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Chevrolet Silverado - Brakes

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Regional Recalls • Federal Court Upholds Regional Auto Recalls • GM Regional Truck Recall Stops Short • Consumer Advocates Challenge Regional Auto Recalls • Consumer Groups Challenge Regional Motor Vehicle Recalls --- • GM Expands Recall to Fix Truck, SUV Brakes • GM Finally Recalls Trucks, SUVs for ABS Problem • GM Truck Owners' Complaints

matt of plain city, OH February 4, 2010

I have a serious problem with my front ABS brakes on my 2002 3500 silverado. I feel there should be an ivestigation on this issue.

SCOTT of Merritt Island, FL January 31, 2010

December 22, 2009, my wife diving our 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD while applying the brakes entering our Tennessee (Pigeon Forge) Cabin neighborhood experienced complete brake failure on an incline resulting in her traveling backwards (out of control) struck the neighborhood sign. My wife experienced neck and back pains, fear to drive the mountain roads and overall mistrust of my Silverado.

I arrived at the scene of her accident to find massive amounts of brake fluid dripping down the frame from one of the brake lines located driver side observed from the wheelwell. Sevier County Sheriff responded and took report of accident (mechanical failure).The truck was disabled (bed, bumper, bumper braket, topper, cab and rear glass) and had to be towed to Volunteer Chevrolet. Volunteer Chevrolet informed me following examination the brake lines had excessive corrosion and failed. Volunteer Chevrolet also stated they'd seen this problem before with trucks used up north... I was informed by a mechanic friend this weekend, that he recalled a GM recall concerning brakes on Silverados and to look into it.

The rest is history. I have all scheduled maintenance (less oil changes) performed at GM dealerships (100k maitenance performed at Quality GMC in Cocoa Florida October 2009)and never received a recall mailer except for the tailgate cables which I responded. All this problem because GM failed to recall obvious material safety problem and the GM dealerships failed to note corrosive problems when servicing.

Pickup Bed, factory liner, factory tow hitch, factory bumper and brackets, passenger side and rear cab damage, broken rear window, complete brake line replacement, emotional and physical stress to my wife. The tow truck cost me 21.00 over my AAA allowance, cost of a rental car to drive to Ohio, repeated telephone conversations with Volunteer Chevrolet body shop to reduce the 9300 repair estimate bill. Eventually cost me approximately 3400 paid to Volunteer Chevrolet to replace brake lines, replace the rear bumper and assembly, replace the rear cab window following repair and painting of cab.

I paid another 150.00 for a used trailer hitch installed by Volunteer Chevrolet. I located and purchased a used 2006 6'5" bed matching my original bed for 1200 plus Michigan tax. My high school friend picked up the used bed and this weekend (January 29th) installed the replacement bed (cost of 3 cases of beer for their (3 others) assistance (Michigan thing). I used wheel flares and body trim from the original bed and new double sided tape and adhesives to apply to replacement bed to complete the repair.

I was unable to salvage the ASTRO fiberglas topper (color matched original cost > 1000 in 2005) and have purchased an ACCESS tonneu cover to be installed Monday, February 1, 2010. A claim was filed with USAA for replacement of the neighborhood sign of which I have no idea the cost for replacement at this time.

Ford of Taylor, MI January 28, 2010

The ABS braking system on my 2002 Suburban (130,000 miles) goes off at slow speeds when you are stopping. This falsely increases the stopping distance needed to stop. I cannot put my family in this truck! There was a recall for this problem and it was repaired in 05. Now 5 years later its back. My dad has a 02 chevy 1500 pickup with less than 35,000 miles and he is having the same problem.

This is a very dangerous problem that the nhtsb and chevy need to correct to save lives. Spent over 9 hundred dollars on this problem and it will not go away. It also increases my blood pressure when I have to drive this vehicle.

Kathleen of Island Park, NY January 28, 2010

I have a 1st owned Chevy 2007 Suburban that has had its ABS breaks failed twice in two low speed accidents. All damages was to the cars that I rolled into. My front end dented.

Angela of Scottsville, VA January 10, 2010

The ABS brakes in our truck went to the floor and then caught and threw us into oncomming traffic causing head on. My husband who was driving his 1997 chevy pick-up 1500 series had to have surgury on his ankle, I recieved 4 broken ribs and the other driver had many injuries. We were stopping at a slow rate of speed other truck was duing about 40 mph. Why no recall?? We never recieved the recall notice on wiper motor. This has caused alot of problems for us including deformaties.

