Rusted brake line resulting in total brake failure while driving and attempting to stop

- Clifton, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 35 mph and attempting to decrease in speed, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,642.

- Georgetown, DE, USA

This vehicle has had multiple brake issues since new. First off, it goes through front brake pads and rotors too frequently. First replaced around 25K and again around 60K. This vehicle has mostly been used for long highway trips, NY to fl etc., not around town. Used in rural area. Next, several brakes lines have burst and had to be replaced. The last incident luckily was in my driveway. Having dual brake cylinders on these trucks does not seem to help if a brake line bursts. I needed the emergency brake to stop it on almost flat ground. A recurring problem is with the ABS. Evidently they rust easily, especially in salt belt states, then corrosion on the sensor and hub causes it to activate for no reason. It does not activate the computer control or give warning. It happens intermittently. I had to have one front hub replaced in 2013 and another in 2014. Now I am having to replace one of those again with the dealer recommending to replace both. The cost is over $750 per side. There were recalls on previous year models but not 2006. This is ridiculous and the brake line issue has been going on with Chevrolet for a very long time. I had to replace most lines on my 1996 Silverado. I can't believe that nhsta allows this to go on year after year. Nothing is more important than braking, nothing!

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

My vehicle with 57,000 miles had the brakes go out while driving without warning. I took it to a mechanic who said the front brake lines had rusted and broke. I have had the work completed. I feel this is a product defect for a low mileage vehicle. It is very well taken care of and has very few miles on it, and I have owned it since it was new. I have been in contact with Chevrolet and they will not provide me with any answers. They keep telling me to take it to a dealership, however the dealership has told me there is nothing they can do.

- Howell, MI, USA

While approaching a traffic signal my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I drove my vehicle slowly home and checked brake fluid level. It was low and I topped it off. I tried the brakes again and once again the pedal went to floor. I went under the vehicle and brake fluid was dripping off the cross member just behind the engine. I could see that all the brake lines were very rusty. I was able to get the vehicle to big O tires. After inspection, it was found that the brake line had rusted through and all the others were in very bad shape and I had all the lines replaced. After some research I found this was a known problem and GM has redesigned the lines but, refused to recall and replace the lines. You need to research this problem further and insist on a recall before someone is killed. I am the original owner and as indicated by the mileage the vehicle is not driven that much and very well taken care of.

- Mooresville, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While the vehicle was coming to a stop, the anti-brake system engaged independently and caused the brakes to fail. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

I was driving the truck away from my home, when I steped on the brake pedal it went to the floor. I got the truck stopped with the parking brake. When I inspected the brake lines they were all extremely rusty and one had burst. Fluid leaked out and there was no pedal at all. The brakes were gone with no warning.

- Wheeling, WV, USA

Traveling 60 mph on the highway and approached a red traffic light. Applied the brakes to stop with other traffic. Brake pedal went completely to the floor with approximately 10% braking power. No warning lights on dash. Fortunately the traffic light turned green and traffic moved prior to a crash. Crash was guaranteed if traffic light had not changed. Brake fluid level fine. Brake line under drivers side rusted and burst. No warning signs.

- Canton, IL, USA

While applying breaks on dry surfaces and coming to a stop the ABS kicks in and pedal goes to the floor. This causes the stopping distance to increase. I have almost rear-ended stopped and parked cars and ran into my garage door. There have been to many close calls so I have pulled the fuse to shut off the ABS.

- Grand Island, NY, USA

While traveling on the expressway in my 2006 Chevrolet Silverado with 26,000 miles on the odometer, I attempted a transient lane change while taking evasive action in order to avoid a hazardous situation. When coupled with the brakes I noticed longer than usual engagement. As a result, I was forced onto the shoulder and had to use multiple downshifts in concert with the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a halt. It sounded like a train stopping on rails. I proceeded to drive home with hazards on, U never exceeding third gear. The following morning I noticed clear oil underneath the front end of the vehicle. I believe this is an extremely dangerous vehicle and a less experienced driver would have been killed or extremely injured. Lastly, I have also been noticing inconsistency with steering resistance. Sometimes the steering is considerably looser than at other times. I have dismissed this disconcerting sensation by assuming it is weather/humidity related.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. After the brakes were applied continuously, the speed reduced to 10 mph. The vehicle came to a complete stop when the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Shamong, NJ, USA

