Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup with NHTSA between 1997 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Pickup. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1998 compares with every other Chevrolet Pickup
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1997peak 7Apr 2008
Recalls on the 1998 Chevrolet Pickup
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Louisville, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TRUCK WAS PARKED AT 6PM ON 1/1/01 IN DRIVEWAY.AT 6:30 AM ON 1/2/01, OPENED DOOR TO FIND CAB FULL OF SMOKE, DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR MELTED AND HEAD LINER PARTIALLY MELTED.1/2/01 NOTIFIED POLICE AND DEALERSHIP.DEALERSHIP CONTACTED API (EXTENDED WARRANTY CO) WHO REFUSED TO PAY.1/9/01 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE BUT WAS DENIED (CLAIM #02805467)DUE TO "WIRING HARNESS ON BACK OF TRUCK".HOWEVER, ORIGINAL STICKER ON TRUCK SHOWS TRAILERING HARNESS AS OPTION THAT WAS INSTALLED BY MANUF.1/29/01REPORTED LOSS TO BBB.2/1/01 RECD CALL FROM GM,NEW CLAIM #C0305797.1/26/01 FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED TRUCK & CONFIRMED SHORTAGE OCCURED IN POWER LOCK, WINDOW OR MIRROR SWITHCHES.2/1/01 GM REP (LAREN NORRIS) AGREED WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED TRUCK TO CATCH ON FIRE. 2/5/01 GM DENIED CLAIM DUE TO "OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY". PERSONAL INSURANCE PAID FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER, PERSONAL LOSS OF INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, RENTAL VEHICLE COST AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN VEHICLE WAS SMOKE DAMAGED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF WIRING IN THIS VEHICLE.*ASK
NHTSA complaint #762516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commerce, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN BRAKING AND OR YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE OR DEPRESSION THE BRAKES GO INTO ANTI LOCK AND DO NOT COME OUT. IT TAKES ABOUT 1/3 MORE DISTANCE TO STOP. I HAD ONE ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS ON THE I-5 FREEWAY, TRAFFIC STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HAD TO GO BETWEEN TWO CARS. I HIT THE SIDE OF ONE CAR. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OF THE TIME. IT IS VERY DANGOROUS SINCE NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE IS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ABOUT 6 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #756133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davis, CACrashFire
TIRES
IN AUGUST, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD THE RIGHT REAR BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE REASON IT WAS UNEXPECTED IS BECAUSE I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH AN EXACT MATCH AND CONTINUED USING THE TRUCK, ON THE OCT. 24, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 99N AROUND 7 PM, AT 65MPH, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. I FELT THE TIRE WAS AT FAULT IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT, BUT GAVE SUPER SWAMPER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. NOW WITH THE SECOND ACCIDENT ACTING THE SAME WAY AS THE FIRST, WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP AS QUICKLY THE SECOND, THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS DESTROYED. THE TIRE SHREADED FROM THE RIM, AND EVERYTHING WAS DESTROYED FROM THAT POINT ON. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATE IS CURRENTLY AT $4500. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT TODAY. THE REMAINING SUPER SWAMPERS ARE GOING TO BE TRASHED ONCE I GET MY TRUCK BACK. I FEEL THAT THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT, IF I ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN THE FAULT WOULD BE MINE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING IN LIGHT OF THE FIRESTONE PROBLEMS AND THIS PRODUCT BEING THE FIRST RADIAL FROM THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #753446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, OKCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS FAILED. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AND GMC WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT RETURN MY TELEPHONE CALLS AND HAVE TOLD ME TO QUIT CALLING. I CRACKED MY SPINE.
NHTSA complaint #747108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsbluff, NECrash
TIRES
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN JUNE 2000 AND IT NOW HAS 30K MILES ON IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS INFORMED US THAT HE HAD A RIGHT FRONT TIRE DELAMINATE AT 20K MILES THAT CAUSED HIM TO RUN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. FIRESTONE WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AT THAT TIME AND THE OWNER HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. WE HAVE E MAILED OUR CONCERN AND INFORMATION TO FIRESTONE AT AFFAIRS@FANUEIL.COM AND ALSO FAXED IT TO 800-760-7859. WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANY RESPONSE FROM FIRESTONE. THE LOCAL DEALERS AND THE FIRESTONE HOTLINE WILL NOTD LISTEN TO US. I AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAS DELAMINATED. PLEASE HELP US AND ALSO USE THIS INFORMATION FOR YOUR DATA BASE OF DEFECTIVE TIRES. THANKS JOE NICHOLS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: BMO 5324-1 TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
NHTSA complaint #732729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES APPEAR CONFUSED DURING LOW SPEED TURN AROUND RESULTING IN DELAY OF BRAKE ACTUATION OF A COUPLE OF SECONDS.
