IN AUGUST OF 2009 I NOTICED WHEN I HAD A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER I WOULD GET AN INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT OF "AIRBAG READINESS". ALSO, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE WAS REGISTER AS BEING "OFF". THIS FAILURE WAS NEVER INTERMITTENTLY -- IT JUST FAILED. I WENT THROUGH THE PROCEDURES OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR POSSIBLE CORRECTIONS: 1. HAVE FRONT PASSENGER ADJUST WEIGHT WHILE SEATED, MOVE OR POSITION SEAT IN A UPRIGHT POSITION, THEN TURN VEHICLE "ON AND OFF". 2. CHECK FOR ITEMS UNDER THE SEAT FOR ITEMS AND ADJUST SEAT BELTS. THE LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL OF NHTSA ID#10V2400000. AT THAT TIME I ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM OF THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO THE CADILLAC REPRESENTATIVE. HE STATED " HE HAD CHECKED THE SYSTEM FOR A RECALL OF THIS NATURE AND THERE WAS NONE". THIS COULD BE TRUE BECAUSE, I JUST LUCKED UPON SEEING AN ARTICLE ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THE RECALL OF GM VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE RECALL OF NHTSA ID# 10V644000 IS FOR CADILLAC/CTS 2005-2007. MY VEHICLE IS A CADILLAC/EXT 2007 HOWEVER, THIS MODEL VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAFETY HAZARD AS THE CADILLAC/CTS 2007 MODEL. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A RANDOM COINCIDENCE RATHER, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF CAR MANUFACTURER. *LN
2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
RECENTLY, MY VEHICLE WAS PRESENTED TO FIRESTONE FOR STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THIS COMPLAINT IS A 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE'S PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. I WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS PREVELANT IN THE CADILLAC ESCALADE PRODUCTION LINE AND SIMILAR SERIES SUCH AS THE CHEVEROLET AVALANCHE. THE ASSOCIATE ATTRIBUTED THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S NEGLECT TO ADOPT AN EFFECTIVE RETAINING CLIP WHICH RESULTS IN PREMATURE WEAR OF THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES. THIS DEFECT NOT ONLY COMPROMISES THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT PREMATURELY WEARS AND SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGES THE ROTORS OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, MY VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION AND IS PENDING OVER $500.00 IN REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PRESENTED TO A BRAKE SHOP, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DISASSEMBLE THE REAR DRIVERSIDE HUB TO ACCESS THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES. A BOLT WHICH NEEDED TO BE REMOVED WAS LOCK-TITE TO THE POINT OF PERMANENT AND STATIC FIXTURE (WITH THE ONLY METHOD OF REMOVAL BEING THE GRIND OR CUT THE BOLT OUT). BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES, I AM UNABLE TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTIONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NEVER ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AND NEVER ENGAGED TO CREATE FRICTION WITH THE MOVING WHEELS. WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS DEPRESSED, THE LEVER MOTIONS WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD.