NHTSA Complaint #10561045 — 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE

THIS IS A FLEET VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE DRIVERS. IT HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASED NEW, AND FREQUENTLY WASHED. IT IS INFREQUENTLY USED IN POOR WEATHER, WHEN ROADS ARE SALTED OR BRINED, AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS RINSED AFTER USE IN SUCH CONDITIONS, INTENDING TO AVOID PREMATURE UNDERCARRIAGE RUST. IN THIS EVENT, THE BRAKE PEDAL GRADUALLY LOST PRESSURE WHILE HOLDING AT A STOP AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL IMPERCEPTIBLY. DRIVER INITIALLY THOUGHT SEAT WAS MISADJUSTED FROM PREVIOUS DRIVER AND THAT HIS APPLIED PEDAL PRESSURE WAS RELAXING, THEREFORE HE ADJUSTED THE SEAT AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THIS WAS DURING A SNOWSTORM, SO DRIVING WAS CAUTIOUS ANYWAY. THE PRIOR DRIVER HAD NOTICED THE SAME GRADUAL PRESSURE LOSS RETROACTIVELY WHEN ASKED. WITH 2 MORE HOURS DRIVING (MOSTLY HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE NEED FOR BRAKING), THE PROBLEM WORSENED TO THE POINT THAT BRAKING WAS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNINGS WERE TRIGGERED. THE PROBLEM IS RUPTURED BRAKE LINES, DUE TO PREMATURE RUSTING. *TR