This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I was leaving the fish and game club in londonderry nh when I went to stop the pedal went to the floor I pushed harder it finally stopped. I pumped the pedal a few times some pressure built up I continued to the corner where a stop sign was hit the brake again and this time the pedal went to the floor again but would not stop I put on the emergency brake the truck started to slow but I was on a hill as I aproaced the next stop sign going about 15 mph with the emergency brake on I had to put the truck in reverse to stop from traveling in to through traffic. I towed the vehicle and found 3 brake lines had burst one in the front and two in the rear. I have taken good care of this truck and has no rust except for the brake lines. I feel this is a major safety issue and should be looked in to. I hope this will be sent to warn other owners of this issue. I have over 2 million miles driving and have lost brakes before but never this bad. I feel that GM should at least warn owner of this potential problem. I just had my truck inspected in may and this was not warned to me. I looked in to this issue online and found many complaints GM should acknowledge this problem and warn customers and compensate them as well. I understand the truck is 11 years old but I had a 1987 sabb until 2006 and never had this issue. My friends Ford from 2000 we take to northern Maine and has 160000 miles does not have rusted lines. I think GM used inferior material. Thanks eric vaughan
While exiting hwy 75 the breaks failed on my 2003 Chevy Avalanche. The first application of the breaks the pedal went 3/4 of the way to the floor, the second time the pedal went the the floor I pumped the pedal several times until the pressure built up enough to finally grab. I was half way thru the intersection when the truck stopped, with oncoming traffic approaching I made a left turn to continue under the overpass and the stoplight was red I couldn't stop and went thru that as well. I used my emergency break to finally stop the truck and was able to pull into a gas station and park the truck. This happened so fast and without any warning I never had any indication that I was having any break issues. This could have gone so wrong. The truck is in the shop and so far they have found all four brake lines severely corroded.
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle complete brake failure. The consumer stated while driving 70 mph, the brake light failure light illuminated. When the consumer applied the brake, there was no response. The consumer was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to a certified Chevrolet dealer, where an inspection revealed, the brake failure was due to a break in one of the brake lines, and all of the brake lines were so deteriorated and rust encrusted, that all of the lines had to be replaced.
The vehicle was stopped at a 2-way stop. Upon turning right, my foot went from the brake to the gas pedal and got hooked on a piece of metal extending from the arm of the accelerator. This caused my foot to be trapped below the brake pedal but attached to the gas pedal. The vehicle spun back and forth while trying to get my foot off the accelerator. I hit a truck coming from the opposite direction from which I was turning pinning it to the guard rail. Although both trucks had stopped, the tires on my truck were still spinning because my foot was still hooked on the accelerator and wedge below the brake pedal. Only after I turned the key off could I put the truck in park. In order to get out of my truck I had to unlace my shoe and pull my foot out, then pry it off the side of the accelerator, leaving a hole in the side of my shoe.
My 2003 Avalanche has the same problem as stated in the recall for 2002 regarding the antilock coming on at low speeds when coming to a stop. GM refuses to include our vehicle for repair even though they stated that no change has been made to the antilock speed sensor and/or hub assembly from the 2002 to 2003. If we have the same product in our 2003 Avalanche, then why does it not deserve to be included with recall and require GM to pay for repairs to correct the problem. GM is ignoring the continued problem with later year vehicles and is not being responsible for it. Avalanche owners need to get together to complain to force them to do something about it.
- New Bedford, MA, USA
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I have had several issues with my 2003 chevorlet Avalanche Z71 only 62,000 miles. My problems started around 8,000 miles with the rear brakes going bad. I have replaced the front and rear brakes four (4) times since I have owned it. The ABS speed sensors have been replaced once and need replaced again. The speedometer is stuck at 120 mph, the U joints have been replaced and now the transmission has gone out. I feel that chevorlet should fix these problems under a warranty/recall.
Rear passenger-side brake line failed, above the rear axle on exit ramp of major highway. Completely corroded line requiring replacement. Electronic rust prevention system (sacrificial zinc at all 4 corners) installed by dealership when truck was purchased, yet all brake lines need replacement. Dealership (heinrich Chevrolet of lockport, NY) quoted approximately $1000 just in labor to replace the brake lines. Needless to say, I'll replace them myself.
The brake lines on my 2003 Chevy Avalanche have completely rusted out leading to a complete brake failure incident while on the road. Although it's a 2003 year model, I have less than 20,000 yes, less than 20,000 total miles on the vehicle. I will never ever by a Chevy again. I also have a 1998 Acura which I have driven for the past 11 years and it has no such problems. Nope. I will never ever by a Chevy again.
Rotting brake lines in the vehicle listed above, noticed brake fluid leaking from lines. Corrosion so bad requires all lines to be replaced. Dealer also damaged brake controller during repair and charged me the replacement cost.