NHTSA complaint #701570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Glendale, AZ
WHEELS
I BOUGHT 4 AFTER MARKET CUSTOM WHEELS FOR MY 1998 CHEVROLET 4WHEEL DRIVE P/U TRUCK FROM AMERICAN RACING PRODUCTS, IN 2003, 2 HAVE CRACKED, AND NOW THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT A CHEAPER SET OF WHEELS ON MY TRUCK, NOT TO MY LIKING, I'VE ASKED FOR BETTER DESIGNED WHEEL, ALMOST THE SAME PRICE AND THE WANT ME TO PAY OVER $300.00 DIFFERENCE THAT IS NOT I FEEL FAIR TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT,YET.
NHTSA complaint #10223194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
I BOUGHT 4 AFTER MARKET CUSTOM WHEELS FOR MY 1998 CHEVROLET 4WHEEL DRIVE P/U TRUCK FROM AMERICAN RACING PRODUCTS, IN 2003, 2 HAVE CRACKED, AND NOW THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT A CHEAPER SET OF WHEELS ON MY TRUCK, NOT TO MY LIKING, I'VE ASKED FOR BETTER DESIGNED WHEEL, ALMOST THE SAME PRICE AND THE WANT ME TO PAY OVER $300.00 DIFFERENCE THAT IS NOT I FEEL FAIR TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT,YET.
NHTSA complaint #10223194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlyle, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RELAY MALFUNCTIONED,CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP FUNCTIONING. ALSO, MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET LEAKED ANTIFREEZE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE PREVIOUS YEAR MAKE/MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10042567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlyle, IL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR RELAY MALFUNCTIONED,CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP FUNCTIONING. ALSO, MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET LEAKED ANTIFREEZE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE PREVIOUS YEAR MAKE/MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10042567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barboursville, WV
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10040534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesHamilton, MT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY #02054. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesBell, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM
THE UPPER CONTROL ARM CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10009589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marksville, LA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WINSHIELD WIPERS. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO SLIP WHILE BRAKING AND CHANGING LANES AT THE SAME TIME, AND WHEN RUNNING OVER A ROAD REFLECTOR THE BRAKE WILL NOT GRAB UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE DEALER HAS CLEANED THE REAR WHEELS BUT THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*NLM
NHTSA complaint #786424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
TIRES
I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 GOING 70 MPH, AND BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING SOUND. WITHIN SECONDS, MY FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW & I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK. I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP IN THE CENTER OF THE FREEWAY @ THE EL TORO "Y". (CENTER SECTION BETWEEN THE 5 AND 405 INTERCHANGE). THE STEEL BELT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. ALL 4 OF MY TIRES ARE FACTORY ORIGINALS FROM FEBRUARY 1998, (I PURCHASED VEHICLE @ 35,000 MILES IN JANUARY 2001) ALL 4 TIRES APPEARED TO BE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.NOW, I'M TOLD THAT I CAN'T SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T APPLY TO BRIDGESTONE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME TIRE NUMBER. THIS IS THE SAME EXACT THING THAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE FIRESTONE TIRES. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE KEPT THE BLOWN-OUT TIRE IN CASE YOU WANT TO SEE IT. PLEASE INFORM ME AS TO WHETHER I CAN GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL 4 TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #766687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Niles, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
AFTER DRIVING 259 MILES OF A 319 MILE TRIP, I NOTICED A GRINDING NOICE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, OR "FEELER" NOICE FROM THE ROTORS. I TOOK THE NEXT OFF RAMP BEING CAREFULL TO LEAVE 100 YARDS BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, DROPPING IT INTO LOW GEAR AS I STOPPED, AND ONLY APPLYING THE BRAKE IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. IF I APPLIED THE BRAKES, I WOULD HAVE TO WITH GREAT PRESSURE IN ORDER TO STOP. BOTH FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE BEYOND REPAIR. THE TRUCK HAD 21,852 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND ALL BUT 7,000 WHERE PUT ON IT BY ME. I ALWAYS START BREAKING LONG BEFORE I NEED TO STOP IN AN EFFORT TO LENGTH THE LIFE OF THE PADS. IT IS NOT ONLY DESTURBING THAT BRAKES SHOULD FAIL BEFORE 22,000 MILES, BUT ALSO THAT THEY DID SO WITHOUT WARNING. I AM THANK FULL THAT I WAS THE ONE DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE OR SON !
