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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the brakes failed completely and no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The technician deemed the vehicle was a total loss due to numerous issues that could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,187.
Traveling through intersection and making left hand turn to go in East direction. My vehicle's brakes catastrophically failed. The mechanic said that all(!) the brakes lines were rusted through and that my brake fluid leaked out. And now all of the brake lines will need to be replaced. Not one, not two - all! there was no warning light and no indication of any problems prior to this incident. The only thing worse than a GM product with a faulty ignition switch would seem to be a GM truck that can't stop!
During showing the vehicle for resale, the brake lines broke and leaked and there was no braking power to stop vehicle. Fortunately this took place in a parking lot therefore we were able to control the situation. However we were about to enter a major roadway at 5pm rush weekday rush hour where a potential serious accident could have occurred.
While stopped at a red light I noticed that I had to push the brake pedal all the way to the floor in order to keep the truck from rolling forward. When I got to a friends house I noticed that there was fluid leaking from some rusted brake lines located on the drivers side of the truck. As I pressed the brakes fluid was running out at an accelerated pace. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they said that all of the brake lines needed to be replaced due to rusting. There have been numerous complaints online about rusted brake lines on full size GM trucks. I contacted GM but they said that this is no recall for my vehicle and the repair is going to cost me nearly $1800. I bought the truck brand new in 2005 and its a little disturbing that something like that would fail that way where all of the brake lines were rusted only after 9.5 years. If they would have broke suddenly they could have cause me to have an accident due to the fact that I wouldn't have been able to stop.
- Manassas Park, VA, USA
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While driving at 55 mph, I applied the brakes to come to a stop. The brakes began to slow the truck then the pedal went clear to the floor and all braking action was lost. This caused me to strike the vehicle in front of me. Afterwards I observed brake fluid dripping from the lines forward of the rear axle and near the firewall area. I was very lucky to escape injury to myself and the other driver that I struck. My truck sustained extensive damage to the front end. I have not gotten estimates for repairs yet.
Driving to work, car stops in frt of me an brakes went to floor, drove around on shoulder barely missed hitting car. Brake lines rusted so bad they failed, ive had trucks an cars all my life an have never seen lines on a vehicle this bad. Should be a recall on all Chevy of this year.
I was entering my driveway and began to brake going downhill, the brake pedal sudden "went to the floor" (brake line had ruptured due to corrosion). After taking truck to mechanic, I learned all my brake lines were serverely corroded and had to be replaced - fuel lines as well. Repairs totaled $2185. I owned several other make pickups, driven under the same conditions and have never experienced any problem with either brake or fuel lines.
Brakes lines popped a leak below the drivers side door, which seems to be a common problem. I have never had brakes fail after only 9 years and only 31,942 miles. We purchased the truck new on 8-4-2005. I have a Ford car that is a 2000 model year, and the lines still look good. We had 2 other Ford cars in the past that had nearly 200,000 miles when we got rid of them, and they still had the same brakes lines, which looked good for being nearly 15 years old each. I know this is an important routine maintenance issue, but GM apparently put poor quality lines on various vehicles. We rarely drive it on salty roads in the winter, and when we do, we regularly do a undercarriage wash, which wasn't available when we had the 2 previous Ford cars. It is very obvious the lines put on these vehicles are junk. They put on a exhaust that is supposed to last the life of the vehicle, but put on inferior brake lines which are a safety issue, go figure. After seeing how GM stonewalled and brushed off the ignition switch issue, and now this brake line issue, all I can say is I'm going back to a Ford. I always do preventive maintenance, but these brake lines caught me way off guard. I have done a lot of brake lines over the years but none this soon. I am going to advertise this to any GM owner to check see if they have crappy brake lines.
While traveling at approx 30 mph, brakes were applied in anticipation of a red light. The brake pedal hesitated, then went to the floor. Vehicle was stopped utilizing the emergency brake. Upon further inspection, the brakes ruptured due to severe rust. Currently being repaired at the dealer.
