10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,637 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Feb 012014

Silverado 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who stated that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 04/14/14 updated 04/18/2014

- Cranford, NJ, USA

problem #19

Sep 242013

Silverado

  • 211,000 miles
I had just picked up 2 cu. Yds of mulch and was going home when I was coming up to a roundabout. I slowed down more than usual, started braking early, since I was driving with a load. As I got to the intersection I noticed a car that was coming through quickly and got to the intersection before I did so I had to stomp on the brake a little more than I had planned. As I did the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily the hole was small enough that I still had some pressure and was able to slow down and just miss the car. I slowly crawled through the intersection and pulled over at the next street. I was thinking it was the calipers but when I looked under the truck I saw that the leak was coming from higher up. I crawled under the truck to get a better look and saw that all the brake line where severely corroded. I had the truck towed back home and need to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow to see what the damage is.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #18

Mar 162012

Silverado

  • 211,409 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that he noticed brake fluid leaking from the vehicle and onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the sub frame and brake lines were corroded. The mechanic attempted to put the vehicle on the lift but and as the lift began to rise, the vehicle began to crack. The vehicle was not repairable. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 211,409.

- Butler, TN, USA

problem #17

Aug 192013

Silverado

  • miles
Brake lines ruptured, parking brake non-existent, corrosion of brake line, fuel lines, frame and brake dust covers.

- Phyllis, KY, USA

problem #16

Aug 012012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 194,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brake lines failed while exiting a residential driveway with a steep incline. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle using the brakes and had to utilize the emergency hand brake, which allowed the brakes to catch very slowly. The vehicle did not stop until it had reached level ground. The contact's personal mechanic confirmed that the brake lines were rusted and caused the failure. The failure and current mileages were 194,000. Updated 09/17/13 the consumer and his wife experienced brake failure, twice. His wife noticed something was wrong with the brakes. When she exited the vehicle, she saw brake fluid on the ground. The first time, the brakes failed, while backing out of the driveway.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #15

Aug 072010

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Driving down my driveway ready to take a heavy load of shingles to the dump, the brake pedal went almost to the floor. Barely could stop from 5 mph. Upon inspection brake fluid was dripping down the frame rail under the drivers seat location. All of the five brake lines running down along the top of the frame rail were corroded to the point one failed.

- New Tripoli, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 082013

Silverado 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
On Saturday, June 8, 2013, I was traveling approximately 3-4 mph (or less) entering a parking space. The parking lot was level and dry. I applied the brakes to stop, the ABS activated, I.e., I heard a growling noise, the brake pedal vibrated and pulsated, it became soft and promptly bottomed out on the floor. No brakes. It was necessary to shift into neutral while standing on the emergency brake. My vehicle jumped the curb onto the sidewalk and stopped approximately 10 inches from the building. I raised the hood to check the brake fluid level. It was full, no leaks noted under the hood nor under the vehicle. What now?

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #13

Dec 272011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 151,250 miles
I was descending a driveway and applied the brakes and they failed due to brake line corrosion. The rear line is rusted through. Upon inspection of the other lines I found they are also corroded. I was lucky to be where I was in order to avoid an accident.

- Harvey's Lake, PA, USA

problem #12

Jan 012013

Silverado

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, he depressed the brake pedal but the brakes did not respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the front wheel assembly had to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Athens, WI, USA

problem #11

Jul 162012

Silverado

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph with the brakes engaged, the vehicle decelerated to 10mph and the ABS began to pulse. The brakes continue to be depressed until the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnose that the wheel speed sensor was corroded and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since recall NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock) was closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #10

Oct 102012

Silverado

  • 89,870 miles
Failure of vehicle to stop appropriately, brakes were squishy, braking distance increased. Pulled vehicle into driveway and found the brake fluid reservoir was empty. Filled reservoir with fluid, within 5 days reservoir was empty, inspected vehicle and found brake fluid dripping from the steel brake lines. All lines are corroded, took vehicle to shop and found that all brake lines are bad, GM no longer manufactures the brake lines.