My left front wheel hub assembly failed while driving. Brake system was compromised. I was able to pull over and stop safely, but brakes did not respond as they should. Moreover, there was no indication that the wheel bearing was failing, and I am quite aware of what this sounds like because this will be the fourth time I have replaced the wheel hub assembly on the left side. I have replaced the right hub assembly twice. In all previous times, I heard a slight whirling noise or at worse slight grinding, which would lead me to inspection and replacement before failure. This time it failed without any warning. I believe GM has made a serious design and/or quality error in this truck. This should be investigated because this is a common problem.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

For the third time a brake line has rusted completely through and caused complete loss of control. It was located under the drivers seat above the frame. I had absolutely no brakes at 70 mph on hwy 5. I took it to a Chevy dealership and they told me it was not their problem. I am extremely concerned about the forth brake line that is complexly covered in rust. This is going to kill someone when it rusts through.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Brake line rupture resulting in immediate brake failure without warning. Parallel parking a 2006 Silverado when we encountered a complete brake failure and nearly struck another parked vehicle. Brake petal depressed completely to the floor without warning. Steered truck toward curb to fully stop before striking other vehicle. Immediate inspection revealed brake line rupture on drivers side of vehicle in undercarriage area near back of drivers seat. Significant loss of brake fluid and complete brake failure. Fortunately traveling less than 5 mph - five minutes earlier we were traveling at speeds of 70 mph on interstate highway. This could have been a catastrophic event had it occurred on the interstate or the offramp. Vehicle passed a Virginia state safety inspection three weeks earlier. GM or NHTSA should warn GM owners to check their brake lines and also consider a recall.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

On approx. 28 April 2013 after a 200 mile trip I was parking my truck when the brake line broke. I then used the emergency brake to stop the truck. At this time I made the necessary repairs to get us back home. Once there I responded to len stoler cheverolet in westminster md. Where I purchased the vehicle. I asked them if they could bleed the brakes, because I did not think I got all the air out of lines. At this time I was waiting in the waiting room when a service advisor came in and ask me to go into the shop because they wanted to show me something. When I arrived at my truck (which was on the lift) they stated the entire brake lines were so corroded that they needed to be replaced at a price of $1610.80. I stated that the so call metal used had to be defected to allow the whole system of lines to rust to this point in only seven years. She then replied that it was not cause by the metal used, it was the new salt that the states uses now. When they replaced the old lines with the new, I ask the service advisor is the metal brake lines being installed, were they using the same kind of metal and she replied, no they are using zink coated lines now. My question did any other trucks like mine have the same problem and why did they use a new metal if there was nothing wrong with original metal.

- Westminster, MD, USA

I was backing up the truck when a car came up behind me and had to hit the brakes hard. The peddle went all the way to the floor, no brakes at all. Had to steer the truck into a snow bank to avoid an accident. The cab of the truck immediately smelled like brake fluid. Took the truck to the shop and discovered the brake lines are rusted at every point where they connect to the frame. Repaired the first leak and another leak started in another line in the same area the lines attached to the frame behind the drivers side front wheel. Repaired the second leak and a 3rd leak appeared inside the frame rail behind the cab where the line attaches to the frame. The lines can not be safely repaired. All new lines must be installed. The truck only has 10,250 miles on it and is always washed including the under carriage after driving on salted roads.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 10 mph, the brake pedal shook when it was depressed. The failure recurred several times. The dealer stated that the sensor was rusted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Means , KY, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal was applied and traveled abnormally to the floorboard. The contact mentioned that the vehicle hesitated to stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was informed that the front and rear brake lines needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Wollingford , CT, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 15 mph, the brake pedal extended to the floor without warning and it became difficult to stop the vehicle. The dealer stated that the brake lines were rusted and leaking. The fuel lines were also rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,900.

- Derby, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 15 mph, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard without warning and the vehicle failed to stop. The dealer stated that the brake lines were rusted and contained leaks. Also, the technician diagnosed that the fuel lines were rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 36,900. Updated 3/31/15 updated 9/7/2017

- Derby, CT, USA