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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,696 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #133

Mar 242015

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 173,230 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While starting the vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly dropped to floor and brakes failed. There was no warning light and all four brakes failed. Fortunately, the vehicle was stopped. Testing the brakes, I found there was a little braking capability, but very little. I have since found that the brake lines were rusted through and the brake fluid sprays out the line below the driver's door hinge. A quick internet search showed this is a well known problem, but I was never notified of the risk. Thank goodness it didn't happen on the freeway! this vehicle has spent most of its life in Ohio.

- Mendon, UT, USA

problem #132

Feb 052015

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
My wife and I got into the vehicle to go somewhere and as we started to move I tried to stop and the brakes would not stop the vehicle. I applied the emergency brake in order to stop. I returned to my driveway using the emergency brake. I checked and found that I had no brake fluid. I got under my truck and found that my brake lines are corroded and one had a severe leak. I researched the internet and found that there have been multiple similar incidents where there have been crashes. I have talked with a Chevrolet rep and I was told that they do not consider this a safety issue. Although they know of this problem they do not plan a recall. Someone evidently has to die before it becomes a safety issue.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #131

Jan 202015

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
On January 20, 2015, the brakes on my Chevrolet Silverado failed. When I applied the brakes to make a normal turn, on a residential street around the corner from my house, the brake pedal went all the way down to the floor. I was extremely fortunate that no cars were coming the other way & I was able to maneuver the truck out of harms way until I came to a safe stop. I noticed a trail of liquid on the ground & also dripping from under my truck. The liquid coming from the truck was brake fluid. A later check proved the bake fluid well was empty. Obviously the brake fluid that was in the reservoir was now on the ground causing the vehicle inoperable. Well it was operable, it was all good to go. Stopping the vehicle was another matter. Thank goodness I was driving in a residential area when this incident occurred. Imagine if this had happened on a busy interstate (like interstate 95) where some real damage could have occurred or perhaps worse death.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #130

Jan 102015

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 79,852 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal suddenly went to the floor with no braking. Dealer confirmed that the brake lines had rusted through and were replaced using a kit from Chevrolet at a cost of $2330.

- Bloomington, MN, USA

problem #129

Jan 102015

Silverado 2500

  • 155,558 miles
While driving on route 95 my brake line broke. It is completely rusted out. I found thousands of other people online with the same problem. GM needs to recall this. I had to swerve across traffic and drive on the grass shoulder to come to a stop. Very very scary.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #128

Jun 242013

Silverado 2500

  • 115,000 miles
Was driving around 35mph and started to put the brakes on to make a right turn at the upcoming light and the brake peddle went all the way to the floor and the warning light came on and I went right through the intersection without slowing down and luckily the light was green. Limped down the street to a pep boys and they told me that both the front and rear main lines had rusted through and they couldn't fix it. Limped it a few miles using the emergency brake to stop to a Chevy dealership and was charged ~$1500 to replace the rusted out lines from the front to the rear axle.

- Owensville, OH, USA

problem #127

Feb 192014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While moving forward in line at a drive through my brake pedal suddenly when straight to the floor and would barely stop my truck. By the time I returned home I had to brake with the emergency brake. I then had it towed to 4 different mechanics who would not fix my brakes for under $4000 dollars due to liability reasons. Apparently the "stainless steel" hard lines from the master cylinder had all rusted out completely. If I had been on the road far away from home there could have been a serious accident.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #126

Dec 262014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 185,000 miles
One of the brake lines ruptured as I attempted to relocate the vehicle in my driveway.

- Leesburg, OH, USA

problem #125

Dec 272014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 93,185 miles
There was a complete brake failure coming to a stop sign. Fortunately was able to get the vehicle stopped using emergency brake. There was also no other vehicles at stop sign or at cross street. Went through the intersection. There was little or no brake pressure and the brake pedal went straight to the floor. At the shop it was noted there was a complete brake line failure at the ABS module near the driver door of all 6 rear brake lines. The brake lines all rusted through. The shop noted this was a common defect of the Chevy Silverado. This appears to be an issue especially in cold climates where salt and snow accumulates. This needs to be a safety recall to fix this defect. All 6 brake lines were replaced.

- Little Canada , MN, USA

problem #124

Sep 172014

Silverado 2500

  • 123,173 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the hood latch was rusting and the vehicle was leaking diesel fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,173.

