General Motors Reportedly Resisting NHTSA Push To Recall Full-Size Trucks
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Despite General Motors going so far as to recall cars from 1997 and to even recall previous recalls, the company is resisting recalling full-size trucks and SUVs from 1999 to 2003 for reported brake failure, writes the New York Times.
Approximately 1.8-million trucks could be affected. The vehicles in question suffer from brake lines that could corrode and lead to brake failure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received over 1,000 complaints related to the issue and began looking into it in 2010.
General Motors for its part says the issue is related to routine maintenance, telling the Times that “Brake line wear on vehicles is a maintenance issue that affects the auto industry, not just General Motors.”
Furthermore, General Motors said that “the vehicles have dual brake lines, so ‘the affected vehicle would be capable of stopping.'”
The New York Times reports that the full-size trucks and SUVs being investigated for possible recall are the 2002-2003 Cadillac Escalade, the 2002-2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 and 2500 models, the 2000-2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, the 1999-2003 Chevrolet Suburban, the 1999-2003 Chevrolet Silverado, the 1999-2003 GMC Sierra, the 2000-2003 GMC Yukon, and the 2000 GMC Yukon XL adding that “in a 2012 letter to G.M., a federal regulator asked for additional information covering the 2004-[2006] model years.”
Fixes for these vehicles brake lines are available through both the manufacturer and aftermarket, and General Motors spokesman Alan Adler told the Times that repair should cost approximately $500 including labor.
Given General Motors recent spree to recall cars with as few as one complaint, we can’t help feel that maybe General Motors is telling the truth when it claims rusted brake lines are part of a maintenance issue that affects the entire industry; however, the Times notes that Subaru voluntarily recalled over half-a-million cars for fear of brake line failure due to corrosion.
What do you think? Is General Motors right to chalk these brake line failures up to owner failure to perform regular maintenance, or should the company follow Subaru’s footsteps and take action, even if it’s not the manufacturer’s responsibility?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/automobiles/gm-resists-recalling-trucks-over-brake-line-problem.html?_r=1
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I thank NHTSA needs to investigate the people that filled the complaints , that is to much , next people will want the trucks recalled for the brakes wearing out after 150000 miles . It is getting ridiculous .
Test if I have to register
AS A FORMER GM EMPLOYEE THE CRITERIA FOR MAINTENANCE ON THESE VEHICLES WAS NO “MAJOR REPAIRS” BEFORE 150000 MILES. NOT SURE IF BRAKE LINES FALL INTO THAT CATAGORY, BUT IN MY EXPIRENCE THESE VEHICLES FELL FAR SHORT OF THAT GOAL.
Our lines just failed after 60,000 miles…lost brakes on a road trip. Maybe you shouldn’t run your mouth about things you don’t know about.
So NHTSA has 1000 complaints out of 1.8 Million. That is 0.056% of vehicles sold. Yes I am sure there are others that had issues but didn’t complain. But at what point do things become a maintenance item on 6, 8, 10 + year old vehicles? It seems like everyone expects GM to pay if anything ever goes wrong with their vehicle in its lifetime. People who live in areas with high humidity or salt issues have to realize that they are going to have more maintenance items to replace than someone living on the drier flat plains. Up until last July I drove a 2000 Silverado Ext 4×4 and never had one issue with brake lines.
The difference between all of this is first, what is a maintenance item and what is not. In my opinion, steel brake lines are NOT a maintenance item. How would one maintain them? I currently own 5 GM vehicles, with two of them over 45 years old. I have also owned dozens of other GM and non GM products, and have NEVER had to maintain a metal brake line. My 1969 models have the original brake lines, and still work fine, and both have been from snow states (NY and WV), and no issues. However, my 2000 GMC truck, which is 31 years newer, has never been north of orlando, FL, and was bought new my me, and has brake lines that look like they came off the Titanic. One blew out without any warning whatsover, while I was driving. Of the dozens of vehicles I have owned, I have never had a steel brake line fail. If I was traveling faster, or had another vehicle been in front of me, either I or the other driver could have been killed. If I fail to change my oil, the likelihood of me crashing or being killed is unlikely. The same is not so for broken brake lines. Also, I am fully aware of the fact that I must change my oil. No where does it show that regular maintenance involves changing brake lines. Again, how does one maintain brake lines? oil i can maintain…brake lines…I can’t.
Also, the number of brake line failures with GM seems to focus moreso on the trucks of a certain period of time. The statisitics of this proves that there is a problem with GM truck brake lines specifically.
