I was traveling west on wendover avenue in greensboro, north carolina approximately 8:20 am on thursday october 2, 2014. While traveling a traffic signal was turning red and I began slowing. As I was attempting to slow down the brake pedal continued to travel to the floor and the brake light warning and service brake system light came on. I was quickly closing in on the vehicle in front of me and reduced my speed by standing on the braked and using engine speed shifting from drive to 3rd to 2nd and then to first gear. I was able to stop within a foot of the car in front of me. After this I pulled over to inspect my vehicle. I located a blown brake line that was severely corroded on the drivers side along the frame of the vehicle. Brake fluid was leaking out. In addition, the other brake lines appear to be extremely corroded as well. This is a major concern considering brakes are such a critical component to safe driving. It appears the brake lines are not made for a suitable quality for such a critical system. The exhaust pipe, which is under the vehicle as well, is not corroded and is made out of suitable quality material. If there are other vehicles out there on the road with similar materials the results may be injurious or deadly. Please help to address and rectify this situation with chevrolet.
2004 Chevrolet Avalanche brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving in town locally, the braking system failed while trying to stop at a traffic light. I was able to eventually stop the truck by applying extreme pressure on the brake pedal. I pulled the truck over safely & noticed brake fluid on the ground under the driver's door. I had the truck towed to a local mechanic who inspected the braking system. All of the brake lines under the driver's door were severely rusted along with the one line that had failed.
I use my avalanche only in the summer to tow a small trailer in my community. I used it in the winters from 2004-2008. I was backing the truck up and applied my brakes and smelled smoke and my brake light went on. I looked under the truck and it was leaking brake fluid. I got down under the truck to get a better look and noticed the brake line was completely rusted through causing all the fluid to leak out. My wife drove the truck to the grocery store that morning and I am so thankful this happened in my driveway because the brakes were fine one minute and it only took a second for the fluid to come out. In seconds I did not have any brakes. This is the first truck I have owned and I am shocked that something like this could happen. Brake lines should be much stronger than what I have on the truck. This is not something that you check on a regular basis. I don't use this truck for off road, plowing, driving in the snow. This is supposed to be a strong vehicle that cost me $44,000 in 2004. I would have been killed if this happened while I was on the road.
Driving in heavy traffic on I 95 south on the way to vacation, brakes failed when I attempted to slow down. I rear ended another vehicle. Had truck in shop for week and found several problems with lines and 2 leaks. I heard that there is a known metal defect with 2001-2004 brake lines. I can't find any recall information.
While pulling out of driveway, pressure was applied to the brakes to stop at the end of the driveway. The brake pedal immediately went straight to the floor with the alarm then coming on in the vehicle to service brakes. There was no resistance or stopping power to the brakes. Using the emergency brake the vehicle was stopped before it went across the street into the ditch. The vehicle was backed up into the driveway and a puddle of brake fluid was found under the drivers side door area of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was noted that the metal high pressure brake lines had rusted and ruptured leaking brake fluid causing the failure.
Rear brake likes blew out due to corrosion. Brake lines corrode at each point that they are fastened to the vehicle. No other major corrosion on the vehicle. Front brake lines also corroded but not yet to the point of failure. Stopping the truck was almost impossible.
I had absolutely no warning that my brakes were failing. On a downward slope of road, (old route 23s) in cedar grove, as I was approaching a light with vehicles at a stop. My brakes were giving way and were not allowing me to stop completely. I kept on pumping them in hopes that the hydraulics would kick in; they did not. As I approached the stopped vehicles, I was ready to use my emergency break but the light turned green, I was able to continue with the travel & veered into the intersection's turn to pull over onto the shoulder where I used the emergency brake to stop and called aaa to be towed. My mechanic called me with the 'extensive amount of problems' that my brake lines are enduring. One is busted completed; the others are completely rusted and all need replacement. I have been without a vehicle for 4 days so far and am waiting to see what the true 'damages' are going to be as far as expense. I am happy that I didn't hit any other vehicles or injury anyone. I am disappointed that I had no warning and am now living without my truck and a huge repair bill on my wallet.
