Investigations
Brake line failure due to corrosion
NHTSA Defect Petition DP10003 — closed, opened 2010-03-29 and involving the CHEVROLET C/K SERIES.
NHTSA investigation DP10003 is a Defect Petition opened on 2010-03-29 and currently closed. The subject of record is CHEVROLET C/K SERIES, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CHEVROLET. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-04-05 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Defect Petition like DP10003 starts when a person or group formally asks NHTSA to investigate a specific alleged defect. Petitioners submit evidence, NHTSA reviews it within 120 days, and either grants the petition (opening a PE) or denies it with a written explanation in the Federal Register.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehic..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related CHEVROLET files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines. The petitioner's vehicle suffered a sudden loss of brake effectiveness and extended stopping due to the bursting of a corroded brake line. ODI has received 110 owner complaints for MY 1999 through 2003 Chevrolet and GMC C/K series pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles of which 3 are MY2003 2500 series trucks. The complaints allege the loss of braking effectiveness due to brake line rupture because of corrosion. In 37 of these complaints, the brake line failure was confirmed by a dealer inspection. Three complaints allege that corroded brake line failure resulted in a crash. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to determine the frequency, scope and safety consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.
About This Investigation Type
A Defect Petition (DP) is initiated when an individual or organization formally petitions NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect. NHTSA reviews the petition and decides whether to open an investigation.
Other CHEVROLET Investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.