10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,102 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Nov 132012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 99,000 miles
While driving my Chevy Silverado 3500 dually at approximately 50 mph, I had so make a sudden emergency stop. My brake pedal went to the floor with virtually no stopping power for the vehicle. I swerved out of the way to avoid an accident and was very lucky. The truck went directly to the repair shop which has informed me that the brake lines are rusted through and all need to be changed. I called the Chevy support number to report this problem and ask about a recall. The rep took the last eight of my VIN number and said there is no known problem with the brakes on this vehicle. I tow heavy equipment with this truck for work, so it is an alarming safety concern for me for the brakes to suddenly not work without warning. I am lucky that nobody got killed due to this problem.

- Califon, NJ, USA

problem #11

Sep 092012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
Rusted brake line ruptured causing loss of fluid resulting in braking failure.

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #10

Jun 012012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 20,801 miles
County road (thank goodness). Driving about 45 mph when a lady turned off a side road in front of me. I stepped on the brake pedal to avoid a rear end collision. The brake pedal held momentarily but then went to the floor. I swerved right into the ditch and used the emergency brake to keep from striking her car in the rear. In order to get the vehicle home (approximately 3 miles), I had to use the emergency brake to stop. Could not afford to get the truck to the dealership (approximately 15 miles away in heavy Suburban traffic) for diagnosis and repair. Saved up and took the truck to a local mechanic (09/2012). Mechanic ask if the truck had ever been under water. Reason for question was the brake lines, front calipers, and top forward frame were severely rusted. The brake lines rusted through causing a break failure. This truck has less than 21,000 miles, never been submerged in water, occasionally driven in the winter, washed frequently (especially in the winter) and waxed, and has zero body or bed rust. After repair, the ABS light came on and stays on. I read somewhere on this site a bulletin regarding premature ABS sensor failure and dealers fixing the sensors but I can not find the ABS bulletin now.

- Galena, OH, USA

problem #9

Sep 082012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
No brakes, all most went into Ohio river. Main brake line rusted out under driver seat. And emergency brake cable rusted out under driver seat. After checking all line and cable needs replaced $ 2000. Dealer said noting they can replace for free. I will never purchase GM products again.

- Ccincinnati, OH, USA

problem #8

Sep 042012

Silverado 3500

  • 66,800 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado Z71. While driving approximately 5 mph in reverse, the brake pedal traveled to the floor upon engaging. The vehicle continued to accelerate. The gear was immediately shifted into drive and the emergency brake was engaged in order to stop. The contact was able to drive with the use of the emergency brake for stopping. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the brake lines were completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 66,800. The VIN was unavailable.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #7

Sep 062012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
The vechicle's anti-lock brakes failed!

- Broadalbin, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 122012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 137,140 miles
Upon leaving a parking area with a full load of woodchips on my truck my brake pedal suddenly and without any dashboard warning, went right to the floor. Coasting to a stop and applying the parking brake I stopped the truck without hitting anything. Looking under the truck I found the rear brake line had burst. I had the truck taken to my mechanic who stated the entire brake line system had corroded and was falling apart. I was advised to take it to the local Chevy dealer to repair due to the extensive length of time to needed to make the repair. The entire brakeline system, ABS pump motor and valve was excessively rusted, corroded through and non repairable and had to be replaced. Repair cost $2,026.47. I am appalled that GM is aware of this problem with the brake line system and I was never notified nor was a recall issued to have this trucks brake lines replaced before they burst and caused the brakes to fail completely, without warning.

- West Warren, MA, USA

problem #5

Jul 052012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 134,786 miles
Approaching an intersection, I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor. I was able to stop as there was some brake pressure left once I got the pedal all the way to the floor. I carefully drove the truck home and notice a large puddle under the driver side door. I checked underneath and noticed that one of the brake lines had ruptured due to excessive rust. In fact, all of the brakes in that area were severely rusted. I replaced all brakes on the truck with stainless steel lines to insure this problem did not happen again. I tow a large fifth wheel camper with this truck. Luckily this did not occur while I was towing it.

- Bunker Hill, WV, USA

problem #4

Jul 092012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 55,600 miles
I was traveling on a side road after leaving my home and as I approached the stop sign at the intersection of a main road I applied the brakes and the peddle went all the way to the floor. I actually went right through the stop sign and almost hit another car traveling on the main road. On inspection of the vehicle I found that the brake lines that travel from under the hood along the frame to the anti-lock module are all severely rusted and one had a hole in it. This is a dangerous situation and GM need to do something about it. I am very upset about this because there were little kids in the car I almost hit and I would hate to think of what could have happened. I also noticed that the fuel lines in the same area are also very rotted. This doesn't usually happen unless the vehicle is much older.

- Londonderry, NH, USA

problem #3

Jul 182012

Silverado 3500

  • 90,000 miles
I was moving my truck from one location to another at my house to move around some other vehicles. When I pressed the brake pedal the second time to stop the truck, the pedal went all the way to the floor. I turned the vehicle off, and moved the other vehicles I need to and went to move my truck back to the original location. When moving my truck I had hardly any stopping power, and there was a trail of fluid running from where my truck had been parked to where I moved it to. My truck is not used off road, and had been maintained. I have another vehicle with 245K miles on it and never had to replace the brake lines. I love my truck and now it has to sit, cause I cannot afford to fix it, and cannot drive it with no brakes. Very disappointed!

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #2

Feb 072011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
When coming to a stop the brakes operate properly until just under 10mph. Around 10mph it felt like the brakes faded away causing the truck to lurch forward. I replaced pads and rotors on the front and back thinking this was the issue. The problem persisted after installation of new brake components. I later learned this was an issue of the ABS kicking and was informed the entire wheel hub assembly had to be replaced to correct the problem. There were no issues with the bearings in the hubs and could not afford the cost of $280 each. Since this vehicle is not driven daily I assumed I could just be cautious and allow extra braking distance to compensate for the problem. In may of 2012 I encountered a situation where I had to make an abrupt stop from a speed of 45mph. As my speed decreased the ABS engaged causing me to lurch forward and I came within inches of crashing into the vehicle in front of me. While researching this problem I found GM recall #05068C front wheel speed sensor corrosion. The symptoms in this document are identical to the issue I have experienced. I have performed the repair procedure outlined in the document and can report this issue has been resolved. However, it took a significant amount of time and one wheel speed sensor had to be replaced. GM should be required to extend this recall beyond the 2002 model year. I aware of at least 2 other GM truck owners (2005 model year) that have replaced their wheel hubs due to this issue.

- Mount Zion, IL, USA

problem #1

May 112012

Silverado 3500

  • 89,000 miles
Driving 04 Silverado noticed brakes feeling funny.......driving to work pedal went to the floor, made it to work and seen brake fluid pouring out of the line, after closer look realized all the libes are completly corroded......unacceptable for 8 year old vehical......sumthing should B done.

- Corfu, NY, USA