Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 03006 | 04/18/2003 | 10001595 | Electric outside rearview mirror switch short circuit. *tt | 06/09/2003 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| PE99073 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 12/03/1999 | 05/02/2000 | BATTERY LEAKS ACID | ||
| Odi has received 16 complaints where the owners allege that the standard gm factory supplied ac delco battery case failed, resulting in leakage of the sulfuric acid.of the 16 complaint vehicles, five suburban and three tahoes owners complainted about a loss of brake fluid resulting from deterioration of the right front brake line.the remaining eight complaints pertained to sulfuric acid leakage from the battery case.at least one complaintant stated that the replacement battery also failed. several of the complainants note that the leaking acid had come in contact with a wire harness at the frame in the vicinity of the steel bake line.a faield inspection by odi indicates that the described harness is the abs connection to the right front wheelspeed sensor.a preliminary evaluation is being opened for the following reasons: - to gather appropriate information on this matter in order to accurately assess the technical causes and resulting impacts on the vehicle's safety system(s); - to identify any defect trends and causality or correlation with other factors; and - to address any resulting public safety concerns and consequences. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 12/07/2000 | 2 | 07/01/1997 | |
| Vehicle exhibits electrical problems causing everything to shut down, battery cables were replaced, and glow plugs replaced. *tt | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 01/17/2004 | 60000 | 8 | 10/31/1996 |
| 1997 gmc suburban- multiple engine & transmission failures. at 60,000 miles, vehicle began to shift hard. returned to shop for diagnosis and repairs several times for work. finally, while driving the vehicle in city traffic, the transmission failed compeletly. required valve cover and transmission rebuild @ cost of $2,000. on december 27 '03, had to replace the radiator. on jan 17 '04, discovered that there was no antifreeze in new radiator. returned to mechanic who replaced the radiator. said the intake manifold needed to be replaced. cost: ~$600. took to another mechanic for second opinion. same diagnosis. both state that gm is aware of both problems, however, they will not cover the costs of repairs or replacement. additionally- replaced alternator two times; replaced water pump two times; replaced the master cylinder in fall 2003. *ak | |||
| 01/09/2000 | 46801 | 2 | |
| While driving the serpentine belt tensioner broke from its mounting and resulted in loss of power steering and other components including charging of the battery. the alternator also shorted out. the manufacturer and the dealer were notified. *ak the consumer was told that the warranty not longer covered the belt. the brakes shuttered while braking from 60 mph. the dealer replaced the front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors. *nlm | |||
| 09/04/1998 | 15 | 03/03/1997 | |
| While driving the suburban just shuts off without warning, this happens on flat roads as well as hilly roads, the dealer was not able to duplicate the problem, but the entire computer ignition and the alternator were replaced. however, the truck continues to do the same thing. *ak *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 12/08/1999 | 1 | ||
| Battery leaked significant amount of acid, terminal came loose, unable to start, corrosion to cables and components in area of the battery. *ak | |||
| Consumer opened hood and noticed battery acid was leaking on a/c cable. dealer has been notified. please provide further information.*ak | |||
| 2 | |||
| Battery has prematurely become inoperable, and has been replaced twice in one month due to exassive corrosion. *ak | |||
| Vehicle is a diesel engine. battery has a left and a right side. both sides leaked into the brake line, causing corrosion. investigation number pe99073. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 08/17/1999 | 1 | 12/01/1997 | |
| Original gm battery (side post style) leaked acid onto steel brake line causing loss of braking system plus maximum corrossion of underside of truck..we were completely unaware of any problem until we tried to go to work in the truck and found no brakes,,had this happened on thhe highway at any great speed it would have been a major catastrophy..no one at the dealership or gm takes this serious plus we are out the cost of the repairs and the vehicle out of service..of | |||
| 08/27/1999 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| The vehicle has consumes oil at approximately 1 quart every 600 miles,no leaks visible. the dealer worked on the oil problem in may but did not fix it. another problem is that since the vehicle was new it has had a vibration when speeds approach 50 miles per hour and increases with more speed, new tires, continuous balancing of tires, does not help. | |||
| Battery ruptured, causing acid to leak down on the brake line, resulting in braking system failure. dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 12/27/1996 | 11/01/1996 | ||
| We drove the car off the lot and took it on a trip from ellensburg, washington to lolo, montana. during this trip we experienced the clock intermittently stopping, the radio shutting off and the trailer brakes not working. this was reported to the dealer. at that point they took a look at the vehicle but could not duplicate the problem from that point on we have had the vehicle in the repair shop in excess of 10 to 12 times for electrical related problems. on at least 6 occasions we have driven the vehicle about 150 miles, left it in airport or motel parking and taken an airplane trip anywhere from 3 days to 7 days in length. upon returning the battery was completely dead making it necessary to find someone to give us a jump. on each occasions we have returned the vehicle to the dealer. the first time, they replaced the battery and said it was fixed. on another occasion they they worked on the brake controller saying it was not properly installed causing the problem. another occasions they worked on the steering column saying they had solved the problem. another time they felt the delayed radio shut off was causing the problem. none of these fixes have solved the problem. it still goes dead when we drive it for a period of time, shut it off and leave it for 3 to 7 days. this has been an on-going problem from day one and it still is not fixed. it is inconvenient not to mention all of the time involved in returning the vehicle to the dealer and being without the use of the vehicle purchased for several days or weeks at a time. the dealer informed us this last go round that they could not duplicate the problem and would not spend any of their time to look for a phantom short in the electrical system. we have reported to them that this vehicle is not dependable for road trips that require any number of days where the vehicle will just sit. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||
| 02/29/2000 | 0 | ||
| Acid was leaking from battery terminal. thus far, dealer had to replace a/c lines and battery cable. consumer was experiencing the same problem as mentioned in pe99-073.*ak | |||
