This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Our diesel fuel pump failed unexpectedly and without any notice while pulling a fifth wheel camper on a state highway in Ohio. The engine stopped completely (we were coasting within seconds). We were in a one-lane construction zone, and had it not been for a paved median, I would have been unable to pull off in this construction zone. Fortunately, I had enough momentum to get off the road and was able to exert enough pressure on the brakes manually to stop. In reading about this issue, it is clear that there are known problems with this fuel pump. My cost to repair this defective part will be about $11,500 and will require a 12 hour round trip back to Ohio to pick-up the vehicle after a two-week repair.
While driving on a four-lane highway towing our 15,500 lb fifth wheel, suddenly, without any warning, we heard rattling, lost power, and the engine shut down. The noise and loss of propulsion, power steering and power brakes all occurred within about 2-3 seconds. Gratefully, the driver had the fortitude to immediately begin pulling onto the shoulder of the slight downward slope on which were were driving. Luckily, we were on a stretch of road that was not inclined, not in a construction zone with barriers, not in a snowy mountain pass or in other inclement weather, not in the left lane passing, etc. Had any of these factors prevented us from simply pulling onto the shoulder of the road, the potential for a life threatening accident would have been significant. The Chevrolet/GM service center confirmed the Bosch CP4 hpfp suffered a catastrophic failure, destroying the entire fuel system of the truck. GM is covering part of the repair costs (truck is at 119,705 miles), but our bill will remain substantial. Research of diesel, tdi, and other forums document this problem as well-known and broader than the existing 9 complaints in the nhsta public database and the investigation of VW/Audi. Some people are even reporting multiple failures. The most common believable cause of the failures seems to be a mismatch of lubricity specs between the Bosch CP4 and the diesel fuel in the U.S. please open an investigation, and order GM, Ford, VW, Bosch and others to recall these vehicles to provide the necessary repairs. Also please mandate, to the extent you're able, reimbursement to those of us paying for repairs today. I have read, but have not been able to confirm, that VW extended the warranty to 120K miles. This seems like a minimum (more is better) step, and it should be retroactive.
I have had a recurring problem with my new 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lt (5.3 liter engine) going into "reduced engine power mode" which also results in the disabling of stability control and traction control. This is a dangerous condition in that it results in a loss of power while operating the vehicle upon the roadway. An authorized repair facility has replaced the number one and two throttle sensors, the accelerator pedal assembly, the throttle body, the alternator, the computer, and a large ground wire behind the dash. A GM engineer was flown in and now the repair center is replacing the engine wiring harness. The vehicle (which was purchased less than three months ago) has been out of service for approximately 30 days. In researching this matter I have found that Chevy has had an ongoing problem with this in various vehicles in its product line since 2003. Although several service bulletins have been produced there does not seem to be a consensus regarding the cause of this problem. All of the parts associated with trouble codes C0242, P2127, and P2138 have been replaced without result. This condition could result in the affected vehicles being rearended, or, because of the loss of stability and traction control, result in a roll over. This needs to be addressed immediately.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oak Ridge, TN, USA