← New search

2003 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 45 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 53 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 →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

40 reports
Clear category filter
138,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10618220

21,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM ABS TO MASTER CYLINDER DUE TO CORROSION. UPON INSPECTION BOTH LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT WITH CORROSION PRESENT ON THE OTHER LINES, TOO. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608831

113,389 miles · May 27, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUMP AND THE MODULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUMP AND THE MODULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,389. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10594306

170,303 miles · May 18, 2014
Service Brakes

WHILE TRAVELING HOME THIS MORNING FROM A BALL GAME ON NC BACK ROADS WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN, MY WIFE [XXX] SAID THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BUZZER SOUNDED. UNABLE TO STOP, THEY ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND PULLED INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT. UPON INSPECTION, BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM A RUSTED BRAKE…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING HOME THIS MORNING FROM A BALL GAME ON NC BACK ROADS WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN, MY WIFE [XXX] SAID THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BUZZER SOUNDED. UNABLE TO STOP, THEY ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND PULLED INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT. UPON INSPECTION, BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM A RUSTED BRAKE LINE JUST INSIDE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE CHARLOTTE, NC AREA MOST OF ITS SERVICE LIFE. ANNUAL TRIPS TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN WITH PROPER POST TRIP WASHINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE CREATED THIS AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION ON KEY COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE BRAKE LINES. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM MUST RELATE TO THE INFERIOR QUALITY OF METAL OF GM ALLOWED THE SUPPLIER TO USE. THE NUMEROUS FAILURES I'VE READ ABOUT HAVE NOT BEEN LIMITED TO THE NORTHERN CLIMATES AND CONSEQUENTLY WILL RESULT IN NUMEROUS DEATHS AS THESE VEHICLES AGE FURTHER. ANSWERING THE PROBLEM LAST FALL WITH PRE MADE REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES FOR CUSTOMERS TO BUY AND HAVE INSTALLED FALLS SHORT OF MEETING GM'S OBLIGATION TO DELIVER SAFE AND RELIABLE VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED PROACTIVELY BY GM ASAP. SEVERAL YEARS AGO SUBARU PROMPTLY RECALLED THEIR CORRODED BRAKE LINES; WHY HAS GM BEEN GIVEN A PASS? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592223

125,500 miles · Mar 8, 2014
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE OPENED UP CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL AND EMPTY MASTER CYLINDER. FRONT BRAKES BARELY WORK. ESTIMATED COST FROM LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER TO BE ABOUT 600.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567966

200,000 miles · Dec 14, 2013
Service Brakes

ALL AUTOMOBILES IN NORTH-AMERICA SHOULD HAVE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES TO PREVENT CORROSION, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE AND ITS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD AS FAR AS COST; BRAKE FAILURE IS PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS THING THAT CAN HAPPEN THAT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. I AM AWARE THAT AUTO MANUFACTURERS WANT US TO REPLACE…

Read full complaint

ALL AUTOMOBILES IN NORTH-AMERICA SHOULD HAVE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES TO PREVENT CORROSION, IT ONLY MAKES SENSE AND ITS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD AS FAR AS COST; BRAKE FAILURE IS PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS THING THAT CAN HAPPEN THAT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING. I AM AWARE THAT AUTO MANUFACTURERS WANT US TO REPLACE COMPONENTS AND MAKE MONEY DOWN THE LINE, BUT BRAKE COMPONENTS SUCH AS BRAKE LINES HAVE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556063

76,888 miles · Nov 23, 2013
Service Brakes

COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, LIGHT COATING OF SNOW ON THE ROAD MADE IT SLIPPERY, ABS BRAKING CYCLED I HELD BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS THE MANUALS SAY TO DO WITH ABS SYSTEM, TRUCK SLOWED ABS CYCLED AGAIN AND THEN PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY VEHICLE ENDED UP SIDEWAYS IN ROAD AND THIRTY FEET FROM MY TURN AND NEARLY IN A DIT…

