10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,348 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Jan 042004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles
I parked on a steep hill, applied the parking brake, and exited the truck. Although the brake was set firmly the truck moved forward and struck the car ahead of me. Damage was very minor to both vehicles. The parking brake has not worked properly since the truck was new.

- Polk, PA, USA

problem #24

Mar 012004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
The emergency brake on the consumer's 2000 and 2002 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado failed. Reference ODI no.10115302 for the 2002. The left side brake internal band had worn through down to the metal.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #23

Oct 012004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Two Chevrolet 1500 Silverado pick ups, with emergency brake failure on both. Both of the vehicles had the left side brake internal expander band worn through and dragging metal to metal.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #22

Oct 102002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Emergency brake do not function properly. As a result, the vehicle will roll on an incline. Problems with the fuel gauge. Spare tire hoist did not work properly.

- Moss Point, MS, USA

problem #21

Sep 182004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,500 miles
Parking brake has rarely been used, the truck slipped when used and slid down a hill to hit a tree. (no damage) I now have been told that I need a $450 repair job by the dealer, I obtained a second opinion and have found that this repair is common and that for some reason this is common and would appear to this shop that somehow the parking brake fails and should be addressed by the dealer. They won't.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #20

Mar 202004

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
The parking brake was not working. Manufacturer did not accept responsibility. Complaints of this kind were listed on the internet.

- Ohatchee, AL, USA

problem #19

Feb 262002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Parking brake has always been very weak even when pedal pushed to the floor. The linkage adjustment is fully tigtened.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #18

May 202004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
The parking brake does not hold. The pedal goes to the floor, but it has no effect.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #17

Feb 122004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
When applying the emergency brake it released on a slight incline. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership on two separate occasions, but problem still occurs.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #16

Dec 192003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 28,000 miles
Parking brake sticks: I bought vehicle August 2000. Was called to active duty and deployed with military for 1 year beginning January 2003. Yes, that's less than the 3 year warranty. My wife used the vehicle occasionally and I have 31,000 miles on the truck and upon returning, the parking brake sticks. I have burnt out 2 sets or rear pads and rotors. Additionally, the slow and intermittent portion of the windshield wiper stopped working and the reverse/backup lights don't work. I contacted the dealer and GM and they both told me "too bad."

- Sanbornton, NH, USA

problem #15

Dec 202003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Parking brake will not hold, therefore will not pass state inspection. I have talked to other Chevrolet & GM owners and they are having the same problem.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #14

Dec 092003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,600 miles
Parking brake failure on 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup.

- Ponca City, OK, USA

problem #13

Jul 022003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The truck failed state inspection because the emergency brake failed to hold the vehicle. The manufacturer indicated that if the emergency brake was not used regularly it would wear out and the debris would destroy the rotors. There is currently an investigation on this issue PE03057 but it was regarding manual transmissions. The failure also affected automatic transmissions. 2000 Chevrolet Silverado failed state inspection because the emergency brake failed to hold. The manufacturer indicated that if the emergency brake is not used regularly it would wear out. Failure of the emergency brake also affected the automatic transmission.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #12

Nov 172003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,000 miles
Upon starting vehicle there is a knocking noise in the front end that stops after 3 minutes. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated it was normal. Also, parking brake problem. The vehicle had a knocking noise coming from the engine as well as a problem with the parking brake.

