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

On 7/12/05, I had my vehicle at Chevrolet 73 for the brakes. At that time they informed me I needed brake pads and rotors all the way around the vehicle. They told me and showed me the "excessive rust" on the rotors. The vehicle is only 3 yrs old and only had 35,000 miles on it. I was upset that they got to that point and now it was going to cost me $1000 to replace them. All my service was performed at this dealer. After I complained they told me they would cut the price to $360. They wanted to "cut" the back rotors replace all the pads and if the front rotors need to be replaced they would "have GM pick up that cost". I was extremely skeptical about them doing the work. If they originally felt I needed to replace the pads and rotors, how could this less expensive repair be safe? I did not allow them to do the job and had it performed at another service center. This am my local paper had an article about the recall of 800,000 vehicles due to corrosion affecting the anti-lock brake system leading to low-speed crashes. My vehicle is a 2002 Avalanche and is part of that recall. When I called GM they informed me it was the "anti-lock brakes sensor." My thought is if the sensor is affected by the corrosion, the corrosion also contributed to the rapid deterioration of the rotors and that affected the brake pads. This is a safety issue that should also be recalled along with the sensor. I would appreciate your help in this matter, there may be other GM owners out there that do not realize this is happening and could result in more serious crashes.

- Hammonton, NJ, 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

1. brakes again... noise and vibration... 2. noise from suspension returned vehicle to university motors 1. front brake rotors corroded with a slight lip, replaced rotors and pads... 2. they said couldn't find where noise coming from, may have been from brakes...(told them no, this is the same noise since 10790 miles).

- Independence, WV, USA

Intermittently at any speed when the brakes are depressed pads will not release. Consumer can feel a dragging or a degree of resistance on the vehicle. Also, rear right inboard disc pad completely failed at 30,000 miles. There is a technical service bulletin concerning this subject.

- Dewitt, MI, USA

Replaced brakes and rotors front and back 3 times within 1 year.

- Dallas, PA, USA