Owners filed 249 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 7 times.
When it fails
04049040,490 milesMedian miles at failure
189 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 30,000–40,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
42
7
0
1
Service Brakes
30
3
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
26
3
0
2
Parking Brake
17
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
11
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
9
0
1
0
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
6
0
0
2
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
6
0
0
0
Tires
5
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
5
0
0
0
7 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.
Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Equipment › Electrical07E066000
Filed Aug 28, 2007175 vehiclesCequent Electrical Products
Defect. CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Risk. IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy. ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip05V379000
Filed Aug 29, 20051,353,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
Risk. IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Equipment04E022000
Filed Mar 23, 20048,000 vehiclesDurakon Industries, Inc.
Defect. AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
Risk. THE BEDLINER CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PICKUP WHILE IT IS MOTION, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS.
Remedy. DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments04V129000
Filed Mar 17, 20043,662,211 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Fuel System, Other › Delivery03V435000
Filed Nov 3, 2003395 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. SOME 2WD AND 4WD PICKUP TRUCKS, CONVERTED TO EITHER DEDICATED OR BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL USAGE, WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A THROTTLE CABLE THAT CAN CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS TO THE ATMOSPHERE.
Risk. A STRONG ODOR OF NATURAL GAS MAY BE DETECTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE. IF THE NATURAL GAS WERE ACCIDENTALLY IGNITED, SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH THE CNG FUEL LINE. THE CNG FUEL LINE, THROTTLE CABLE, AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ARE ALSO TO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2016100,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT VEERED INTO A DITCH TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2016MA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 20, 201573,300 milesME
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THIS TRUCK HAS HAD FRAME DAMAGE CAUSED BY RUST / CORROSION TO THE EXTENT THAT IT EITHER WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION OR IT COMPROMISED THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE FRAME CROSS-MEMBERS HAVE HAD HOLES ROTTED THROUGH THEM AND THE SHOCK MOUNTS HAVE ROTTED FROM THE FRAME. PRESENTLY, THE TWO CROSS-MEMBERS THAT GO OVER THE FUEL TANK HAVE LARGE RUST HOLES OVER THE FUEL TANK. ALSO, THE REAR CROSSMEMBER HAS ROTTED AREAS ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE.
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2015MO
ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2015, MY WIFE WENT TO MOVE MY 2002 GMC SIERRA. SHE PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED UP-HILL ABOUT 300-400 FEET, AND THEN TURNED AROUND IN A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, WHEN COMING BACK DOWN THE HILL SHE TRIED TO BRAKE TO STOP IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE, BUT THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE THEN WENT UP A SLIGHT HILL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF OUR HOUSE, BUT STILL COULDN'T STOP, AND DIDN'T THINK TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AS SHE SLOWED. SHE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL AND WAS ABLE TO STEER INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WHERE THE TRUCK CAME TO REST ON A BERM. AT THE TIME SHE SAID THERE WERE CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET AND HAD A CAR BEEN COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO IT. HAD THERE BEEN PEDESTRIANS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN HIT AS WELL. WHEN I CAME HOME THAT AFTERNOON, I ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE RESERVOIR, AND THEN PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I SAW A HUGE STREAM OF FLUID POUR FROM BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND FOUND THE BRAKE LINES SURPRISINGLY CORRODED. IF SUDDEN, IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING IS NOT CAUSE FOR A RECALL I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2015116,301 milesIL
LEFT HOUSE AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND ABS BRAKE PUMP UNDER TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING EVEN WITH KEY OFF. SO HAD TO TAKE FUSE OUT. AT THAT TIME I DROVE BACK HOME, BUT IF YOU PUSH DOWN ON BRAKE IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. JUNE 2014 HAD TRUCK IN SHOP TO HAVE ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED AND FIXED AT AUFFENBERG IN CARBONDALE ILLINOIS DUE TO BRAKES ALL OF A SUDDEN GOING OUT AND ALL LINES RUSTED AND NOW 2,500 MILES LATER THIS HAPPENS ALSO THE EMGERENCY BRAKE IS NOT WORKING EITHER. SO WAS THERE MORE DAMAGE DONE FROM ALL THIS THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL AND US NOT PAYING THE BILL FOR THESE DEFECTS.
Engine
Filed May 27, 2015115,500 milesMD
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT BROKE OFF. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS.
