7.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $250
- Average Mileage:
- 59,650 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
- replaced pads, had dealer install recall spring (2 reports)
I bought this 2002 K3500 in October 2006 and my one complaint at delivery was that the emergency brake did not hold. The dealer replaced the brake shoes and assured me that the drums were in good shape. After several trips back to the dealership, to have the Ebrake pedal lubed and the cable adjusted, they really never held like they should.
I have had two sets of rear rotors replaced on this truck at 86295 and 101540 miles. Both times the parking brake shoes showed that they had almost 100 % lining on them. There is a Recall on the parking brakes for trucks in this series, but pertains to only those with Standard shift transmissions and I have Allison.
Someone in GM needs to get their head out of their 4th point of contact (referring to a parachute landing fall) and make these trucks safer. I have been a GM person since 1963 and I am seriously thinking of not buying another GM product. It seems that over the years, the quality of GM vehicles has gone down hill.
- Michael W., Garden City, MI, US
I can't believe that any vehicle manufacturer would use this emergency brake set up, but what really pisses me off is the fact that Chevy recalled this exact same problem on standard transmission vehicles!!! WTF???!!! I believe that this is a MAJOR safety issue to say the least... now when I ramp my boat by myself (as I often do), I have to hope that my transmission holds while I launch the boat... I just don't understand this one.
- cpatin, Breaux Bridge, LA, US
GM was trying to cut corners when it said this recall was limited to manual transmission vehicles only. Where is the NTSB when you need them? The parts are the SAME for auto and manual, you morons! What does "Safety" mean in the title, and why isn't anyone keeping GM in check??
- Dan P., Bismarck, ND, US
Yes, like many of us, I have driven very short distances and realized my parking brake was on-it did not even feel like it worked very good. But the brake set pedal goes to the floor and not holding. Because the recall for problem is only for manual transmission I have to take it in to be fixed or fix myself, which may involve adjusting or replacing the actual parking brake shoes. It is not good to use transmission as a parking brake and I think the problem should be fixed by manufacturer.
- Marilyn 1., Eureka, CA, US
I had the same problem with my parking brake,It Doesn't Work, I took it to my local Chevy dealer and was told since it did not have a manual trans. that it is not covered under the recall.What am I missing here? It is a parking brake, so if Chevrolet doesn't feel like it is a problem just because I have a automatic transmission then why have they been putting them on all there vehicles with automatic transmissions since they first rolled off the assembly line? What other items have they been putting on that to them is not deemed a safety problem or is even needed in the first place.If I am backing my boat in the water I do not want all of that strain on my transmission because it makes it very difficult to get it out of park.This is my first and last Chevy vehicle,I will go to Ford to buy my next truck!!!!!!
- flynnkentucky, Winchester, KY, US
parking fell apart and clunked every time you hit a bump. it took dealer 2 hrs to locate problem. was charged $230 labor and $7 for the part. chev had a recall for this problem covering 6 years of this model, But--only for manual transmission--mine is automatic, as are 95% on the road. dealer refused to honor re-call even though the part is the exact same on manual or automatic and has been failing for 6 model years.
- Carole S., Forest Lake, MN, US
The parking brakes on my truck haven't worked right since new. They have been repeatedly adjusted. They fail within a weeks time. They just don't hold. I don't know how to fix this permanently. Chevy should take care of this problem. My truck has never been off road. It has been meticulously taken care of.
- Harold C., Guilford, ME, US
Slagle TX I have K1500 Z71 parking brake has never worked RIGHT!!!! And now not at all. good to know I'm not alone. GM Jumps into PRIVATE JETS to go collect our tax dollars to cover their ass! WHO COVERS OURS? Loop holes like this is whats wrong with America today. If you cant stand behind your product , I guess the fools who purchase these trucks have to ; because the park brake wont.
- Richard S., Balchsprings, TX, US