All Investigations » Investigation EA04021

  Defect Investigation of Brake Lamp Failure

Investigation of Brake Lamp Failure

Subject: Brake lamp failure
Components covered:
  • Brake lights
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Aug. 3, 2004. It was closed on Nov. 4, 2004. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
Gm states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets. On March 2, 2004, gm initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile "special policy" for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies. On April 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed. On August 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021). By letter dated October 27, 2004 gm notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA # 04v527) covering subject vehicles that were not already repaired under gm's "special policy. "my 2004 subject vehicles built after August 8, 2003 contain improved brake lamp assemblies and are not included in the recall. Gm dealers will install the improved brake lamp assembly on subject vehicles built on August 8, 2003 and earlier. The action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2004 Buick Rainier
  • 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2002 GMC Envoy
  • 2003 GMC Envoy
  • 2004 GMC Envoy
  • 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  • 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  • 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

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