- Prospect Park , PA, USA

problem #9

Oct 172012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 40,665 miles
"replace rotted brake line along left side frame to rear of truck". was informed all other brake lines are corroded in this same area and to expect problems in year or so. Truck is used to pull 25 foot rv three or four weeks per year and except for shopping trips remains parked at bottom of driveway.

- Pearl River, NY, USA

problem #8

Mar 122008

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 10 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal humming sound and began to pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ABS sensors would have to be cleaned. In addition, the mechanic suggested the ABS fuse be disconnected to permanently prevent the failure but the ABS function would no longer be operable. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock) and contacted the manufacturer who then advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 11/15/12 the consumer stated that an internet search recommended to pull out the ABS fuse to disable the ABS system, so it wont crash the truck. There are hundreds of thousands of trucks out there with the ABS fuse removed. Updated 11/19/2012 updated 11/27/12

- Cohocton, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 042012

Silverado

  • 89,447 miles
Brakes failed after rusted brake line came apart. This failure caused sudden loss of brakes while approaching a stop light. Was told this is a common problem, no parts available so custom lines would need to be made. Labor cost for repair are high.

- Solomon's, MD, USA

problem #6

Sep 012012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
Applied parking brake on steep hill and parking brake did not hold. Took truck to mechanic and he said this was a common problem on this truck as the parking brake shoes fail even if the brake is seldom or never used.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #5

Aug 292012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 190,500 miles
Depressed brake pedal, pedal went to floor heard brake fluid spraying, after examining under truck found broke brake line.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 252012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Brake line failed due to rust. Lost all brakes.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #3

Jul 062012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
I was backing out of my driveway pressed the brake pedal which went all the way to the floor. I pumped the pedal softly, came to a stop and pulled back up to my house without incident. Opened the hood and noticed the brake reservoir was very low, but no leaks around the master cylinder. I looked under the truck and noticed a large puddle of brake fluid under the drivers door. The brake lines { 4 in a plastic clamp on the frame} were all wet and rusted. A line or lines had ruptured under just normal braking and very luckily in my driveway. The rupture seems to be a line inside the plastic clamp mounted to the frame of the truck.

- Moscow Mills, MO, USA

problem #2

Jun 112012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Have had nothing but problems with this truck. All the brake lines are rusted and need replaced....really. GM you need to step up and correct this problem before somebody really gets hurt.

- Cleves, OH, USA

problem #1

Nov 012011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 109,042 miles
Total brake failure. The cause of the failure was the failure of both lines from the master cylinder to the ABS ehcu where they are unprotected from wheel spray adjacent to the wheel speed sensor anchor point just inboard and slightly aft of the left front wheel directly below the master cylinder. Upon inspection it was clear that the line closest to the left front wheel failed first and that the other line failed a split second later due to the burst pressure torque moment created by the first line failure. Up until May 14th the truck remained stationary in the driveway but is now undergoing total brake line replacement. During this task it has become evident that the lines have corroded to the point of failure in many places but the problem seems concentrated on the left side of the vehicle from the front bumper to the rear axle. The only line not in this area is the right front brake line which is in reasonable condition except where it passes along the left side to the ABS ehcu. In many places the lines can be broken by hand using the action of breaking a stick by hand. In some cases this caused the line to break in multiple pieces. Any thoughts that this is anything but a material quality issue are senseless. This truck has been plagued with material quality issues, specifically rusting of metal. Parts that have been replaced are tail gate cables (recalled) window regulator cables, wheel speed sensor cleaning procedure due to rust ( even though this truck is not covered by the recall) front and rear brake rotors fell apart with sheets of metal delaminating from their surface and wheels have severe rust requiring their replacement. The fuel lines on the truck, bearing a few small spots, remain in like new condition as they run along the frame rail adjacent to the brake lines that are failing apart from corrosion.

- Bow, NH, USA