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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,368 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 3500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #58

Jun 012015

Silverado 3500

  • miles

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

Contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. Contacted stated while driving at approximately 55 mph, the brake pedal was depressed in a panic situation and the pedal went straight to the floor board.

- Waconia, MN, USA

problem #57

Jun 202012

Silverado 3500

  • 25,600 miles
First failure was the dual braking system I was hooked up to a trailer and started down the driveway (about 0.4mile long) and stepped on the brake pedal which went to the floor boards. There was no stopping effort from the brakes. I used the manual control of the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle. Both brake lines under the cab area had rusted out and ruptured at the same time. Had I been on the road at speed this would have been a crash. The dealer who picked up the truck commented that this happens "sometimes". he repleced the lines with non-GM ones so they would last longer. This winter I was having trouble starting the truck in cold weather and noted that I needed to operate the manual fuel priming pump to get the truck started. (truck is equipped with the optional diesel engine. The dealer when working on this noted that the lines were very rusty and need to be replaced. My safety concern this time was the small amounts of fuel weeping out of the rusted areas under the hood near the exhaust. And onto the ground. It seems that there is a great amount of rust occurring on the brake and fuel lines. This worries me as the truck only has about 36,000 miles on it and I live in a state (Vermont) that uses sand and not salt on the roads and travel only minimally in snow with the truck. When I was having the fuel lines replaced and while there the other two customers in line were also having rusted brake lines replaced. Seems like more than a coincidence. I have requested the rusted fuel lines from the dealer and still have them if you want to see them.

- North Bennington, VT, USA

problem #56

Mar 032014

Silverado 3500

  • miles
I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado and the brake system start going out last week. Took it to my GMC dealer, where I purchase the vehicle from. They stated that the brake line are completely rusted and the issue is so extensive that they cannot do work to it. I need to find an independent auto repair shop. I purchase a premium warranty from the dealership and they are the only one that has been performing maintenance on the truck for the last 1 1/2 years.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #55

Aug 262013

Silverado 3500

  • 84,000 miles

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

On my way to work I was turning into gas station and my brakes failed I got stopped without hitting anything.brake line broke on front left side had towed to auto repair shop. They replaced brake line and was told all other lines coroded and need replaced too expensive ibrought truck home

- Goreville, IL, USA

problem #54

Nov 192012

Silverado 3500

  • 75,000 miles
After noticing a gas leak, I asked my father to drive my truck to the dealership for repair. When he put the truck into reverse he had no brakes and had to use the emergency brake before rolling into my mother's car behind him. Upon inspection by the dealership, all of my brake lines and gas lines were badly rusted and had to be replaced. Upon research I found this problem quite widespread and expensive, not to mention the critical safety issues involved. I do want to know that Chevrolet/GM is concerned about our safety and is addressing this problem.

- Beacon, NY, USA

problem #53

Apr 302012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 46,899 miles
Was traveling at 45 mph and had to make a hard brake application due to unanticipated vehicle stoppage ahead. When speed declined to about 25 mph there was total brake failure and the brake pedal went to the floor. I thought the antilock system was engaging since the pavement was wet although the brake pedal seemed to go farther down than normal. At this time the multiple brake service warnings came on. Just as I was beginning to veer off the road to avoid rearending the car ahead, it started moving and I was able to avoid hitting it. I drove home about another mile and the brake lines were leaking onto the driveway. The truck was towed to the dealer who replaced all the brake lines and both front brake calipers due to corrosion.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #52

Mar 222012

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • 54,890 miles

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

Lost brakes due to rusted out brake line. (car would not stop.)

- Walton Hills, OH, USA

problem #51

Mar 102012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
A person ran into the street and I slammed on the brakes. The brakes failed. Upon inspection all brake lines were in extremely poor condition and the mainline broke open in two places. Service manager at the Chevy dealer admitted that they made the tubing out of non-nickle plated tubing for a few years and they were rotting through. He mentioned to check my fuel line and sure enough, at both ends of the fuel filter the tubing is rotting apart. All of my lines need to be replaced. GM has refused my claim for being defective.

- Colchester, CT, USA

problem #50

Mar 082012

Silverado 3500

  • 57,100 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving down an incline, the brake pedal was applied but the pedal was depressed into the floor board abnormally. The service brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel of the vehicle and the contact was able to coast the vehicle and park. The dealer diagnosed that the brake lines were rusted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 57,100.

- Seline, MI, USA

problem #49

Feb 232012

Silverado 3500

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes did not respond when applied. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home where the contact inspected the vehicle and located the failure as the rear brake lines being corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 98,000.

