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.
While driving vehicle the brakes became soft, brake warning light came on. When I tried to stop the brake pedal went to floor with no stopping power. Fortunately I was able to slow down and come to a stop without collision or injury. Brake fluid was dripping all over. Taking vehicle to mechanic, but appears that brake line has rusted through and will need replacement. Found information on-line that brake line rust through is under investigation on these vehicles as it is occurring more frequently.
I started the vehicle on 2/27/13 to go to an afternoon wedding. Brake light warning and sound alarm went off - no brakes. Brake fluid had leaked all over driveway. Thank goodness the brakes had not failed on the previous day when my wife had gone to a luncheon. Vehicle was towed on Monday (7/29/13) to Chevy dealership. Inspection revealed that all brake lines plus rusted front rotors and back plates needed replacement. Currently being repaired at a cost of over $3500. Rusted rear rotors were replaced a few years ago. As a long time Chevy owner, I never, ever had a problem, such as this, with brake lines and components. This is a low mileage vehicle, for its age, and never driven in the snow or on salty roadways. I am very skeptical of purchasing another GM product if they insist on using inferior parts.
I had driven to a doctors office and parked in the lot. I came out, started the truck and when I applied the brakes the pedal went all the way to the floor. The brake warning light never came on. I had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The brake line on the passenger side of the vehicle rusted through and failed. I had the entire passenger side line replaced. On June 24th 2013, I had another brake line failure on the drivers side. I was going 40 miles per hour, came to a traffic light that turned yellow, applied the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. I went through the light and managed to stop using the lower transmission gears and finally the parking brake. The brake warning light never came on. I had the line repaired at a local garage. The line rusted through near the ABS unit. The truck had just over fifty thousand miles at this time.
While traveling on a 4 lane us highway, traffic conditions required a rapid deceleration from 55mph to approximately 10mph. The vehicle slowed normally, but the brake pedal traveled much further than usual. With the assumption that the brake pedal travel was due to the ABS activation, the trip was continued. Approximately 3 miles later a downhill sloping exit was taken at approximately 50 mph, and when the brake pedal was depressed, the pedal went full travel to the floor, a red 'brakes' light on the annunciator panel illuminated, the driver message center read 'service brake system' and an audible chime sounded. The vehicle was not slowing rapidly enough for the space remaining so the parking / emergency brake was applied. The vehicle did not stop within the confines of the off-ramp, but fortunately, the traffic conditions allowed the vehicle to continue past the stop point into an adjoining road without causing an unsafe situation for other drivers. The vehicle was towed back to the owner's residence, upon inspection a steel brake line was found to be rusted through approximately 12 inches forward of the ABS valve body. Coincidentally, three other lines in the same area were in similar conditions and will have to be replaced.
- Levittown, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while the brake was depressed in an attempt to slow the vehicle down it felt spongy and stocked to the floor board. The contact was able to avoid a near crash. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic for inspection.the failure was located in the brake lines which were corroded with holes that caused the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was repaired and the steel brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,349. The approximate current mileage was 31,500.
Brake line failure on 2003 Tahoe near the spare tire. Complete loss of brake line pressure. Vehicle only has ~ 84,000 miles. Vehicle operated in Ohio and Massachusetts. Reference existing NHTSA action number (EA11001) on Chevrolet vehicles.
Just hooked up my boat and trailer and proceeded to head out my lane, when I hit the brakes they went to the floor and a message came on dash to service brakes. I got my wife to press on brakes while I looked under vehicle, brake fluid was pouring down on ground. When I saw the steel line was rusted and burst I wondered if this was a common problem so I looked for a notice or recall. I found that the problem was investigated several time but no notice or recall sent out if this had happened at highway speed it could have been catastrophic. I have had other GM vehicles that had severe rust problems. My Avalanche was recalled after I had put all new rotors and brake parts on from rust. After reading of several other failures I cant believe GM didn't even send notices out.
Rear brake line burst... fluid leaking and no brakes!!! this is dangerous... lucky I was going slow when this line burst... brake lines completely rusted.. this truck is only 10 years old, brake lines are rusted and needs to be replaced... GM needs to use better steel...
I started my 2003 Tahoe up to drive to york and when I stepped on the brake the pedal went all the way to the floor. We took it down the road by using the emergency brake to our local shop. They said all of the brake lines were rusted and all needed to be replaced.
