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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,250 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.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #57

Apr 012015

Silverado

  • 96,000 miles

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

When you are traveling real slow or parking the antilock brakes kick in making I difficult to stop. I talked to Chevrolet customer service and they will do nothing for me. Although it is the same design issue that they have recalled on recall #05V37900, the say my truck is not covered.

- Warroad, MN, USA

problem #56

Jul 192013

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 hd. The contact stated that while applying the brakes, the anti-lock braking system activated and caused the brake pedal to pulsate. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that the failure was linked to the anti-lock brake system. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti-lock). The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 10/31/13

- Seattle , WA, USA

problem #55

Apr 012012

Silverado

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While traveling 5 mph the contact attempted to apply the brakes and it fell to the floor. The brake pedal would not respond causing the vehicle to crash into the contacts garage door. There were no injuries. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the drivers side front brake lines were severely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #54

Nov 082011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

Brake lines rusted through.... truck was not used hard, undercarriage more than once was washed to try to remove salt corrosion. It just seems such an expensive truck should not have such early and severe brake line failures from normal operation. The lines must not be made from rust resistant metal and poorly protected from the road elements. In a discussion with other Chevy truck owners from this area, it seems there have been similar failures.

- Montvale, NJ, USA

problem #53

Feb 012012

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 46,567 miles
I have owned this pickup since it had about 15,000 miles on it. I keep it in a garage and drive it about 5K miles a year. I had a brake failure and almost killed my entire family driving back from nh. I hit the brakes on the highway and the brake lines ruptured causing the brake pedal to go right to the floor and lose all brake pressure. I almost had a heart attack. Why don't they make these out stainless steel, aluminum or a non corrosive material? someone needs to do something about this immediately. This is so dangerous. Seriously, someone could have died.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

problem #52

Jan 132012

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 242,020 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated the brakes failed when the brake pedal was applied and it extended to the floor. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 242,020. Updated 02/0812 the consumer stated when he applied the brake pedal, it went all the way to the floor. There were no warning lights. The next day, he was able to determine the failure was due to a brake line failure, between the master cylinder and the ABS unit, there was rusting and brake fluid was leaking. The consumer replaced the brake lines with stainless steel lines. Updated 03/08/12

- Minneola, FL, USA

problem #51

Dec 102011

Silverado

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the hydraulic antilock system failed. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes: Hydraulic anti lock) January 19, 2007. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that they would not be able to assist with any further repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage and failure mileages were 130,000.

- Oconto, WI, USA

problem #50

Jul 192011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 140,025 miles
ABS actuates at slow speeds when brakes are applied. Wheels are not locked or skidding when ABS actuates. This issue is recurring and has caused the truck to have excessive stopping distances while the ABS is engaged. Multiple times we have almost his something because of this problem.

- Douglas , MA, USA

problem #49

May 182010

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 132,299 miles
When applying brakes suddenly to avoid hitting another vehicle, brake line ruptured causing loss of brakes. Was able to apply emergency brake before running off road. Took truck to meineke dealer and had ruptured brake line replaced and all others inspected. Mechanic reported ruptured brake line was severely corroded.

- Douglas, MA, USA

problem #48

Oct 312011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 90,200 miles
Hit a shopping cart stand at a shopping center because as I was turning into the parking spot and applying the brakes so control the vehicle speed the anti lock braking violently pulsed the brakes and not slowing the vehicle down. Although I tightened the turn I still made contact with the upper rail causing damage to the parking light before coming to a complete stop. Had the brakes functioned properly the vehicle would have not been damaged. Because of the low speed, no other damage occurred, just broke the plastic.

- Rome, NY, USA

problem #47

Oct 222011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

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

Rear brake line failed due to corrosion at bracket just above rear end, after replacing that line a second line failed 12 inches in front of ABS controller below driver compartment, this was also due to corrosion. When the failure occurred the truck was nearly unstoppable, I had to swerve off the road into the ditch to avoid a left turning vehicle.

- New Gloucester, ME, USA

problem #46

Oct 012011

Silverado 8-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
The brake lines just under the driver side door failed. The failure was instant with no brakes what so ever. Per dealer all lines need replaced due to rust. Very expensive. I know of others that have failed. This is definitely a safety issue. This is farm truck, I was preparing to haul hay using a goose neck trailer, if this would have happened with a load, I would have crashed...

