10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,467 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jul 292005

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
2001 Chevrolet Silverado developed parking brake failure which caused damage to components in the rear axle assembly. The consumer did some research and found out that GM will be recalling certain trucks with standard transmissions with this problem but not automatic transmissions.

- Santa Clara , UT, USA

problem #19

Jul 052001

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8 miles
Right after purchase of the vehicle owner noticed there was no resistance in the parking brake. Owner noticed this after parking the vehicle in a parking lot. Then, the owner realized about a year ago that the vehicle can be operated with the parking brake engaged. There is recall 05042 for the same problem, but the recall is for manual transmission.

- Pico Rivera, CA, USA

problem #18

Sep 012001

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact stated thata recall was issued in April of 2005 for the parking brake, only including manual transmission. However, consumer's vehicle has automatic transmission, and he has had problems with parking brake. He states that the parking brake would not hold, it would just roll. From the time he purchased the vehicle there was no pressure on parking brake pedal, and this was unlike any vehicle park brake he had seen. Dealer told him that this was the way the new brakes were in vehicles. The parking brake was replaced, and worked well since then.

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #17

May 082005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 2001 Chevrolet Z71 truck, and the parking brakes will not pass the Texas safety inspection. The parking brake system should not fail during the lifetime of a vehicle, particularly since it has only 75000 miles.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #16

Mar 152005

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
The parking brake on my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado with an automatic transmission does not function or hold the truck from movement at all. Chevrolet dealership will not rememdy this problem without a significate repair charge. This vehicle has only 40,000 miles and no other brake issues. GM just recently issued a recall on this exact brake system but limited it to only vehicles. The text from a news publication on this recall reads: "the 1500 series of the Chevy Silverado between 1999-2002 and GMC Sierra pickups, the 2500 and 3500 series, between 2001-04, to repair the parking brake. The recall only affects trucks with manual transmissions, a total of 142,585 vehicles. Friction can lead to parking brake failures, which could allow unattended vehicles to move, GM said. " I have a serious concern with my parking brake, and it seems GM does as well, but limits it to manual transmission vehicles. Does this imply the parking brake on my automatic truck is not needed??

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #15

Jan 012002

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Parking brake will not stay adjusted, leading pickup to only be held by the automatic transmission "park" pawl when stopped.

- Templeton, CA, USA

problem #14

Jan 102005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
My 2001 chrevrolet Silverado truck has about 35,000 miles on it. I recently tried to actuate the emergency brake when parked. I discovered that the brake will not keep the vehicle from moving. It provides very little resistance when the engine is idleing and the transmission is in drive or reverse. I know of no damage done to the brakes that would cause this. This could result in the vehicle rolling downhill without a driver under certain circumstances. It could also result in injury to a person changing a tire or performing other maintenance which requires that the emergency brake be set.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #13

Jan 152001

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
The parking brake was defective. When parking the brake went all the way to the floor. When placing truck in gear with the parking brake on it will drive. Dealer stated that warranty expired. Dealer wanted to change the rotors and parts, but consumer would be charged for repairs. The consumer stated that the brake did not work from purchase. The consumer by another dealer that the brake was a poor design and would fail if driven 100 feet with the brake set.

- Bodega Bay, CA, USA

problem #12

Oct 212004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,600 miles
Total failure of the parking/emergency brakes

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #11

Jun 062004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Emergency brake on, vehicle gear in park, vehicle began to roll down hill. * bf council for consumer stated that injuries were sustained as a result of the failed brake. Consumer placed the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle leaving two minor children inside. The consumer noticed that the vehicle was rolling and attempted to catch the vehicle. The consumer fell and the vehicle rolled over her body. The consumer sustain severe bodily injuries. The vehicle struck a tree causing injuries and damages.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #10

Jun 032004

Silverado 3500

  • 83,000 miles
During a routine inspection, the consumer was informed that their emergency brake have failed the test. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 142004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles
Parking brake failure.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 062004

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While the vehicle was parked the emergency brake failed. This caused the vehicle to roll down the hill and ran over the driver. Driver sustained major injuries, and was transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #7

May 112004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
The rear rotors were pitting and needed to be replaced. This condition did not cause any problems while driving. The rotors should not have to be replaced so soon. Noise was heard in the rear. The rotors were composite rotors, layered metal instead of cast and were not to be turned or faced. The rotors were rusted out, the parking brake did not hold the vehicle on an incline (service bulletin# 10000172)

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #6

Oct 242003

Silverado 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
Parking brake will not hold vehicle on an incline and barely works when vehicle is level. With the parking brake on and the vehicle level the truck can be moved forward or reverse with the engine at idle speed when placed in gear. The parking brake is useless on even the slightest incline and the truck will roll freely in forward or reverse.

- Burlington, CT, USA

problem #5

Feb 172004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,001 miles
The parking brake fails to release the rear wheel when the handle is lifted. It has failed in the winters of 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. The light on the dashboard goes out. One rear wheel is released. The other is not. The system fails repeatedly, making the driver hesitant to use the parking brake, for fear of not being able to resume movement.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #4

Jan 312004

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
I failed my state inspection due to the parking brake not holding. 3 different shops have told me this is a faulty design and needs to be replaced every two years regardless of use. This is not wear & tear, as I do not use my parking brake. This is a very expensive repair for something I don't use and should not wear out.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #3

Jul 222003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 33,000 miles
Emergency parking brake when engaged it didn't hold, and vehicle rolled forward.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #2

Mar 192003

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,008 miles
The park brake light appeared on the dash board panel. The brake did not hold in the up right position. The park brake had worn out.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #1

Feb 012003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
The emergency park brake did not hold.

- Billarica, GA, USA