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.
Exiting the highway on an off ramp, applied the brakes and the peddle went to the floor. Found a brake line had corroded and burst. Had to repair along the road.
2000 GMC K3500 reg. Cab pickup 4X4 -- brake pedal goes to floor and ABS system engages. Vehicle has extended braking distances on dry pavement. Brake light comes on and goes off after re-application of brakes by "pumping" them. Pedal also goes to floor without engagement of ABS system and vehicle will not stop. Problem has been recurring for three (3) years but this time vehicle was intentionally driven into a snowbank to prevent a collision with another vehicle. On 06/24/2010 driver rear brake line (steel) rotted through where it touched frame and expelled all brake fluid from master cylinder also causing brake failure.other lines also showing premature corrosion. Brakes always have a soft and spongy feel even after replacement of fluid and bleeding of entire system. Parking brake cable (front) also snapped due to corrosion at underside of cab.
Steel brake pipe that carries fluid to the rear brakes ruptured next to the fuel tank. Fluid is leaking and pooling on the flange of frame. Stopping performance is degraded, and no warning has registered via the instrument cluster or idiot lights. Line is badly corroded, which perhaps is to be expected given the age of the vehicle. However, I find it ironic that the exhaust system is made of stainless steel yet the brake lines are not. This vehicle has had other brake-related failures that GM refused to correct, despite having recalled contemporary vehicles with identical problems. It is an unusual build - old (gmt400)bodystyle, model year 2000, 1 ton crew cab longbox. I believe GM forgot they built these and thus they neglect to include trucks of this type in their prior recalls. Registering this complaint in hopes that GM will remember to include such trucks in the ongoing PE over the brake pipe corrosion issue.
ABS brakes activate inappropriately at low speeds (under 10 mph) on smooth dry surfaces. This lengthens the stopping distance and creates the potential for a crash when available stopping distance is limited. The design is flawed in that 1) normal corrosion, expected during the life of the vehicle, frequently leads to this failure of the brake system, and 2) when this normal, expected corrosion occurs, the ABS system does not 'fail to safe', but instead fails in a manner that reduces brake system performance and increases stopping distance once problem began, it happens all the time. Dealer removed the front wheel speed sensors from the wheel bearings, cleaned corrosion off the mounting surface, and reinstalled the sensors. This is exactly the same failure mode, same root cause, same corrective action as described in GM's existing product safety recall #05068C, however GM refused to repair the vehicle under the terms of the recall because, as it is currently written, the recall does not cover the small number of trucks built at the flint plant. My vehicle was built in the affected time frame, with the suspect components, and exhibits exactly the same safety defect as described in the recall, but GM has their head in the sand with regard to the fact that there were a batch of affected vehicles built at flint. The recall needs to be expanded and GM should be assessed punitive damages for the shameful way they are treating customers who request assistance in getting their vehicle fixed. I had the vehicle repaired at my own expense and GM has refused to assist with the cost of the repair. GM rep actually suggested that I file this complaint, as he claimed that he was not empowered to resolve the problem without a NHTSA complaint history to justify action.
Consumer stated that when trying to apply the brakes the brake pedal would go to the floor causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lewistown, PA, USA