Complaint 923131

Complaint Summary

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Owner Narrative

I OWN A 2000 GMC SIERRA 2500 4WD. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW IN JUNE OF 2000. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CORROSION ISSUES ARE BECOMING OVERWHELMING. YESTERDAY, A BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WITH A STATE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, I GOT STOPPED AS I WAS ONLY GOING 25 MPH. I BABIED IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE 1/4 MILE AWAY, AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OUT BELOW THE FUEL TANK AREA. AFTER LOOKING UNDERNEATH, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT MOST OF THE BRAKE LINES WILL NEED REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST. GOES ALONG WITH THE CORROSION ISSUE UNDER THE WHOLE TRUCK. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES, AS ONE HAD RUSTED AND BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE LEAF SPRING TO SLAM UP AGAINST UNDERSIDE OF THE BED, WHICH DENTED AND CRACKED THE PAINT IN THE BED. I RESTORE VEHICLES FOR A LIVING, AND I'VE SEEN CARS FROM THE 1940'S THAT DON'T HAVE THIS MUCH RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE. COME ON GM!! IT'S GREAT THAT THE BODY LOOKS LIKE NEW AND THE ENGINE RUNS GREAT, BUT IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD WHEN THE FRAME ROTS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH!! AND NOW THE BRAKE LINES---GLAD I WASN'T GOING 60 MPH WITH A LOADED TRAILER WHEN IT BLEW!! *JB

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