Finally, GM has admitted that the replacement lines it now sells are of a superior quality to what was originally used. This tells me that they recognize that there was a problem and made it so that these cheap brake lines are no longer used.
I agree that GM is not responsble for wearable items. But when a non-wearable item fails, then they need to take responsibility. If someone could be seriously harmed or killed without any notice or warning, from a part failure, then GM needs to admit it made a mistake.
I got to thinking and have checked my owner’s manual. No where does it tell me how to check my brake lines, when to check my brake lines, how long I should expect my brake lines to last, at what mileage should I change my brake lines or anything remotely similar.
Whereas, all other wearable items have specific instructions on how to maintain them, and when to maintain them. Replace oil evey 3-4k miles, Air filter at 15k, tires at 40-50k, transmission fluid at 30k, differential at 40k, brakes at frequent intervals and so on. Also, when my brake pads are ready to be replaced, there are several signals that tell me so. The pedal gets low, the fluid line in the master cylinder is low, the “squealers” start to sound off, there is certain mileage that once I am past, I know it is close to that time, and so on. If my brakes fail due to my not maintaining them, well, it is my fault, as I have been given good instruction on what to look for, and how to reconized when the time is right for them to be changed.
However, what does one look for with brake lines? My line that blew ou, looked okay on the outside, but the place it blew out was hidden by the brake line frame rail clip. No where was it stated that I should be aware of rusting out brake lines, what I should look for, where I should expect a problem to occur, at what mileage I should be on notice. Also, when it failed, there was NO WARNING. No light came on, no soft pedal prior to the failure, no time frame given, no mileage I was told to be on the look at for…NOTHING. I just FAILED. And the penalty for was not a blown engine or transmission…but a crash that could KILL.
Had GM said that at 65,000 miles, I must replace my brake lines, I would have done so. Of course, if they had said this, all of us would have asked the one important question…Why do your metal brake lines fail so soon? Would have pointed out to GM that this was NOT a normal event as vehicle go, and would have come to the conclusion that the brake lines were inferior, and would have bought another product. The fact is that GM save a couple bucks on some less expensive brake lines, hoping they would last as expected but they did not. I am sure GM was just as surprised when they got more than typically expected complaines of rusted out brake lines. However, the fix was not a fifty cent plastic part, but a few hundred bucks in new brake lines, and a few hundred in labor paid out to their dealer service centers for each truck with rusted brakes. The cost was too high to admit to, and so, it is now easier to simply pay out for the few deaths that this has and will cause. They know that less than 1 in 10 of brake line failures will actually cause an accident (as the case was for me and others by luck alone). Then, if there was a severe enough crash, it being able to be proven as GM as liable. Then the value of the lawsuit if they are proven. So, they can pay out a few million for the couple or so deaths that can be proven linked to rusty brake lines versus the many more millions it would cost to fix the tens of thousands of vehicles affected by rusty brake lines.
If it cost $1,000 per vehicle to fix, that is $1 million per 1,000 vehicles. If GM made about 40,000 trucks every year for 10 years, that turns into some money. Better to pay a couple of families a million here and a million there for the loss of poor old dad in that tragic intersection pileup. Again, only if dad’s family hired a good enough attorney to prove dad was not at fault and that GM was, and that the link is rusty brake lines to boot. That is a tall order for even a good attorney. The odds are in GM’s favor, Better to simply deny the problem exists, or blame it on poor maintenance or no maintenance. I assure you this…go talk with ANYONE who works on cars, and I am absolutely SURE they will tell you that typically, metal brake line do NOT require any sort of regular maintenance and also, they typically do NOT fail in vehicle with under ten years on the road and especially in no snow/no salt areas like here in my case.
Well, in conclusion, there is nothing anyone can do to force GM to stand up and admit fault. All I can do is practice my 1st amendment right and tell all that will listen as to my experience, and finally, vote with my wallet. I am (WAS) a GM guy. I have owned three GMC trucks, all bought brand new from the dealer. My wife has had three new GM vehicles as well. Had GM did the right thing, I would continue to say this. But now, GM is no longer in my future. My next truck (which is within the next year) will now be a Ford more than likely. Certainly NOT a GM. GM will not care of course…but I will feel better.
As a licensed mechanic in Penna.- i can tell you GM brake lines on silverados and like 1999-2000s = junk.. GM is becoming imo the new Fiat/ Chrysler in producing junk.. Everytime i see a Chevy Sonic -i laugh..
