1999 Chevrolet Suburban complaints

THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A PUMPING NOISE FROM THE ABS AND AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CUSTOMER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS SEVERAL TIMES. NO LIGHT COMES ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. *JB *NM

WHILE AT LOW SPEED AND OFTEN READY TO PARK MY VEHICLE, THE BREAKS NO LONGER WORK.

IN 2000 OR 2001 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN WARRENTY, I HAD TRAVELED TO KENTUCKY FOR A VISIT WITH FAMILY. MY FATHER-IN-LAW NOTICED THAT I HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH AT THE PEDAL (STOPLIGHT SWITCH). IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR MY WIFE WAS FOLLOWING ME IN OUR OTHER VEHICLE WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS COMING ON AGAIN. I THOUGHT THAT THE SWITCH HAD WORKED LOOSE. WHEN I PUSHED IN ON THE SWITCH THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THEN LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND NOTICED IN THE STORE WINDOWS BEHIND HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING AGAIN. SHE DROVE TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND PURCHASED A STOPLIGHT SWITCH. I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THANKFULLY OF THE 3 INCIDENTS WITH BEING UNAWARE OF HAVING NO BRAKE LIGHTS THERE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT. HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN UNFORTUNATE AND THIS SWITCH HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT?

TURN SIGNAL (MULTI-FUNCTION) SWITCH STARTED STAYING ON AND FLASHER KEPT CLICKING AFTER SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF. SWITCH THEN STARTED TO FUNCTION WITHOUT DRIVER ACTIVATION. WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT AROUND THE HAZARD BUTTON I CALLED THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE MILEGE IS 83076. DEALER ADVISED CALLING GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. SECURED SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER 1-327411227. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. REPAIR WAS MADE NEXT DAY. COST $680.99. PAID BY CREDIT CARD. HAVE SECURED INFORMATION THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER GM SAYS THIS VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. HISTORY ON THIS VEHICLE: 06/23/00 9891 MILES AC COMPRESSOR FAILED 12/19/00 17149 MILES POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE 06/09/01 25227 MILES BATTERY SHORTED OUT 08/16/03 59362 MILES FUEL GUAGE STOPPED WORKING 01/17/05 78571 MILES LIGHT SWITCH BROKE OFF 04/12/05 83076 MILES MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED THESE ARE ALL ITEMS WHICH SHOULD EXPECT A MUCH LONGER LIFE SPAN THAN OCCURRED. IN FACT, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT THAT THE STEERING SHAFT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, WHICH IS MY PRESENT COMPLAINT IS THE SAME SWITCH WHICH IS UNDER RECALL, HOWEVER THEY SAY MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT EFFECTED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH EFFECTED THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH, NOT THE VEHICLE. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE, WHICH VIN THE VEHICLE CARRIES?

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE LF TIRE. VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, ROCKER PANEL, FRONT FENDER AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR. THE TREAD SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE BETWEEN THE TWO STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND WAS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION. JUST PRIOR TO THE TREAD SEPARATION, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. (*NM) FSB (8/11/05 FOLLOW UP CALL): ON 6/4/05, THE OWNER EXPERIENCED A 2ND TREAD SEPARATION WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVING THE LR TIRE AT 65 MPH. AS IN FIRST INCIDENT, THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER HAS REPLACED ALL TIRES AND HAS FAILED TIRES IN POSSESSION. OWNER WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THAT REMAINING TIRES WOULD HAVE ALSO FAILED.

99 3/4 BRAKE ABS FAILURE UNDER 10MPH I DOUBLT YOU WILL SEE THE SPOKESMAN WHO SAYS THEY DONT HAVE A PROBLLEM STAND IN FRONT OF THE SUBURBAN WHEN ITS BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP. IM SCARED SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE HURT. YOU APPLY BRAKES AND WHEN DRY OR COLD AND IN EVEN IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS AND BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO FLOOR WITH PEDAL DEPRESSED AND HELD.

I SEE ONLINE THAT THE 1999 SUBURBAN'S ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE UNEXPECTEDLY AND ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION. I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE REPAIRED IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GM'S TECHNINCAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE SUBJECT. I REMOVED THE ANTILOCK SENSORS AND CLEANED THE RUST OFF OF MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE FRONT BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM SUBSIDED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN UNDER 10 MPH AND WAS FREQUENT AND UNEXPECTED. ON ONE OCCASION I NEARLY HIT THE FIRE STATION I WORK IN'S APPARATUS DOOR AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION I NEARLY HIT A FENCE ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY DRIVEWAY.

