NHTSA Complaint #11338735 — 2000 GMC SONOMA

I HAD A NEAR DEATH ACCIDENTS (TWICE) DUE TO CATASTROPHIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES THE FRONT LEFT AND THE INTERMEDIATE LINE FROM FRONT TO REAR SECTION ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL. FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT SPEED OF 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY WITH HARD STOP REQUIRED TO AVOID STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD. SECOND FAILURE WAS MORE INSIDIOUS WITH PROGRESSIVE BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH/ LEAK SPOT TO REAR BRAKE LINES WITH FIN THROUGH AND FAILURE. THIS IS NOT COMPLICATED ... SIMPLY SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS FOR ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN A VEHICLE. IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT CONDITIONS ARE (IE SALT, COLD, ETC; DESIGN AND MATERIALS SHOULD BE MANDATED FOR BRAKE LINES NOT TO RUST THROUGH. THERE ARE MATERIALS WHICH COULD BE USED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, PARTICULARLY FOR NORTHERN REGIONS WITH SALT ON ROADS. THE ENTIRE BRKE LINE SYSTEM IS ON THIS VEHILCLE (AND OTHERS) IS AN UNNECESSARY AND AVOIDABLE PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD. SURELY THERE HAVE BEEN DEATHS RESULTING FROM FAILURE, I WAS LUCKY AND HAD TO MANEUVER STRIGHT THROUGH BETWEEN 2 STOPPED VEHICLES AS I HAD NO OTHER OPTION WITH NO BRAKES. ALSO, ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE HANDLE OPERATED PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVERS , AS THE FOOT OPERATED ONE IN THIS VEHICLE WAS USELESS, BUT A PULL TYPE, HAND OPERATED BRAKE HANDLE WOULD HAVE BEEN READILY ACCESSIBLE AND LIKELY PREVENTED NEAR DEATH INCIDENT.