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2015117,984 milesNY
APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR DO TO ROTTED BRAKE LINE. *TR
Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2015216,000 milesMT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WHEELS WENT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000. UPDATED 7/14/15*CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/30/15*JB
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2015231,500 milesNJ
MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER IT TURNED GREEN. I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE AT THE TIME MAKING THE TURN, NOBODY IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME. DROVE ABOUT 1/10TH A MILE TO THE NEXT LIGHT, WHEN IT TURNED YELLOW, I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP. AT FIRST THE BRAKES WORKED THEN MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES. I CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I THEN BACKED UP, TO GET BEHIND THE LIGHT. AS I STATED AT THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS NOBODY IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AT THE OTHER LIGHT MAKING THE TURN WITH ME, SO WHEN I WAS APPROACHING THE NEXT LIGHT, I HAD NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, BEHIND ME OR TO MY RIGHT. THE ROADWAY WAS FOUR LANES, TWO IN EACH DIRECTION, WITH A CENTER MEDIUM. I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE. SO I AM LOOKING TO DRIVE ANOTHER DAY AND SOMEONE ELSE TOO. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT GOES FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR, RUNNING ALONG SIDE THE FRAME, ON THE DRIVER SIDE, RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS, AND AFTER TALKING AND COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. MY PROBLEM IS THAT, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEY TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST NOTIFIED IN SOME WAY AS AN OWNER THAT MY LIFE MAY BE IN DANGER IF I DO NOT HAVE MY BRAKE LINES CHECKED AND REPLACED IF NEEDED. THEY NO ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ARE NOT CONTACTING OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE NOT BEEN HURT OR KILLED OR HURTING AND KILLING SO
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 17, 2014120,000 milesMD
STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN DRIVING ON STREET. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKES WERE NOT NORMAL. STOPPED VEHICLE AND SAW LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER VEHICLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND ALL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS IN MANY VEHICLES. FORTUNATE THAT FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $3200 FOR REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LINES AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 201442,674 milesKY
DEAR SIR OR MA'AM, I HAVE A 2002 GMC SIERRA TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 2002. THE BRAKES RECENTLY FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 26, 2014. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT BRAKING ACTION. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON EXAMINATION, THE BRAKE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I EXAMINED THE REST OF THE LINES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE AND THE FUEL LINE ALL SHOW SIGNS OF MAJOR CORROSION, ESPECIALLY ALONG THE FRAME. I HAVE LESS THAN 43,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND IT WAS GARAGE-KEPT THE FIRST NINE YEARS I OWNED IT. I LIVE IN KY WHERE THE ROADS ARE ONLY SALTED A FEW TIMES A YEAR. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS RELATIVELY RUST FREE. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE NOW. EVEN IF I PATCH THE LEAK, THE REST OF THE LINES COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. I COULD SUFFER CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TOWING MY BOAT OR HORSE TRAILER OR SIMPLY GOING DOWN A HILL. FURTHERMORE, THE FUEL LINES ARE UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE AND IF THEY RUPTURE, THERE COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. IF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES RUPTURE, I COULD HAVE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCKS FOR YEARS 1999 TO 2003 AND THAT THE NTHSA HAS LOOKED INTO THIS IN THE PAST. IF OTHER TRUCKS ARE IN THE SAME CONDITION AS MINE (AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE), THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM ON THE ROADS RIGHT
Electrical System
Filed Sep 17, 2014128,000 milesMD
FOLKS; WHAT IS THE STORY WITH TIN WHISKERS FORMING IN SOLDERED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS? DOES MY GMC HAVE LEAD FREE SOLDER ANYWHERE IN IT'S ELECTRICALLY SOLDERED COMPONENTS? I'VE HAVE MULTIPLE FAILED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WHICH IMPLIES MULTIPLE SHORTS. WHAT MAKES, MODELS AND YEARS ARE THIS PROBLEM KNOWN TO HAVE OCCURRED IN BESIDES THE TOYOTA CAMRY 2003? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2014127,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK ABORMALLY INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2014167,000 milesVT
I WAS DRIVING APPROX 35 MPH WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE DOG. A MOMENT LATER I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR AN UNFAMILIAR TURN AND MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I MANAGED TO DOWNSHIFT TO COME TO A STOP AND UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED A HOLE IN MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES HAVE A SEVERE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE BUNDLE OF LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ARE THE WORST. *TR
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 8, 201438,000 milesMA
WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES, I ALREADY CRASHED IN 2006 WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WHICH FAILED AND WAS A FAILURE TO START WITH AND WHEN THEY FIXED, THE FIX ONLY LASTED FOR 14 MONTHS AND SINCE THEN I HAVE BE DRIVING WITH CONVENTIONAL BRAKES,SO ARE THEY WAITING FOR ME AND OTHERS TO CRASH AGAIN WITH THESE RUSTY BRAKE LINES. P.S. GOING ON 3RD. SET OF ROTORS IN THE REAR, ONLY 65,000 MI. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 201496,000 milesNJ
XMAS TREE SHOPPING W/FAMILY VERY LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, THEN NO BRAKES. I MADE REPAIR AT HOLDING BRACKET NEAR LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON FRAME. THEN ON 2/25/2014 ANOTHER BRAKE LINE RUST FAILURE NEAR BUT IN BACK OF ABS MODULE TO BACK WHEELS. I REPLACED THAT SECTION . TODAY 3/15/2014 ANOTHER FAILURE AT THE FIRST SPOT,HOLDING BRACKET NEAR LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON FRAME. ALL THIS ON 2002 GMC SIERRA,FUNNY I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS ALMOST THE SAME MILEAGE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 23, 2014156,000 milesMI
I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP LIGHT FROM RESIDENTIAL STREET,INTO A MAIN ROAD, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PUMPED BRAKES AND RECOVERED PRESSURE AND STOPPED. I THEN PROCEEDED ON THE MAIN ROAD TO NEXT LIGHT. AFTER BEING AT THE LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL FOR APPROX. 15 SEC. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND TRUCK BEGAN ROLLING FORWARD. I LET PEDAL GO AND PUMPED AND PRESSURE CAME BACK AND HELD FOR ABOUT 15 MORE SEC. THEN FAILED AGAIN WITH TRUCK ROLLING FORWARD. I THEN DROVE THE TRUCK DIRECTLY TO THE SHOP ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY. I WAS INFORMED THAT A VERY ALARMING AND COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 99-06 GM TRUCKS OCCURRED. MY BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. 650.00 BUCKS LATER I'M BACK ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD TO LOOK AT THIS SITE AND I WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. I WAS WONDERING IF GM WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO AT LEAST PICK UP THE COST OF THE PARTS WHICH I WAS TOLD AROUND 100.00. WISHFUL THINKING I GUESS. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2014140,000 milesMI
BRAKE LINE BURST WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE REPAIR FACILITIES ALL BRAKE LINES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND MUST BE REPLACED. REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS ALSO RUSTED AND MUST BE REPLACED. COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS $3000.00. I'VE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES THE SAME AGE ( WITH MORE MILES ) THAT DON'T HAVE NEARLY THE SAME AMOUNT RUST EVEN THOUGH THEY TOO HAVE SPENT THEIR WINTERS IN MICHIGAN. STOPPING A VEHICLE HAS TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A VEHICLE TO GET CORRECT. HOW IS IT THAT MANUFACTURES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THE BEST PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR BRAKE LINES? *TR
Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 1, 201446,000 milesMA
DRIVING 30 MPH IN TRAFFIC. LIGHT TURNS RED . CARS IN FRONT OF ME APPLY BRAKES .I APPLIED MY BRAKES. BRAKES INSTANTLY FELT SPONGY AND ABNORMAL. APPLIED MORE PRESSURE WITH 2 FEET AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON JUST WENT TO FLOOR. WAS DETERMINED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED AND I HAD A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE LOOSING MAJOR BRAKE FLUID AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. *TR
Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Dec 31, 2013103,250 milesIA
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. AS I WAS TURNING AT THE END OF ROW OF PARKED VEHICLES ,A PICK-UP TRUCK WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE ONLY A RATCHETING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY PICK-UP. I PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT IT CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD UNTIL MY TRUCK RAN INTO THE OTHER ONE. THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED BUT THERE WAS STILL QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCKS. IT ALMOST FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS BEING PULLED FORWARD ON ITS OWN. I GOT MY TRUCK IN TO A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THIS ACCIDENT WAS SMALL BUT I COULD JUST AS EASILY RUN INTO SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR OR SOMEONE THAT COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THE TRUCK WAS RECALLED BEFORE I OWNED IT (AT 43000 MILES) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 103000 MILES ON IT AND IT APPEARS THAT THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. *TR
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.