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.
Safety concern- potential trailering accident!!! it appears that Chevrolet/GM has changed the wiring in their vehicles so that electric trailer brake controllers no longer illuminate the trailer brake lights when the electric brake controller is operated independently from the vehicle brakes. All brake lights work fine when the foot brake is applied but no brake lights illuminate when the controller overide is applied to operate the trailer brakes independently. There are times when trailering that one only wishes to use the trailer brakes to settle down swaying or on long down hill grades. 2012 vehicles are not wired so that brake lights also work off the controller override switch. I have been towing for over 26 years and brake lights have always worked both on the foot brake and controller override brake switch. This is a potential accident waiting to happen. If one applies the trailer brakes alone with no brake lights illuminating, this could cause another vehicle to slam into the back of the trailer and tow vehicle causing a crash. Chevrolet states they cannot connect the trailer controllers to operate the brake lights as it would back feed power into the electronics of the vehicle voiding any warranty on the vehicle. Trailer brakes lights only work as connected to the vehicle wiring when stepping on the foot brake.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dexter, NM, USA