STREERING BEGAN TO ACT ERATICALLY AND FELT AS IF I HIT A PATCH OF ICE WITH A RAPID RELEASE OF TURNING FORCE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. ON THE FIRST OCCASION WHEN THIS OCCURRED I WAS EXITING A FREEWAY CLOVERLEAF IN WET CONDITIONS AND THE ERATIC MOVEMENT CAUSED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK TO LOSE TRACTION AND A NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE THE SLIDE WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT BUT FOUND IT TO BE AN UNNERVING EVENT. AFTER RESEARCHING AUTO FORUMS ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON THIS SUBJECT AND IT IS RELATED TO A FAILURE OF THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR LOCATED AT ON NEAR THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I REPLACED THIS SENSOR ON 05-04-05 AND THE CONDITION IS NOW CORRECTED. I PURCHASED THE GM PART #26064468 AT A DEALER AND DID THE LABOR MYSELF. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS DEFECT WHICH WILL INEVITABLE CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

LOST THE UPPER A ARM CAM BOLT AND NUT ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVERS UPPER A ARM. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD NEAR KNOX, ND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN BY CHEVROLET TO A DEALER IN RUGBY, ND. WHERE THE BOLT ASSEMBLY WAS REPAIRED AND SECONDARY DAMAGE TO FRONT END COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED.

AT SLOW SPEEDS, MY CAR'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN, AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO SLIDE

BRAKE FAILURE. NO PATTERN TO THIS. PUSHED BRAKES AND THEY WENT DOWN AND SEEMED A LITTLE LOOSE. CAR DID NOT STOPPED. NEVER FELT THE BRAKE GRAB OR EVEN SLOW DOWN, CAUSING A WRECK. *AK

ABS . THE BRAKES WOULD GO TO ABS AT SLOW SPEED AND EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. GAVE THE IMPRESSION OF BRAKE FAILURE OR FADE.

1. WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES COME ON. 2. MY TRUCK WON'T STOP - I COULD CRASH INTO ANYTHING, WORSE YET - I COULD INJURE SOMEONE. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE YET. I'M DEALING WITH THIS DAILY!

WE BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE JAN.04 FROM DEALER, DAY WE PICKED IT UP BATTERY DEAD NEXT MORNING, NOT KNOWN AT TIME WAS BECAUSE DOME LIGHTS WERE FLICKING ON OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. FIRST ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS SOON AS TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD BLOW, NO DASH LIGHTS, NO TAIL LIGHTS ETC. WE PAID OVER 200 TO HAVE THAT FIXED(SHORTAGE IN PARK LIGHT BEHIND GRILL REPLACED) STILL HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH INTERIOR DOME LIGHT FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHENEVER TO THE POINT WE HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE FUSE WHEN PARKED SO THEY DON'T COME ON AND DRAIN BATTERY. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. CAN'T FIND PROBLEM, TAKEN IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND PAY FOR LABOR TO FIND NOTHING.. ABS BRAKES ARE KICKING IN WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN, NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. I CAN NOT BELIEVE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL AND ABS BRAKES, THAT CHEVY DOES NOT DO A RECALL.. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVROLET AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN IF THIS IS THERE QUALITY.*AK

1999 SUBURBAN. BOLT CAME LOOSE IN ENGINE. 97,000 MILES. ENGINE BLEW UP REQUIRING AN ENTIRE NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE.

THE HAZARD FLASHERS SWITCH ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THIS CAUSES THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO ALSO BE SPORADIC. THIS IS LOCATED IN A MASTER SWITCH WHICH COSTS $350 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH NEEDS CORRECTED. SAFETY IS INVOLVED WHEN WARNING LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK .*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC MODULE FOR THE STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME PLAYFUL, AND DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL. *AK

1999 CHEVY SUBURBAN TRUCK C 1500 SUBURBAN @WD V8-350 5.7L WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFECT HAVE BEEN CALLED BY GM FOR OTHER VEHICLES. THE 1999, WHICH I OWN, HAS THE SAME DEFECT, BUT NO RECALL! DANGEROUSLY STOPS FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING, THEN INTERMITTENT, THEN WILL NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN TURNED OFF, THEY REMAIN UP ON WINDSHIELD AT TIMES AND BLOCK DRIVING VIEW. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JUNE 2004. PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

I HAD THREE BLOW OUTS AND ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR WITH NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE YEAR. *JB

FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKS TO LOCK OR UNLOCK (COMPLETELY RANDOM). IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, CAN TRAP PERSON INSIDE. *NM

LEFT AND RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCKS ARE OFTEN IMMOBILIZED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM BEING OPENED FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT RELATED TO TEMPERATURE. THE LEFT REAR DOOR FAILED FIRST, AND NOW CAN RARELY BE OPENED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. THIS IS A DESIGN AND A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE FAILING IN LARGE NUMBERS, AND IT'S A DESIGN DEFECT BECAUSE THE DOORS CAN'T BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY WHEN THE POWER LOCKS FAIL. THE DEALER SAID THE DOOR ACTUATORS AND LATCH ASSEMBLIES MUST BE REPLACED. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SAID THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, SO I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, APPROXIMATELY $300 PER DOOR. THIS CLEARLY IS A SAFETY DEFECT SINCE IT IS PROBABLE THAT UP TO SIX PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OVER SEATS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.*AK

I STOPPED AT A STORE, DID SOME SHOPPING, CAME BACK OUT AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TAKEN TO A SHOP. THE NEXT MORNING I GOT A CALL FROM THE SHOP THAT THE TRUCK STARTED JUST FINE. I HAD THEM RUN $280 WORTH OF TEST TO FIND NOTHING THAT STOOD OUT BUT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE FUEL PUMP. THEY CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND EVERYTHING HAS WORKED SINCE; UNTIL TODAY. NOW MY TRUCK WILL NOT START. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SUBMISSIONS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES ABOUT THE FAILURE PROBLEMS OF GM FUEL PUMPS (ON SUBURBANS) AND HAVE TWO GOOD FRIENDS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THIS. OBVIOUSLY I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED, BUT IT SHOULD BE TIME FOR GM TO TAKE RESPONSABILITY FOR A POORLY DESIGNED SYSTEM INSTEAD OF PROFITTING OFF OF THE CONSUMERS WOES.*AK

THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES BROKE FROM THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS, AND LIFTING THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND STATED BECAUSE THE PART WAS PLASTIC IT BROKE. *AK IF THE BRAKES GET WET FROM EITHER STANDING WATER OR EXCESSIVE RAIN, THE ABS BRAKES BECOME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO PEDAL APPLICATION. THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS

THE FUEL PUMP ON MY VEHICLE HAS GONE AGAIN, AND HAS TO BE REPLACED, THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND IS ONE THAT I HAVE MADE BEFORE ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS, AND FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP THAT I AM HAVING IS A COMMON THING AMONG THE 1999 TAHOES, AND WAS WONDERING IS THERE IS ANY TALKS OF A RECALL ON THIS PART?*AK

DRIVER'S DOOR ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED AND LEFT DOOR COMPLETELY DISABLED. UNABLE TO MANUALLY RELEASE, KEY FOB NON-FUNCTIONAL, DOOR KEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. LOCKSMITH WAS FORCED TO DISCONNECT THE ACTUATOR THROUGH WINDOW CHANNEL BY FORCING ATTACHED ROD OUT OF ACTUATOR. THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR LOCK ALSO BECAME INOPERABLE (LOCKING PORTION) WHEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FAILED. FACTORY SERVICE SHOP TESTED BOTH ACTUATORS AND HAS DETERMINED THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS FAIL BUT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO INSURE THAT IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS IT REVERTS TO THE UNLOCKED POSITION.*AK

THE PROBLEM IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR OR SOMETHING. AT FIRST THEY WOULD STOP JUST ANYWHERE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO GET OUT AND MOVE THEM BACK AND FORTH TO START THEM AGAIN, THEN WHEN I WOULD TURN THEM OFF, THEY WOULDN'T TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN, THEM GOING OUT AT ASSORTED TIMES. FINALLY, NOW THEY MAKE A GRINDING SOUND BUT WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. *JB

PULLS HARD TO RIGHT WHILE BRAKING. *JB

WE HAVE A 1999 CHEVY SUBURBAN. IT NOW HAS 80K MILES ON IT. WE ARE ON WATER PUMP #5. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD COOLANT LEAK PROBLEMS. IT WAS ALWAYS BLAMED ON THE WATER PUMP. NOW I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM AROUND THE INTAKE. GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS TO DO WITH ELECTROLISIS BETWEEN THE CAST IRON ENGINE BLOCK AND THE ALUMINUM INTAKE. WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH 72K MILES, BUT THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME CONVINCING MYSELF TO BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE...