Severe brake line rust that started when vehicle was less than 3 years old. 2 separate dealers saw the rust but said they could not act on the problem unless there was a failure or they were leaking. I brought this to the service departments attention while the vehicle was under warranty.( original & oem extended).
Pulling out of parking lot and when merging into traffic I pressed on the brake pedal and it went completely to the floor without any braking action. The pedal came back up to normal position and I pressed it again harder the second time while simultaneously shifting into first gear. The pedal went to the floor again but locked up the wheels and the vehicle gradually came to a stop.
Brake line explosive failure before the firewall. 95% loss of stopping power. Inspection of lines indicates corrosion. Also heavy corrosion on frame members noted. This vehicle has been in the Chevy dealership several times for corrosion of the brake rotors. At 25000 mi. Replaced all rotors and pads with non Chevy parts. No more rotor issues. Now all brake lines changed due to corrosion and burst line has caused a master cylinder failure. There are serious safety issues here and it's time for NHTSA to step in.
I was driving down hwy 316 and began approaching a red light. When I attempted to begin stopping for the red light, my brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brakes didn't seem to be working. Luckily I was able to safely pull off the right side of the road and was able to avoid hitting any other vehicles or objects. I then pulled into an empty parking lot about 50 feet away. When I got out of my vehicle and starting looking around I could see fluid dripping on the ground next to the driver side front wheel. I then was able to find that the fluid was brake fluid and it was coming from a pinhole sized leak in the stainless steel brake line coming from the master cylinder and going to the ABS system. After closer inspection I have discovered that all my steel brake lines are severely rusted. There were no warning signs, lights, bongs, or beeps until after my brakes failed.my brakes would barely work, the pedal would go to the floor and I would only be able to slow my vehicle down enough to shift into neutral and then shift into park to completely stop. I consider myself and my family extremely fortunate that we were able to avoid a crash and were not harmed or didn't harm anyone else. After this occurred I starting doing research on the internet and discovered that this has become a major issue with Chevrolet vehicles in the salt bed states. I live in Georgia, but my Chevy Avalanche is from a salt bed state and was only recently brought to ga.
This is the second complaint that I will be giving in regards to the brake line on my Chevy Avalanche as per complaint number: 10430307. I took my truck to a GMC/Chevy dealership to have the brake line replace which cost $600. Not even a week after bringing the truck home, I start up the truck, put it into reverse and as I start moving backwards and apply the brakes, the brake pedal goes to the floor and a loud pop is heard. Upon inspection, brake fluid was pouring out from under the driver side again and now I will have to return in the truck to the dealership. GMC did not offer any help to repair/replace the brake lines the last time and it is unknown as of now if they will this time. It was not even one week and the brake lines gave out yet again even after just being fixed. Someone must hold GM accountable for this before more people get hurt or worse due to faulty materials used on these vehicles.
October 14, 2011: My family and I were backing out from our home when we lost pressure in the brake pedal. Upon visual inspection under the driverside door, brake fluid was flowing freely onto the road. A closer look revealed that the brake lines were severely corroded and that they had ruptured when pressure was applied to the brakes. As I pulled my truck back into the driveway, it took 10-15 ft just to bring the truck to a complete stop using the emergency brake and I did not even get up to 3 mph. I am very concerned as to what could of happened to my family and I were traveling down the road at 45 mph or faster and went to brake and the line ruptured not to mention anyone else I would of crashed into. I did some research online and have discovered that there is a current investigation (NHTSA action number :EA11001) that is pending final results. Please add my own experience to your growing list of issues with GM's manufacturing/installation of brake line. It is apparent that this issue is not one that has affected a small percentage of buyers. I strongly ask that someone please figure out the corrective action for GM to take that does not negatively affect the customers both ethically and financially.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that when braking, the rear brake would seize and began to smoke. The brake pads were replced by a local mechanic and the brake booster and master cylinder was replaced three times. The repair did not correct the failure and the rear brake continued to seize and smoke. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactured was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the brakes, he noticed that the brake lines were rusted and corroded. An authorized dealer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls addressing the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 61,000.
The metal brake lines on my 03 Chevy Avalanche 1500 Z1 truck are catastrophically failing. There is no warning prior as there would be with other brake related problems. This failure leads to an inability to stop the vehicle, the result of which could be deadly. The degradation of the steel lines is so bad that replacement of all line are required.
I changed the front brakes and was adjusting them when the rear brake line started gushing out brake fluid. Ihad it towed to a mechanic and explained what had happened and before I finished he said let me guess "you bled the front brakes and blew out the back line next to the gas tank be hind the rear driver side wheel." This exactly what happened he said alot of Chevy trucks have the same problem. He is going tto change the rear line. He said where the line is mounted allows grit salt and things build up in this spotcausing the brake line to rust into. This could have gotten us killed had I needed to hit my brakes hard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manchester, NH, USA