This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Between November 2002 and May 2003, I have gone through 4 batteries and 3 visits to the dealer for electrical "shorts." Either the antilock brake warning light, or the airbag warning light would come on, and the interior dash lights would become increasingly dim indicating a battery drain. Within a day or two, the battery would be completely drained, and there is no power at all. The dealer reports finding problems in the battery cells and shorts in the harness under the dash each time, but the problem persists.
Consumer states engine looses power then engine dies, took to dealer and they rebuilt transmission, the passenger window will not roll up or down, water pump failed on July 24, flasher lever broke inside the steering column, brakes inoperative.
On Sunday January 27, 2002 I was involved in an accident as a result to a problem with the brakes on my 1997 Chevrolet Lumina ls model 4-door sedan that could have resulted in serious injury or death. About a week and half before the accident I knew I was having a problem with the vehicle stopping and I brought it to the original dealer where the vehicle was purchased at hurd Buick-Chevrolet-Pontiac-GMC trucks located in johnston, ri 02919, and had them look at the brake system of the vehicle. I explained the problem that when I applied the brake pedal the vehicle would have trouble stopping and I had to apply a great force on the pedal and allow more timing to stop than normal. The auto technician said nothing he could find wrong but adjusted the brakes and cleaned them. A week and half later while traveling to a drug store I applied the brake pedal as I was pulling into a parking space and the vehicle would not stop. Fortunately no one was in front of the vehicle except a concrete light pole base that I hit. The vehicle suffered extensive damage to the front bump, hood, and lights and right fender and the total cost of repair is $3,500. I was wearing my seatbelt and both the driver's airbag and passenger airbag did not dispense. The vehicle was towed to the autobody garage and the insurance company was notified. Even though I have applied the brake pedal to the floor I felt the vehicle lost half of its brake power to fully stop. I hope this incident can be prevented from happening again next time it may be fatal.
Had alternator that was rebuild. Alternator went out while vehicle was going 70mph with A/C blowing. Also, 5-6 miles motor kept cutting on and off, finally stopping.. no electricity was getting to fuel pump. Once vehicle cut off pump and brakes no longer worked. Consumer had to use emergency brake to help stop vehicle.
Brake pads were replaced 3 times in one year & need replacement again. Rotors have been turned. Dealer even replaced pads & turned rotors for previous owner in 1997.
For the last year, most of the time, ABS warning light has been on. Dealer has been called about the problem. Midas could not find any problems with the braking system.
ABS light would stay on while traveling, indicating that ABS system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance. Dealer was contacted and repairs were made.
When brakes are applied, the pedal goes to the floor, resulting in an extended stopping distance, the dealer has done diagnostic test and cannot duplicate the problem.
Anti-lock brakes, when approaching stop at about 30mph and applying brakes there was no response, pushed pedal completely to the floor and car would not stop, ran into a guardrail, dealer ran test and says they could not find a problem. Consumer was informed by another party that vehicle had no brakes.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA