Today while I was at a stop with my truck in gear and the brake pedal depressed with minimal pressure, I heard air release and my brake pedal fully depressed to the floor. My brake lines had ruptured causing brake fluid to spill out and my brakes barely worked at all. I had to push the brake pedal into the floor with excessive effort just to slowly roll to a stop at low speeds. Luckily I was just a mile or so away from home and I was able to make the rest of the trip without incident. However, just minutes before the failure I was traveling on the freeway at 65 miles per hour during rush hour. At those speeds it would have been impossible to stop quickly, or at all, if needed had the brake lines had ruptured then. This could have caused a multiple vehicle accident with potential injuries or fatalities. I may not have made it home alive if that were the case which is a very scary thought. This issue really should be addressed.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 brakes complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 96, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Getting ready to leave home and noticed a leak near the left rear tire. I crawled under the truck and noticed a drip from the brake line. At this time, my wife was going to move the vehicle from out in front of the garage and I advised her not to hit the brakes to hard as there was a leak. When she hit the brakes to start the vehicle the petal went to the floor and fluid sprayed everywhere. I feel fortunate it happened when it did versus out on the road.
Im getting ready for a trip, from texas to ohio in sept. Pulling another vehicle. I decided to get the truck ready before such a long trip. It started fine, no signs of problems, I pushed on the brake before changing gears, and my pedal went to the floor. I could hear squirting and air. I knew I had a leak. I investigated the issue and found hydraulic fluid under the driver side seat. I found one of the lines had split above the ehcu unit, spitting fluid all over the under body. This line was severely rusted. The other lines have some surface rust but nothing like this line. It is no longer tubular looking and looks more like a wet stick with a lot of missing branches, and is much larger looking than the others. Also, I found a leak on a line that runs to the rear axle, on the driver side frame that was severely rusted like the one described above. Im pretty sure this is the line that is split, but its hard to tell, I cant find a diagram to help trace the lines. After investigating the issue, I rechecked my dash lights to see if an ABS or a brake light, none are on. I have contacted dealers and brake mechanics for repair, and have to have it towed as there is not enough pressure in the line to stop the vehicle. The truck was purchased in ohio. I would have imagined that they would be coated or stainless since it is a salt belt state, and im not sure why only one line degraded like it did.. This is a 2002 avalanche 1500 4wd with z71 off road package, it is expected to get dirty and wet. I believe better standards are in order to improve safety, and that there should, with this many people affected, definitely be a recall on the lines. Had it decided to hold up until my trip, this could have been very disastrous.
I was traveling at 45 MPH when the car in front of me slowed down to turn. I attempted to brake and the pedal felt soft then went right to the floor. I began pumping the brakes in order to slow the vehicle down. I was only able to stop the vehicle after manually shifting the transmission into 1st gear and pressing on the emergency brake. When I inspected the vehicle, the rear wheel and undercarriage were covered in brake fluid from a corroded steel brake line. Upon further investigation all of the brake lines in the vehicle that were installed in locations unable to be routinely cleaned were severely rusted.
I noticed that by brakes felt like I was losing braking power. I suddenly was able to push my brake pedal to the floor and my braking was reduced. I got home an noticed that my main brake line was severely rusted and fluid was squirting out of a pinhole of my brake line. I searched the internet and found that this is a common occurrence among chevrolet truck owners.
I was traveling at approximately 35 MPH when a car in front of me stopped short and I was forced to apply heavy brake pressure. The brake pedal went almost all the way to the floor I was forced to steer off the road in order not to hit the vehicle in front of me, the avalanche had almost total brake failure. Upon inspection of the vehicle it was found that the brake line had burst due to severe corrosion and the brake fluid was pouring out of the vehicle right above the rear axle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated that he attempted to brake, but the brake pedal depressed to the floor. The contact down shifted and the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a five foot section of the brake lines was replaced due to corrosion. The contact was also informed that the remainder of the brake lines would need to be replaced due to rust and corrosion. The failure and current mileages were 53,000. Updated 01/03/12*lj updated 01/04/12
Corrosion of hard brake line from the master cylinder to the rear distribution module resulted in loss of braking capacity when the brake line failed resulting in fluid leakage.
Coming to a stop and brakes went to the floor ABS light came on , found hole in brake line lines rusted all through out the vehicle . I almost hit a women on feb 6 2010 another hole was found in the line on sept 21 2011 brakes did it again to the floor it my emergency brake to stop 2 different lines have holes in them am trying to replace as much as I can. There is a box under the body that my brake lines go into they are rusted really bad to im not sure what the box is for I have had a lot of brake problems. This truck has been not driven for months at a time due to brake problems thank you.
Recently my 2002 chevrolet avalanche has begun to shut off while driving which causes the vehicle to lose power. Another important safety issue, the brakes began to press all the way to the floor while braking. On august 3, 2011 while my son was driving the vehicle approaching a stop light, he pressed the brakes which went to the floor and rear ended vehicle in front that was making a turn. The front bumper is now damaged ( t-boned) and the air bags did not deploy. I'm not very pleased that I never received any notices about the braking system. I can't afford to make monthly payments and still have to pay costly maintenance fees. I can not afford to jeopardize my life and my family, especially my granddaughter. Something has to be done about these safety issues: braking, cutting off while driving and no deployed air bags.
2002 chevy avalanche, rusted brake lines, brake line burst(failure), loss of braking.
Brakes failed on 7/12/10 almost rear ended car before came to stop by veering into left lane to avoid car stopped at red light. Repair shop replaced rusted brake line. Again, 6/9/11, went to brake for red light, brake pedal went to the floor and stopped just before rear ending car stopped at red light. Repair shop says rusted brake lines!
