AND THEN I CALLED TO VERIFY PROBLEM WITH THEM. THEN THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY COSTS.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213703

59,000 miles · Dec 29, 2007
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY TAHOE HAS 59,000 MILES WE HAVE REPLACED THE RADIO 3 TIMES THE AIR CONDITIONING PUMP ONCE AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP ALL LUMPED TO ABOUT $2200.00 CASH OUT OF POCKET .THANKS CHEVY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213173

68 miles · Dec 29, 2007
Power Train

ON 12/27/06 I PURCHASED MY CHEVY TAHOE 2003 I HAD COMPLETE 4X4 SERVICE ON 12/14/06 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER AS REQUIRED MAINTENANCE FOR 90,000 MILES AND TO MAINTAIN THE WARRANTY. ON 12/29/07 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT ON AND NOISE WHEN ENGAGED IN 4WD. DIAGNOSIS: TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MO…

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ON 12/27/06 I PURCHASED MY CHEVY TAHOE 2003 I HAD COMPLETE 4X4 SERVICE ON 12/14/06 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER AS REQUIRED MAINTENANCE FOR 90,000 MILES AND TO MAINTAIN THE WARRANTY. ON 12/29/07 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE 4WD SERVICE LIGHT ON AND NOISE WHEN ENGAGED IN 4WD. DIAGNOSIS: TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR VEHICLE NOR WILL EASY CARE GOLD WARRANTY COVER REPAIR. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213157

66,225 miles · Dec 24, 2007
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2003 CHEVY TAHOE IS FAULTY. STOPPED IN PARK READS 40MHP. HWY SPEED READS 120MPH. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF YET. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212666

60,000 miles · Dec 19, 2007
Electrical System

WE OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH APPROXIMATELY 85,00 MILES. FOR AT LEAST A YEAR WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR CRUISE CONTROL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOLLOWING THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO RISE (UP TO 120 MPH+) OR FALL DOWN TO 0 NO MATTER HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. …

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WE OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH APPROXIMATELY 85,00 MILES. FOR AT LEAST A YEAR WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR CRUISE CONTROL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOLLOWING THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO RISE (UP TO 120 MPH+) OR FALL DOWN TO 0 NO MATTER HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN IS TO PULL OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THIS HAS TAKEN 2 OR 3 TRIES TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER TO RESET. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM CHEVROLET THAT "IF THIS CONDITION WAS OCCURRING" WE SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE REPAIR WOULD BE FREE IF THE MILEAGE WAS BELOW 75,000. WE ALSO CALLED THE CHEVROLET CONTACT AND WERE TOLD THAT THIS REPAIR WOULD NOT BE FREE SINCE WE WERE OVER 75,000 MILES. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD BE WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER: I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING MY WIFE AND CHILDREN (AGES 2, 4 AND 8) IN OUR TAHOE TO A BAPTISM IN LYNCHBURG. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT 60 MPH. I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO 100+ MPH. I CAREFULLY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT TOOK ME 3 TRIES FOR THE SPEEDOMETER TO RETURN TO CLOSE TO 0. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND REENTERED THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 60 MPH AND THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD WERE FLYING BY ME. I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS AGAIN NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN PLOWED INTO BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212291

56,000 miles · Dec 17, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS THE INCORRECT SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 90 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 75 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYS THE INCORRECT SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 90 MPH. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 75 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 70,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10212069

60,000 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGE FAILURE ON MY 2003 CHEV TAHOE. CHEV HAS ISSUED A LIMITED SCOPE RECALL WITH LIMITATIONS TO MILEAGE OR YEARS. IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART, ESPECIALLY A SPEEDOMETER IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211887

76,000 miles · Dec 12, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL STICKS AND DISPLAYS INACCURATE SPEED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL ALSO STICKS DURING DECELERATION AND ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM THAT STATED THE GAUGES WILL FLUTTER, STICK, OR BECOME INOPERABLE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL STICKS AND DISPLAYS INACCURATE SPEED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL ALSO STICKS DURING DECELERATION AND ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM THAT STATED THE GAUGES WILL FLUTTER, STICK, OR BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GM AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,603 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10211547

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2007
Electrical System

TACHOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE ARE INOPERATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211405

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.