Emergency brake failure without ever using it, makes a roaring sound when you are diving down the road. Dealer said this a problem with all the 2002 Chevy Avalanche and trucks, design flaw, but they would be glad to fix it for a price. Said couldn't believe I haven't had a problem before now, guess its because I never use it and it just finally failed on its on. If the dealer knows this is a common failure shouldn't GM be responsible fir this?

- Cabot, AR, USA

There are two separate brake problems... parking brake does not work proper now or when the vehicle was new. GM has continuously denied that this was a design problem. In addition, the anti lock brakes take a long distance to stop. (since rear brake pads wear out much quicker than front pads, it appears anti lock brakes are not applying much pressure to front pads).

- Townsend, TN, USA

You already have two investigations concerning the situation (as follows) and GM has a service bulletin out concerning the same situation but including a wider range of vehicles then just the trucks with clutches. I can forward the bulletin file if you would like to see it? GM is telling me you would have to add the other vehicles to the investigation before they would talk to me or any of the other people concerned. Thanks NHTSA action number : PE03057 NHTSA recall campaign number : N/a make : Chevrolet model: Silverado manufacturer : General Motors Corp. Year : 2002 component : parking brake date investigation opened : December 8, 2003 date investigation closed : April 9, 2004 check to request research. Submit below. Get summary NHTSA action number : EA04011 NHTSA recall campaign number : 05V161000. Make : Chevrolet model: Silverado manufacturer : General Motors Corp. Year : 2002 component : parking brake date investigation opened : April 9, 2004 date investigation closed : May 10, 2005.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Avalanche special edition. At 37,000 miles he heard the brakes rubbing. He noticed the inside of the rear brakes wore out, not on the outside. The contact stated about one year ago he had the rear brakes pads replaced. In addition, the contact stated the emergency brake wore a groove inside the rear rotors. He called a dealer, and the dealer told him to bring the car in so they could look at it. The contact did not want to take the car to dealer. He took the rotors and the brake shoes off the car and took them to the dealer. The dealer told him he should have brought the car in and let them check the car out. The contact stated he has never used the emergency brake. He did want to pay for the new rotors because of the damage done to the rotors by the emergency brake.

- South Gate, MI, USA

The contact stated the parking brake on 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche was bad. The pads were completely worn out.the brake was nonfunctional. This happened because of a defect in the design, not because of the brake. The pads needed to be changed, and the rotors needed to be sanded. The mechanic said the design was such that the parking brake will wear out even if it was not used. The contact has not been using the parking brake. He was told that the pads needed to be changed when he took the vehicle to dealer for inspection on September 1, 2005.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Contact stated the brakes had a grinding noise. Contact replaced them on 7-23-05. He pulled the wheel off, and every single brake and rotor was defective. The pads were defective. He took a sledge hammer to get them off. There was inch pad touching the brakes, and that was the only thing stopping the vehicle. Replaced them, and he brought the parts to the dealer, who said there was nothing he could do. Also, called General Motors, who indicated that this was normal. The car only had 29,000 miles on it. Contact had a brake problem since he bought the car. There were more pads left on the front brakes, which was uncommon. The brake pads were harder than the rotors. In addition, the rear brakes were defective. The dust covers for the rear brakes were gone. The brakes gave no warning that there was a problem. The emergency brake did not work.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet avlanche and emergency brake will not hold the vehicle. Dealer did work on this problem, and stated that it was operating the way GM designed it to work. Found emergency brake control assembly defective. Replaced pedal assembly. Replaced emergency brake shoes and springs.

- Potosi, MO, USA

Mexican assembly factory failure. There was a major failure of the rear axles and parking brake system. The rear axles had grooves worn in them and the rear bearing failed. The consumer requested reimbursement. The parking brake remained inoperative. When the parking brake was released, the acceleration would hang up and a pop would be heard in the rear, there was a rattle behind the steering wheel, and the axle seals leaked.

- Marietta, GA, USA

Repeated failure of parking brake. Have had it repaired at dealer 3 times under warranty and repair only lasts about 6 months. I use the brake everytime I park and over time it slowly gets looser to the point that it will not hold the vehicle at all. Vehicle now has 41,000 miles and has fourth failure.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Complete brake failure and complete emergency brake failure. Had to downshift into D1 to slow down.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

I own a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, that did not pass inspection due to the parking brake no holding. This occurred with out warning since my last inspection. I visted the dealer and they asked for mileage and stated it was not under warranty. The mechanic stated that there is no warrning system for this problem. And that this is a design flow found on this vehicle. This will cost me close to $800 for brake shoes drum / rotor assembly and brake pads I believe that a recall should be issued.

