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.
Second time the positive terminal from an delco battery has leaked causing the battery cables to melt. Acid leaks have caused rusting on the frame and near brake and A/C lines
Problem: Battery acid is leaking from the positive terminal. The acid released falls on pressurized A/C lines and the right front brake lines and fitting connecting the brake hose. This is the second battery to be replaced in my vehicle. This problem was found in when disconnecting the first battery (3/2001) for charging. Acid released from the orginal battery was contained and neutralized immediately. This second instance was not found until, acid was found on the garage floor. Extensive corrosion has occured on all metal parts below the battery. Dealers has stated this problem is prelavent in all 1999 Chevrolet with continuous head light operation. Two GM dealers have stated they are seeing leaking batteries in one or two vehicles per day. The service manager at hallowell Chevrolet in clovis, ca, stated that GM has been working on a new battery design to correct the problem for 8 to 10 months. The uncontrolled release toxic substances poses both an environmental and safety hazard. One failed battery may be an expected probability, although the prevalence of the numbers scene at two dealers and two instances in my vehicle, warrant and require governmental action and oversight. The leaking acid is affecting the integrity of the air conditioning system (not a seafety problem, ulness the escaping R-134/
Truck was taken in repeatedly for brakes, transmission, air conditioner and headlights prior to warranty expiration and was told they could not duplicate the problem or it was under "chev specs" or we were experiencing anti-lock brakes. Water pump began leaking and had to be replaced 2200 miles outside of warranty. Entire brake system, lines-calipers, everything had to be replaced because "foreign fluid corroded" the system. No one has touched the brakes but the dealer. We repeatedly complained about the brakes taking too long to stop the vehicle, having a spongy feel and absolutely no confidence that they would stop in an emergency situation. Overall, the brakes just did not feel safe and we reported this when the vehicle was still under warranty. Intake manifold is leaking and needs to be replaced. Battery exploded and leaked battery acid everywhere damaging other engine parts. Transmission is in need of an overhaul/replacement either as a direct result of the battery exploding or mere coincidence considering we have always complained that something was wrong with the transmission and you could push the truck while in park a full foot. The air conditioner has always leaked after driving approx. 2 hr as well as the driver's side high beam headlight always has water in it. Detailed complaints have been filed with the attorney generals of AZ and fl, as well as copies sent to the dealer, manufacturer and leasing company involved. Chevrolet should be ashamed of the shoddy product that rolled off their assembly line and the manner in which they conduct business surrounding consumer complaints generated as a direct result from poor workmanship at one of their factories. There is a long list of "cosmetic" defects as well. For instance, the custom leather seats that we paid extra for are wearing holes in them; the driver's side door handle is cracked, drink holders are rusting, and the list goes on and on.
The battery positive leaked onto the brake line which in turn ate through the brake line and a loss of brake fluid and brakes without warning happened. I was traveling at 40mph when went to apply the brakes and they went slowly to the floor as I was stopping and then dropped to floor and I went thru the middle of a intersection (I thank god that traffic was light). I see that in this data base that this is common problem and I can't believe that this is not a recall. How many people have to be hurt of killed before GMC does something about this. I have purchased 8 new GM vehicles in the last 10 years and if this is the way they are going to treat customers, I will not buy another. Needless to say the vehicle will be for sale as soon as it is fixed and another brand will be considered.
Battery post broke loose from battery and battery acid leaked from battery onto frame members and electrical wire harness dirfectly below battery with considerable corrosion to insulation. Dealer replaced defective battery under warranty with same battery model, but accnowledged that GM had redesign a new battery (plantinum) due to heat and virbration problems from 1995 to current on truck and SUV's. dealer said that GM had not recall on existing batteryies or any policy to replace at owner request the old defective designed batteries with the new redesigned plantinum model. Dealer Inc ca, , in Montana and aaa acknowleged that these batteries are failing in large quanties. I filled a formal complaint with GM customer service on faillure of GM to recall and to offer new model battery to owners with failues....today no response on corrective action received for GM. GM magaizne article also wrote on new improved delco plantinum battery's improved design for both heat and affects of vibration. Failure of battery appearently is cause by GM having added the second battery cable to the positive post which fails under normal road vibration due to the extra stress on the post assembly. Our dealer did not repair the damage to the frame protective coatings or the wiring harness.
The positive terminal on the original delco battery broke off, leaking acid down the wheel well onto the right front brake lines and the ABS electrical connector to the right front brake. The acid corroded the brake line, electrical connector, and removed the paint on the frame and lower A-frame. The failure occured in our driveway and the vehicle was disabled. Had to buy a new battery and 2 cans of battery acid cleaner to remove the acid in the right side engine compartment and lower frame assembly. The brake problem occured as my wife was driving home. She said that the steering was shaking and rumbling. It was pulling to one side. I found the left front caliper had seized in the cradle assembly and worn the outer pad to less than a tenth of an inch. She said it had been squealing for a couple of days. The right side was ok, but, I changed all front pads any how. I had to clean rust from the caliper and mount to allow movement in the assembly. I still have the bad battery and the brake pads.
The battery in my 1999 Tahoe has started leaking from the postive post and has done $ 480 damage to the cables and starter motor. The service rep said that it had been leaking for a while. I had it in for service just 10 days before, and nothen was said about a leak. Reailable said that the battery is a 6 yr. Battery, but when it is put into a new vehicle the warrenty is for 3 yrs or 36,000 miles. He said that delco has a problem with their side post batterys and they are changing out a lot of them, but because I have over 36,000 miles, I will have to pay for my work. When I bought the vehicle, I was told that it would not need a tune up for 100,000 miles and it has a maintance free battery. Here it is 28 months later and only 59,000 miles and the battery has done $480 of damage, and I find out it is happing a lot with delco batterys. This can be a hazard, because the acid gets on driveways and kids play there. When I bought the vehicle, I ask fro a GM extented warrenty. I paid $540 for this and now I find out that I got some other warrenty, not the GM one and it doesn't cover batterys. What is the consumer suppose to do. I have had the regular maintance require by GM done at reliable and only 10 days eariler it was in their shop for oil change and greased and I was not notified of this damage. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. To make thing worse, I was charged $34.95 by reliable to run a diagnosis test to determine the battery was leaking from the post. The service rep raised the hood when I carried it in and said it is leaking from the post, this is a problem with delco batterys. I don't see why a test was then ran.
Battery has leaked acid onto brake line, causing all fluid to leak, amd a loss of braking power. Deaelr has been contacted. The battery acid corroded the brake line.
Vehicle was parked in front of consumer's house. She got inside of vehicle and attempted to start it up, but vehicle would not start. Her husband opened the hood, and battery had exploded, and leaked battery acid all over the vehicle.
Battery leak. Caused positive post to corrode/disconnect. Truck is only 1 year old, with less that 15,000 miles. Battery acid all over engine and hoses.
Engine died while driving in St louis traffic approx 2 pm- traffic was light but if this occurred 10 mins earlier would have been on I 170 or 30 mins later on I 270 deal :er says :loose battery connection: Sounds like a :loose" explanation to me as I did have warning flashers when ocurred. Am I driving a time bomb ??
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Foster City, CA, USA