Traveling to work on June 17, 2014 morning via md I695 pressed brake pedal and it went immediately to the floor providing very little braking. Prior to entering md I695 I had made several stops for intersections and traffic lights and the pedal feel and function was normal. Fortunately being a diesel engine and use of lower engine gears I was able to safely stop the truck without incident. Upon inspection by GM dealer mechanics it was discovered that the brake lines had rusted and ruptured causing loss of hydraulic fluid. GM stated this was a common problem as they use corrosive materials on original manufacture. Since original new purchase the truck had been serviced on regular intervals at a GM dealer. Each time with a complete vehicle inspection. Most recent was April 4, 2014. Never did an inspection report that the lines were rusting. Total cost of repair was $3,668.45. Why is GM permitted to use materials that are always going to rust and fail? I did not see a recall / safety notice on this vehicle. I did see recalls for other manufactures, like Subaru, for the same problem of corrosive brake lines.
Brake pedal went to floor as I pulled out of my drive.. so as I looked to see what it was, 1 brake line was leaking due to corrosion an split. Another line close to splitting. All 4 rusted bad.
Attempted to stop at stop sign and bake line between master cylinder and prop valve ruptured instantly draining brake fluid resulting in no braking. Stopped vehicle with parking brake. Upon inspection, determined that brake line had rusted out as a result of being mounted on top of frame rail where dirt, salt and moisture collect from front wheel spray.
While doing an oil change on my 2005 pu I noticed enough buildup of rust on the brake lines that I stopped driving the truck. I have had pu trucks (Ford) since 1972 and never had an issue with brake lines although I had the trucks for 10 yrs. This is a serious issue of negligence of GM. I am 75 and never had this issue although I had cars and trucks (and motorcycles) since I was 16. I believe this is more serious than ignition switch. Thank you
Approaching a traffic light at the bottom of a steep graded highway, I noticed the brake pedal felt spungey and near the bottom the brake pedal went clear to the floor board. I was forced to leave the highway to prevent a rear end collision with the stopped vehicle in front of me resulting in no real damage to the vehicle itself. It could have been much worse. The brake lines (4 of them) have rusted out so much that they could not contain pressure of the fluid when applying the brake and bursted. My mechanic tells me this will be in excess of $600 to repair do to the cab having to be unbolted and lifted from the chassis to access the lines for replacing. He also tells me that many GM models, new and old have this problem with rusting brake lines. GM is aware of these problems. Why has this not been addressed" why have these models not been recalled" Subaru recently recalled over 660,000 vehicles for the same problem; #doingtherightthing. I am not at all happy about this.
Brake lines rusted and ruptured resulting in complete loss of braking. Ruptured line was one going to the antilock pump and thus all braking was lost. Antilock pump and brake lines are all exposed under the body of the vehicle and are thus completely exposed to the elements. This is the second Chevrolet truck (previous report was 2001 model year that failed in 2010 with the same hydraulic system design that had the same complete brake failure due to this same hydraulic line rupture.) were it not for the fact that this occurred at low speed with a trailer attached that had electric brakes, vehicle would not have been able to be stopped before entering an intersection. Why are these steel brake lines still being used with insufficient or no corrosion protection?
While doing an oil change on my 2005 pu Silverado I noticed large rust build up on the brake lines' this is not through neglect on my part, but is sufficient enough to cause serious concern. My son in law with Chevy 2002 had a similar problem when his brakes failed on a hill which caused me to check mine.this is extremely dangerous and GM should bear the recall expense. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Driving down highway road when several deer ran in front of vehicle. Slammed on brakes and the pedal, after a few seconds, went to the floor. Noticed big puddle of fluid the next day under cab of truck. Started truck and had no brakes at all. Had the truck inspected by local repair shop and was informed that all of the brake lines were rusty beyond the point of repair. Had to have a whole new brake line kit installed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Butler, PA, USA