Read full complaint

COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, LIGHT COATING OF SNOW ON THE ROAD MADE IT SLIPPERY, ABS BRAKING CYCLED I HELD BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS THE MANUALS SAY TO DO WITH ABS SYSTEM, TRUCK SLOWED ABS CYCLED AGAIN AND THEN PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY VEHICLE ENDED UP SIDEWAYS IN ROAD AND THIRTY FEET FROM MY TURN AND NEARLY IN A DITCH, I THEN BACKED UP TO MAKE MY TURN AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN AS I STOPPED TO ENTER MY ROAD , FORTUNATELY MY HOME WAS ONLY ABOUT 500 YARDS FROM THIS SPOT. I HAD ALMOST NO BRAKES AT ALL AS I ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED.I THEN INSPECTED FLUID LEVEL IN MASTER CYLINDER WHICH APPEARED FULL , FROM THERE I FOLLOWED LINE DOWN TO THE ABS MODULE TO THE BRAIDED BRAKE LINE AND STILL SAW NO LEAKS, THEN FOLLOWED THE BRAIDED BRAKE LINE TO THE BRAKE LINE TUBING TO THE FRAME BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL WHERE THE LINE CLOSEST TO THE WHEEL WELL WAS LEAKING FLUID AND IT HAD SPRAYED ALL OVER THE LINE AND UNDER CARRIAGE AND FRAME AND WHEEL HOUSING SHROUD. THE LINE IS RUSTED OUT AND BURST THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 80000 MILES ON IT AND IS WELL MAINTAINED AND I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 8 MILES ON IT AND PAID $43000 FOR IT. THIS IS HORRENDOUS AND INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS THERE WAS NO STOPPING POWER AT ALL, HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT A BUSY INTERSECTION THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553562

86,700 miles · Nov 14, 2013
Service Brakes

LOST ALL BRAKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR- NO WARNING . BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK RUSTED THRU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552209

61,007 miles · Nov 10, 2013
Service Brakes

WAS BACKING UP INTO PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING CAPABILITY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE FACILITY AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING FLUID TO BE PUSHED OUT. I THOUGHT THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD A DUAL BRAKE CYLINDER SO T…

Read full complaint

WAS BACKING UP INTO PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING CAPABILITY. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE FACILITY AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING FLUID TO BE PUSHED OUT. I THOUGHT THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD A DUAL BRAKE CYLINDER SO THAT THERE WOULD BE BRAKING CAPABILITY ON THE REAR BRAKES BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. FORTUNATELY WAS GOING SLOW AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. PAID REPAIR FACILITY TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE LINES. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER, 2013 WHERE I APPLIED BRAKES PRIOR TO MOVING TRANSMISSION FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHILE ON A HILL. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING CAPABILITY. I DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE IS SPEWING FLUID. AGAIN, NO BRAKING CAPABILITY IN THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. I ASSUME THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE ALSO RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS INCIDENTS ON INTERNET ABOUT GMC BRAKE LINES RUSTING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THERE IS NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL EXCEPT FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IF ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES RUSTS. FIRST, THESE LINES SHOULD BE MADE OF MATERIALS THAT DO NOT RUST. I HAVE MULTIPLE 60'S AND 70'S VEHICLES WHERE THE BRAKE LINES ARE NOT RUSTED. SECOND, THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER OF THESE VEHICLES WHERE THEY FAIL TO WORK WHEN EITHER THE FRONT OR THE REAR LINES FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551705

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT. I KNOW THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, BUT I LIVE IN SOUTHERN VIRGINIA WHERE WE VERY RARELY GET SNOW AND THEY NEVER SALT THE ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547862

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

PE10010 · Brake Line Corrosion Failure

Opened Mar 30, 2010 · Closed Jan 5, 2011

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

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. GM stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject vehicles is split front/rear and should a brake pipe suddenly fail for any reason, the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping with the pressure supplied by the remaining circuit; (2) the subject vehicles were designed to meet the hydraulic circuit partial failure requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 105 and 135, Light Vehicle Brake Systems; and (3) should a brake fluid leak occur for any reason, the brake system malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) would illuminate and warn the driver before the brake fluid level was low enough to cause a loss of line pressure.ODI's and GM's analysis indicates that 85 percent of the complaints occurred on vehicles used primarily in States that use salt on the roads during Winter months (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).Overall the complaint rates per 100,000 vehicles for Salt Belt States is 43.0 and Non-Salt Belt is 3.0.In approximately 25 percent of the complaints the brake pipe failure occurred suddenly, with no warning (i.e., no MIL, Brake Fluid Loss Warning), and resulted in extended stopping distances.In 30 of these the increase in stopping distance that resulted was a factor in the crash and in 10 others the vehicle was intentionally steered off the road or into another lane of travel in order to avoid a crash.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-001) for subject vehicles sold or currently registered in Salt Belt States to further assess the scope, frequency and safety risks associated with sudden failures of corroded brake pipes that can result in decreased brake effectiveness. ODI will continue to gather information on subject vehicles outside the Salt Belt as well.

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.

EA04011 · 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.