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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

Joe of Clarks Summit, PA September 23, 2009

I submitted a complaint on May 16, 2009 to ConsumerAffairs regarding the sudden brake failure due to a burst metal brake line, on my 2004 Chevy Avalanche, that had rusted through. I also submitted reports to the NHTSA, Consumer Reports, the BBB and the Pa. State Attorney General. Both GM and the BBB said the mileage on my vehicle was to high (38,916) for consideration for "special customer assistance" or mediation. No one else has responded other than the Pa. Attorney General who said the would look into it.

My point? On 9/16/09 the CSPC recalled garlic presses (Release 09-343) because the blades can break during use, posing a laceration hazard to users. Garlic presses versus bursting brake lines? What's wrong with this picture? How many people have to get killed or injured before someone realizes there is an epidemic of rusting brake lines out there? But we seem more concerned with lead paint on toys, and nasty garlic presses (that have injured no one) than an out of control 2 or 3 ton vehicle with no brakes. Where is the justice? Where are the priorities?

In my family, we have had three GM vehicles with brakes lines that failed due to rust in the last 10 years. All have been reported on ConsumerAffairs and to the NHTSA. You can't scan the NHTSA database other than by specific year and vehicle model and not everyone reports failures there. So the actual nationwide numbers of brake line failures are hard to come by. But GM cars in particular, in the snow belt states, seem to be most susceptible to rusting/rotting/failing brake lines. My repair shop tells me me they are constantly replacing rusted brake lines. The other evening our local news reported accident (in Scranton Pa.) involving an older man in a late 90's Cadillac. Reason for crash, per the state police, was brake line failure.

So perhaps on the surface it might appear there are not enough "numbers" to justify an investigation and/or a class action suit. But how many failures do you need? No brake line or major brake component should fail for any reason on any vehicle. Just think, there is a longer warranty on the body rust through warranty than there is on the most critical safety component in the vehicle - its brake lines.

Consumer Reports, not to long ago, did a report on aging tires that could fail. An important safety issue - because manufacturers use a convoluted dating codes. How about aging brake lines? State inspections, where mandated, only measure rotor/brake pad/drum/shoe thickness. Brake lines are NOT part of the inspection.

If I had the resources, I would start a class action suit. I can't believe the silence from the consumer and safety advocate organizations around this critical safety issue. It is deafening. Not to worry though, my garlic press is now less likely to cause bodily injury than my 6000 lb truck if/when it bursts another brake line.

jason of copenhagen, NY September 18, 2009

I have a 2007 gmc sierra pickup and have had to changed the front brake pads and rotors after only 30000 miles. That is crazy the rotors were all groved and only the back pad on the drivers side front was worn down to nothing. All the other pads were fine, but the groves on the rotors were what was troubling. Between my father and me i have changed brakes on at least 8 trucks and never have had to do it before 50000 miles. Something needs to be done about this issue in GM trucks or else i will be switching truck brands.

At 30000 miles no vehicles should need new brakes and rotors, with the economy the way it is I can't afford to be changing brakes on a truck at 200.00 a pop. There has been no damage to other vehicles nor mine cause i was smart enough to change them out at first sign of problems.

Paul of Bridgewater, NH September 12, 2009

2000 Sliverado. Truck has 60,000 miles. Front and rear rotors did not develop rust spots they disintegrated. I replaced them and pads. Took a test drive before taking the family on a trip, noticed a puddle under the truck at a stop. Not coolant or oil but brake fluid from a rusted brake line!!! Turns out every line was rusted to the point the snapped like a weak pencil when I took them off.

After reading about so many instances of failed brake systems on these vehicles I can't understand why something isn't being done to protect the public. Coworkers with later GM trucks have had similar problems.

Leigh of Chesterfield, MI September 10, 2009

Same situation as the majority of other Cheverolet Silverado owners - Breaking/ABS problems. We have a 2002 Chevy Silverado, Extended Cab Z71. Bought it brand new. Front brake pads and rotors replaced at 110,000 not because they were worn out but because of a squealling noise and the fact that when you press the break pedal, it would go to the floor. This replacement didn't help much. Still have the squealing problem and break pedal is not as sensitive as you would think considering all pads and rotors.

