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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,474 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.

2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #52

Sep 072010

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

This is totally dangerous. Why hasn't this been fixed. I seen so many people complaining about this problem. This ABS crap is worthless ! when coming to a stop the breaks totally lock up and you can not stop. I almost ran through a store front window. The dealership and GM itself is totally un helpful. All they want is your money to fix them and then to have the problem come back a few years later. This is so expensive no one can afford to fix this problem. I wonder if they care when someone gets killed because this problem they just push off. My 2001 Silverado is now doing it again. I won't buy their junk anymore. What a crime they have on their hands and no one is doing anything about this. Where is the government on this ? this is so wrong !

- Oak Creeek, WI, USA

problem #51

Apr 282012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
Was driving home in my occasional-use 2001 Chevy Silverado. Brakes became very soft, so I drove extremely slow. Finally lost brakes completely upon pulling back into home driveway. Hydraulic fluid leak was evident at a rusted-through brake line, between brake distribution module and rear axle. Entire brake line system needs immediate replacement. The amount of corrosion that has appeared on the brake lines is actually pretty frightening. It's hard to believe entire families are driving around NY and new england with these rusted out brake systems. Bought the truck as a used vehicle in 2009, and the under-frame looked acceptable at the time. A warm adirondack winter seems to have left us with a lot of saltwater on the roads, which seemed to cause worse than normal corrosion. I can understand an eleven year old new england truck being rusty - but the brake lines should never corrode - and yet, the brake lines seem to be the rustiest part on this GM truck. There needs to be higher standards for brake lines. Cheap, uncoated steel is unacceptable with modern, safe engineering standards.

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

problem #50

Apr 052012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Brakes failures, rusted brake lines.

- North Potomac, MD, USA

problem #49

Oct 122010

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,251 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact was driving 15 mph and applied the brakes when the brake line ruptured. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the brake line replaced. The contact stated that the failure was the third occurrence of the brake lines rupturing while driving. The failure mileage was 135,251....update 01/20/12 updated 02/27/12

- Fulton, TX, USA

problem #48

Nov 042011

Silverado 3500

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 9 mph, the contact applied pressure to the brakes when the anti lock brake system activated and the brake pedal went to the floorboard abnormally. The system was able to reset independently without activation and she was able to drive normally. The dealer was not notified and the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The current and the failure mileages were 200,000.

- Baldwinsville, NY, USA

problem #47

Oct 152011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 52,500 miles
Brake lines and fuel line on driver side rail rusted out causing my brakes to fail while driving on my street almost hitting kid on bike.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #46

Sep 282010

Silverado 3500

  • 88,000 miles

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

Multiple brake problems; caliber failures, loss of fluid, destroyed rotors and pads, etc. Due to failing brake lines.

- Lesage, WV, USA

problem #45

Aug 122011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
The brake pedal went to the floorboard, when I applied the brakes. I drove the vehicle off of the road, so I would not hit an occupied vehicle. I had two brake investigations completed and both investigations found a brake line failure near the ABS control module.

- Morrow, OH, USA

problem #44

Aug 192011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 78,216 miles
Antilock brakes kicking in at low speed, causing a near crash. There is a recall for speed sensors for 99-02 Chevy Silverado, but when I call GM I am told that there are no outstanding recalls on my truck even though it is a 2001 Silverado.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #43

May 152001

Silverado 3500

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving at different speeds the contact noticed the brakes were not engaging properly. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the mechanics stated the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where some of the brake pads and rotors were replaced. The contact stated the brake lines were not replaced although they were corroding. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1000.

- Ottsville, PA, USA

problem #42

Mar 012011

Silverado 3500

  • miles

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

Two recalls issued for the above vehicle for the hydraulic anti-lock brake system unwanted activation #05V379000 and emergency brake system #05V161000. We have both issues occurred on vehicle. Phoned Chevrolet dealership and told VIN # was not on list so we had to just deal with it. The NHTSA national recall states to phone dealership immediately if issue occurs this is a safety issue we feel Chevrolet should correct at no cost to us due to Chevy failure.