| 03/20/2000 | 2 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Battery cable failed, causing suburban to stop in traffic. control of vehicle became difficult due to lack of power. *ak | |||
| 05/01/1999 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| The battery acid leaked and ate through the bolt attaching cable to battery. vehicle stopped dead. acid ate into brake lines and a/c lines. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 03/05/1997 | 10/01/1996 | ||
| The child safety seats do not work with the seat belt system of the suburban. only the front passenger seat will securely hold the seat. i contacted nhtsa twice and gmc customer service 3 times and many other places. finally a gm engineer in the safety dept. called me took my complaint. he tried to put a seat in a suburban and said yes they do not work right. they wanted to take care of problem in house. i have heard nothing more from them. the vechile pulled to the right from day one had it aligned problem continues to this day. the left rear door hinge on drivers side busted off. the door did not open and shut proper. had problems with fuses blowing constantly. the brakes wore out at 26000 miles and every 10 to 15 since. the brakes after 10,000 miles wore through the rotors. the pedal will often go to the floor or the vechile will pull to the right worse than it already does. the egr valve also failed and had trouble getting it home. i have complained to the dealer many times they say they have never heard of any problems with the brakes on any other gm product. i talked to gm customer service and they said they didn't know why so many problems and they didn't care. they would not look into it. i am filling out another form with the continuation of safety problems. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 09/04/1998 | 15 | 03/03/1997 | |
| While driving the suburban just shuts off without warning, this happens on flat roads as well as hilly roads, the dealer was not able to duplicate the problem, but the entire computer ignition and the alternator were replaced. however, the truck continues to do the same thing. *ak *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 09/12/1997 | |||
| When driving at 50 mph and making a right or left turn and increasing speed, consumer lost control of the steering, and the dealer replaced the sensor. also, replaced the program ecm, and some metals parts that fell of the vehicle. the dealer can't determine what's wrong with the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 09/04/1998 | 15 | 03/03/1997 | |
| While driving the suburban just shuts off without warning, this happens on flat roads as well as hilly roads, the dealer was not able to duplicate the problem, but the entire computer ignition and the alternator were replaced. however, the truck continues to do the same thing. *ak *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 11/11/2004 | 95600 | 0 | 02/14/2000 |
| Fuel gage was acting erratic went full then empty with full tank . a few days later the truck would not start. found fuse in engine compartment blown for fuel pump. fuel pump wiring was melted in fuel tank causing short. had to replace pump and harness which was part of the pump housing. also replaced fuel filter due to lack of fuel flow (no power) a week later. | |||
| 08/11/2003 | 1 | 04/03/2003 | |
| The vehicle caught on fire. the fire chief stated it was possible there was a short in the steering column. *ak *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 12/27/1996 | 11/01/1996 | ||
| We drove the car off the lot and took it on a trip from ellensburg, washington to lolo, montana. during this trip we experienced the clock intermittently stopping, the radio shutting off and the trailer brakes not working. this was reported to the dealer. at that point they took a look at the vehicle but could not duplicate the problem from that point on we have had the vehicle in the repair shop in excess of 10 to 12 times for electrical related problems. on at least 6 occasions we have driven the vehicle about 150 miles, left it in airport or motel parking and taken an airplane trip anywhere from 3 days to 7 days in length. upon returning the battery was completely dead making it necessary to find someone to give us a jump. on each occasions we have returned the vehicle to the dealer. the first time, they replaced the battery and said it was fixed. on another occasion they they worked on the brake controller saying it was not properly installed causing the problem. another occasions they worked on the steering column saying they had solved the problem. another time they felt the delayed radio shut off was causing the problem. none of these fixes have solved the problem. it still goes dead when we drive it for a period of time, shut it off and leave it for 3 to 7 days. this has been an on-going problem from day one and it still is not fixed. it is inconvenient not to mention all of the time involved in returning the vehicle to the dealer and being without the use of the vehicle purchased for several days or weeks at a time. the dealer informed us this last go round that they could not duplicate the problem and would not spend any of their time to look for a phantom short in the electrical system. we have reported to them that this vehicle is not dependable for road trips that require any number of days where the vehicle will just sit. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK | |||
| 05/12/1998 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| The shaft in the power steering pump busted in two as my husband was driving into a curve @ 60 mph. he was able to keep from crashing. but if i would have been driving it i wouldn't of been able to steer it. my husband walked in the house white as a ghost. the dealer wanted me to drive it in 10 miles on a curving road with no power steering. i tried to drive it impossible for me to do. the brakes wore out and were replaced a second time (front) @ 36000 miles. the rotors were replaced, had been 10,000 miles since last brake job. the rear brakes needed readjustment again at 43200 miles the pedal kept going to the floor and was soft. 11/98 began having more electrical problems with the rear fan blower would not turn off and will run the battery dead constantly. 1/99 both front and rear u-joints were bad, had replaced the car was wandering even worse than it used to they could not find cause. the front differential was leaking and front brakes need replacing again. 2/16/99 the transmission went out in the vechile at 53174 miles. i drove the car 3 miles into town the rpms started going up to 4000rpms wasn't shifting i stopped and parked i tried to back up it started whinning and clunking and wouldn't move. three miles earlier i backed out of my garage with no hint of trouble 3 miles later i am stranded with two babys. my husband contacted gm they refused any assistance. i continued contacting gm through other avenues i called roy roberts one of the vp explained i had some safety concerns with the suburban. i was told he would return my phone call, no return call ever received. i finally found a factory rep. that is looking into the problem but i don't hold out much hope that gm will respond to our concerns. every time i have talked to a gm rep. they tell me no one else has these problems, but according to your records lots of people have had similiar problems. i have all records and receipts and would love to go into more detail with you. | |||