NHTSA Decides No Recall on Rusting Brake Lines | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has ended a multi-year investigation into 1999-2003 full sized pickup trucks and sport utilities vehicles which have experienced brake line failures. The government agency has decided the problem is due to "end of life wear out" and will not be recalling the subject vehicles.

The lines that NHTSA looked at carry brake fluid throughout the brake system and play the primary role in the hydraulic functionality of the brakes. Fluid in the lines is responsible for applying pressure to the mechanical brake parts that stop the vehicle. Lines compromised by rust and corrosion eventually leak and result in loss of pressure greatly increasing stopping distances. If this condition is not addressed all the fluid is lost resulting in no brakes.

NHTSA offered consumers in the "Salt Belt" (a list of 20 states & DC where deicing preparations are applied to roadways) suggestions to "protect against brake pipe corrosion in older vehicles". They are: 1.) Periodically remove from the undercarriage of your vehicle road salt that leads to corrosion
       2.) Monitor your brake system and the undercarriage components
       3.) Replace the entire brake pipe assembly at any sign of scaling or flaking

The agency also describes what to do if you experience a brake failure while driving. These instructions can be viewed at NHTSA Brake Corrosion Press Release.

Comment -As covered in the last blog post and reinforced here by NHTSA,  there is no substitution   for a trained eye periodically looking over your vehicle.

Dripping Brake Line Copyright 2015 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

           

Keeping Track of Your Car with Your Senses | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Not every automotive diagnostic tool comes with an expensive price tag or an instruction list that requires an engineering degree to decipher. Especially for consumers whose involvement will end when they drop the vehicle off for repair, the most important tools are their senses. Relying on what you see, hear, or smell in describing your automotive concerns is always the best first step in getting your car or truck back to its reliable self.

Sight - Describing what you see in very specific terms makes diagnosis much easier. If it is a fluid leak, note the color, location and when during the driving cycle it appears. If a part doesn't seem to line up right or appears to be leaning be sure to mention it. Inspect your tires for foreign objects like nails, screws and shards of glass or pointy stones embedded in the tires. Occasionally check your lights for burned out bulbs.

Hearing - Clues to what is wrong with your car often come through your ears. From the rapid ticking of a turn signal indicator to the high pitched squeal of a brake pad sensor, sound is your friend when it comes to problems with your vehicle. Describe to the best of your ability the type sound you hear and when you hear it during the driving cycle (Starting Out, Accelerating, or Cruising).

Smell - Everybody knows what un-burned or raw gas smells like. When you smell that odor around your vehicle you should be very concerned. Whether under the hood or externally from a fuel line or a tank, dripping gas represents a clear and present danger and should be resolved immediately. You should never smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle. If your exhaust system leaks exhaust fumes can migrate into the cabin. There have been press reports of children being overcome from breathing fumes when they fell asleep in the back seat of a car stuck in traffic. The lack of vehicle movement increases the danger, so assume that the resolution of exhaust fumes is a high priority.      

Damaged Honda Odyssey Motor Oil Pan
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