IllustrationAPPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, GOT VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT TO FIND ALL LINES UNDER THE TRUCK RUSTY, ALL LINES INCLUDING THE FUEL LINES ARE GONNA HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
2001 GMC Sierra 1500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra 1500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
1525–50K
2050–75K
2775–100K
40100–150K
17150K+
123 reports with mileage · 17 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Parking Brake. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
140 reportsBRAKE LINES ARE SO RUSTY THEY LEAK. *TR
ON 11-29-2014, WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY 2 SONS, ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A BRAKE LINE BURST DUE TO EXTERIOR CORROSION (RUST). THE FIRST TIME A BRAKE LINE BURST IN THIS TRUCK WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 YEARS AGO.…
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ON 11-29-2014, WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY 2 SONS, ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A BRAKE LINE BURST DUE TO EXTERIOR CORROSION (RUST). THE FIRST TIME A BRAKE LINE BURST IN THIS TRUCK WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME, WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 YOUNG SONS, APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE AND I WAS, FORTUNATELY, ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY TURN RIGHT, INTO A PARKING LOT. AT THAT TIME, I REPORTED THE ISSUE ONLINE AT SOME WEBSITE, BUT I CANNOT RECALL THE NAME OF THE SITE. THIS TIME I CAME TO THIS WEBSITE. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED, AND HAVE TO HAVE ALL RIGID OEM BRAKE LINES REPLACED, RIGHT HERE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THE RUPTURE CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE FRAME RAIL, UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT. ALL OEM RIGID BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE PROBLEM IN THE PAST (THE FIRST INCIDENT) CAME FROM THE LAST 3 INCHES OF THE BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEFORE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLEXIBLE HOSE. NOTE THAT THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE MUD OR SAND, NOR HAS IT PUT ANY BOATS INTO THE WATER. ALSO, IT HAS NEVER PULLED/TOWED ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT PULL ANYTHING IN THIS MODEL OF GMC TRUCK WITHOUT REPLACING ALL OEM RIGID BRAKE LINES. *TR
REAR BRAKE LINE BURST AND HAD NO STOPPING POWER.HAD TO ROLL TO A STOP. *TR
I WAS BACKING MY BOAT INTO THE WATER,STEPPED ON BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.THE BRAKES WERE GONE. QUICKLY PUT IN DRIVE AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND PULLED UP RAMP(UP HILL RAMP SO BRAKES WERE NOT SO IMPORTANT USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP).THE COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILED,THERE WERE NO HYDRAULIC BRAKES AT ALL AS ALL THE LINES CORRODE…
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I WAS BACKING MY BOAT INTO THE WATER,STEPPED ON BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.THE BRAKES WERE GONE. QUICKLY PUT IN DRIVE AND FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND PULLED UP RAMP(UP HILL RAMP SO BRAKES WERE NOT SO IMPORTANT USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP).THE COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILED,THERE WERE NO HYDRAULIC BRAKES AT ALL AS ALL THE LINES CORRODED. *JS
GOT IN TRUCK STARTED IT, DROVE TO THE TOP OF MILE DRIVEWAY APPLIED BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ROLLED INTO THE ROAD BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. AN ONCOMING CAR HAD TO BRAKE, SO AS TO AVOID HITTING ME. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK IN TO THE DRIVEWAY AND RODE THE PARK BRAKE DOWN THE DRIVE. CALLED A WRECKER TO TOW T…
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GOT IN TRUCK STARTED IT, DROVE TO THE TOP OF MILE DRIVEWAY APPLIED BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ROLLED INTO THE ROAD BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. AN ONCOMING CAR HAD TO BRAKE, SO AS TO AVOID HITTING ME. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK IN TO THE DRIVEWAY AND RODE THE PARK BRAKE DOWN THE DRIVE. CALLED A WRECKER TO TOW TO NEAREST GARAGE. THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED IN THE DIFFERENT PLACES, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED REPEATEDLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT UPON STOPPING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED REPEATEDLY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT UPON STOPPING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED BOTH FRONT WHEEL ABS SENSORS. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
AFTER BACKING MY TRUCK INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS REACHING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT I HAD A HOLE IN MY REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FURTHER INVESTIGATING SHOWED THAT ALL THE BR…
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AFTER BACKING MY TRUCK INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS REACHING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT I HAD A HOLE IN MY REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FURTHER INVESTIGATING SHOWED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTY AND IN POOR CONDITION. I HAVE REPAIRED THE RUPTURED LINE, BUT AM FEARFUL OF ANOTHER RUPTURE. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY DOES GM NOT USE HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES FOR ALL VEHICLES? ALL VEHICLE MAKERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO USE HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL FOR BRAKE LINES AND BRAKE COMPONENTS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST. *TR
WAS ABOUT TO GO SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS, STEPPED ON BRAKE AT TOP OF COURT AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR. NOT JUST LOSS OF HYDROS FULL ON BRAKE MALFUNCTION , NO BRAKES AT ALL. I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM CONNECTICUT. DECIDED TO MAKE LEFT TURN AND MISSED GETTING HIT BY 18 WHEELER BY INCHES. I AM LUCKY TO BE…
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WAS ABOUT TO GO SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS, STEPPED ON BRAKE AT TOP OF COURT AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR. NOT JUST LOSS OF HYDROS FULL ON BRAKE MALFUNCTION , NO BRAKES AT ALL. I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM CONNECTICUT. DECIDED TO MAKE LEFT TURN AND MISSED GETTING HIT BY 18 WHEELER BY INCHES. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE TO BE TYPING THIS NOW, NO THANKS TO GM. NO WARNING LIGHTS NOTHING AT ALL JUST NO BRAKES. TO ADD EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT WORK. *TR
SUDDEN RUPTURE OF BRAKE LINE DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION. RUPTURE WAS EVIDENT ALONG A SEAM IN THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. RUPTURE GREATLY REDUCED THE BRAKING CAPACITY. RENDERED VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Official recalls
204V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility
Nov 26, 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
01V125000 · Equipment:other:labels
Apr 10, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER ERROR THAT RESULTED IN THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LISTING TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION THAT DIFFER FROM THE TIRE SIZE AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE OWNER OR SOMEONE SERVICING THE VEHICLE INFLATES THE TIRES ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE SPECIFIED ON THE LABEL VERSUS THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRES, THE TIRES COULD BE UNDER-INFLATED OR OVER-INFLATED DEPENDING ON THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TIRES ARE UNDER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE, AND THE TIRE COULD DEGRADE TO A POINT OF ALLOWING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. IF THE TIRES ARE OVER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE AND INCREASE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE. IF SUDDEN AIR LOSS OR A ROAD HAZARD CAUSES DAMAGE TO A TIRE, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 31, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT 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
2EA04011 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Apr 9, 2004 · Closed May 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake; Parking Brake:conventional; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical; Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Parking Brake:conventional
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Parking Brake
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE03057 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Dec 8, 2003 · Closed Apr 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING BRAKE IS INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO IMMOBILZE PARKED VEHICLES, AND THAT IN MANY CASES, ACCELERATED PARKING BRAKE LINING WEAR IS CAUSED BY ROUGH USE, VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS, AND DRIVING WITH THE PARKING ENGAGED. ODI HAS UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE USAGE FACTORS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SEVENTEEN REPORTED VEHICLE CRASHES.