Complaint 1084754

Complaint Summary

SERVICE BRAKES

Owner Narrative

I HAD NOT DRIVEN MY TRUCK IN A FEW MONTHS DUE TO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VENTILATION CONTROLS. WHILE BEGINNING TO PREPARE THE TRUCK TO TOW A 3500 POUND BOAT I NEEDED TO REPOSITION THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWN TO THE STREET. WHILE MOVING THE TRUCK, ON MY DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKES WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING AT IDLE SPEED. ALL BRAKING WAS GONE AND THE TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO TRAFFIC ON MY STREET. BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTING TO A STOP (IN GEAR) JUST AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY I FOUND TWO DISTINCT PUDDLES OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. INSPECTING THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT FAILURE POINTS IN THE BRAKE LINES. ONE CLOSER TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ANOTHER A FEW FEET FURTHER BACK. I BELIEVE ONE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT AND THE OTHER WAS IN THE REAR BRAKE CIRCUIT WHICH LED TO THE *COMPLETE* LOSS OF BRAKING. THIS IS CONTRARY TO GM CLAIMS THAT THIS FAILURE CAN NOT LEAD TO TOTAL BRAKE LOSS. I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE FAILURE POINTS THAT I CAN FORWARD IF NEEDED. *TR

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.