- Union, KY, USA

problem #45

Jun 012011

Silverado

  • miles
I was driving along and came to a right hand turn and when I hit the brake, the pedal hit the floor so I missed my turn. Had there been a car in front of me I would have hit them for sure. So I had to take a high speed turn and ran off the road to make the turn so I had no brakes at al. I had no brakes on the front and one rear E-brake backing plate rotted off my truck back in 2007. I have always owned GM trucks and this one is a big let down and it all most killed me. If I had to guess the date was sometime in June of this year.

- Somerville, OH, USA

problem #44

Sep 122011

Silverado

  • 65,000 miles
Started truck, brake pedal went to floor. Brake fluid under truck. Brake lines rotted out under drivers door between master cylinder and ABS box. Had to use parking brake to stop vehicle. Luckily my children were not playing in the driveway, or that I was not on the highway. Huge safety issue, and from hundreds of complaints on internet this is a design flaw, not a fluke, or environmental issue. I had inspected at dealer a year ago and they said lines were fine. This was after spending $2000 to replace other rusted brake components. Brakes had been replaced at 20,000 miles also. Truck has been used on highway miles mostly, and has never plowed, or towed, or been used near water.

- Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #43

Sep 282009

Silverado

  • 67,000 miles
When coming to a complete stop while parking I noticed that the brake pedal went completely to the floor. I parked and got out of my vehicle and looked under the vehicle and noticed brake fluid coming out of the rear driver side. The brake line was completely rusted through. I had the line replaced but the other lines are also looking rusted. I do not use my vehicle off road or long distance driving, just around town. This is a serious issue with the safety of the vehicle.

- Indiana, PA, USA

problem #42

Sep 022011

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle is currently at the "bayside Chevrolet" dealer in prince frederick, md. Sorry, I don't know the exact mileage but is approx. 156,000. I was at an enterprise rental car facility helping my daughter pickup her rental car. I had to put the car in my name since she is under 21. So my daughter went into my truck to drive it home (2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4). When she pushed the brake and put it in reverse, the brake pedal went to the floor. I walked over to the vehicle when she called me over and noticed lots of brake fluid on the ground near the driver side door. A tow truck was called and it was towed to the dealer mentioned above where it is now. I briefly looked under the truck and noticed severe corrosion on the brake lines and brake fluid all over the under-side. The dealer called me and said all the brake lines need to be replaced. They asked me "do you go off-road"", I said "no". then they asked "did you run over any large objects?", I said "no". then she said "maybe rodents""; ok, lets not get ridiculous, I thought. The estimate is $1,300. I asked them to not do repairs until my insurance inspector can document the damage for a claim I submitted. The inspector is supposed to show at the dealer sometime September 6th, 2011. State farm claim# [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lusby, MD, USA

problem #41

Aug 092011

Silverado

  • 42,600 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the brakes were applied and the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floor. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that all of the brake fluid leaked out of the brake lines onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they stated the brakes lines were rusted through. The dealer replaced the calibers, hubs and the entire brake line. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure and current mileages were 42,600.

- East Peiora, IL, USA

problem #40

Jul 212011

Silverado

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph or less, the anti-lock braking system engaged and the vehicle became difficult to stop. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes: Hydraulic: Anti-lock). The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 113,000.

- Manhattan, KS, USA

problem #39

Jul 272011

Silverado

  • 96,660 miles
Brake line erupted leaving me in an unsafe situation with no warning and putting me at risk. I went to apply the brakes entering a controlled intersection and my brake pedal felt different as it went all the way to the floor and barely stopped my 2002 2500hd Chevrolet silveraldo crew cab truck. Pumping the brakes had no positive effect on stopping my vehicle. Brake warning light did not display after brake line failure. No brakes and no brake warning indicator. There is property damage to my truck and my house due to this brake line failure.

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

problem #38

May 072011

Silverado 4WD 8-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
I have a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, brakes went out, brake lines are rusty, and burst on one of the lines, I see NHTSA probes 1999-2003 GM trucks for possible rusted brake lines back in March of 2010 what became of it? this is a very dangerous problem, this vehicle is used to tow and had that been the case when the brakes went out someone could have been hurt and or killed. This is not the only rusty brake line I have seen I also have a 2000 Chevrolet Impala that had the same problem, as my wife was driving to work she had to stop for a school bus, when she went to stop was unable thank god the children did not have to cross the road way to load on the bus. We were also lucky the lines burst on the Silverado in the driveway, and it was very lucky it did not happen the week prior, I was towing with it. There needs to be a recall on this issue and it needs to been done right away before some one gets killed. Please look into other GM products [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hamilton, OH, USA

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