NHTSA probing GM on 6.2 million SUV's and Pickups for brake line failures

Jstas

Looks like GM gloated too soon.

http://detnews.com/article/20100405/AUTO01/4050397/1361/Feds-probe-6.2M-GM-vehicles-over-brakes

From Detroit News:

Feds probe 6.2M GM vehicles over brakes
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into 6.2 million General Motors Co. vehicles for possible corrosion of vehicle brake lines.

NHTSA's investigation -- made public today -- includes 6 million 1999-2003 GM pickups and SUVs and 189,000 2003 2500 heavy-duty pickups. The investigation covers all models built -- not all models remaining on the roads -- so the actual number could be lower than 6.2 million.

NHTSA says it has received 110 complaints, including allegations of three crashes.

"The complaints allege the loss of braking effectiveness due to brake line rupture because of corrosion," NHTSA investigator Chris Lash said in a government filing. "In 37 of these complaints, the brake line failure was confirmed by a dealer inspection."

The owners allege that the crashes were caused by a corroded brake line.

GM spokesman Alan Adler said the company was working with NHTSA.

"We are aware of it and we are cooperating," Adler said.

NHTSA received a March 2 petition seeking an investigation of 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD pickups. The petition said the brake line corrosion "led to a large increase in stopping distance and with the brake pedal pushed to the floor."

The complaint said the incident happened after just six years of service and under normal driving conditions.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100405/AUTO01/4050397/1361/Feds-probe-6.2M-GM-vehicles-over-brakes#ixzz0kLCCdlJQ

Then again, if you've been watching thew news at all, Toyota has been fined $16.4 million by the NHTSA for failure to live up to it's legal responsibilities. That's just for the timely reporting issues that are under scrutiny. There will likely be more coming and Toyota being found guilty of some level of wrong-doing, especially over the whole NHTSA/Toyota testing away the problems thing. Who knows how long that will take but to come out.

$16.4 million is "nothing" to Toyota but that money is all loss and during a time where Toyota is hemorrhaging money (one month of positive results due to deep cuts from incentives doesn't qualify as recovery), massive fines do not do anything good for the bottom line in either financial or ethical concerns.

dkg999

I wonder what changed with the 2004 model year Chevy trucks/suv's? I have a 2004 Silverado and the brakes are definetely a weak spot.

Jstas

dkg999 wrote: »

I wonder what changed with the 2004 model year Chevy trucks/suv's? I have a 2004 Silverado and the brakes are definetely a weak spot.

Dunno but that sure is a rough way to learn the definition of "hubris".