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.
Steel brake, fuel and transmission lines are extremely rusty and failure appears to be imminent, especially on brake lines. This should be a safety recall.
I was traveling home from dropping my dog off at his groomer. I went to brake coming to an intersection to prepare for a change in the light when the brake pedal went straight down to the floor with no warning light in the gauges or information system until after the incident happened. I had very little braking at all and was able to get the truck to my resident without incident. I had the truck towed to a mechanic who informed me the brake line had rusted completely through. I have read many complaints being filed by other Chevy Silverado owners. When is GM going to be held responsible for failing parts on all of their vehicles? I was a lucky individual that it was early morning and very lite traffic on the road I was traveling.
Hi, not sure if you are aware, but there is a serious issue with 2004 Chevrolet Silverado brake lines. On 2/21/15, my son was driving my truck (VIN# [xxx]). he was about 3 miles from home when the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I had to take the truck to an auto mechanic and he said all the lines were rusted out. One line burst, but all needed replacing. The truck only has 36,000 original miles on it. I am glad that no one was killed or injured. I am sure you are aware that this needs to be recalled by GM/Chevrolet. I did some research through the ntsb, aaa, edmunds, and motor trend and they all seem to think there is a major problem with certain years. Thank you for listening to me and thankfully, my 17 year old son knew enough to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Respectfully submitted, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while reversing, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to respond. In addition, the ABS warning light illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,322.
- Orlend Park, IL, USA
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I was backing out of driveway hit brake pedal and it went to the floor. Looked under truck and back left brake line had blown out upon looking at rest of brake lines they to where rusted and bulging needed to be replaced luckily happened in driveway and not in the morning when I would have been traveling down a very hilly road GM should not have used inferior brake lines.
Driving a well maintained two wheel drive 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 crew cab pickup at 30 mph on a Suburban roadway. I applied hard braking and pedal went to floor. I was able to shift automatic transmission to low 1 and apply E-brake to stop before crash. Examination of steel brake lines from master cylinder to the ABS module under the drivers floor showed excessive corrosion as reason for failure. The lines that were specifically affected travel over driver side frame rail and are out of sight for routine visual inspection. This vehicle operated in the "salt belt" (new england) and road spray from the left front tire directly impacts this area. After replacing all steel lines with stainless lines (over $500 in parts & labor) the brake system worked as designed.
After checking the underside of my 04 Silverado 1500 4X4 for a fuel filter( which it doesn't have) I noticed the brake lines to be severely corroded. Most of the worst areas were in the bends around the frame from the master cylinder and along the frame.
While exiting a parking lot, I applied the brakes to stop before pulling out into traffic. The brake pedal went to the floor suddenly and with no warning. My truck went out into the road where I quickly turned hard right to avoid crossing the road. I then used the emergency brake to pull over and stop. I am a mechanic by trade, and I knew right away what had happened. My truck is in exceptional condition as I am only the second owner. The first owner had garage kept this vehicle and it has never been wrecked. I do not plow snow or off-road it. I had a GM certified mechanic fix the transfer case issue (GM also knows about this) last summer. He inspected my truck then and found nothing to be alarmed about. I did talk to him about the brake lines, to which he told me that he had to replace his in his 2004 Suburban. Two other friends of mine that both have 2004 Tahoe, had to replace their brake lines due to the exact issue. My brother-in-law has a 2006 Silverado, he replaced his lines last year, again for the same problem! this is a major safety issue and GM won't stand behind their own product? I have been a GM owner since I could drive. I won't be anymore! I am very disappointed that a recall or some type of action is not being done.
Everything appeared normal when I was driving to the bank. As I was slowing to make the turn into the bank the brakes felt a little spongy. As I pulled up to the atm brakes continue to be spongy. Finished at bank and cautiously started driving home. First stop light, I had to gear down to slow to allow me to stop as the brake hit the floor. Pumping helped me stop in time to not hit the car in front of me. I should have probably called for a tow at that point, but only had back roads left to get home. Drove very slow (less than 5mph) by time home had no brakes left. Going slow enough to hit curb opposite of my driveway to stop and then backed into uphill driveway so gravity stopped me to put in park. Btw - no emergency brake to help, that is not working. Got out and a steady stream of brake fluid was coming out from under the drive side door. Looked under vehicle and saw fluid leaking from corroded (rusted) brake line between master cylinder & ABS box. Took a look at all the other line and surprised to see how corroded all of the brake lines are. I was also kind of surprised to see how horrible the entire underside, including frame, have rusted for a 10 year old truck. Definitely very upset the brake lines are that corroded and will all need to be replaced to provide confidence another one is not going to burst. I'm just very happy I didn't get in an accident and I sure hope it doesn't take someone dying for GM to issue a recall. Given the size of these vehicles and the shear damage they could do to property or human life should be a concern to GM. I'm a huge fan of GM/Chevy trucks, but pending what happens may dictate my next truck. My truck has been sitting as I have not had time to try to repair myself or money available to be able to take the chance at how much a shop is going to charge.
My brake pedal went to the floor due to a rusted brake line. I was able to stop but very scary. Upon inspection I realized every metal line in the truck is rusted and either already leaking or will be soon. I've had 5 Chevy trucks and never encountered anything like this with any of them. If I want to keep my truck safely on the road that I still owe $10,000 on, I am now faced with the expense of replacing every brake line, the transmission cooler lines, the engine oil cooler lines, the power steering lines, pump and cooler, and the fuel lines. This is ridiculous! Chevrolet gets good money for these trucks and they obviously messed up on this design. The rust problem with the working parts under the truck is unbelievable. I should be able to get more than 100,000 miles out of a truck that cost $40,000! I am shocked that Chevrolet put a stainless steel exhaust on this truck that will last the life of the vehicle, but the high pressure fuel lines that can cause a fire or the brake lines that could kill my family are made of inferior rust prone materials! General Motors should be ashamed and tuck their heads between their legs as they watch their loyal customers become loyal to another automaker that might have more reliable vehicles or at least stand behind their products and designs. Shame on them!
Was coming up to a red light and when I push on the brake pedal, it failed. Lost of brake pedal pressure. Got out and looked and there was a huge puddle of brake fluid on the road below the drivers side door.
Approaching stop sign, brake pedal went to the floor without any braking. Inspection identified corrosion through brake line tubing walls causing loss of pressure and fluid. Massive system failure occured without warning.
Out for a drive in the Pennsylvania mountains when experienced difficulty stopping. Checked brake fluid. It was 3/4 empty due to leakage in lines. Took truck to the repair shop. Brake lines need to be replaced due to rusting out. The cost will be approximately $1,000. I regularly maintain my truck.
Brake line burst, very little stopping power, had to make crash avoidance maneuver, swerving off road. Upon inspection noticed all brake lines rusted badly. Will require replacement off all lines.
Was pulling a trailor with tractor and bushhog on it. 3 cars were stopped in front of me. The first one turning left. I went to stop. Brake pedal went to floor. Hitting the vehicle in front me, pushing that one into the one in front of that one. Upon inspection brake line under drivers floor had burst open due to rust. Tractor also came forward even being strapped down breaking the head gate on trailor. GM needs to step up to the plate and fix this issue with these trucks. Very lucky no one was killed or injured.
Brake pedal went to the floor with very little stopping ability. Fortunately, there was time to come to a gradual stop because a quick stop was not possible. Had the vehicle towed to a Chevrolet dealer. Brake lies were "rusted through." Cost to repair was $1199.29.
Puddle of brake fluid on driveway. Brake line just above gas tank from junction block to rear axle rusted out at clip attachment point with frame. Truck was always garage kept and when washed at automatic car wash most times with a under body rinse.
Pulled off interstate 95 to switch drivers. When the vehicle stopped and was put into park the brake lines ruptured. On inspection lines were completely rusted (all 3). Chevrolet corporate refuses any responsibility for inferior material, dealer is charging $3400 to replace lines. Exactly 2 minutes earlier and the truck would have been on 95 and this would have been disastrous and perhaps fatal.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lunenburg, MA, USA