I own a 2003 Chevy Tahoe. I first begin having issues with the ABS system in 2010. The brakes would flutter before coming to a complete stop. While traveling out of state the brakes completely failed and went to the floor. I was stuck in traffic in a residential area with passengers in my car. The parking emergency brake would not work so I had to carefully drift into a parking spot using the curb as a brace. I ended up having to replace all the brakes lines which were completely corroded. I was just told by my mechanic today that the pads, rotors, backing plate, parking brake system, etc. Is all corroded and has to be replaced costing me well over $1000 dollars. I like my vehicle and other than the issues with the brakes it runs fine. But for such an expensive luxury vehicle to have this type of safety issue is completely unsatisfactory to the customer. To many manufacturers are cutting cost at the expense of customer safety and vehicle reliability. This matter has to be addressed quickly and a recall and/or help with cost is greatly needed.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the brake lines would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The consumer stated when he backed up and applied the brake pedal, it went to the floor. The consumer noticed fluid leaking from the driver side front of the vehicle.
Rear brake line rusted through and lost brakes. Brake pedal went to floor losing 95% of braking ability. I wasn't in the car, wife was driving with my children. If this had been at a higher speed or going down a hill I shutter at what could have happened. Mechanic replaced 90% of the brake lines as he said they were in bad shape. Thousand dollar job. My wife's highlander (other vehicle) has 175K on it, same year and we don't have this problem, I will double check them though. I asked the mechanic if he sees a lot of Toyota's in here for brake lines, nope. They use better stuff with a special coating. Mostly Chevy, Dodge, Ford come through. You would think these manufacturers would know better with some states being in the "salt" belt.
My wife went to start the vehicle by placing foot on the brake pedal. At start-up the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and she realized she had no braking power. I crawled under the vehicle to notice a significant amount of brake fluid leaking from very corroded brake lines. Luckily, we were two blocks from a repair shop. Once at the repair shop they advised that not only were the front brake lines leaking but all of the brake lines were corroded and needed replaced immediately. This repair cost me over $815 on a 9 year old vehicle. I've never had brake lines go bad on any vehicle I've owned.
My brakes failed completely as I was driving home I was only able to stop by going up hill. The brake warning light did not go on until the brakes were failing. We had the car towed to our service station and had to replace the complete brake system.
I was advised by a GM technician during visit to dealer for regular maintenance to replace corroded brake lines if I intended to keep the vehicle. Cost would be approximately $2,000 to $2,500 and that I shouldn't wait too long to do so for obvious safety reasons. Service manager at this GM dealership stated that they have replaced a "ton" of them at owners' expense. My vehicle is never driven in snow or ice and I have never had to replace brake lines on any vehicle that I have owned over the past 50+ years - very disheartening.
I was driving on the highway, and a truck cut me off. I applied the brakes, and the pedal went to the floor. I was able to avoid crashing by pumping the brakes. I pulled off the side of the highway, and saw brake fluid under the truck. As I was only a few miles from home, I crawled home using the emergency brake. Upon further investigation, all of the brake lines, from front to back, were rusted and rotted. I paid a mechanic shop to replace all of the brake lines with stainless steel lines. In all of my years of driving, I have never seen brake lines rot out after only nine years and 40,000 miles. I would like to be reimbursed by Chevy for the replacement of the brake lines. A very serious accident could have occurred. And to think that just a few days before, I was driving with my family in the truck!
Returned to a friends from a trip to access my vehicle and head for home. Brakes pushed to the floor and when I tried to move a little, car wouldn't stop with either the brake or emergency brake and proceeded to roll forward into a steep embankment in front of my friend's home. Luckily I was not injured but needed all the brakes repaired and drivers side door replaced. I am in the process of waiting to hear from my claims adjuster.
I was driving down the street at 10 mph and then went for my brakes and the but they were gone. Pedal went to the floor and bells started ringing and my warning system indicated (check brake system) bad brake lines.
On September 3rd, 2012 I was driving my 2003 Chevy Tahoe and I had just pulled into a shopping center and as I was approaching a stop sign I applied the brakes. The brake pedal went straight to the floor. I went straight through the stop sign, but, luckily there were no other vehicles at the intersection. I was able to put the vehicle into 1st gear and guide it into a parking spot away from other vehicles. When I exited the vehicle and looked under the truck, I could see all of the brake line fluid pouring out of the brake lines. The Tahoe was towed to my mechanic. During the repair, the mechanic showed me all of the brake lines and they were all severely corroded. Every brake line had to be replaced. There is no other corrosion on the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Holland, MI, USA