The Hummer H2 is one of the most expensive and largest SUVs on the market. They start at $50,000 and weigh over 6000 pounds. They are a high profile class of SUVs which is why, when the reports came out of major safety concerns about the vehicles the NHTSA began investigating.
The Hummer H2 debuted in 2002 but there have been some concerns about the overall safety of the vehicle. The Hummer H2 from the 2003 and 2004 model years are the vehicles under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after multiple reports of wheels falling off of the vehicles. According to General motors there are over 59,000 of these vehicles on the road nationwide. GM said it is cooperating with the investigation by the NHTSA. These kinds of formal investigations can often lead to vehicle recalls.
According to four Hummer H2 drivers, the problem was caused by a fracture of the steering knuckle, the mechanism by which the wheels on the vehicle turn. In all of the cases, the drivers were unable to control the vehicle and the drivers either veered into oncoming traffic or off the road. In three out of four instances, the Hummer H2 lost a wheel. This is a significant product liability for General Motors.
Additionally, there are some concerns about possible brake problems in General Motors Corporation vehicles, including the Hummer H2. General Motors did issue a recall of over 155,000 pickups and sport utility vehicles, the Hummer H2 included, because of potential brake malfunctions. In this case, several vehicles were affected; all of the vehicles were from the 2004 and 2005 model years and have the Bosch hydro-boost brake assembly installed in the vehicle. The recall included the Hummer H2 as well as the Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado and Suburban; the GMC Savana, Sierra and Yukon XL; the GMC Topkick and Chevrolet Kodiak.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited the potential cracking of a pressure accumulator in the braking system as being safety hazard because it could both leak hydraulic fluid thereby making braking significantly more difficult and it could shatter, sending projectiles at people when the hood of the vehicle was opened. Although no injuries have yet been reported, this is a substantial product defect and if someone was injured by a brake defect like this, they could be entitled to compensation.
When anyone buys a vehicle or a car, especially a new one, they should feel assured that they are safe and secure on the road. In neither of the safety issues for the Hummer H2 were drivers pushing the vehicle beyond normal limits, driving off road or doing anything abnormal yet problems occurred presenting potentially fatal driving conditions. If you or a loved one has been injured or harmed because of a Hummer H2 malfunction or because of the GM brake recall that also affected the Hummer H2, you may be entitled to seek compensation for any losses you may have incurred. You should contact a product liability attorney as soon as possible to advise you of your rights in your given situation.