Towing a small landscape trailer, pushed brakes, pedal goes low. Got home, entire frame on drivers side soaked with brake fluid. Had my 2 girls in the car. Not happy. I have never had a car have the brake line rust out before.
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH attempting to applied the brakes, the front drivers side brake line fractured. The contact repaired the brake line independently. However, the failure recurred on the rear drivers side brake line. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Driving home the brakes went to floor when stopping. Break fluid was everywhere. Front brake line broke. All brake lines extremely rusty and need replaced. Live in north carolina very little salt on roads.
While driving in normal traffic my son brake the vehicle and the peddle went to the floor. He pulled it home and into our driveway and brake fluid was leaking all over the drive. Turns out the right rear brake line burst.
I was coming down the hill and saw 2 vehiles stopped one was going to turn once traffic was clear. And I started slowing down almost to a stop on a hill and I got about 2 car lenghts away still stepping on my brakes and all the sudden my brake light came on. A warning came up and said service brake system when I slambed into the rear end of the car in front of me who intern hit the car infront of them. I had just replaced my breaks and roters 45 days before this. I blew the brakeline on the front. July 2012 I blew a brakeline. Noone was injured that time and also blew a brake line august 2013. So for the 3 time blowing a brakeline there is something wrong. I lived in the north carolina until moving to west virginia in 2012 and this has happen every year since I moved north.
Loss of brakes occurred when applying brake peddle. Inspection by local mechanic showed both front brake lines had rusted through. Further mechanic inspection revealed that the remaining rear lines were also corroded to the point where failure was imminent. Local chevrolet dealer service department indicated cost of repair would be thousands of dollars and that there were no oem pre-shaped lines produced by any manufacturer for such repairs. Hence, this would require custom brake line bending and substantially increased repair costs. Second occurrence resulted in a complete lost of all braking ability. This vehicle is often used to haul horses with a horse trailer. We are extremely lucky we were not hauling horses at the time of the brake lines ruptured and failed. Research on various chevy and avalanche internet sites / boards as of this date shows this has become an increasingly common problem for chevy trucks of this vintage. The true incidence of this problem is likely hidden by fact that people are forced to seek repair alternatives other than at chevy dealers as the dealer quoted repair costs are outrageous. It is incredible that with all the press about recent recalls on large numbers of chevy vehicles, and the government and taxpayer money that went into bailing out chevy, that something as serious as increasingly frequent chevy truck brake failures, which could put people's lives at risk, have been ignored.
I was driving northbound on old us 23 in brighton, mi and stepped on the brake. The pedal went all the way to the floor and barely got the truck stopped. One of the brake lines had ruptured. Polarchios auto repair (brighton, mi) identified the problem as a ruptured brake line due to corrosion. I had never heard of brake lines corroding and while not happy about the approx. $350 repair did not think too much of the incident thinking this was not a common problem. Polarchios told me this was not an isolated problem and had repaired several other trucks for this problem. I saw that this agency was investigating the problem and was encouraging gm to recall and repair these vehicles and wanted to provide my experience. I would think a recall is in order as I only had one line fail, there are 3 more......when will those fail? As serious as the gm ignition key issues are, I would think the ability to stop would be at least as important. Please call me at if you have any questions - thank you for the good work that you do!
Shifted from park to drive. Brake went to the floor, and brake fluid gushed from brake line under driver's seat. Also leaked on driver's rear passenger side. Total loss of braking power.
Brakes went all the way to the floor and was getting no braking at all unless emergency brake was applied...luckily was at a stop in a parking lot when this happened and not trying to stop on at am intersection or on the highway...was able to limp home using emergency brake to stop...aren't these supposed to have a split system so you cannot lose all brakes at once...pads are not worn low...and fluid is spraying from brake line directly under drivers side door...
