NHTSA Complaint #10627784 — 2003 GMC YUKON XL 1500

COMING DOWN AN ONRAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I BRAKE TO YIELD ONLY TO HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DROP NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND AS I WAS FORCED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC I ATTEMPT TO APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE IT DROP FURTHER. SO I ATTEMPTED TO GRADUALLY APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT ALSO ENDED UP FULLY EXTENDED AND HAVING NO EFFECT. WITH MAIN BRAKING POWER ALMOST GONE, I USED A LOWER TRANSMISSION GEAR TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE I DISCOVERED EXCESSIVE BRAKE FLUID LOSS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL/SUSPENSION AREA. DEALER REPAIR REPORT: "FOUND VEHICLE TO HAVE LOST BREAKING ABILITY. FOUND REAR BRAKE LINES FROM ABS HUB RUSTED OUT CAUSING SYSTEM TO LOOSE BRAKING. REMOVED AND REPLACED REAR BRAKE LINES FROM ABS HUB TO MASTER." CONSIDERING THE BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ENTERING AND ABSOLUTE NO WARNING FROM THE VEHICLE EITHER BY ELECTRONICS OR "FEEL", I CONSIDER IT A MIRACLE I WAS NOT IN A CRASH OR WORSE. AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES CORRODE, LIKELY DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT EXPOSURE OVER TIME, AND ON THE YUKON ARE IN A LOCATION IN THE REAR THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO INSPECT OTHER THAN BY "FEEL" (INSTEAD OF VISUALLY). *TR