Prior to replacement there is also another problem that occurs when turning and breaking slowly into a parking place. The Brakes don't want to work. The ABS try to kick in providing a longer stopping distance. I have almost hit the vehicle parked in the spot in front of me. Scary! I don't like to drive this vehicle especially with my 5 yr old but currently have no choice in the matter. Can't sell/trade for a newer vehicle.

Freddie of Delaware, OH September 5, 2009

2004 GMC Sierra - ABS activates at very low speeds. I have found numerous sources of information showing this is a widespread problem with GMC / Chevrolet vehicles. GM had a recall for this exact problem for vehicles manufactured from 1999 through 2002. Ohio is also listed as one of the "corrosion" states in the recall.

While researching root cause and resolutions, I came across other numerous comments posted indicated brake line failure because of corrosion. The vehicles listed were built mostly within the same general timeframe of 2000 to 2006. GM has offered no recall to consumers, and this is very troubling.

I have inspected the brake lines on my vehicle, and as others have described, they are corroded. I believe this is a result of substandard material quality, and if folks pay 30K for a pickup truck, something like brake lines ought to last more than 40-50K miles. My vehicle has 42K miles, and has been very well maintained mechanically.

Costs to correct this problem will be more than 1K if a repair shop does the work (based on other consumers' experiences). GM should be held responsible to repair these conditions on all vehicles they've manufactured. These are not just normal wear and tear problems. At this point, what options do I have? Am I just stuck paying a large repair bill?

Bill of New Kensington, PA September 5, 2009

2001 Silverado pickup truck with 50,000 miles - brake line rusted and brakes failed while driving when a line broke. No accident luckily because was at 5:30 am and there was no traffic. Need to replace brake lines

Russell of Maria Stein, OH September 1, 2009

At low speed 10mph to stopping the brake peddle goes to the floor. Was told the speed sensor gets rust on it. Needs cleaned. 47000 miles. Had all brake parts replaced around 20000 miles, calipers, pads and rotors because of rust. Again at 47000 miles the left front locked up. The caliper was rusted up again. Had the caliper and pads replaced. Truck don't get much winter driving. Tired of it.

WILLIAM of PINSON, AL August 31, 2009

I own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Ext. cab 4WD Z71 pickup. I bought the truck used with 50,000 miles. I noticed very soon after buying it that the brakes needed attention. The pedal was going way to far down when stopping and you could press a little harder and get it to go to the floor if you wanted. I replaced the front and rear pads and rotors with premium Wagner parts to correct the problem thinking that with 50,000 it may need them. I noticed when doing the brake job that the pads were less than half worn so I knew this was probably not the problem.

I have been doing brake work for the last 35 years and I know how brakes are supposed to feel when they are right. After the brake job my pedal will still go to the floor. Pumping the pedal does not help. I hit a person in the rear because of this but luckily it did not do much damage and cost me just a couple if dings in my front bumper. When this happened I had plenty of braking room and I was standing on the brake pedal which went all the way to the floor.

I love my Chevrolet truck and do not want to trade it. I do think Chevrolet needs to recall these trucks and fix the dangerous brakes. I am sure that many accidents have been caused by this.

Scott of P.O. Box 425, ME August 26, 2009

My 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 57000 miles and the brake lines rusted out. The vehicle lost brake pressure and the pedal went to the floor. I am glad my ebrake worked and nobody was hurt. I called GM and the truck was out of warrany by just a few months and they would not help me with replacing the lines. I have seen vehicles with over 200000 miles that don't have rusted brake lines.

nicholas of lindenhurst, NY August 24, 2009

I have a 2000 chevy silerado 93000 miles brake lines went rolled thru 3 lane intersection no accident towed car to mechanic he called to have me come down to his shop because all the steel brake lines were completely corroaded and that what went had to replace the lines.

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