10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,367 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Aug 292013

Silverado 3500

  • 102,000 miles
Just North of columbia, SC merging onto I-20, traffic suddenly slowed ahead. I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor. We managed to slow, utilizing emergency braking and gearing to avoid a crash. After looking at the vehicle, we discovered the rear left brake line had ruptured. We are having it repaired at a GM dealership. The reported diagnosis is brake line corrosion. The dealership is replacing the brake line and purging the brake system to repair the issue.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

problem #20

Jun 012013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 198,000 miles
I live in Connecticut and I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado K1500 ext cab 5.3L truck with 198000+ miles on it. The truck has been garaged just about its whole life since I bought it brand new. Last week my wife was driving the truck to the store. While coming to a stop sign just down the street the brakes failed. Fortunately she was coming to a stop and wasn't going fast with no one in front of her. She walked back to the house and I went down to find that a brake line had busted behind the drivers wheel on the frame rail before it goes over the frame to the ABS module. I had the truck towed back to my house and put in the garage to inspect it. I am amazed on how much that all of the brake lines are rusted. Some areas of the line when I touched it just fell apart in my hands. I have been hearing that just about everyone I know who owns 1999-2003 Chevy trucks are having brake line failing due to cheap steel rusted lines. While I was under the truck I also noticed that one of the cross members that support the right rear shock plus the gas tank is supported off of is rusted with only half a tube left. Plus just about all of my gas lines have serious rust on them. My other issue is that the rocker panels on both sides of the cab are rusted threw to a point that you can stick your hand in them. When is Chevy going to get off their butt and do something about this. The brake lines, fuel lines & cross member corrosion are safety issues that should be dealt with before people get hurt or worst killed.

- Uncasville, CT, USA

problem #19

Apr 222013

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Customer went to apply brakes coming down a steep hill. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Vehicle was wrecked to the repair shop the next day. Upon inspection, all brake lines from the master cylinder to the wheels were rusted and corroded. The place where the leak happened was right at the ABS pump. Both lines for the front and rear braking systems burst before the ABS pump causing a complete loss of brakes. I have worked on many Chevrolet of this model and all seem to have the same problem. This particular one has always been a North Carolina vehicle. Has never been up North.

- Canton, NC, USA

problem #18

Dec 152009

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the frame was extremely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the rear shackles would have to be replaced. Additionally, the brake lines were found to be corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Center Ossipee, NH, USA

problem #17

Apr 142013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • miles
Did new brake pads and when started to drive break line blew-towed to mechanic and was told all brake lines were rusted and need to be replaced.

- Stoneham, MA, USA

problem #16

Jul 252012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact inspected the vehicle while parked and noticed that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the brake lines would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Rural Retreat, VA, USA

problem #15

Nov 012012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
My wife and I drove our truck to town about 10 miles. I noticed the brake pedal felt spongy so we finished our business and drove home, when we pulled into the drive the brake pedal went to the floor. But we were able to get it stopped. I checked the fluid level and it was empty so I put some fluid in and ask my wife to push brake pedal as I looked around. I saw brake fluid spraying out from under the cab on the drivers side. I got under it and saw the brake lines were leaking and they were really rusted. It looked liked the brake line ruptured due to corrosion.

- Manilla, IN, USA

problem #14

Mar 152000

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, he applied the brakes and there was an abnormal increase in stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock) however the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 127,000..... updated 02-20-13 updated 02/25/2013

- Elk Rapids , MI, USA

problem #13

Aug 232012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 115,230 miles
Brake line corroded to the point of failure.

- Red Lion, PA, USA

problem #12

Sep 162012

Silverado 3500

  • 155,289 miles
Found a puddle of brake fluid on the driveway below the driver's side door. Inspection revealed that the brake lines that run along the frame rail below the driver's side door are completely rusted/corroded, and are leaking brake fluid. Vehicle is unsafe to drive until repaired. This is an extremely serious safety issue, and needs to be addressed immediately.

