Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | ||||||
| PE04004 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/08/2004 | 04/30/2004 | HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES | ||
| The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury 2004.therefore,odi has expanded the scope to include the additional model years.odi's is concerned because thisisa sudden failure that affects two critical systems of the vehicle, brakes and steering, at the same time.the ability of the operator to handle the dual failures is a concern. further, these vehicles tend to be work vehicles, with some over 10,000 pounds gvwr and many equipped to pull large trailers.dual failures of heavily loaded vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers further increases the safety risk.odi plans to conduct testing to quantify the braking and steering performance degradation and the impact on safe vehicle control, when a hydroboast pump fails. | ||||||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | ||||||
| PE04004 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/08/2004 | 04/30/2004 | HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES | ||
| The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury 2004.therefore,odi has expanded the scope to include the additional model years.odi's is concerned because thisisa sudden failure that affects two critical systems of the vehicle, brakes and steering, at the same time.the ability of the operator to handle the dual failures is a concern. further, these vehicles tend to be work vehicles, with some over 10,000 pounds gvwr and many equipped to pull large trailers.dual failures of heavily loaded vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers further increases the safety risk.odi plans to conduct testing to quantify the braking and steering performance degradation and the impact on safe vehicle control, when a hydroboast pump fails. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 03/16/2004 | 25000 | 1 | 06/01/2001 |
| 2001 gmc hd2500 pickup, loss of power steering and power brakes. *jb | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 07/02/2004 | 30320 | 1 | 02/14/2001 |
| Power steering pump failed , lost complete control of steering and braking, dealer installed new pump, said shaft was broken. *ak | |||
| 01/20/2004 | 30200 | 2 | 10/23/2000 |
| I own a 2001 gmc 2500hd 4wd, automatic transmission, extended cab, shortbed, 6.0 litre gas engine. purchased in october 2000. the truck is completely stock except for an tire upgrade to 285/75 r16. on dec 17, 2003, i took a wide left turn on to a street. after making the first left, the steering felt strange. while making the second left the power steering disappeared completely and so did the brakes. the vehicle was now heading too wide right and i was stomping on the brakes to try and stop it. i almost ran into a post to the right of the turn. luckily there was no traffic and i was able to bring the truck to a stop. the power steering was completely gone and so were power brakes. i had to muscle the 8600 lb. truck back and finish the turn in a very physical manner. this was no easy task. i drove it a short way home very slowly and with great difficulty. i discovered the power steering pulley shaft had sheared inside the power steering pump. i replaced the power steering pump.the day after the second unit was installed, the very same thing happened again. i snapped the same shaft on the second pump. fearing i had just received a bad part, i again replaced the power steering pump. i spoke to many mechanics specializing in front end and steering work. they have all confirmed that this is the same pump that has been used in older gm truck models. the only difference is now the pump provides additional work to the power brake assist. this is beyond the ability of the older design pump, originally only designed to provide power steering. the situation that most commonly occurs when this pump fails is usually when the vehicle is in motion and during a turn. to lose control of these heavy trucks in this instance is dangerous and could very likely cause and accident. i am very concerned about the design of this critical component and the immediate loss of vehicle control that happened to me. there are many of these trucks out there that have this same flaw. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 08/08/2004 | 61210 | 1 | 05/17/2001 |
| I was driving my 2001 gmc hd pickup when i lost power steering and power brakes at the same time due to a shaft in the power steering pump breaking. the power steering and brakes are both driven by the same pump. the repair shop indicated this was not the first time they have seen this problem and the shaft was a poor design because it narrows at one end which is where they have seen them break in similar vehicles. *jb | |||
| 07/05/2003 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle lost power steering and power brakes while driving.*mr dealer notified. *cb | |||