The problem is a rust problem in the areas of the United States that sees SNOW and uses salt ( or other corrosive products ) to MELT the Ice on the roads , G.M had /has a problem with their frames because they were improperly sealed to prevent this problem ! All manufactures expect their parts needed to meet their requirements , When they DONT someone needs to be held accountable . ! All manufactures need to be held accountable. McDonalds , Tyson Chicken , Tylenol etc etc , Oh BUT some get away with this ( How about Pfizer corporation ) ! P.S if you don’t live in the snow belt you really should’t comment here .
Hey Johnny, you’re a little late to this party. FYI, this issue did not only affect those in the in the snow belt. If the lines rusted through in a relatively short period of time, people had the right to comment.
Congrats on sliding that anti vax crap in where it has no relation to the convo sparky.
Why haven’t I seen this issue with my older, higher mileage vehicles?
I still drive my 02 6.6 daily only issues I’ve had was a emission sensor which they fixed and of course injectors which where done at 105,000 (out of warranty). People talk a lot of crap but it’s been a good pickup.
Where do you live? I’m in the northeast. My lines are falling apart on a 62,00 mile 2005 Silverado. Why? Because GM used cheap material period. It’s no wonder the government had to “Bail Out” GM. I have 6 vehicles that all drive on the same roads treated with the same salts and slurry in the winter. 1 has the brake line corrosion issue and it’s the domestic GM product. Settling for inferior products and pretending they’re great is what almost put the domestic car makers out of business. BRAKE LINES ARE NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM!!!!!! They are not wearing out…….They’re falling apart!!!
Depends reason why im up set is my frame broke causing brake line failure. This is one of the main issues with these trucks. I have a 39 year old car that was never stored inside and don’t have frame or brake line issues
We have Toyota trucks frames breaking in half from that era but no recall for that?
Here in Ohio once you get 12-15 years it is not unusual for a brake line needing to be replaced no matter what the brand.
Hell we have Dodge Rams with no fenders left from that time frame too.
Most of that do have the ’99 -’02 models have already rebuilt on same chassis. I can promise anyone I’m not going for this recall junk. Something ain’t smellin’ right, and it’s not my truck.
Ultimately this recall stuff is going to drive up the cost of the next vehicles. People aren’t buying a guarantee for life. These vehicles come with a warranty… that is IT!
Brake lines should last as long as the vehicle as far as corrosion you twit, not a maintenance item. My 01 tahoe came from florida 110000 miles replaced the brake line 120000 replace that weak 4l60e transmissions, thought it was a lemon sold it bought an 03 tahoe little more miles same spot brake line blew again this truck came from Indiana. My next truck will be a 90’s model never had brake line issues with those body styles.
I just replaced all of the brake lines last year; ’02 chassis has about 230k miles on a 13 yr old truck, and it was built in Indiana. The lines replaced are all OEM. I bought it in Texas, and she’s never left the state.
I am a GM Dealership employee with Cadillac.
Next up: Recall for every car ever made for needing oil changes after 3-7,000 miles!
I live in the south and was a factory rep helping dealers with tech issues for years. My Yukon rear line failed and the more I learn about how extensive the problem is, the more I believe it relates to the metal chosen and lack of protective coatings. Naturally Fuel lines and brake lines should require metal resistant to corrosion and fatigue but in this instance GM or their supplier failed to do so. GM has ten times the number of brake line failures as almost all the other manufacturers combined.
This isn’t a GM hater writing so please step back and wonder what you’d be saying here if your entire family was in the vehicle when the brake line failed.