- Lothian, MD, USA

problem #11

Sep 012012

Silverado 3500

  • miles
I applied my brakes to slow down for the three cars stopping in the lane ahead of me. I started to decelerate and then all of a sudden my brake pedal went to the floor and I had to swerve to avoid rear-ending the car in front of me. Luckily there was no one in the other lane (same direction) so there was no accident but I had to then push the brake all the way to the floor going 10 mph for minimum stopping power.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #10

Jul 172012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
Brake line failure due to corrosion. No brakes at all pedal went to the floor. 9-4-12 another brake line failure due to corrosion. No brakes at all pedal to the floor. Someone needs to do something about this!!!!!

- Alburtis, PA, USA

problem #9

Sep 092004

Silverado 3500

  • 60,000 miles
ABS sensor engages at low speeds every single time the brakes are applied between 3 mph and 10 mph. Multiple replacements, and recall warranty have not fixed this issue. Lawyers are being contacted.

- Champlin, MN, USA

problem #8

Aug 012012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 124,086 miles
Brake pedal went to the floor while backing my boat trailer at a boat launch. All lines are rotted where they are fastened to drivers side inner frame. Brake line blew near gas tank where it is fastened to inner side of frame.

- Merrimack, NH, USA

problem #7

Oct 032000

Silverado 3500

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph the vehicle anti-lock system engaged without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 41,000.

- Pinconning, MI, USA

problem #6

May 262010

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 167,000 miles
I had brake line failure, due to rusted lines, had to replace all lines!! almost caused an accident. Had rocker panels, and cab corners rust through, had to replace rear bumper, because of extreme rust through, have had to have frame repair, because of extreme rust. The rust is not slowing, and the truck will eventually have to be taken off the road, because it will be un- road worthy. Why will GM not address this widespread issue?

- Vassalboro, ME, USA

problem #5

Jul 062012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
Attempted to stop at 10 mph driving straight antilock brake system activated, had no brakes, put transmission into 1st gear stopped 1 foot from building. Almost went through plate glass window! I just changed both my front antilock sensor's and had no effect on the loss of the brakes, they just pulsed. Owned this vehicle since 2001 and have had two antilock brake computers replaces at a cost of $800 each time.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #4

Jun 162012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 34,250 miles
While traveling West bound on md route 4, upper marlboro, md, the traffic light turned to yellow as I was approaching dowerhouse road intersection. I applied my brakes to stop and the pedal suddenly dropped a few inches. I applied more pressure and the brake suddenly dropped to the floor and I lost all brake pedal use. I blew my horn as I went through the intersection as the light turned red. I pumped the brakes several times and there were no brakes. I applied the emergency brake and that slowed my vehicle and eventually stopped it. Upon returning my vehicle to my residence, examination revealed that the rear metallic brake line along the left frame rail had rusted or corroded through where the plastic anti chaffing clip attached to the brake line. Further exam revealed the front brake line had also failed. The front brake line had rusted or corroded at the front center plastic clip attached to the lower crossmember. This was a simultaneous failure of both brake lines from the same braking event. Although my vehicle is a model year 2000, it has only 34,250 original miles and is seldom used in the winter time. It is primarily used to tow my boat an average of 15 miles round trip to the boat ramp. It has never been immersed.

- Owings, MD, USA

problem #3

Jun 022012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 92,736 miles
Turned into my driveway and brake pedal went to the floor. As I pumped brake pedal vehicle slowly came to stop. I opened the hood and saw brake fluid around brake lines. I noticed rust on brake lines. My wife pressed on brake pedal as I saw fluid spray from rusted area of brake line.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

problem #2

Apr 122012

Silverado 3500

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle would not stop. The contact had to maneuver to the shoulder in order to stop the vehicle. No warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no diagnosis was performed. The manufacture was contacted and they stated that the vehicle was already repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.

- Minneapolis , MN, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »