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.
Failure #1-rear brakes would lock when stopping. This would activate the rear antilock brake system and result in extra long stopping. Failure #2-the air vacuum hose that controls the position of the vents (ie heater or vent or defrost) melted and control of the defrost was lost. Windshield frosted over and reduced vision through windshield resulting in dangerous condition.
The rear brake system on this vehicle appears to have never functioned properly. I have replaced front brakes, but noticed that the rear brakes did not appear to be functioning (especially noticed while in reverse). Upon inspection, the rear shoes showed little or no wear. I did replace the shoes in the hope that this would correct the problem, but it has not. I suspect that the rear brakes have never been functional. The problem came to my attention when undergoing an omissions test with the rear wheels on rollers - the brakes failed to stop the wheels from turning. I did not detect this problem immediately due to the infrequency of braking under the condition of driving in reverse, although this has never been very good on this vehicle.
While driving vehicle the emergency brake cable froze, became loaded with ice which deflected cable, causing brakes to lock up, resulting in brakes and axle seals smoking and overheating.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Dodge, IA, USA