General Motors Corp. is recalling 804,000 full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles because of potential problems with the anti-lock braking system.
Problems with the antilock brake system are behind the GM decision to recall vehicles in 14 northern states. Corrosion in the braking system is blamed for more than 200 low-speed crashes.
A GM spokesman says the problem occurs when salt and other road grime gets into the area covering the antilock braking system sensor near the wheel hub. The problem activates the ABS at speeds much lower than normal, requiring a longer stopping distance.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describers the problem as an unwanted application of the antilock brake system. NHTSA opened an investigation in late April of more than 1.2 million GM pickups and SUVs in 20 states because of questions about the antilock brakes. The investigation is still underway.
Vehicles involved in the recall include the Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado pickups and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe SUVs. The GMC Sierra pickup and Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs are also affected. All 804,000 vehicles trucks are from the 1999-2002 model years, NHTSA said.
GM says there have been 228 crashes reported through the end of May, including 10 minor injuries.
ConsumerAffairs.com has received complaints about the problems with GM antilock brakes since 2002.