- Red Bank , NJ, USA

problem #48

Feb 072012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

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

A vehicle stopped in front of me and as I attempted to stop, my brake pedal went straight to the floor, leaving me with no brakes even though I quickly pumped the pedal. Fortunately, I was able to get around the stopped vehicle and coast to a stop. My truck was towed to a garage where after taking down the gas tank found a rusted and deteriorated brake line. One week prior to this incident I was driving on a super highway and probably would have been killed had this happened at that time. I believe a recall on any vehicle is necessary if this situation has arisen before. I would like a response asap. Thank you; updated IVOQ 04/19/12 updated 05/02/12 updated IVOQ 05/30/12 updated IVOQ 05/31/12

- Jamison, PA, USA

problem #47

Dec 152011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 97,700 miles
While slowing for a stop light, I applied extra pressure to the brake pedal to stop in time. The pedal traveled to the floor and the dash information screen noted a problem with the brakes. Since no one was in front of me, I traveled well into the intersection before coming to a stop. I was able to pull safely into a parking lot and was towed to the local dealer. The tech stated that my brake lines had rusted and ruptured in one location, and was going to rupture in several other locations. All brake lines need to be replaced. I was shocked at the amount of deterioration in those lines. I am very lucky there was no accident or injury with this type of failure. I purchased this truck new, and I am the only owner.

- Hampton, FL, USA

problem #46

Oct 272011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 122,376 miles
Wife was coming home from work at night went to stop and lost brakes. I got it back home and inspected it and found that it blew a rear and front brake line. The brake lines were rotted so bad we replaced them all. Upon replacing brake lines I noticed that fuel lines were also rotted severely and one was wet with diesel. The truck is used everyday and doesn't sit. These lines should not rot this bad this fast. Some thing GM should address before someone gets killed. Thank you

- Milford, PA, USA

problem #45

Nov 042011

Silverado 3500

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while braking to a stop, the brake pedal went to the floorboard abnormally and he was unable to engage the brakes. The contact stated that he had to shift into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. He also mentioned that after he inspected the vehicle, he noticed that the brake lines were corroded and brake fluid was leaking. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 111,000.

- Myrtle Beach , SC, USA

problem #44

Oct 282011

Silverado 3500

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 5 mph, the contact stated that he applied pressure to the brakes when the pedal went to the floor. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were rusted. The dealer had not been notified. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic who confirmed that the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The private mechanic performed the repairs. The current and the failure mileages were 69,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #43

Oct 292011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Front brake line failed drivers side on top of frame from rust and defective brake line as seen in the thousands of others who have the same problem, recall" glad it was in my driveway. Others were not so lucky. I read there was/is a investigation. Results"

- Aurora, OH, USA

problem #42

Oct 152011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 92,500 miles
Brake line corrosion.

- Derwood, MD, USA

problem #41

Oct 202011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 91,000 miles
On the above listed date the brakes on my truck failed while going down hill not far from my house, this was not a complete failure as I was able to stop, get turned around and go home. Upon further investigation I found a brake line that rusted through. While looking on line for parts and guidance I came across an article which prompted me to further inspect the under carriage of my truck. I must say that I totally agree all the comments made regarding rust on these vehicles, it is quite excessive. As I looked closely you can see a lot of rust on all components of the under carriage, ie cab mounts, bed mounts all brake lines, springs, spring shackles, the entire frame and the list goes on and on. My other vehicle is a 1993 Toyota corolla which has been in upstate New York since new. The under carriage looks new compared to the Chevy. I feel G.M. must have used a very poor grade of under coating on these vehicles and to leave something like brake lines unprotected like that is just wrong. I'm just glad it didn't happen while towing the fifth wheel. I also feel a recall is in order, especially for the brake lines.

- Livingston Manor, NY, USA

problem #40

Oct 192011

Silverado 3500

  • 37,000 miles
2003 Chevy Silverado last year brake lines broke while on road due to severe corrosion lines. We were lucky not to have had an accident replaced all lines on vehicle. Now all rotors had to be replaced due to severe corrosion on them. Poor quality of rotors and calibers on vehicle. We only have 38,000 miles on this vehicle.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

problem #39

Sep 202011

Silverado 3500

  • 68,100 miles
My 2003 Chevy Silverado goes into gear with out pressing on the brake, also the truck will go into gear with out the keys in the ignition. The E-brake is also defective, the E-brake does not hold the truck. My 2 yrs old son was sitting in the truck on 9/20/2011 when the truck went into gear. I live on a incline my truck rolled down the hill while I was chasing the truck on foot, the truck finally came to a stop when it hit a 98 Toyota Tacoma which was parked in the drive way across the street. The E-brake was set, the keys were not in the truck, the truck was not running! my son could have killed himself or someone else due to the fact the truck is not safe!

- Moreno Valley , CA, USA

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