2003 Chevrolet Avalanche: brake failure

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · SC

Vehicle experienced complete brake failure upon slowing for a traffic light. This was compounded by the downhill orientation of the road surface. Left roadway to avoid collision with tractor-trailer. There was no warning or indication of an impending brake failure. No indication that any part of the braking system was still functioning. It was discovered upon inspection that the brake lines were excessively corroded compared with other body and engine components. Metal composition of brake tubing seems very prone to corrosion. Complete brake line replacement of the entire system is now necessary.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Brakes · 96,522 miles · OH

The rear brake line burst catastrophically and my brake pedal went to the floor. I was coming up to stopped cars at an intersection and had to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid rear ending another truck. Luckily there were no cars in the lane at the time. I then had to make a sharp turn into a shopping center parking lot to avoid running through the intersection (which did have traffic). I had zero braking power whatsoever. I tried pushing down the emergency brake and it had no effect ( I later found that the emergency brake lines were frozen in a large chunk of ice near the drivers side rear wheel and would not move). The pickup bed drains down onto the lower frame in this area and that accounted for the ice buildup. I continued through the shopping center parking lot and all I could to was downshift to slow myself down. Lucky again...the parking lot was nearly empty and very long. After about 4-500 ft I was going slow enough that I was able to jam the transmission into park. There was no warning of this failure. The lines were not leaking. I have now read online that gm has had many complaints of rusted lines on their pickups suddenly failing. This could have been a life threatening situation. Brake lines should not suddenly fail. They should last the life of the vehicle. Non-corrosive nickle copper brake lines exist that do not rust. These should be mandatory on all vehicles.

Filed Jan 17, 2015 · Brakes · 99,000 miles · NY · crash

My son was driving home from ice fishing , on a hilly and curvy road when the brakes failed. He had no brakes at all , he avoid a few tree before smashing into a smaller tree just missing were his friend was seated.the truck has been very well taken care of and was in great condition. I had the truck towed to a chevy dealer were it has about $5000 dollars in damage. I just glad my son and his didn't get hurt.

Filed Oct 10, 2014 · Brakes · 143,053 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but the brakes failed to respond. The contact discovered that brake fluid was leaking and the brake lines were corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,053.

Filed Sep 21, 2014 · Brakes · 125,900 miles · OH

While pulling my boat on a long decline at 55 MPH, a car in front of me signaled to turn left. I put on my brakes and the pedal eased to the floor board. I told my wife that the brakes are failing. The check brake system alarm did sound, but that does not comfort you when you realize that you are not going to stop before plowing a car in front of you. I was able to swerve to the right to avoid the collision, only due to light traffic and the fact that I was a good distance behind the turning vehicle when the brakes failed. I didn't measure my stopping distance, but it was well over 100 yards. I got out of my avalanche and saw the fluid trail. There is a cluster of 5 brake lines running together by the frame, right at the driver side door and one of those lines broke. They were all severely corroded. I had the truck and boat towed to a local repair shop and they were not surprised. The mechanic told me that he had repaired 5 chevy trucks with the same issue in the past week. We were very fortunate to avoid a serious accident.

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Brakes · 34,511 miles · MD

On november 11, 2013 I was backing my 2003 chevrolet avalanche out of my driveway in maryland when the brakes failed. As I was stopping, the brake pedal suddenly lost all resistance. I tried pumping the brakes but could not produce any braking action. I shifted to neutral and used the parking brake to stop. I towed the vehicle to a gm dealer, who said the metal brake lines had corroded and ruptured. I was charged $1150 to repair the brakes. Ten months (sept 5, 2014) and less than 500 miles later I again lost all braking power, this time while traveling at 5 MPH leaving a parking lot near a carwash. I returned to the same dealer who said the steel brake lines have corroded. His estimate is $2200 for repairs.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Brakes · 188,000 miles · VA

I was driving my 03 avalanche like any other day and as I was pulling into the gas station to fill up, the brakes went to the floor. Instinctively I put it into 1st gear and engaged the emergency brake. Come to find out, the brake lines were rusted out on the passenger side front. I examined all lines and they seem to all be rusty. Only a matter of time before they break too.

Filed Jul 20, 2014 · Brakes · 82,851 miles · NH

I was leaving the fish and game club in londonderry nh when I went to stop the pedal went to the floor I pushed harder it finally stopped. I pumped the pedal a few times some pressure built up I continued to the corner where a stop sign was hit the brake again and this time the pedal went to the floor again but would not stop I put on the emergency brake the truck started to slow but I was on a hill as I aproaced the next stop sign going about 15 MPH with the emergency brake on I had to put the truck in reverse to stop from traveling in to through traffic. I towed the vehicle and found 3 brake lines had burst one in the front and two in the rear. I have taken good care of this truck and has no rust except for the brake lines. I feel this is a major safety issue and should be looked in to. I hope this will be sent to warn other owners of this issue. I have over 2 million miles driving and have lost brakes before but never this bad. I feel that gm should at least warn owner of this potential problem. I just had my truck inspected in may and this was not warned to me. I looked in to this issue online and found many complaints gm should acknowledge this problem and warn customers and compensate them as well. I understand the truck is 11 years old but I had a 1987 sabb until 2006 and never had this issue. My friends ford from 2000 we take to northern maine and has 160000 miles does not have rusted lines. I think gm used inferior material. Thanks eric vaughan

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Brakes · 202,000 miles · NJ

I was driving on i95 traveling at a speed of 60 MPH when I tried to apply the brakes and the brake pedal went completely to the floor. I had absolutely no brakes. Lights on the dash board stated service brakes. Luckily there were not any cars directly in front of me. I was able to drift onto the side of the highway and waited for my vehicle to come to a stop. After coming to a stop, I noticed a large puddle of fluid under the driver side door. My brake line had ruptured. Evidently this is known problem with gm trucks and is a great safety hazard. I was very fortunate that my entire family was not in the car like the previous weekend. I took my vehicle to my mechanic and he informed me that all 4 brake lines were corroded. This should never happen on a part that is essential to stopping your vehicle. Gm claims that you still have brakes when this happens. That is totally not true. I had absolutely no brakes. Gm needs to take responsibility for this problem.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Brakes · 134,600 miles · NC

Ruptured rear brake line under driver side door due to extreme rust of lines. Inspection reveals all the brake lines are showing signs of extreme rust, which should not happen for an 11 year old truck. By the grace of god, I was in my driveway when the brake pedal went to the floor and not driving on the roads at any speed. Why the risk of using substandard materials for brake lines? Why not use stainless steel brake lines?

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Brakes · 166,154 miles · SC

While driving home at roughly 35 MPH I attempted to stop and when I pressed on the brake pedal the pedal went to the floor and the on board computer system came on and set check brake system. I was able to pump the brake and get some pressure but I could here a hissing sound anytime I pressed the pedal. I was within two miles of the house and was able to get home. My husband looked at the brake system and there was a hole from a rusty section of the brake line over the top of the chassis in the drivers side rear area. Every time you step on the pedal it would spray a steady stream of brake fluid.

Filed Dec 16, 2013 · Brakes · 154,798 miles · MI

Brakes failed due to a rusted brake pipe while driving home from work. Luckily I was on my street and traveling just under 25 MPH. After inspection of the under side of vehicle I discovered not one but, two leaks. I do expect some issues with a vehicle my age and mileage but, not a total brake failure. I did contact the dealer for replacement parts just to learn that the parts have been discontinue.