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

IN MAY 2004 I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE. UPON INVESTIGATING IT WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE GAS TANK GUARD ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AFTER REMOVING THE GUARD A SMALL PINHOLE LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE TANK. THE TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO AN INABILITY OF WATER, SALT, AND DEBRIS TO BE CLEARED FROM THE GUARD BECAUSE IT CONTAINS NO DRAIN HOLES. I REPAIRED THE TANK WITH AN OVER THE COUNTER REPAIR KIT DUE TO THE NEED OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET BUT WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I FIXED THE TANK MYSELF THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. ON 11/07/04 I AGAIN NOTICED GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE. UPON LOOKING I DISCOVERED TWO NEW HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE TANK. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I FEAR THE TANK IS RUSTED TOO THIN TO RELY ON FOR SAFETY REASONS. I BELIEVE A GENERAL ENGINEERING OVERSIGHT WOULD ALLOW A PLASTIC BOWL SHAPED GUARD TO BE STRAPPED BELOW A METAL TANK WITHOUT AT LEAST SOME DRAIN HOLES TO ALLOW WATER TO ESCAPE. I'M WRITING BECAUSE WE KEEP THE SUBURBAN IN EXCELLENT REPAIR AND I'M POSSITIVE THERE ARE OTHER SUCH DESIGNED TANKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN BRAKING BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WALL WHILE ENTERING. THE PEDAL STAYED UP AND FIRM AND WOULDN'T SLOW THE VEHICLE. SECONDS LATER THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *SC

PURCHASED 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN JANUARY 2004. ALSO PURCHASED WARRANTY, VEHICLE STARTED TO USE ANITFREEZE, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2004 DIAGNOSIS INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING. *AK DEALERSHIP REPLACED GASKETS VEHICLE STARTED TO USE ANTIFREEZE AGAIN. AGAIN WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NOVEMBER 1, 2004. SERVICE DEPARMENT CONTACTED ME ON NOVEMBER 2, 2004 DIAGNOSIS: LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AGAIN. WE PURCHASED WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, OBVIOUSLY WE WERE MISTAKEN. IF WE CANNOT GET TO WORK WE CANNOT MAKE THE PAYENTS. IM DISGUSTED.

WHEN TURNING THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE. WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A SHARP TURN, THE STEERING LATER BECAME VERY SOFT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO WAS NOT ENGAGING IN THE DEFECT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. *AK

DRIVER REPORTED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS, PRIMARILY DURING SUMMER MONTHS WHILE TRYING TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD. OCT 2004, FIRST BIG RAIN OF THE SEASON AND WIPERS ARE INTERMITTENT AGAIN. LOSS OF WIPERS WHILE HEAVY DOWNPOUR ON FREEWAY LEAD TO NEAR SERIOUS ACCIDENT.0/19/04 - SPOKE WITH CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. THEY REPORT NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR (1999, SOLD IN 6/1998) AND NOT SERVICE BULLETIN. A LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR. ARRANGING TO HAVE SERVICE DONE; WILL KEEP OLD DEFECTIVE PART (MOTOR?). *AK I DOUBT THIS IS AN ISOLATED SITUATION GIVEN THE OCCURANCE OF FAILURES ACKNOWLEDGE VIA THE EXISTING RECALLS, AND THE QTY OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED.

I OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K1500 WITH A 6.5L TURBO DIESEL ENGINE. I RECENTLY WENT THROUGH NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY AS IF THE IGNITION WERE SHUT OFF. SEVERAL INSTANCES WERE NOT LIFE THREATENING AS THEY OCCURRED IN PARKING LOTS OR NOT WHEN IN TRAFFIC. SEVERAL INSTANCES WERE MORE DRAMATIC. WHEN MERGING INTO CITY AND HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I WAS SUDDENLY LEFT WITH NO STEERING OR BRAKES AS THE ENGINE HAD DIED. THIS IS A LARGE HEAVY VEHICLE AND DOES NOT RESPOND WELL WITHOUT POWER INPUT FROM THOSE COMPONENTS. LUCKILY NONE OF THE INSTANCES RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT. I NOW HAVE A NEWBORN SON AND ALWAYS HAVE A CONCERN WITH HIM IN THE VEHICLE THAT ANOTHER SHUT DOWN COULD OCCUR AT ANY POINT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THE INJECTION PUMP WAS REPLACED. DOING RESEARCH ON THIS REVEALED COUNTLESS INCEDENTS OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ELECTRONIC INJECTION PUMP. WHILE FIXING THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY HAS HELPED, IT APPEARS AS IF ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL IT OCCURS AGAIN. HAD I BEEN AWARE OF THESE PERSISTANT PROBLEMS PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I LIKELY WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER. AS IT IS NOW, I AM STUCK WITH THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE MISFIRED. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. WINDSHIELD WIPERS STUCK IN THE UP RIGHT POSITION. THIS REDUCED DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER PULLED OF THE ROAD AND WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE RELAY SWITCH OR MECHANISM IS MOUNTED ON THE FIREWALL BROKE DUE TO THE HEAT, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE.*AK

OWN A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 6.5 DIESEL ENGINE, W/145K MILES, SUV WAS RUNNING OK BUT THE LAST FEW MONTHS ENGINE STALLING AND STOP WITHOUT REASON, TOOK SUV TO A REPAIR CENTER, DIAGNOSE WITH FUEL INJECTION PUMP FAILURE, CHEVY DEALER EXPLAINED THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT, FUEL INJECTION PUMP HAS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT (PMD) LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE PUMP WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT SENT FAILURE SIGNAL TO THE MAIN COMPUTER. CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO VERIFIED/UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE, ANSWERED THAT YES INDEED THEY AGREED ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALSO SAID THEY HAD "CAMPAIGN" NOT A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DIDN'T MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE PUBLIC. I ASKED FOR HELP TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS TOLD THAT I RUN OUT OF OPTIONS ONLY HONOR THIS PROBLEM FOR 10 YEARS OR 120K MILES? I WAS NOT AWARE AND NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GMC. THIS IS A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN WITH TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES, IMAGINE IF THE ENGINE STOPS OR STALL GOING DOWN THE HILL IN ANY URBAN OR RURAL AREA; PASSING ANOTHER CAR IN A BUSY HIGHWAY AND STALLING OR JUST THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING (FRONTAL CRASH!!); CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH SCHOOL KIDS INSIDE AND NO POWER (HORRIBLE ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS INJURIES OR PERHAPS CASUALTIES!!); TOWING A CAMPER OR BOAT ON A BUSY AND FAST HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY STALL OR STOPPING IN FRONT OF A SEMI-TRAILER; CROSSING A RAIL ROAD AND STALLING IN THE MIDDLE WITH PEOPLE INSIDE A TRAIN COMING ITS WAY!!. THESE ARE A FEW CONSEQUENCES THIS FAILURE CAN CREATED, IMAGING A LAWYE

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ENGAGED THEY MALFUNCTIONED. WINDSHIELD WIPERSZ WILL EITHER NOT WORK, QUIT WORKING WHILE ENGAGED, OR ENGAGE IN THE FASTER SPEED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD,THE WIPER MOTOR, AND THE TAP WASHER. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN MIDDLE OF DOWNPOUR. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER OF ROAD. HAVE NOT HAD THEM INSPECTED YET. *AK

CHEVROLET SUBURBAN RIGHT REAR STEELTEX TIRE TREAD SEPARATED.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD FROM GM AND FIRESTONE, WHO NEVER LOOKED AT OR REQUESTED TO LOOK AT THE FAILED TIRE, THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT'S TREAD SEPARATED, BUT HE COULD NOT OFFICIALLY (LT245/75R16, 120/116R M/S, R4SV611B1A448 (23557), (SP872K), (TPC SPEC 2012 MS). *NM