NHTSA complaint #765913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, ID
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HAS THE HEADLIGHTS RUNNING ANY TIME THE MOTOR IS TURNED ON. THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE NOT TURNED ON. AS A RESULT, OFTEN ONE WILL DRIVE FROM DAY INTO NIGHT AND SINCE THERE ARE HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER FORGETS TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THUS HE IS DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHTS. CURRENT DESIGN HAS BEEN CHANGED. REPEATED CONTACTS TO THE DEALER HAVE PRODUCED NO FIXES. THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY AN UNSAFE DESIGN CONDITION. GM SHOULD REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #765161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED OVER A YEAR AGO WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY VACATION IN LIGHT RAIN. A YEAR LATER THE WIPERS HAVE DEGRADED TO ALMOST A COMPLETE COMPONENT FAILURE. EVEN THOUGH MY TRUCK IS A 98', I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF RECALL #98043.
NHTSA complaint #765054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Levering, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT BY MY DECEASED UNCLE. MY AUNT ([XXX]) AND MYSELF, [XXX] ARE ON THE TITLE AS OWNERS. I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE EXACT MONTH THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT, BUT IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE TRUCK WORKED PERFECTLY ON SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2002, WENT TO USE IT TODAY AND I HAVE ALL MY FORWARD GEARS BUT NO REVERSE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT AN EXTENDED WARRENTY ON THE TRUCK. THE NUMBERS LISTED AND THE E-MAIL ADDRESS IS MINE, [XXX] IS IN A NURSING HOME AND UNABLE TO BE REACHED. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #764582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING TRUCK TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. OUR COMPANY HAS THREE OF THESE TRUCKS AND HAS HAD FOUR FUEL PUMP FAILURES. THE FUEL PUMP GIVES NO WARNING BEFORE FAILURE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. WE FEEL THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
NHTSA complaint #764351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP IN TRAFFIC WHICH WE FEEL IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUT EMPLOYEE. WE HAVE THREE OF THESE TRUCKS WHICH HAVE ALL HAD FUEL PUMP FAILURES. ONE TRUCK HAS HAD TWO FAILURES. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL ISSUE BUT WE KNOW THAT THE DEALER CHANGES MANY FAILED FUEL PUMPS. ONE TRUCK HAS HAS TWO FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #764352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STOP IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSURE FOR OUR EMPLOYEE. WE HAVE THREE OF THESE TRUCKS AND HAVE HAD FOUR FUEL PUMP FAILURES . THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO NATIONAL RECALL BUT WE KNOW THE DEALERSHIP REPLACES THESE FUEL PUMPS ON OTHER TRUCKS ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. THIS TRUCK HAS HAS TWO FUEL PUMP FAILURES, BOTH WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #764353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING VEHICLE, BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNED OUT . WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH UNITS, THE LIGHT BULBS WILL BURNED OUT APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO MONTHS. THREE MONTHS AGO (APR-02) BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNED OUT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE'S SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE TAIL LIGHT UNITS BURNING OUT AND BURNING OUT THE BULBS EVERY TWO MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #764389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldorf, MD
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
MY CLUTCH FIRST WENT OUT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE; JUST BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. WE THEN HAD A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER THE REPLACEMENT PART WARRANTY EXPIRED, MY CLUTCH WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME WE HAD TO PAY OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. ONCE AGAIN, MY CLUTCH IS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AGAIN AND IS SOMETIMES HARD TO GET INTO GEAR -- ANOTHER WORD, MY CLUTCH IS GETTING READY TO GO OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #764391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TRUCK WAS PARKED AT 6PM ON 1/1/01 IN DRIVEWAY.AT 6:30 AM ON 1/2/01, OPENED DOOR TO FIND CAB FULL OF SMOKE, DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR MELTED AND HEAD LINER PARTIALLY MELTED.1/2/01 NOTIFIED POLICE AND DEALERSHIP.DEALERSHIP CONTACTED API (EXTENDED WARRANTY CO) WHO REFUSED TO PAY.1/9/01 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LINE BUT WAS DENIED (CLAIM #02805467)DUE TO "WIRING HARNESS ON BACK OF TRUCK".HOWEVER, ORIGINAL STICKER ON TRUCK SHOWS TRAILERING HARNESS AS OPTION THAT WAS INSTALLED BY MANUF.1/29/01REPORTED LOSS TO BBB.2/1/01 RECD CALL FROM GM,NEW CLAIM #C0305797.1/26/01 FIRE MARSHALL INSPECTED TRUCK & CONFIRMED SHORTAGE OCCURED IN POWER LOCK, WINDOW OR MIRROR SWITHCHES.2/1/01 GM REP (LAREN NORRIS) AGREED WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED TRUCK TO CATCH ON FIRE. 2/5/01 GM DENIED CLAIM DUE TO "OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY". PERSONAL INSURANCE PAID FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER, PERSONAL LOSS OF INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, RENTAL VEHICLE COST AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN VEHICLE WAS SMOKE DAMAGED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF WIRING IN THIS VEHICLE.*ASK
NHTSA complaint #762516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS, AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE MULTI-STACKED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES (2 TERMINALS STACKED WITH 2 WIRES EACH TOTAL OF FOUR WIRES) FAILED TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THE COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, INCLUDING ACCESSORIES, ENGINE, AND LIGHTS. MANUAL STEERING AND MANUAL BRAKES WERE USED TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO ROAD SIDE. INSPECTION OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO CORROSION. THE SIDE-POST POSITIVE BATTERY BOLT WAS EXAMINED AND WAS NOT FOUND TO BE LOOSE. HOWEVER, PRYING THE POSITIVE WIRES (ROTATING APPOXIMATELY 30 DEGREES OR MORE) RESTORED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER EACH OF THE 7 OCCURANCES, I HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING: REPLACED THE POSITIVE SIDE-POST BOLT, CLEANED THE COPPER FLAT TERMINALS WITH PROPER CLEANING MATERIALS, VISUALY INSPECTED FOR DEBRIS INTERFERENCE, TIGHTENED THE TERMINAL BOLT, CHECKED FOR WIRING CRACKS OR BREAKS, AND/OR CHECKED FOR FIRE/HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CABLES. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION PROBLEM AT THE POSITVE BATTERY POST SHOULD NOT RESULT IN A STALLED ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #757074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH, ABS ENGAGED DUE TO CRACKED FRONT HUB CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DURING STOPPING AND IN PARKING .
NHTSA complaint #756616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, WI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH, ABS ENGAGED DUE TO CRACKED FRONT HUB CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS DURING STOPPING AND IN PARKING .
NHTSA complaint #756616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commerce, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN BRAKING AND OR YOU HIT A BUMP, POTHOLE OR DEPRESSION THE BRAKES GO INTO ANTI LOCK AND DO NOT COME OUT. IT TAKES ABOUT 1/3 MORE DISTANCE TO STOP. I HAD ONE ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS ON THE I-5 FREEWAY, TRAFFIC STOPPED, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HAD TO GO BETWEEN TWO CARS. I HIT THE SIDE OF ONE CAR. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OF THE TIME. IT IS VERY DANGOROUS SINCE NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE IS SUDDENLY INCREASED AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ABOUT 6 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #756133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davis, CACrashFire
TIRES
IN AUGUST, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD THE RIGHT REAR BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE REASON IT WAS UNEXPECTED IS BECAUSE I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH AN EXACT MATCH AND CONTINUED USING THE TRUCK, ON THE OCT. 24, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 99N AROUND 7 PM, AT 65MPH, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. I FELT THE TIRE WAS AT FAULT IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT, BUT GAVE SUPER SWAMPER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. NOW WITH THE SECOND ACCIDENT ACTING THE SAME WAY AS THE FIRST, WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP AS QUICKLY THE SECOND, THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS DESTROYED. THE TIRE SHREADED FROM THE RIM, AND EVERYTHING WAS DESTROYED FROM THAT POINT ON. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATE IS CURRENTLY AT $4500. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS COMPLAINT TODAY. THE REMAINING SUPER SWAMPERS ARE GOING TO BE TRASHED ONCE I GET MY TRUCK BACK. I FEEL THAT THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT, IF I ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN THE FAULT WOULD BE MINE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING IN LIGHT OF THE FIRESTONE PROBLEMS AND THIS PRODUCT BEING THE FIRST RADIAL FROM THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #753446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.