While driving my truck in a curve I notice the vehicle was not responsive as I applied the brakes. The brake pedal went straight to the floor. I regained control of my vehicle I place the vehicle in the n drive attempting to let the vehicle coast to a stop. I did a maintenance check for low brake fluid, I found that the level was good. That's when I was informed that my brake line had broken. When the brake pedal was applied brake fluid was shooting out from the brake line. This was the third time that this has happen to me that my life and others has been endangered. The first incidence was a few years ago I went through a red light because I could not stop the vehicle, the second time was november 2013 and now this time. Although I purchased the vehicle used in 2006 with only 47,000 miles on it for this to occur three times is to often. I now have 150000 miles on my vehicle and cannot afford a new car or new car payment. Please look into to so that I and other lives will not be further endangered. Recall and do something about these brake lines breaking so that we are safe.
I was driving down the road with my wife and granddaughter when all the brakes ,I mean all the brakes went, and a service brake lights came on at the same time.I managed to drift to a stop, otherwise we would have hurt someone or been killed. No warning. I had to pay 1900 for the repair which we cannot afford since I am on disability. It still scares us.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, he depressed the brakes and the brake pedal traveled to the floor board. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
2003 chevrolet avalanche 1500. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle complete brake failure. *smd the consumer stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake light failure light illuminated. When the consumer applied the brake, there was no response. The consumer was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to a certified chevrolet dealer, where an inspection revealed, the brake failure was due to a break in one of the brake lines, and all of the brake lines were so deteriorated and rust encrusted, that all of the lines had to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, he applied the brakes but they failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that due to corrosion, the brake lines were faulty and needed replacing. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, as precautionary measure the vehicle was taken to an authorize dealer where all of the brake lines were replaced, including the one that was recently replaced by the independent machanic. The manufacturer was notified but they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 62,392.
The vehicle was stopped at a 2-way stop. Upon turning right, my foot went from the brake to the gas pedal and got hooked on a piece of metal extending from the arm of the accelerator. This caused my foot to be trapped below the brake pedal but attached to the gas pedal. The vehicle spun back and forth while trying to get my foot off the accelerator. I hit a truck coming from the opposite direction from which I was turning pinning it to the guard rail. Although both trucks had stopped, the tires on my truck were still spinning because my foot was still hooked on the accelerator and wedge below the brake pedal. Only after I turned the key off could I put the truck in park. In order to get out of my truck I had to unlace my shoe and pull my foot out, then pry it off the side of the accelerator, leaving a hole in the side of my shoe.
I was applying brakes and a front brake line blew out. The truck had a tough time stopping almost hitting another vehicle, I had it towed to a repair facility and they replaced the line $300. The repair facility stated to me that it was very common for chevy vehicle to have bad brake lines. To replace the rest of the lines it would cost me $ 900 to $1200. Chevy should of recalled these vehicles for bad brake lines.
Brake lines are leaking so I took truck to the dealer and they advised me the lines were corroded and it would cost me $1200. To $1500. To fix and it was not safe to drive. Lucky I noticed the leaking before my brakes failed me. I don't know why this was not recalled and fixed at no cost by gm dealer. Please let me know gm's responsibility here.
While driving the vehicle there was complete loss of the braking system. There was no warning of this happening. When it happened the pedal went to the floor and there was no slowing of the vehicle. When it was towed to a repair shop I was told that a brake line rusted through and 8ft of brake line had to be replaced. Fortunately the car was going slow due to traffic. Had I been moving faster or on a highway this could have been very dangerous. Consider the number of complaints about this issue on gm trucks I firmly believe that the manufacturer is responsible for replacing all the brake lines before people start dieing. I am aware of the federal safety agency investigating this problem with number ea11001. This is why I made it a point to write. I am hoping that this problem gets resolved quickly.
I was backing out of a parking space and as I went to stop the brake pedal went soft as soon as the brake pedal was depressed, going to the very nearly to the floor. (normally the pedal stays several inches further above the floor.) the service brakes light came on along with the truck's warning chimes. I got out of the truck and saw large amounts of brake fluid dripping off the undercarriage near the left side rear tire. About 1 to 1.5 hours earlier, when I was parking the truck, the brakes operated normally. A chevrolet dealer had to remove and replace that brake line. Approximately 3 months prior to this incident the chevrolet dealer who normally services the truck alerted to me to extensive rusting of all of the truck's brake lines. They did not think there as immediate danger of a brake line failure, but strongly recommended that all brake lines be replaced prior to the oncoming winter where corrosion might become accelerated.