WHILE PULLING OUT ON TO THE MAIN STREET FROM A RESIDENTIAL HOUSING AREA, BOTH LANES CLEAR OF ON COMING TRAFFIC..DRY/SUNNY DAY.....12 NOON SATURDAY....AS I PULLED OUT I SAW 60 YARDS AHEAD TRAFFIC IN MY LANE WAS STOPPED FOR A VEHICLE 3-4 CARS AHEAD OF ME MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. MY SPEED WAS UNDER 25 MPH AND WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES MY 1999 SUBURBAN 2WD WOULD NOT STOP. I APPLIED MY BRAKES WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE STOPPED VEHICLES, BUT MY SUBURBAN CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LITTLE OR NOT STOPPAGE. I TRIED TO DITCH THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT BUT COULD NOT DUE TO A TELEPHONE POLE, ROAD SIDE CEMETERY AND TREES. AT THE TIME I SAW THE ON COMING LEFT LANE DID NOT HAVE VEHICLES COMING SO I PULLED OUT INTO THAT LANE. I PASSED 2 OR 3 OF THE VEHICLE IN MY LANE BEFORE A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE LEFT LANE TOWARDS ME CAME. I TRIED TO STEER THE SUBURBAN TO THE LEFT INTO THE DITCH. I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON BUT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT STOP ME FROM HITTING MY HEAD ON THE WIND SHIELD CAUSING A STAR BURST CRACK IN THE GLASS. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED....CW *JB

KATHLEEN DEMETER, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC & SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 400 SEVENTH STREET SW WASHINGTON, DC 20590 DEAR KATHLEEN I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE SECOND PETITION FROM LISONI & LISONI CONCERNING THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX CLASS ACTION SUIT. IT IS MY DESIRE THAT THE NHTSA ALLOW THAT SUIT TO PROCEED AND STAND ON ITS OWN MERIT IN THE COURTS. I BOUGHT A NEW 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN NOV OF 1999 WHICH CAME EQUIPPED WITH FOUR LT245-75R-16 FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES ON THE GROUND AND ONE SPARE. THIS VEHICLE WAS 100% DEALER MAINTAINED AND NEVER RAN OFF OF PAVED ROADS. IT PRIMARILY TRAVELED FROM THE LA AREA OR LAS VEGAS TO LAKE TAHOE. I HAVE HOMES IN ALL THREE AREAS AND TRAVEL BETWEEN THEM. DURING THE COURSE OF THESE TRIPS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, I HAVE HAD THREE HIGH SPEED BLOWOUTS AND TWO TIRE TREAD SEPARATIONS. THAT IS FIVE FOR FIVE OF THE TIRES FIRESTONE BUILT AND WERE DELIVERED ON MY VEHICLE. I AM IN MY MID 60S AND HAVE DRIVEN AUTOS SINCE I WAS 16 AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE ON ANY AUTO THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. MY MAJOR DISSATISFACTION AND THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER IS THE TOTAL DISREGARD FIRESTONE ACKNOWLEDGED IN ANY OF MY SEVERAL LETTERS OF LOSS CLAIM WITH THEM. TO THIS DATE, ALL I EVER RECEIVED FROM FIRESTONE WAS ASSURANCE THEIR PRODUCT WAS SAFE AND THAT ANY PROBLEMS THAT I WAS HAVING WAS THE FAULT OF MY MISUSE OF THEIR PRODUCT. THIS TOTAL DISREGARD FOR CONSUMER SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NEEDS

TURNED WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON DURING HEAVY RAIN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE . WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD.MY DRIVING WAS IMPAIRED,SO I PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. I THEN MOVED THE WIPERS WITH MY HAND.THEY STARTED TO WORK,BUT STOPPED AGAIN. THIS ALSO HAPPENS TO MY OTHER VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ALMOST ROLLED OVER, HOWEVER, CONSUMER MAINTAINED CONTROL. THERE WAS SEVERE BODY DAMAGE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1999 K1500 SUBURBAN WITH 49600 MILES WHILE TOWING 18 FOOT LIGHTLY LOADED BOX TRAILER ON LEVEL GROUND. TOWING WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL TO TOW IN OVERDRIVE. TRANSMISSION FAILED 150 MILES AFTER STARTING TOW. SUBSEQUENT CHECKING OVER INTERNET AND WITH FRIENDS HAS REVEALED MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME TYPE FAILURE. CHEV DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NO FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURES. FAILURE APPEARS TO BE DO TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP.

THE WIPERS WOULD OCCASIONALLY WORK NORMALLY, OR NOT WORK AT ALL OR TURN THEMSELVES ON AND WE WERE UNABLE TO STOP THEM UNTIL WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.*AK

UNEXPECTED WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE AT 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE. ABLE TO MANUEVER TO SHOULDER WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR IS PARKED. LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AND SOLUTION.*AK