2006 HUMMER H3 User Comment / Complaint

There was a left rear wheel speed sensor that failed. the sensor sent data to the computer that the wheel was spinning when it wasn't. with no warning, the computer applied the brakes abruptly and firmly. we were in city traffic and speed was slow. my only safety concern at this time was that we would be rear-ended as we probably had no brake light operation as the brake pedal was not used. after this happened numerous times in 3-5 minutes, we then got dash error codes and lights that the abs and traction control systems had failed. the problem then went away as i assume the computer turned off these systems since they had failed. we had previously been towing a small u-haul trailer and could only imagine what might have happened if this occurred at interstate highway speeds with a trailer in tow, and even more scary if the road would also have been wet. when we got to the dealer for repair, the warnings had reset, and i assume the systems were active again. luckily an error code was stored. the problem was fixed under warranty and the service received was satisfactory, but i think there is a design flaw in a system that would allow the computer to apply the brakes with no warning and for no apparent reason. at that time, there is nothing i as a driver could do concerning the brakes. it seems there should be a redundant system where there must be two feedbacks that agree before the system applies the brakes, and if the two feedbacks do not agree then the system is disabled and an error message is given. this certainly seems to me to be a major safety flaw. the bad part was fixed, but i am not sure i trust the safety of the vehicle. there was only one failure. no damage was done. however, under different highway conditions the situation could have been deadly.