NHTSA Probes Brake Problems on GM Pickups, SUVs
ConsumerAffairs.com

05/02/2005 - Officials from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) are investigating 1.3 million full-sized General Motors pickups and SUVs to determine whether there is a brake defect that will mandate a widespread recall.

NHTSA is investigating whether corrosion develops under the antilock brake wheel speed sensors. Corrosion near the sensor could increase stopping distances at low speed.

NHTSA reports it has received 120 complaints about the problem. The complaints include 22 reported crashes with four claimed injuries.

GM built the vehicles that are the subject of the review in the 1999-2002 model years. The trucks are in states with severe winter weather. Potentially affected models include the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and Avalanche; GMC Sierra and Yukon; and Cadillac Escalade.

If the review discloses a defect in the braking system, GM must recall the trucks.

GM told NHTSA in November 2004 it was recalling 150,000 full-sized pickups and SUVs in eastern Canada because of corrosion in antilock brakes. GM did not plan a U.S. recall because it said the incident rate was much lower in the United States. But NHTSA says GM promised to monitor the situation.