LeRoy of Winston Salem , NC January 5, 2010

I have a 2002 GMC Yukon with 88,000 miles on it. Recently the ABS has started to activate inappropriately at low speeds under 10 mph when stopping, causing an uncertainty as to the required safe distance needed to stop safely. I have had some close calls at stop lights and while pulling into parking spots.

GMC has issued recalls and expanded recalls but has not covering my Vin# because of where I live and purchased the truck and will do nothing for me. The local dealer's service manager claims that he has never heard of such a problem or recall. I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA whose goal it is to resolve this problem but have not heard anything back from them yet. What more can I do to get GMC to stand behind this obviously hugh prolem that they have with the ABS on my truck?

Elton of Harmony, NC January 5, 2010

I have a 2002 Silverado 2500HD with 28000 miles on it. Recently, while attempting to stop, brakes completely failed. Found brake lines rusted with hole completely through one line. Complained to General Motors who said no assistance would be provided since problem may be the result of 'low mileage'. They want 1000.00 to fix brake lines. In 50 years. I have never before had a hole rusted in a brake line. I think, based on number of complaints, General Motors should be more concerned about the safety of their customers and fix these vehicles. I can't understand why the NHTSB has not required GM to step up and address this very dangerous problem.

Michael of spring, TX December 29, 2009

I was driving my 2000 Chevy Tahoe, leaving my neighborhood traveling at speeds of less than 10mph approaching an intersection when my brakes failed and operated unusual. Fortunately I was able to swerve towards the side of the road thus avoiding a horrific accident as the cross traffic was traveling at speeds of 55 mph.

I contacted my dealer about the issue and there apprently is a recall, however limited to certain states, Texas not being one and the vehicle is too old. No damage, just need to repair. Luck to be alive frankly, no exageration, I am serious, this scared me.

Bob of Baiting Hollow, NY December 28, 2009

I own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado HD 4x4 crew cab, equipt with a duramax diesel. I purchased the truck new for 42,000 and have meticulously maintaine it both mechanically and cosmetically. I am in disbeleif of the amount of rust that is covering the fluid lines and chassis. The brake lines are almost completely rusted through as are the fuel lines.

This truck has been washed and waxed weekly and the undercarriage immediatly rinsed with hot water after being used on snow covered roads. There is absolutely no legitimate excuse for for the rust issue other then the use of poor material. To make matters worse Chevrolet does not offer direct replacement lines or offer a recall to correct the problem and expects customers who spent good money to piece together the components that they're lives depend on.

Anthony of Margate, FL December 26, 2009

I am the original owner of a 1500 Series, 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, residing in south Florida. While exiting the ramp off the interstate, at 50 MPH, with a 7,600 pound car trailer in tow, I depressed the brake pedal, and it went to the floor! Only with the use of the manual override of my electric trailer brakes was I able to stop, avoiding a near miss collison, and a serious, perhaps fatal accident.

It was determined one of the brake lines leaked and failed as a result of "rust and corrosion". The truck had 52,300 miles at the time of the incident, and in Florida, since purchasing new. With the help of a friend, a temporary repair was made using a compression fitting was used to allow us to continue our 90 mile trip home. The truck was taken to the Chevrolet dealership, who confirmed "rust and corrosion" was the cause, however there were no recalls, and I would be required to pay the cost of 738.50 to replace all the brake lines.

At the time I had little choice but to authorize them to proceed. However after completion of the work and my inspection, the lines were installed using sections of tubing and interconnecting fittings, at variuos locations. and not continuous brake lines bent as origiannly supplied from the facory, nor was their placement the same. I question the safety of the repair.

The dealership advised the work they perfomed was the method authorized by General Motors and continuous brake line tubing was not available from the factory. This is probably because GM does not offer, as they should have lasted the life of the truck. I believe the the material used for the brake lines were of very poor quality. I have contacted the Chevrolet Support team, the CEO of Gereral Motors, Chevrolet Division in Detroit, MI and no recalls, or action will be taken.

I have also filed a Safety Complaint with the D.O.T. The dealership has further advised there is nothing further they can do, which was confirm by the Florida GM area representative. I question if it will take a number of deaths of a result of brake line failure before before Gernal Motors takes some action. In searching the internet, I have found many reports relating to the same problem and failure. So, what will General Motors to prevent the potential loss of lives?

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