Why the recall if there is a fixes
The “Fix Kit” was not even known about in the service department at my Oconomowoc , WI GM Dealer, Hwy 16/hwy67 in June, 2014. Most of us working folks own a car or two (don’t have a spare car, summer car, etc) and need to get it fixed when it needs to be fixed, ESPECIALLY when it involves a SAFETY RISK that could cause death or bodily injury to the owner and/or their family. Not far fetched if you follow recalls lately . The parts Department worker at same GM Dealer found the kit but same GM dealer Service writer said it would be more expensive to replace the lines with “the fix kit” so they bend their own. Body is bolted on AFTER brake lines are installed when built at the factory. This wonderful thing GM publicized they were doing FOR their customers was not a maximum $500 customer cost as advertised. If it was to cost only $500, then at the very least, there appears to be a communication problem between GM Corporate and their dealers/service departments and lack of care for the GM customer by the GM dealer as GM has territory representatives that should at least be consulted BY THE DEALER if a service writer and service manager have not heard of a GM official repair announcement/remedy that a customer tells them about. Yes, there are GM territory Reps~ Wisconsin has at least one for the Southern half of Wisconsin. I do not know how many they have per state, Yes, it is their primary job to visit GM dealers, talk to customers having vehicle problems that are common to or are an epidemic in a specific vehicle or with a specific part. It is their job to make the customer feel they have a “voice” & are a mediator between the customer, GM Service Manager, GM DEALER General Manager and GM Corporate, working to come up with an appropriate/acceptable solution to the problem at the least possible cost to the customer. Public Relations. Good Public Relations bring customers back and at very least satisfies the customer enough to keep their mouth shut about the problem & the at most, the customer tells everyone and their cousin how wonderful GM and this certain GM Dealer is. Poor Public Relations leads to GM customers quietly walking away & at very least buying a Ford, Toyota, Dodge, etc. next time, at a different dealer. In one of the worst case scenarios, the disappointed ex-customer becomes one of those people you see from time to time standing at the dealership entrance with a sign telling everyone how crappy they were treated by the manufacturer, dealer, or both. I give those people a lot of credit.
There is a fix for the brake line’s. Why is a need for a recall, when they can go in the shop and have them repair.
The reason the recalls have continued is due primarily to public outrage over the fact that the faulty ignition switch could have been fixed for an estimated 57 cents per vehicle. That 57 cents per vehicle could have saved lives, prevented injuries, and prevented accidents. The ignition switch recall, in particular, reminds me of Ford’s failure to fix the Ford Pinto gas tanks.
Again there is a fix’s for the brake line’s why aren’t these vehicles in the shop already ? Went you live in a place like ohio were there’s alot of snow and salt around you the owner are post to wash the salt off the under body and body of your car, too stop salt corrosion of the brake lines, that’s a know fact all make’s and models.
How do I contact the proper investigative authorities for this situation. I have a 1999 GMC 2500 suburban that lost its brakes twice due to corroded lines.
GO TO /www.nhtsa.gov/ The US Government National Highway Safety Administration.
Search for recalls or file a complaint on the upper right corner of the home page. Good Luck!
I have experienced brake line failure on two GMC Sierra’s now. I take EXCELLENT car of my trucks and I live in Virginia – not exactly the rust belt. The frame of my trucks are not rusted. My 2003 GMC 2500HD failed at a stop sign. I replaced the lines to the tune of $1000. This was in the middle of the country and there was no physical property damage. The second one occured on my 2006 3500HD dually 5 days ago. It has a whopping 57K miles on it and is excellent condition. I rear-ended a car at an intersection only destroying its bumper. It is the exact same failure as the 2003 in almost the same spot. Both vehicles are GM dealer maintained. The dealer service manager tells me the brake lines need full replacement. He also stated that he has no idea why GM hasn’t recalled this yet.
Let me be clear. I had 4 bales of hay in the bed. If i had the gooseneck livestock or equipment trailer I normally have on that rig, I would have killed the other driver because the weight would have crushed his sedan. GM needs to do the right thing here and recall and fix the vehicles. This one is a safety issue – people can die or be seriously injured. While it will hurt their profitability, its ultimately a tax write-off since its a cost of doing business for an auto manufacturer.
You have to ask – What if it was my family that was injured/killed?
MY 2000 Silverado had complete brake failure without warning when rusted line blew out.
What could be more of a safety hazard. I complained to NTHSA, GM, public citizen, NY Times, Consumer Reports. No one seems to care. Thousands of vehicles will lose their brakes and no one cares. GM knows the problem exists but does nothing. A sad commentary.
