2004 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500: brake failure

Filed Dec 21, 2020 · Brakes · 170,000 miles · FL

Third brake line failure due to corrosion. Areas of failure are hidden from view above other components. Upon brake line failure, backup braking was inoperative in all cases. Vehicle was on a city street in motion attempting to stop. Brakes failed suddenly in all cases. Brakes were very noticibly inoperative before any indication on dash board. Pumping the pedal did nothing- the pedal went to the floor. Was told manufacturer no longer supplies brake lines for this vehicle.

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Brakes · 92,000 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche 1500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes failed and the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The dealer was later contacted (gordon chevrolet in philadelphia, pa) and the contact was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was damaged and towed to an auto body shop. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2017 · Brakes · TX

Abs brake went out about 8 years ago being told by some mechanics no point in repairing it same thing will happen again seems that is a problem with this vechile when it went out I had 50 000 miles and the 36000 mile and 3 year warranity has already passed I heard a few weeks ago that you all had a recall but I was never notified the vechile had been parked at a mall when I started to leave their the light and warning alarm came on

Filed Jul 15, 2015 · Brakes · 165,000 miles · NJ

My family and I was traveling on a busy road at 45 MPH, when we had to come to a stop and our brakes did not work. We almost slammed in the back of the car that was infront of us. My husband had to push the brake pedal all the way down to the floor and turn toward the grass shoulder. Thank god no one was hurt. My husband checked under the vehicle and saw that there was break fluid running out of the brake line. There were no warning lights or warning sounds that our vehicle made until after he started the vehicle again and then the vehicle gave a warning sound and a warning light. We are contacting our mechanic tomorrow because this happened after 6pm. I have been reading the other complaints on the avalanche's break lines and my husband said that I should also file one.

Filed Jul 6, 2015 · Brakes · 72,378 miles · WV

Yesterday,july 4th 2015 my 2004 avalanche; with only 70k miles , the brakes failed. It was due to a rusted blown out brake line. I had no brakes driving on a mountainous road. I thought I was alone in this failure but after internet searching I find this is common problem with this vintage and model. I take very good care of my vehicles; underbody washing during inclement winter conditions , I was appalled at the underbody rust. Having other vehicles of similiar age and mileage with no rust, I felt gm has used inferior materials. Gm should stand up and admit their use of substandard materials and offer remedy. They should know that as a consumer if they don't I'll never buy another gm product.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Brakes · 154,211 miles · PA

I was getting in my truck to go shopping and after driving for a short distance I notice my brake pedal went to the floor causing me to head into traffic almost causing a accident. When I got the truck home I notice dripping of brake fluid on driver side door. Further checking I discover my brake lines is rusting and cause a major leaks underneath my truck.

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Brakes · 39,245 miles · PA

I just picked up some mulch for around my house with my 8 year old son and I got home and I was backing up to unload the mulch and when I went to hit the brakes the pedal went to the floor and the brakes light came on, luckily I wasn't driving down the road when it happened. The mechanic said the brake line was rusted out, that shouldn't be happening on a 5 year old vehicle with only 39,000 miles on it.. It also happened a second time not long after that, I cant remember the exact date on that one either. There has been lot of problems with this vehicle : heating ,brakes sensor, wheel bearings, e brake problems,fuel pump rot, water pump, rusted under carriage, o2 sensor, multiple brake and rotor replacements [4], noise in steering column and front end, gauge cluster replacement, windshield fluid reservoir leaks,power window motors, dome override light, dead battery problems, I went thru 4 batteries in 5 years, it just kept going dead if I didn't use the vehicle for a couple days. I only have 72,000 miles on the vehicle now as of 12/19/2014. Lots of problems for a $ 50,000 truck. Ill never buy a chevy again.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Brakes · 89,000 miles · SC

I came around a curve and there was road work going on and had to stop real quick. The brake pedal went to the floor. All the brake lines were rotted. I had to change every brake line on my truck.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · NJ

Was hooking up my trailer to tow. Had my daughter step on the brakes to check the lights. The pedal went to the floor and alarm went off. Found brake fluid squirting onto the ground. Had to have all the brake lines replaced due to rust behind the drivers front wheel. Found out this is a common problem with this type and all the chevy trucks. All in the same area.

Filed Mar 2, 2014 · Brakes · 92,910 miles · NY

I was approaching an intersection where the light was changing and when I applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor and I couldn't slow down. I ended up going through the red light with my son in the car; luckily we didn't get struck. I had to utilize the emergency brake to stop on the shoulder of the road. I looked under the truck and saw brake fluid pouring out of a rusted brake line under the driver's side. I had to have the truck towed to a dealership. I had a full inspection on 12/23/13 at hudson buick pontiac gmc in poughkeepsie, ny and asked them to specifically check the brakes, which they said were fine; I guess they don't check the lines during an inspection. I have read that this has occurred on several gm vehicles. Does someone have to die before there is some sort of action taken to correct this problem?

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Brakes · 58,137 miles · NY

Both brake lines from master cylinder to ABS module failed resulting in no brakes due to excess rust on lines.car failed inspection 1 and second year due to rotted rotors. Also recently fuel leaking from top of fuel tank and fuel lines from fuel pump module badly rusted. Worse yet frame is disintegrating. Due cheap steel. My 1998 chevy astro is driven and stored in like conditions and yet doesn't show the rust like the avalanche. Thankfully I was not on the highway when lines blew. Avalanche is the first vehicle to have so many safety related problems due to defective materials. Didn't report earlier thinking it was an isolated case.

Filed Apr 3, 2013 · Brakes · 100,117 miles · MD

My wife was driving our 2004 chevrolet avalanche with our 3-year-old son in the back seat. When she tried to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor, and it took a great distance to stop the vehicle. She was close to home, so she returned and parked in our driveway. When I got home from work, I filled the reservoir with brake fluid, which was instantly drained. I looked under the door on the driver's side to find the brake fluid pouring out on to my driveway. I had the vehicle towed to a local repair shop. Estimated cost is $1600 to replace the brake lines and the cylinders that have become fused to the lines by the massive amount of rust. I do not live in an area of the country where roads treated for snow is a concern.