9.0
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $600
- Average Mileage:
- 118,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 32 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace brake lines (20 reports)
- report it to nhtsa for a recall solution! (11 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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I live 45 miles south of pittsburgh, PA. Drove about a mile and a half from downtown pittsburgh when my brakes gave out on me. Avoided an accident by steering off into a turning lane. Found that I had about an inch long crack "WHERE THE LINE BENDS " right above the chassis-to-rear axle brake hose(chassis bracket). I'm thinking this is a weak point in the metal hose from being bent. Living so far away from home and on a Sunday there wasn't to many places open but for a Pep Boys. Luckily I had AAA and they towed me there. I was quoted $400 and 4 hours to fix the problem. My AAA covered me 100 miles so i had the driver take me home to fix the problem later. FYI if you have a great AAA associate bend over backwards for you, tip him well. Fixed myself for less than $100 and 2 hours of my time later in the week. Though i had a limited amount of time to make my delivery, i rented a truck the next day which ran me $100+. Just hope this flaw, that seems common in this year, doesn't get me into a serious accident later.
- Jebby B., Uniontown, PA, US
lines rusted out will have to replace all to feel safe
- Delmaine D., SANDY HOOK, KY, US
I was taking the truck to be checked out before I bought it and while we had it on the rack the brakes blew. The owner said he wasn't going to let me leave because the lines needed replaced. There are actually 5 lines in to a box and 3 came out. They ALL need replaced. I just had the ones that broke replaced, oh and while that line was being replaced the gas line went too. I would like to know if they had a recall that a Chevy dealer would fix it. The other lines that were not touched are scaly, corroded and ready to go at anytime. I love the truck aside from these lines that need to be replaced.
- Dave H., Cecil, PA, US
This is my problem, I was backing my truck up to park it in the yard and the brakes went to the floor. Under investigation I found that the brake line is badly rusted and the leak was caused by the wire harness being routed down over the brake line. Therefore the wire harness has rubbed a hole in the badly rusted line. I have worked in the auto assembly industry for 17 years and this is a big no no. I have not moved or messed with the wire harness to cause it to rub the brake line. Thank God I was not driving the truck on the road with my grand kids with me. This could have caused a big hurt to my family. I have read some of the prior complaints on the braking problems and I am not surprised to hear about the problems. Shortly after I bought my truck in 2000 new, I took it back complaining of the brakes and the lack the of stopping power, the dealer brushed me off ( with they stopped within the right limits allowed.) So basically I have stopped driving it only when we need to haul or pull something. I have not felt real safe in it for a long time now. I gave $30000.00 for something that is not going to stand up to it's worth. All I can say to you G..M. is shame on you for not inspecting your products closer, now I am stuck with paying to have it fixed on my retirement pay. Hope someone is listening . No wonder the Japanese are giving you fits, where I worked at (for the Japanese) someone would have been fired if this harness was routed like this.
- kghawk, Lafayette, IN, US
it is a pain in the ass when there is a problem -injury or death could occur and nobody cares -i been driving for 40 years and this is the first time on one vehicle this problem happened- this happened twice on my wife and im tired of it..
i been a chevy person all my life -if i could afford a different vehicle but i cant at this time but to suffer trying to fix it what i got cant afford a mechanic to fix it im glad sobody will listen to me
- Randy D., Mineral Point, MO, US
A few months ago, a deer ran out in front of me. I hit the brakes and lost my brakes. We replaced the brake line. About a month ago, we were towing a camper when someone pulled out in fron of me. I hit my brakes and never slowed down. After avoiding an accident, I got the truck home. Got up underneath to realize that all the brake lines were rusted almost all the way through and that when I hit my brakes, one of the lines had split. Very dangerous situation.
- Joseph T., Gallipolis Ferry, WV, US
purchase from stepson. front right line broke with him driving myself took to dealer. all lines need replaced. gm does not offer lines pre made www.classic tube has pre made lines - steel or stainless. nhtsa, as of march 30 2010, investigation open service brakes hydraulic / the office of defects investigation received a defect petition on 3/2 10 requesting the investigation of model yr 2003 chev silverado 2500hd 4wd p/u trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines. the petitioner alleged a sudden loss of brake effectiveness and extended stopping distance after a corroded brake burst during a brake application. the office od defects has received 110 owner complaints for model yr 1999 thru 2003 chev and gmc c/k series p/u trucks and suv the complaints allege the loss of braking effectiveness due to brake line rupture because of corrosion in 37 of these complaints. the brake line failure was confirmed by a dealer inspection. three complaints allege that corroded brake line failure resulted in a crash. a preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine the frequency scope and safety consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. the agency is looking at whether corrosion caused by the use of salt in northern states is damaging brake controls gm said it is cooperating in the investigation.
- pocograno, Queensbury, NY, US
Must be that cheap china steel they used, the brake rotors rotted out in 45000 miles! Definitely a safety recall issue, report it so they can recall them! Mine went out while in the Pa mountains! If my wife or daughters were driving we'd be picking daisies by the roots! Hey GM fess upto your screw ups!
- mrjoe, Levittown, PA, US
I had to replace all of the brake lines and the gas line. They were rusted in the center of the truck by the abs unit.
- Frank O., Westlake, OH, US
I know there are others who have the same problem of brake lines and fuel lines rusting out.I spoke with a local mechanic and he said it was a constant job for him on these trucks and tahoes. It has happened to me twice now, and the last time my wife was driving the truck. It will probably take someone getting hurt bad or worse killed before GM will re-call this problem. This is serious, and GM has our tax dollars to do something about it!
- kycrowe, Stanton, KY, US
One failed - had it fixed, now another one died. Why would GM use a rust prone material on a critical safety part?
- Dan W., Fairfax Station, VA, US
This is the third problem that I have had with the brakes on this vehicle. The first was the Anti-lock brake sensors rusted out, the second was the rear brakes rusting and having to replace the rotors along with rusted parking brake lines. Not a very good track record for this vehicle. And yes the fuel lines are also rusted and will have to be replaced at some point in time.
- edfisch, Fredericksburg, VA, US