- Tawas City, MI, USA

problem #11

Aug 072003

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I am writing to protest the recent decision by Chevrolet to not assist me in the repairing of my truck due to what I feel is a manufacturer's defect. I own a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. I went to get my first inspection sticker because the manufacturerS two-year inspection sticker was out of date. The truck failed inspection because the rear parking brake shoes were worn and the parking brake would not work. I was puzzled how this could be when I have never used my parking brake. I live in Texas and have not had a reason to use it. My mechanic told me that the parking brake shoes were worn because the clips that holds them in place had failed. He also informed me that there was a technical bulletin (reference number 02-05-26-002 & 02-05-26-001) about this parking brake issue and advised me to call Chevrolet. I did. I worked with greg synder at ChevroletS customer support and my service request number was 1-126-315-169. I, from the start, viewed this as a manufacturerS defect. In short, Chevrolet would not fix or assist in the cost of the repairs because they felt that this was normal wear and tear. Also they noted that my truck was out of the manufacturer's warranty (3 years/36000 miles). I totally disagree with the decision. First, how can this be normal wear and tear if the parking brake has never been used" also, who replaces their parking brake shoes on a vehicle that is 3 years old and the parking brake again has never been used? even if it has been used, the parking brake should be one of the last items on a vehicle that needs to be replaced. I am replacing the parking brake shoes before I replace my brakes which I use everyday. I feel this matter is a safety issue besides being a manufacturer's defect. What if I had needed to use my parking brake or it had failed when engaged? it should be looked at. Chevrolet should have notified customers of the potential problem. How can Chevrolet not be responsible"

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

May 142003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • miles
The consumer stated that parking brake did not lock. The dealer was notified. There was premature wear of the parking brake. (as identified in the tsb) due to the design of the low effort pedal, the consumer did not recognize when the brake had become defective and unable to hold. The wear occurred when the brakes were not used. The redesigned clip may or may not prevent the premature wear.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #9

Oct 082002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Parking brake (emergency brake) on my 2000 Chevrolet Silverado will not hold the vehicle. Have discovered through internet web sites that it is not just my vehicle, but thousands have the exact problem. Discussed with the local Chevrolet dealer and was told that GM is aware of the poor/faulty design but will not address the problem unless, of course, I want to pay to have it fixed. Do not feel I should have to pay for their mistake. This is a severe safety problem by it not being able to hold the vehicle. Feel NHTSA should force GM to inspect and fix any that have a problem before they end up getting sued because someone's child got run over by a rolling vehicle. Should not have to wait for deaths or injuries to occur before something is done about it!

- La Porte, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 122003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,987 miles
Since purchasing the 2000 Silverado Z71 ls K1500 truck I had the parking brake serviced two separate times. The first time at 29,987 miles, the parking brake did not work. It required "adjustment" and I was charged $112.50. I was surprised the parking brake required adjustment since it is not used to stop the vehicle, but rather used to keep in place when parked and it was rarely used since we live on flat terrain. I was further surprised to see that this was not covered under warranty but I let this go since I was told it was a wearable part. I did not see the actual parking brake pads but was concerned that I was not able to adjust them and hey required adjustment after such short of mileage. Again at 66,023 miles, the parking brake ceased working for the second time. This is just 36,036 miles after they were adjusted. After looking at the original parking brake pads, the front top of the pad was worn almost completely away while the back pad was worn very little. This cost me an additional $228.84 to have the pads replaced as they could no longer be adjusted. I did notice the new pads were of a different design with a larger clip that holds them in place, applying more pressure over a larger area. According to the technician, this new bracket helps hold the pad in place so that wear, while the vehicle is in motion, does not occur. This would suggest the original pad and retaining clasp was poorly designed causing abnormal wear on the parking brakes. Every chance I get, I speak with people that are driving 2000 series trucks and almost all that I have spoken with, their parking brakes are non-functional. Of those that were working, they had them replaced. I keep meticulous records for the service on my vehicle and it is not driven hard or abused in any manner. I would be happy to make any/all of this information available to you for review.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #7

Apr 092003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
Vehicle failed state inspection due to an inoperable parking brake. Inspector claims over 50% of new body style Silverado's/Tahoe's/Suburban's he inspects fail due to the same problem.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #6

Mar 182003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 20,000 miles
The parking brake wore out at 20,000 miles. The dealer was notified at repaired the problem but at 53,000 miles the problem reoccurred.

- Tewksbury, MA, USA

Read the next 5 complaints »