- Wyoming, MN, USA

problem #123

Dec 052014

Silverado 2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lost brakes while underway - was able to nurse vehicle back home using emergency brake and gearing down. Examination of brake lines revealed a small hole had rusted thru one of the metal brake lines !! having truck towed to dealer for repair. I hope GM will foot most of the bill. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #122

Oct 022013

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
I was approaching a traffic light in town and when the brakes were applied the brake line broke and there were no brakes. I swerved to miss the car infront of me but hit her passenger side rear. She in turn hit the car in front of her.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #121

Oct 292014

Silverado 2500

  • 84,900 miles
I depressed brake pedal to shift the truck from park, and the brake pedal went to the floor! pumping the brakes did no good. I looked underneath, and brake fluid was running down from under the driver's seat area. Upon closer inspection, one of the brake lines coming out of the ABS modules had sprung a leak at the point where it bends over the top of the frame rail. If this had occurred while driving, an accident is likely, as there was no brake, despite the dual master cylinder! all of the brake lines are severely corroded, especially where the oem factory formed bends are. The brake lines are actually at the point of crumbling in places. To counter any claims about severe corrosion environment causing the problem, contrast the brake lines to the fuel lines on this vehicle which have no to very minimal corrosion. I also own another 2003 GM vehicle with far more miles, and it also has very little brake line corrosion. I have owned both these vehicles from new, and the Silverado has less miles, and less winter salt exposure than the other vehicle. I have also owned other vehicles for many more years and miles than this Silverado, and have never experienced anything like the horrible crumbling of this obviously defective brake line material used on the Silverado. Please NHTSA, take some action on this obviously serious safety situation caused by defective manufacturer materials!

- Frankenmuth, MI, USA

problem #120

Oct 172014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Corroded brake line failed. Complete brake failure. No brakes.

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

problem #119

Oct 152014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
Brake line failed due to corrosion causing brakes to fail.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #118

Oct 142014

Silverado 2500

  • 62,300 miles
I was coming to a stop to turn right and brake pedal went to the floor. I had very little brakes only if I went completely to the floor. I had to swerve to miss the car in front of me. I brought truck to brake shop and the driver side rear steel brake line was spraying brake fluid all over my tire.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #117

Sep 232014

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 77,051 miles
After having my truck serviced at the dealership, the service tech tested my brakes & the brake lines burst. After inspection, rusted brake lines, under drivers seat, all burst. Causing an expensive cost to replace all brake lines.

- Washington, IL, USA

problem #116

Oct 062014

Silverado 2500

  • 175,000 miles
After loaning my daughter my truck we met at a location to exchange vehicles. I started to drive away and applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I pumped the brakes and was unable to achieve any pedal pressure. I had my truck taken to my residence and inspected the brake system for the cause of the failure and found that the left rear steel line rusted through and created a loss of fluid. In my opinion this line rusting out is very premature for the age of the vehicle. I have owned many other vehicles that were older and have never had any issues with the brake or fuel lines rusting out.

- Hebron, KY, USA

problem #115

Aug 012013

Silverado 2500

  • 110,000 miles
My wife was driving our 2003 Silverado when she was approaching a bend in the road. She went to apply the brakes, and the pedal went right to the floor. To avoid hitting other vehicles, she ended up going off on the side of the road where she put the shifter into park and applied the ebrake. A tow service was called and had the car towed to a local service shop. The shop had determined that the cause of the brake failure was due to rusted brake lines. I find it amazing that on a truck with no rust, that the brake lines are the first thing to rust out.

- Wharton, NJ, USA

problem #114

Oct 012014

Silverado 2500

  • 265,890 miles
Driving my 2003 Chevy Silverado in the left lane of the city freeway approximately 50 mph in heavy traffic. Pushed brake to stop for vehicles changing lanes ahead. Brake pedal initially had pressure but after about 2 seconds went to the floor with nearly no pressure and no braking effect at all. There was no prior indication of a problem and no warning light signaling an issue. Swerved into the left berm to avoid hitting cars ahead. Traveled 20 plus car lengths while dropping automatic transmission into lowest gear and pumping brake pedal to no affect. Forced truck against barrier wall to avoid hitting other vehicles. Brake warning light came on as truck stopped. A large puddle of brake fluid was dumped below rt rear wheel and leaked when the brake pedal was pressed. There had been no previous issues with the brakes and brake pads were replaced 20,000 miles ago. The dual circuit system provided no partial braking effect at all. I had the vehicle towed home and discovered a steel brake line burst from corrosion and all brake lines significantly degraded. This truck has been meticulously maintained, is driven everyday and has been garage kept since it was purchased new in Dec 2002.

- Westerville, OH, USA

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