- Brownsburg, IN, USA

problem #41

Mar 242006

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 81,950 miles
We have a 2001 Silverado 3500 that shut down in the middle of baltimore traffic back in 2006. We had to have it towed and paid $644.33 to have it fixed. It was the crank position sensor. We came to find out that there was a recall on this in some of the 2001's. but guess what, ours is no on the list! I asked the lady "so who determines which of these model vins get to be on the recall and which ones will the consumer have to pay for. Of course she responded that she was sorry for our inconvenience, but she could not help. Is there any way to have our truck on the recall too and get a reimbursement" we truly love our truck and it has to go in for the ubs brake system too, but we found out it is not covered under that recall either. What gives? we are the ones with these two problems, but our doesn't count" please help.

- Leetonia, OH, USA

problem #40

Nov 142010

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
I own a 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD. I am the original owner and have garaged the vehicle from the beginning. Today my wife was driving the truck and all of a sudden she applied the brake and it depressed to the floor with minimal stopping power. Fortunately she was able to get it home. Upon inspection, under the driver's side of the vehicle where the bed meets the cab, there was brake fluid leaking from a line. It appears the line is corroded and after looking more closely, it seems there is rust throughout the brake lines. Fortunately, this didn't occur at highway speeds which could have had a catastrophic outcome. I am now stuck with a vehicle that is inoperable and needs immediate repair. I will be calling my local dealer in order to determine my options.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #39

Aug 202010

Silverado 3500

  • 65,000 miles
Brake line failure for the second time. Rust thru.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #38

Sep 142010

Silverado 3500

  • 81,167 miles
Brake lines on my truck rusted thru and brakes failed while on the road. The rusted lines ran from the ABS system to the master cylinder and front brakes. It occurred at low speed and I used emergency brake to get home. The lines have not been replaced as yet. I will save parts.

- Leonardtown, MD, USA

problem #37

May 042010

Silverado 3500

  • 102,733 miles
I lost the brakes on my 2001 Chevy Silverado, when leaving my home. Once I was finally able to stop the truck, all of the brake fluid leaking out. When the mechanic inspected it they said all the brake lines were corroded & badly rusted that both the front & the back brake lines had to be replaced. They, of course, no longer make the brake lines for this truck so they had to be hand made. Very expensive. Luckily this happened in the driveway. On the road or highway it could have been tragic.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #36

May 052010

Silverado 3500

  • 102,733 miles
Sudden loss of brakes on 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500. Thankfully happened in the driveway and not on the road. All brake lines were badly rusted, fluid was leaking from a group of lines to the hcu. Removed all rusted brake lines and brake components.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #35

Jan 012008

Silverado 3500

  • 80,000 miles
The ABS and parking brake lights come on at random. There is noise from the front tires when you make a turn, the brakes I would assume. The brake pad have been changed. The gas light flips back and forth from full to empty, have to use the mileage to know when to get gas. And the gas pedal sticks, not good in traffic.

- Jesup, GA, USA

problem #34

Mar 102002

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
103,000 miles on 2001 Chevy. Silverado P/U, 4th time that brakes need to be replaced, anti lock noise was constant since taking delivery from dealer. Was told this was normal sound. I don't think so. Many close calls for rear end collisions which would have been my fault esp. At speeds as low as 30 mph. Just found out that there may be a problem. Also, antifreeze complaint with smell. Smell makes us nauseous.faucet -running sound coming from just below dash but under hood, paid dealer to fix twice, went back to GM dealer to try and remedy for the third time since it was still under the shops warranty and of course no longer in business. Last complaint, daytime running lamps need to be replaced all the time. Replaced one day, less than 48 hours later, need to be replace again. Rusted from water in headlamp.

- Teaticket, MA, USA

problem #33

May 192009

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 61,607 miles
On my 2001 Chevy Silverado 3500 pick up, I took it to the dealer to be checked out because my brakes didn't act right so I took it in and a short time later I received a call from the dealer asking me how did I get the truck into the dealer because the brake line was gone rotted away.they had to replace all my brake lines for this truck. It was a good thing that it happened when it did because a few weeks later I would have been pulling my 33 foot 5th wheel and with that kind of weight I surely would have had a wreck.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

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