Brake line blew when brake pedal was pushed do to rust.
Truck in reverse my foot on the brake pedal, on a driveway with an incline , I was waiting to back out of the drive way onto the street when the brake pedal went to the floor , and the truck started to roll backwards into the street. With some luck , I remembered to apply the emergency brake and stop the truck. After being towed to a repair shop I was shown that the break lines were all rusted very bad , and that 1 of them had blown out with no warning and all fluid was lost. I felt lucky to be alive.my truck looks new from the out side and in , I keep it clean and have it inspected for the state of pa yearly. When I looked under the truck at the repair shop I was shocked that everything was covered in rust , it looked like a 50 year old truck. I owned a 1978 gm truck for 16 years - 250,000 miles and it was not rusted under the body like this.
My 2003 avalanche has the same problem as stated in the recall for 2002 regarding the antilock coming on at low speeds when coming to a stop. Gm refuses to include our vehicle for repair even though they stated that no change has been made to the antilock speed sensor and/or hub assembly from the 2002 to 2003. If we have the same product in our 2003 avalanche, then why does it not deserve to be included with recall and require gm to pay for repairs to correct the problem. Gm is ignoring the continued problem with later year vehicles and is not being responsible for it. Avalanche owners need to get together to complain to force them to do something about it.
Rear passenger-side brake line failed, above the rear axle on exit ramp of major highway. Completely corroded line requiring replacement. Electronic rust prevention system (sacrificial zinc at all 4 corners) installed by dealership when truck was purchased, yet all brake lines need replacement. Dealership (heinrich chevrolet of lockport, ny) quoted approximately $1000 just in labor to replace the brake lines. Needless to say, I'll replace them myself.
Rotting brake lines in the vehicle listed above, noticed brake fluid leaking from lines. Corrosion so bad requires all lines to be replaced. Dealer also damaged brake controller during repair and charged me the replacement cost.
Pulling out of parking lot and when merging into traffic I pressed on the brake pedal and it went completely to the floor without any braking action. The pedal came back up to normal position and I pressed it again harder the second time while simultaneously shifting into first gear. The pedal went to the floor again but locked up the wheels and the vehicle gradually came to a stop.
Brake line explosive failure before the firewall. 95% loss of stopping power. Inspection of lines indicates corrosion. Also heavy corrosion on frame members noted. This vehicle has been in the chevy dealership several times for corrosion of the brake rotors. At 25000 mi. Replaced all rotors and pads with non chevy parts. No more rotor issues. Now all brake lines changed due to corrosion and burst line has caused a master cylinder failure. There are serious safety issues here and it's time for the federal safety agency to step in.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet avalanche 1500. The contact stated that when braking, the rear brake would seize and began to smoke. The brake pads were replced by a local mechanic and the brake booster and master cylinder was replaced three times. The repair did not correct the failure and the rear brake continued to seize and smoke. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactured was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.
"service ABS light comes on intermittently...disabling air bags!
The metal brake lines on my 03 chevy avalanche 1500 z1 truck are catastrophically failing. There is no warning prior as there would be with other brake related problems. This failure leads to an inability to stop the vehicle, the result of which could be deadly. The degradation of the steel lines is so bad that replacement of all line are required.
I changed the front brakes and was adjusting them when the rear brake line started gushing out brake fluid. Ihad it towed to a mechanic and explained what had happened and before I finished he said let me guess "you bled the front brakes and blew out the back line next to the gas tank be hind the rear driver side wheel." this exactly what happened he said alot of chevy trucks have the same problem. He is going tto change the rear line. He said where the line is mounted allows grit salt and things build up in this spotcausing the brake line to rust into. This could have gotten us killed had I needed to hit my brakes hard.
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