- Houston, TX, USA

I own a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, that I could not get inspected due to the parking brake not holding. Upon having the vehicle serviced found that a retaining clip assembly failed, causing the parking brake shoes to engage at some point in the last year and wear the shoes down, damage the drum / rotor assembly, and cause chipping / cracking with the rear brake pads due to the heat generated by the retaining clip assembly failure. I contacted GM and was told that this was not covered under warranty, and my dealer also said the same thing, that these are 'wear and tear' items that I was fully responsible for. They said that there is no way to tell if the clip had failed or if I had driven with the parking brake engaged, which never happened. I found a previous tsb was referenced to this issue (020526002A) and NHTSA# 10000172, which were similar. The tsb indicated replacing the retaining clip with a newly designed one. Which tells me this was a design flaw with the retaining clip on my 2002 vehicle, which has now resulted in a costly repair (brake shoes X2, retaining clip X2, drum / rotor assembly X2, brake pads X2 (primaries) that is over $800. I've found many other Avalanche and Silverado owners also having this same problem, some are being covered by warranty, some are not. I feel that this should be addressed by GM and a recall issued before this $8 retaining clip part winds up costing other customers over $800.

- Roanoke, TX, USA

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z66 has failed parking brake. I do not tow or even use the brake. However in attempting to pass Texas state inspection, my parking brake fails. When brake is set in all the way, truck put in drive, truck will move forward as if brake is not set. Chevytalk.org has over 5000 post of users on this same item. Chevy ase mechanic said it's a known design flaw in the clips that causes E-brake to wear even if never used. My concern is that if I need it, due to a hydrolic failure, it doesn't work. Contacted dealer and they claim it is not part of warranty. This is clearly a dangerous design problem that GM is not owning up to.

- Dallas, TX, USA

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche Z66 has failed parking brake. I do not tow or even use the brake. However in attempting to pass Texas state inspection, my parking brake fails. When brake is set in all the way, truck put in drive, truck will move forward as if brake is not set. Chevytalk.org has over 5000 post of users on this same item. Chevy ase mechanic said it's a known design flaw in the clips that causes E-brake to wear even if never used. My concern is that if I need it, due to a hydrolic failure, it doesn't work. Contacted dealer and they claim it is not part of warranty. Y understanding is that this defect existis to provide GM with a cost savings in manufacturing, but it is at the cost of thousands of drivers and thier families. Is that worth it?

- Austin, TX, USA

While applying the parking brake vehicle failed. There was no braking power. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that parking brake needed to be replaced. Also, recall issued did not include this vehicle.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

My emergency brake does not work on my 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 series. I went to get it inspected today and it failed inspection B/C of this problem....which I had no idea of! I am glad I found out this way. I was told that it was a common problem on Chevrolet and it is quite an expensive problem to fix. I called parks Chevrolet in charlotte and they want me to come by next Tuesday to get it looked at and fixed. But if this a common problem shouldn't it be recalled or shouldn't the vehicle tell me that the emergency brake is not working?? I think this is a huge problem.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Parking brake does not hold vehicle. The brake does not lock the back wheels.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Parking does not work and cable is to long for any adjustments.

- Bpt, CT, USA

Parking brake when applied went to floor and did not hold upon having vehical check by dealer found adjustment to be fully adjusted and brake shoes to be worn since the brakes were never adjusted by anyone this had to come from the factory. I had to have new brake shoes installed and every thing adjusted properly for which I had to pay for I feel this was a manufacture error I think they should of had to pay for this.

- Chipley, FL, USA

At 8000 miles, we brought our truck in for squeaking and grinding brakes. The right rear brake was metal to metal, the caliper boots were cracked and torn, the left side was almost metal to metal and the right rotor was worn down. We went to the dealership and complained. Stewart dealership in colma, ca inspected it, agreed that it was under our extended warranty. Less than 8000 miles later we brought in our Avalanche & the rear brakes & emergency brake was metal to metal and the front brakes are 50%. we took the truck back to stewart who did a 28 point inspection. When we got the inspection paperwork back, it said the rear brakes were metal to metal, the front brakes were 4/32 and the emergency brake was inspected and ok.. the emergency brake is gone and they said it didn't require attention!! they said its from regular wear and tear and not covered under warranty. We decided to take the truck to ellis brooks Chevrolet in sf. They said that the rear brakes & emergency brake was metal to metal. They said this was normal wear and tear and not covered under warranty.

- San Francisco, CA, USA