Stopped at Pep Boys to have a flat repaired and as the truck was being driven into the garage. The mechanic spiked the brakes and blew out a brake line.They couldn't fix the flat and quoted $800 to repair brake lines. I felt at their mercy and agreed.The mechanic ruined my calipers and wheel cylinders by trying to remove bleeders with vice grips. (not sure why that had to be done first). They said those parts needed replaced also. I had to drive about 3 miles with no brakes but parking brake to go to another garage, no simple feat with a clutch to handle also.

First garage decided he couldn't replace one line without possibly breaking others, the way they were grouped together at one point. He recommended another garage that did a satisfactory job with higher quality lines to prevent rusting. That repair ran well into the $1800.00 range. The general motors recommendation to wash the underneath of the vehicle, especially in winter road salt is ridiculous because it would require washing every time the vehicle was used. (daily?). Also in order to preserve the brake lines the washing requirement should have been disclosed at the time of purchase. (I bought mine new). It seems that a lot of these rust problems originated with trucks assembled in Mexico, as mine was according to paperwork in the truck. $30 to 50 thousand for a new pickup? Same defects?

I own a 2006 GMC Sierra 4x4 Crew Cab, SLE 5.3liter engine. There is an issue with my truck and not only my truck, many GMC/Chevrolet trucks from 1999 to 2006 and that issue is rotted out steel brake lines. The reason I know this is because my front brake steel brake line blew on way home from work. Wasn't a fun situation to push on brake pedal and pedal goes straight to floor. Unfortunately I got into a accident because of this.

The way it happened was I was traveling approx 2 to 4 mph and creeping up to a traffic light, was rush hour of course, when I applied my brakes, the pedal went straight to floor and smashed into the back of a Mercedes Benz. I immediately knew there was something wrong with the brakes. It was very fortunate that myself and the driver of Mercedes were not hurt. We both got out of our vehicles and made sure we were OK. I told the other driver my brake pedal went to floor and I noticed smoke coming from under my hood and from the front wheel area. I popped my hood on my truck and there it was, a brake line blew and shot brake fluid all over including the hot exhaust.

Now if the brake line failure had occurred at 40 mph or more at IMPACT, I'm sure there would of been some serious/major injuries, 2 totaled vehicles, major and possible fatalities. Thank goodness this wasn't my case but I'm sure it wasn't so pretty for some other GMC/Chevrolet truck owners. Now the funny thing is general motors says their trucks are safe to drive and that the vehicle would still be able to stop. Now that's total bullshit. It just so happens that Subaru has announced a brake line rotting out RECALL on July3 or 4th of 2014, yes this month and they say their vehicles are not safe to drive. Ummm, go figure that one, somebody's lying and its not suburb.

I know GM currently have their hands full with this ignition switch recall, which is a penny on the dollar fix. Let's see, 1 faulty switch and an 1 or 2 labor at most to repair that's cost gm some money. Yes I agree, but now let's look at the Chevrolet and GMC truck and the rotted out brake line issue. GM has a current brake line kit for truck owners, $500 kit and labor is extra, and certainly not for the do-it-yourselfer. It's not a recall, it's called a technical service bulletin. Can be found with a Google search, don't have it in front of me.

Anyways, this is another b/s thing GM has going on, so they wouldn't have to make a recall. This isn't a 1 or 2 hr fix for General Motors and they know it, this is a major screw up and they are trying to get away with it. but they are putting all the attention on the ignition switch penny fix. Why do I call it a penny fix? Well in order to fix the brake lines that are rusting out and failing on all these Chevy and GMC trucks the cab of the truck needs to raised off the frame to remove and replace brake lines. How do I know this, I read the bulletin. Not a 1 or 2 hour fix that's for sure, were talking a day or 2 to fix, and lots of labor. I can talk more technical but won't, only people with some knowledge would be able to understand the lingo. After the lines are replaced they have to bleed all the air from the lines. If not done properly, the brakes would not feel right and have a spongy feel. Well if general motors waits long enough, they buy time and not have a recall. A lot of these model year trucks will start to disappear from the roads, because of high mileage, rust out body's, hurricane damage, flood, theft,etc,etc. Get my drift yet, wow they just saved a ton of money by not fixing those trucks.

But guess what, my truck has 88k on it and paid for. I can't afford a new truck unfortunately. I drive my garage kept truck once a week and mainly because I worry every time I get in my truck. I worry about the next brake line failure, injury, or fatality I might cause from these freaking brake lines. Come hell or high water General Motors is itching for some more law suits if they don't do something about this issue. Oh, I forgot to mention, I had a tow to garage, fixed 1 brake line, and still have a smashed grill and bumper assemblies. Math is $300 to fix 1 (ONE) brake line, $125 tow, and $800 or more to fix the damage to my grill and bumper assembly. And that's the damage that I can see. I still have a lot more rusty lines under my truck and I'm waiting for the day that General Motors sends me my recall notice to fix all the lines. What needs to happen is more people have to make complaints so GM fixes this dangerous and unsafe issue. At least Subaru has the balls to fix their screw up,