Failure of my 2001 Chevrolet LT Tahoe 1500 brakes due to rust out June, 2014. Researched and found in order to “Help” the consumer on costs, GM made prefabricated (pre-bent, ready to install) brake line kit. Talked to my local GM Dealer Oconomowoc, WI, Hwy 16 and Hwy 67 and their answer in Service department was, “what? Never heard of these replacement Kits”. Talked to their parts department and yes, after looking through part lists for a while, the parts department worker said there is a kit available for these affected trucks. Called service back and they said as mentioned above, the brake lines are installed before the Body is bolted to the frame, making installation of these “low cost fix kits” from GM nearly impossible to install and time to install per GM service department would cost more than their mechanics installing lines off bulk roll and bend/flare/etc… Cost approx $1800. Talked to a trusted independent who told me they usually repair the line if they can, if the lines are otherwise in good shape and it is just a leak. Visual inspection of lines by myself revealed severe rusting with large pieces ready to fall off lines under hood. Tow to the trusted independent auto repair shop revealed same. In his words ” We would splice in a new piece if the rest of the line was solid but all of your lines are crumbling apart and there is no solid area to get a splice into. All of your lines have that appearance.” Mentioned GM fix kit of pre-made lines to save consumer money and received same comment as the GM Service Department in Oconomowoc WI. Lines replaced by independent, cost:$1500.00. Truck has 140,000 miles on it. In a GM statement online, they state these replacement kits were specially made available to “Help” the consumer with the cost, absorbing much of the cost and the total bill to the consumer should have been $500. The total kit was reasonable at the dealer, between $100-$200, but the Oconomowoc Dealer Service Center On Highway 16 and Highway 67 told me they would not install them, but as stated would run their own/bend them as needed at that much higher price. Independent states if recall is issued, they can submit bill to GM for replacement. VERY FRUSTRATING! Having had other issues over the years with GM Brands that I have remained loyal to, I should have contacted the local GM Representative to discuss the supposed $500 total cost stated by GM to have the lines replaced at a GM dealer. If I am going to pay full price though, I will have my trusted independent family owned repair shop any day over a GM Dealer, and I will save, in this case about $300 even though this should have been a no cost recall by GM. In return, I they would have earned my continued loyalty to GM when I replace this 2002 Tahoe truck, a 2012 Impala, and a 2007 Suburban that burns 1-2 Qts oil per 1000 miles after several “bulletins” by GM, GM’s answer to avoiding recalls as I experienced and can be verified by doing a little web searching. GM ripped my Suburban, 2007 engine apart at least twice while they scrambled to get a fix on these fuel management(shut down cylinders to save gas) 5.3 liter v-8’s, with the final “fix” some kind of “baffle” on the tube that sucks oil up out of the oil pan. GM’s revision of their engine oil consumption guidelines now state it is normal to burn One Quart of oil every 1000 miles. Several independents say that is hogwash. My ’07 Suburban still burns oil, it started at around 36,000 miles originally, the mileage area it starts in this particular engine. You can read that same story on other posts online at various places including GM forums, Tahoe and Suburban forums, Z71 forums, and others. I have changed to a semi synthetic oil with no difference and to this day, whether it be in my driveway or at the gas station, when I get out my quart of oil and add it to the engine after checking oil level, I feel embarrassed and so should GM. I should be proud to drive this vehicle but am not. I have approximately 100,000 miles on this vehicle, still change oil every 3000-4000 miles max, and generally add 2-3 quarts of oil between changes. On the other hand, my 2002 Tahoe with 140,000 miles and a 5.3 Vortec V-8 made before active fuel management came out appears to my eye to have not burned any oil in between oil changes done at the same 3000-4000 mile intervals. Go Figure. Denial of allegations, product defects, or mistakes (personal or otherwise) makes the problem worse for the individual, group, or corporation when it is eventually proven they were not telling the truth all along. Just ask some ex presidents, one example: “I did not have ….. relations with that woman………” Hmm. GM, Just admit the brake line defect or whatever you want to call it in these late 90’s, early 2000’s Chevrolet/GMC trucks and help the people you claim to be there for in your new vehicle television commercials.
I have a 2002 Suburban 2500 4wd, I live in the snowbelt so yes, I am familiar with corrosion problems. Besides the snow and salt we also deal with high humidity and salt air on Long Island. I do my best to minimize corrosion by hosing down the chassis or when I use the car wash with undercarriage wash. For my “normal” maintenance, I had all the rubber brake lines replaced in 2010 as rubber brake lines can deteriorate internally. However in 2012 my wife used the Suburban that day, she put the vehicle in drive and as she rolled foward out of the driveway stepped on the brakes the pedal went down to the floor. She didnt panic and stepped on the emer-brake and stopped the vehicle. There was a puddle of brake fluid in the roadway. Never had a low pedal condition. There was no warning/symptoms. Vehicle got towed to the shop. Both the hard lines that come out of the master cylinder towards the frame by the wheel well had corroded from underneath. From the top view the lines looked fine, but underneath the corrosion was so bad that when the mechanics took the lines off and showed me, I was able to snap the lines in half with my bare hands. I had them replace all brake lines. Im not sure if this is the problem for that section of brake line, but on my Suburban the left front wheel well does not shield the engine compartment, In other words , I can see my engine when looking into the wheel well, perhaps some better shield would help the corrosion in that area??? 2 other friends w/GM trucks had the same problem. One guy actuallly went through a red light intersection, thank god no cars around and no heavy load. Was I negligent?? I do crawl under my truck and inspect things, as did the auto repair shop. Should I have known the corrosion rate of this line? Over the years i’ve replaced replaced all rubber hoses before they became a problem. I do believe in prevention and dont have a problem spending money to replace items. I now know better,about the brake lines and have spread the words to my friends. Well that’s my rant, Now on to replacing my corroded rear heater core that started leaking after I got down to Tennessee on our trailer camping trip LOL…be safe everyone
Same thing with brakes happened today in my 2002 Suburban. Line is visibly leaking in the rear. Do you remember how much it cost you to replace your brake lines in 2012?
