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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,102 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.

2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #52

Oct 182013

Silverado 3500

  • 33,500 miles

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

While driving vehicle front left steel brake line burst due to excessive rust. After inspecting the remaining lines under the vehicle all of the metal lines, including the fuel and power steering lines are excessively rusted to the point they needed to be replaced.the repair cost 1200 dollars.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #51

Oct 092013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
I was driving home from errand running and found the brake pedal going almost to the floor. Found a puddle of brake fluid under the truck near the back of the cab and bed of truck. Called my service person and he said it was probably a ruptured brake line, and from the description of where the puddle was it was probably above the gas tank where the line is secured to the frame. He also stated that he has repaired multiple Chevy trucks with the same problem. I have seen the underside of my truck and all the lines are rusted, including fuel and transmission cooling lines.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

problem #50

Aug 042013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • miles
All brake lines are completely corroded.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #49

Oct 062013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 92,000 miles

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

I attempted to stop in my driveway and the brake pedal went to the floor. Fortunately I was only going 5 mph because I had almost no brakes. I stopped and looked under the vehicle. A brake line was gushing out brake fluid. I had it towed to the dealer. The brake line rusted and developed a leak without warning. What ever happened to dual brake systems - I lost almost all braking without any warning. Had I been going down a steep hill, I would have been killed.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

problem #48

Sep 092013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 100,000 miles
Noticed that all the front brake pads have very little wear and even the rotors are not being worn (either the entire surface (lf inner rotor) or just on part of the rotor surfaces). The back brake pads were worn down and had to be replaced and seem to be wearing fine. Is there a problem with the front brakes not functioning on these Chevy trucks? the front brakes are definitely not functioning properly.

- China, MI, USA

problem #47

Sep 182013

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 68,914 miles
I was coming home from work this evening and was pulling up to the garage and the brakes failed causing me to hit the garage. I was traveling less than 5 mph. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the vehicle would not stop. After getting out of the vehicle found brake fluid all over the driveway. Brake lines was found to be rusted in two in several places after having a friend who is a mechanic come and look at vehicle. He found a couple lines that had exploded thru right under the drivers side seat on top the frame and another one above the fuel tank. After googling what had happened there thousands of complaints with NHTSA on this problem with GM vehicles. Why are we paying you people to try and keep the public safe. This is a very ongoing problem with GM vehicles and needs addressed promptly.

- Marion, IN, USA

problem #46

Sep 132013

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of a bridge. The vehicle traveled off the roadway and rolled over three times before landing on all four wheels. The driver and front seat passenger sustained several bruises to the body. A police report was filed. The air bags failed to deploy with the severe impact. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage facility. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000....updated 10-24-13 the consumer stated while driving and attempting to stop the brakes failed to operate. The consumer applied the emergency brake the vehicle swerved into the grass where it stopped. The consumer owns another Buick GMC with the same issue. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 29,000. Updated 11/12/2013

- Riverhead, NY, USA

problem #45

Jun 102013

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
Brakes failed - lines rusted - mechanic tells me that they are getting several similar situations a week on this model of chev. His is a small ;shop. While the truck did stop, the pedal went to the floor and the truck took a long time to stop. Luckily I was not in traffic. I would have never stopped in traffic. I am 70 and have owned lots of cars and trucks over the years in Maine, and I can tell you I have never had a brake line rust through like this. The company is using a material in brake lines that are unusually susceptible to rust.

- Norway, ME, USA

problem #44

Sep 062013

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
Approaching a red light. Brake pedal went to floor, vehicle didn't stop. Due to my driving experience, I downshifted and applied the emergency brake to stop vehicle. Expensive repair of $3,500 due to extensive rust corrosion, all brake lines front to rear, rotors with calipers and backing plates & pads. Vehicle only has 64,671 at time of finished repair. Truck always serviced and taken car of with new tires, and brakes in past, this is a major problem if manufacturer has trucks out on the road losing brakes at low mileages. This should be a recall. Owed Toyota truck for 13 years and use to have it in water all the time with no major corrosion / rust problems.

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #43

Aug 312013

Silverado 3500

  • 182,079 miles
While driving in my Chevy Silverado truck with my two young daughters, we approached a red light at an intersection. I depressed the brake and I felt pressure but then the brake peddle went to the floor. I pumped and depressed the brake peddle several times and always completely to the floor until I was able to make a controlled, though dangerous stop. I pulled over and tested the brakes and I could hear a sound of air escaping below the vehicle. I looked under and depressed the brake with my hand and notice completely corroded break lines and dot 3 brake fluid leaking from a line below the drivers door. On further inspection I noticed all the break lines and fuel line were grossly corroded. This seems to be a safety concern to others I've just now realized and I would like to add my name to the complaint list. I'm disappointed and relieved that my camper was not on my vehicle at the time as my children and I were preparing for a camping trip that labor day weekend. Completely happy nobody was hurt...but it's just a matter of time with this particular situation. Please refer to file EA11001 which I recently reviewed concerning this same issue. Thank you.

- Kingston, MA, USA

problem #42

Aug 272013

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,296 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floor board as the service brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that all of the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 77,296. GM infomred the consumer, they no longer made brake lines for his vehicle. Updated 10/23/13

- Vandalia, OH, USA

problem #41

Aug 282013

Silverado 3500

  • 74,000 miles
Had just hooked up our 38' - 12,000lb fifth wheel and headed out for the weekend. Came to the first stop sign and the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily got stopped with trailer brakes. After stopping, pumping brakes caused brake fluid to pour out from just in front of the driver's side rear wheel. Upon research when we arrived home, I find that this is an ongoing issue with Chevrolet trucks.

- Jackson Center, OH, USA

problem #40

Jul 212012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 99,670 miles
I just found this web site and saw that a lot of people were having the same issue with their brake lines popping. In my case I was backing up to hook up my 24ft boat and trailer. While I was getting my truck in position to hook up the trailer I noticed that my brakes were getting softer and softer very quickly. After pumping the brakes and realizing that I was not stopping I ended up hitting the trailer with the back of my truck. Once I got of my truck I noticed there was brake fluid all over the under carriage of the truck and tire. I was very very lucky that this happened in my driveway. I was about to go on a 300 mile trip towing a boat on the highway. With this happening it pretty much ruined a family vacation that we had planned for some time to take the boat. With the brake lines breaking I was unable to use my truck to pull my boat. This was a very costly fix and let's not forget to mention the tow truck fees. I hope there will be a recall on this so I can somehow get remembered for this issue. I would not have expected this from a 9yr truck as well as a product from Chevrolet.

- Harleysville , PA, USA

problem #39

Aug 012013

Silverado 3500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while attempting to shift gears, the brakes and emergency brakes failed to function with the illumination of the brake light. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was stated that the brakes lines were disintegrated. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Arcadia, IN, USA

problem #38

Aug 102013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 48,500 miles
The forward brakes lines which were showing signs of light surface rust three years ago are now heavily corroded and pitted and are showing signs of fluid leakage. I discovered the condition just in time while walking past the truck in bright sunlight. The light happen to be hitting the lines just right and I noticed the condition of the run of four brake lines which are mounted to the frame of the vehicle behind the left front tire. I am now in the process of replacing the hard brake lines with stainless. This is a babied vehicle which sees about 5000 miles of usage a year and does not see that much snow or road salt.

- Groton, CT, USA

problem #37

Aug 012013

Silverado 3500

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph and applying the brakes, the brakes failed and the contact traveled through a stop sign. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the contact inspected the vehicle and determined that brake fluid leaked due to defective brake lines. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Milton Freewater, OR, USA

problem #36

Jul 272013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 30,000 miles
I was traveling West bound on interstate 88 tollroad near Aurora, Illinois. I had my 3 horse trailer, loaded with one horse, in tow. As I approached a toll plaza, I slowed my speed from 65 down to 35-40 as I was nearing the toll booth. When I went to apply the brake pedal, it went completely to the floor. I was only able to stop my truck by pumping the brakes, and using the trailer brakes to stop the vehicle. I paid my toll, then slowly pulled over to the side of the road. There was a steady leak of brake fluid from the undercarriage of the truck. I needed two separate tows, one for my truck, and another for the horse trailer.

- Monee, IL, USA

problem #35

Apr 012012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
I came to a stop in my drive way when my brake pedal went completely to the floor.I knew right away what had happened.I blew my main brake line that exits the master cylinder.I inspected the brake lines and realized they were all corroded very badly.I have never had brake lines corrode on me so badly in such a short period of time.the vehicle is only a 2004 Silverado, it is not that old in my opinion.I have had several vehicles, and have never had a brake line rust the way my Silverado has.I am very fortunate that the vehicle was not at a high rate of speed when this occurred, I could of seriously hurt myself or someone else on the road, or even killed someone due to this.for what it is worth, it seems that 99-06 Chevy Silverado have a lot of complaints in regards to rusted through and complete failure of the brake lines. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #34

Jul 052013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 123,986 miles
Going to work, backed up and started down driveway. As I applied brakes at bottom of hill, brake peddle went to the floor, used emergency brake to stop. Took truck to repair shop and he found the breaks lines rusted and leaking with one already split. With the condition of all the lines, knowing that if he only repaired the one broken, there was still a safety issue because the any of the other lines could go at anytime. I had him replace all 33 feet of brake line at a cost of $395.46.

- Hurricane, WV, USA

problem #33

Jul 192013

Silverado 3500

  • 99,706 miles
Applied brakes at a stop sign and the brake pedal went to the floor. Total loss of stopping ability. After using the parking brake to stop. Looked under the truck to see brake fluid dripping from the frame of the truck. All brake lines and the transmission cooler lines corroded and 2 burst. All need to be replaced. Clearly the Silverado has an issue with this and the entire undercarriage rusting beyond comparable year & mileage trucks. I have never had a vehicle under carriage in this condition regardless of age and this truck hasn't achieved 10 years off the lot yet.

- Pomfret Ctr, CT, USA

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