NHTSA Complaint #10105662 — 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE

EVER SINCE PURCHASING MY CHEVROLET TAHOE LT BRAND-NEW IN AUGUST OF 2003, THE MUFFLER AND/OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS MADE AN EXPLODING SOUND BOTH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND AFTER IT IS SHUT OFF. AT STOPLIGHTS AND AFTER BEING PARKED, YOU BOTH HEAR AND FEEL EXPLOSIONS FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. GM CONTENDS THE SOUND IS STEAM BUILDING UP IN THE MUFFLER AND EXPLODING, BUT ADMITS IT IS NOT A "NORMAL" BACKFIRE, AND STATES THAT SOME TAHOES DO IT, AND SOME DO NOT. THEY HAVE RELEASED TWO SEPARATE FIXES FOR THE PROBLEM BUT NEITHER HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE, AND THE LAST ONE CAME OUT OVER A YEAR AGO. OFFICIAL GM POLICY PROHIBITS REPLACING ANY MUFFLERS/EXHAUST SYSTEMS ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THIS PROBLEM - OWNERS ARE SIMPLY TOLD THE EXPLOSIONS ARE NORMAL. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, GM REPLACED MY MUFFLER, AND THE SECOND ONE DOES THE SAME THING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS AN ALARMING SOUND AND FEELING TO HAVE IN A NEW VEHICLE, AND LOGIC DICTATES THAT STEAM EXPLOSIONS INSIDE A METAL BOX CAN ONLY GO ON FOR SO LONG BEFORE SERIOUS DAMAGE IS DONE (I.E. THE MUFFLER ITSELF EXPLODES NEAR THE GAS TANK.) I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE NHTSA CAN DO, BUT ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE IS MOST WELCOME.*AK