NHTSA Complaint #10542533 — 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE

AT HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY, STARTED THE ENGINE AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE. UNDER THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LARGE POOL OF BRAKE FLUID AND A LEAK FROM ONE OF THE BRAKE PIPES UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED BADLY OVER A SECTION LENGTH OF AROUND ONE FOOT IN LENGTH, AND COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, SUDDENLY GIVEN WAY - LUCKILY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A SALTY ENVIRONMENT OTHER THAN NORMAL VIRGINIA WINTER ROAD SALT, OR USED OFF ROAD. *LN