Same thing happened to my 2002 Avalanche very scary.
I believe I paid around $1400, I wanted every brake line replaced, rubber and steel, Sorry, I dont have the “brake” down of the prices…..
Same thing with my 2002 Yukon XL Denali. It could have been a killer. The brake pedal went to the floor and pumping the pedal did nothing to give me more braking action. The severity of the failure had the same effect as a brake line with an open end. No amount of pumping would restore a firm pedal or provide suitable braking.
Had same issue with my 2002 2500 4WD Suburban along with massive corrosion of all brake lines, frame, etc. Car has only 80,000 and garage kept and maintained. Immaculate in and out and just had to trade just to unload it. My last Chevy and just had to trade to unload it! What a shame to take care of a vehicle for so long and have a substandard product from the manufacturer!
3 of my GM trucks (02-05)now have had brakes line…gas lines and frame members rust out. Trucks get pressure washed a lot. Have 3 more GM trucks. 53. 78 and 82. No frame rust through and some original lines still to this day. This is no joke. These trucks are rotting in the dealer lots. Might be the last ones. Buy as I do work on other brands. Other than the Toyota problem I don’t see this in other brands as much
Same thing happened with my 2002 Avalanche. It does not stop fine when the brake lines burst. It is not normal maintenance on an automobile. I am going to pay what I have to and keep my receipt but this is dangerous.
we live on a hill my wife stopped at the mailbox in her 200 chevrolet pickup the brake pedal went to the floor, luckly she was not in traffic when this happened. and NO you shouldn’t have to check the hard lines on this old of truck 123,000 miles they should last the life of the truck i am a mechanic and have been for forty years. I own a 2014 chevrolet truck and a 2000 suburban that i have alreay replaced the brake lines on GM should fix this. This is BS !!!!!
We live in Florida. NO salt on our roads, we do NOT drive nor live on the beach. Our lines rusted through leaving us with no brakes on the road. This is criminal behavior to refuse to do a recall when the issue is so imperiling. How many people did people did not have a near miss to write about or report but died instead?
I have a 2006 GMC Sierra1500 Extended cab pickup with less than 20000 thousand miles with a severely rusted frame. The rust preventing coating that GM APPLIED AT THE FACTORY HAS FAILED. All of you owners out there please check your frames because they could be hazardous to your health. Serious flaking of rusted areas where GM’s rust proofing has eroded are areas of great concern.I am a former auto collision shop owner with over 50 years in the trade and beleive the steel that GM used in the manufacture of these frames was inferior.Don’t forget, companys sometimes make poor choices in producing parts just as did TOYOTA did with their Tacoma and Tundra. However, Toyoto is taking care of their problem by recalling and replacing those vehicles with i hop brand new frames with better steel. If any one wants to respond please feel free to email me especially if you are an owner of a GMC pickup with a severely rusted frame.
I have a 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab pickup with 118000 miles. I bought it from a dealership in Abingdon, VA. 2 years ago. When I purchased the truck it appeared to be in excellent condition. It seems like over night a rust bomb hit it. It had undercoating now theres none and the frame is rusted so bad and is so thin I am afraid to pull a trailer. I am having to replace the bed. I’ve have had to have new rear spring hangers ($500+) new fuel pump and sending unit ($500+) all due to RUST. I depend on this ride but I am afraid it’s not going to ride much longer. They told me at the dealership the owner used this truck on his farm. I grew up on a farm and nothing there could have cause rust like this. I just don’t know what I am going to do.