07/12/10 brakes failed on 2002 chevrolet avalanche...brakes went to the floor and left lane was free of traffic or I would have rear ended cars in front of me stopped at red light. Rusted brake line was replaced at brake specialist for $573.55. 06/09/11 as I approached red light, brakes failed, pedal to the floor stopped just inches from stopped car in front of me. Took the avalanche to repair shop tx. They currently have the avalanche, four rusted brake lines...$1700 to replace. I have googled this "rusted brake issue with the avalanches and it seems many other owners are having the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the brake warning light illuminated and the brake pedal was depressed to the floor board, reducing braking pressure. The contact stated that the failure was constant and the brake pedal needed to be depressed to the floor in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The contact referenced an open investigation relating to the failure under the federal safety agency action number: ea11001 (service brakes, hydraulic service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 08/01/11*lj updated 08/11/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start immediately; however, after several attempts, the contact was able to turn the vehicle on. The failure recurred the following day. She purchased a battery but the vehicle was making an unusual noise. She also noticed that the ABS light illuminated on the instrument panel. She turned the vehicle off but the noise continued. When she tried to start the vehicle the following day, the battery was dead. The dealer advised her to unplug the ABS motor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the ABS motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The current mileage was 86,835. The failure mileage was 86,830.
2002 chevy avalanche parking/emergency brake issue. Its inspection sticker time again and for the 7th year in a row I am dumping my wallet into the e brake. I understand stuff needs to be replaced over time but this is not right. This year all new cables and new adjustment screw kit....and behold still no holding power need new shoes again. This for something that is never needed in practical sense.
2002 chevrolet avalanche z-71, brake lines rusty to the point of failure at anytime, spongy pedal, and difficulty stopping. At present time have not repaired due to extreme cost. If there is a catastrophic failure of the brake system there will be a massive class action law suit (if my family and I survive).
I experienced a brake line failure on my 2002 chevrolet avalanche 1500 4x4 while vacationing in florida. On sunday, february 6, 2011, I noted that the brake pedal feely spongy. Upon investigation, I noted a leakage behind the driver side front tire. When I checked the brake fluid reservoir it was below the normal level. An inspection of the brake lines indicated severe rust and corrosion. I had to drive to the nearest repair shop and rent a car until the repair was complete.
I wanted to add to the complaint about brake erosion on 2002 chevy avalanche. My front brake line blew out when braking. I nearly missed the car in front of me that was stopping when I drove off the side of the road. I've also had to replace nearly all my brake lines due to leaks. I live in up-state new york.
Emergency brakes continue to fail although rarely used. Repairs never last. It is impossible to repair a design flaw. The federal safety agency is just like the sec in that they have dropped the ball on this one. This is a very,very common failure on the avalanche. The emergency brake is now called a parking brake on the complaint form and most people stop at "brake,hydraulic" instead of scrolling further down. The form should have the selection---"brake,emergency" , but it doesn't. Therefore , there is no emergency.
Re: chevrolet avalanche brake failures... The brake lines on chevrolet trucks are made of a material that is not rust resistant and leads to brake failures such as it did on my 2002 avalanche... Although my failure happened at low speed, it is a definite safety concern for owners of these gm products. Hundreds of complaints are listed on various web sites detailing this problem, one that gm will not hone up to because the repair bill to replace the entire break line system costs owners over $800.00 at a gm dealer. Please look into this gm failure to put rust resistant materials on this very important part of any vehicle.
On 07/27/2010 I was driving my chevy avalanche, 2002, with 57000 miles on it. I came to a stop sign and the brakes failed. I investigated and the drivers side rear hard brake line had rusted through. I replaced both rear lines, bled the brakes drove the truck to test the brakes and the drivers front hard line blew out, it had an 1/8 inch hole rusted in it.
The brake lines on my 2002 chevrolet avalanche are severely corroded (rusted). I already had a ten-foot section of the tubing replaced this summer. Since a 'hard stop' last week, my brake pedal now has a soft mushy feel, and braking distances are longer. Another section of the brake lines seems to have 'burst' and is leaking brake fluid. I'm taking it back to the shop to have the entirety of the brake lines replaced. Hoping I'll eventually be able to get the cost of this repair covered by gm, as I don't think these should fail (ever), even after the warranty has expired.
Truck sitting in yard and brake line failed.
Frame corroded/buckled; brake failure(had a near accident) due to rust. 2002 chevy avalanche, well cared for 48,000 miles. Never seen this on any other vehicle I have owned. $6,000 dollar repair. Gm won't look into/address problem. I have read numerous messages on this same problem with gm vehicles. It is not an isolated incident. Had to replace brake lines twice(rust) and now the frame!
2002 chevy avalanche, parking brake wears out and fail with out being used. Replaced under warranty and it failed again within 3 months, has not worked since. I feel my safety is at risk, but cannot afford to repair every 3 months.
The ABS kick in while turning at low speed.
I am currently having a problem with my 2002 chevrolet avalanche as to unwarranted ABS activation. The vehicle is unable to stop a low speeds or hesitates at 5 MPH coming to a stop. I began to have this problem about a week ago, on or about april 14th, 2010. I conducted a search of your web site and saw that there has been previous complaints from 2005. I contacted chevrolet at the number provided in your recall bulletin # 05v‑379. When I spoke to a customer service representative they told me my VIN # did not qualify for the recall. Chevrolet will not honor any repair to this vehicle which I believe clearly falls within the make/model/year. I plan to have the repairs made, and file suit against chevrolet for the cost of those repairs.
Brake line burst near ABS module under truck.
Dash light don't work. Dimmer switch very hot to the touch.
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