10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 145,772 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for brake service and was informed that the frame and brake lines were completely rusted. The contact was also told that the vehicle could no longer be driven. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 59,000.
- Anoka, MN, USA
I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado and at low speeds my anti-lock braking system engages which causes my truck to stop later or further than anticipated. This has been an ongoing problem for about 6-8 months. I called General Motors to see about a recall and was told that there wasn't a recall. My boss has a 2002 Silverado and he is experiencing the same problem. The only thing we can do is to pull the fuse and the brakes will act like conventional brakes.
- Dover, OH, USA
I as driving my 1999 Silverado to work. Approaching a traffic signal, I applied brakes and felt the line let go as my pedal went to the floor. My mechanic was shocked at the amount of rust under my truck with only 40000 miles. I had already replaced rotted rotors, ABS sensors, etc. More recently I had two other brake lines fixed.really dont feel safe driving this anymore. GM should recall pronto before someone gets killed.
- Saugus, MA, USA
At slow speeds the antilock brakes fail dramatically. Your stop is accelerated, until such point that the brakes actually revert to "regular" braking and the antilock brake annunciator light illuminates on the instrument panel. The wheel sensors are less than a year old as I have had both front wheel hubs replaced.
- New Bern, NC, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was engaged and there was no response. In order to come to a complete stop the gear was shifted into a low range and the emergency brake engaged. The failure occurred when braking at low speeds. There was recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The manufacturer was notified of the problem and they informed the contact that the VIN was ineligible for the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
- Mason, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact was traveling 55 mph when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic confirmed that the brake line ruptured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
- Feasterville, PA, USA
Complete and total brake failure, without warning, from burst brake lines caused by rust in the lines from master cylinder to the junction box under driver's seat. I had this problem previously in the brake line from junction box to passenger front wheel two years ago. The previous rupture was in the same area, but not the same spot as this failure. I have kept visual checks for extensive rust on the other lines since then. However this new failure was where the line went through the cab to the frame, out of clear sight and behind inner fender liner. I had backed vehicle and a trailer down boat ramp to recover ski boat. Vehicle stopped normally at water edge and boat was loaded. Upon applying brakes to take vehicle from park to drive, brake pedal went completely to floorboard. I drove vehicle and boat up the ramp slowly into parking lot where I attempted to stop on flat ground. Vehicle rolled to a stop with brake pedal completely on floor. In order to get home, I removed fender liner and made emergency repairs with store bought brake lines and splice connectors. Only the line from the firewall side of the master cylinder originally failed, however in attempting to remove that broken line, the front line also had extensive rust and also started leaking. The break in the second line was within an inch of the other break. It appears the driver's side front wheel throws water, salt and debris on all lines where they run down frame through body cavity and along frame rails. Most extensive rust is located in plastic clips that stabilize brake lines to the frame. Brake lines are vital safety features, not wear items and should not fail for the life of the vehicle, in my opinion.
- Frankfort, KY, USA
I was pulling into a parking place and as I stepped on the brake pedal it moved up and down real fast and it got real hard. The brakes failed to stop. I hit the car. The same exact thing happened to my wife and she hit a handicap sign. I contacted Chevrolet and was told that my truck is not in the recall. The recall described the exact problem that our truck is having.
- Bowie, MD, USA
Brake lines sprung a leak and drained fluid while driving at least I was only going 20 mph.
- Rosemount, MN, USA
Brake lines along frame rail rusted through causing brake pedal to go to the floor and loose braking power.
- Winneconne, WI, USA
While driving my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado on Friday, May 10, 2012, at approximately 15 mph, I attempted to stop at a stop sign. The brake pedal went to the floor and I needed the emergency brake to come to a complete stop and return to my residence (fortunately only approximately 1/2 mile away). I was able to get an appointment to have the truck examined at classic Chevrolet (approximately one mile away in bellevue, pa) on May 15, 2012. I was then informed all the brake lines needed replaced due to corrosion along with the two front calipers. Total cost to me was $1,228!
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
I started the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal(normal) to shift into a forward gear, subsequently applied the brake pedal, but this time the pedal traveled all the way to the floor. Brake efficiency was drastically reduced, but did stop the vehicle after several feet, albeit from a very slow speed. Subsequent inspection revealed that all brake lines leading into the ABS module, located on the left underside of the vehicle just aft of the driver's door, were severally corroded; one of the lines leading to the module was ruptured. When the brake pedal was depressed, brake fluid streamed from the ruptured line.
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Decatur, IL, USA