US regulators probe risk of brake failure in 6 million GM trucks

[FarCenter]

AFP - US safety regulators are probing the risk of brake failure in about six million older-model General Motors trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a preliminary investigation on March 30 after being contacted by a driver whose corroded brakes burst, causing "a sudden loss of brake effectiveness and extended stopping distance," the agency said.

The safety administration has received a total of 110 complaints from drivers who reported a "loss of braking effectiveness due to brake line rupture because of corrosion" in the affected vehicles.

<SNIP>

The investigation involves 1999 to 2003 model years of the Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Suburban, GMC Sierra, GMC Tahoe, and GMC Yukon.

http://www.france24.com/en/20100409-us-regulators-probe-risk-brake-failure-6-million-gm-trucks

[LetsgoWings13]

1. Good thing i bought a ford! ;)

[FarCenter]

2. I'd think that a few brake line ruptures on a 7 to 11 year old pickup would be expected

Isn't that why we have dual cylinders with separate lines to diagonal wheels?

[LetsgoWings13]

3. expected enough to recall 6 million?

[FarCenter]

4. Per the article, there have been 110 complaints to NHTSA

And I'd bet that there have been a lot more brake line failures that haven't resulted in complaints to NHTSA.

But wouldn't a fair number of brake line failures be expected in trucks that old? Why would this number of complaints cause an investigation?

[jdadd]

5. This is not an uncommon problem

on almost any brand of car or truck in my area. My 95 Ford ranger had to have all the brake lines replaced about two years ago due to rusty lines,road salt and winter weather caused this. I check my vehicles at least once a year to try and keep ahead of problems like this. My Honda Accord blew a line, while it was owned by my sister. I've had lines blow and always had at least some brakes, due to the dual system made mandatory on all cars since the mid 60s.

[whathappened]

6. i own 1 of these suckers

its not just the brake lines , they also put the abs unit under the truck that these lines run to , in the north east with all the salt these things are junk under there , they want 800 bucks to replace the abs , i had the lines replaced , cost me 300 bucks and pulled the fuse on the abs cause they were working all the time , not just when it was slippery , its recall time , bad design , and a dangerious 1