My son was going to the store and when he applied the brake the pedal went to the floor and he had no brakes. After he parked the truck he noticed a puddle of fluid under the drivers side in front of the rear wheel. When I returned home I filled the brake reservoir I had my wife push the brake peddle and I found the leak in the rusty brake line.
When backing out my driveway I stepped on the brake and pedal went to the floor leaving brake fluid all over driveway. Group of brake lines along side of frame were totally rusted into a glob of rust.
While moving the truck around in the driveway we noticed fluid on the ground. Upon further investigation we noticed inside the drivers wheel well that some lines had fluid on them. I brought the vehicle to the dealer and they said the brake lines had rusted out. Luckily we had not had an accident. I had to have two of the lines replaced. This was not covered by the extended warranty because lines of any kind are not covered.
Hi have a 2004 chevrolet avalanche and have had nothing but problems with brake lines, transmission and the body is completely rotting out really pathetic as this vehicle was so expensive and wondering if there are any recalls as there should be?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that while in his driveway, he attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal sunk into the floor. The contact mentioned that once he inspected the vehicle he noticed brake fluid leaking on the rear differential. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 46,000.
Started my chevrolet, started backing up down an incline of my driveway, "service brakes" indicator illuminated. Brake pedal sank to the floor. No brakes. Opened hood and the front left wheel brake line (cheap steel) was shooting brake fluid everywhere and all over the engine. It's going to a chevrolet dealership tomorrow for repairs.
Brake lines corroded to the point of failure causing a loss of braking at 35 miles per hour. Dealer will replace entire trucks brake lines extensive repair. Personally know a friend with a 2002 chevrolet that had the same problem. The repair center he repaired his truck at informed him that they replaced four other chevrolet trucks brake lines in the last six months. I have been driving for forty years and never replaced brake lines on a car some with over 150,000 miles on them.
Rear hydraulic brake lines rotted and leaked fluid causing loss of braking. Last year I had to have the rear brake calipers replaced due to excessive rust and rot. The mechanic performing current repairs stats that the front hydraulic lines are rusting and will have to be replaced soon. The front calipers have rotted out bleeder valves. The front calipers will have to be replaced as a result when the front hydraulic lines are replaced. Check engine light was diagnosed to an evaporative emissions system leak. The leak was traced to a damaged plastic fitting connected to the fuel pump at the top of the fuel tank. The fuel pump metal was rotted causing the joint to expand damaging the fitting and causing the leak. I do not trailer a boat and the truck has never been immersed in salt water. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never had this amount of undercarriage rust and metal damage on any vehicle I have owned with many more miles and years of service.
Put on brakes to avoid car slowing in front of me. Brake pedal went to the floor and had almost no brakes. Had to swerve drastically to avoid hitting the other car. Mechanic checked the truck the next day and found corroded brake lines had failed.
Turning the corner without any notice, the brake line apparently broke and the brake pedal went to the floor. Brake fluid went everywhere- was able to pull over and use the emergency brake to stop, but god forbid if I was on a freeway or was pulling my boat! Could have been catastrophic! Upon further investigations, all of the brakelines showing under the driverside wheel well are corroded badly and will need replaced. I have owned alot of cars/trucks and never had to replace a brake line. The costs I have been quoted are upward of 1500.00 to repair due to the poor design and that the parts have to be ordered specifically for this vehicle. This should not be happening on a 2004 vehicle with the low miles it has.
Rear metal brake line burst while maneuvering in parking lot, losing rear service brakes. Brake fluid was gushing from burst line onto ground. A quick examination revealed burst brake line is completely rusted. Vehicle passed state inspection and 27 point safety inspection performed by gm dealer this past july. During the first week of august, I towed my son's disabled vehicle back from central pa.(140 miles). With the tow dolly and his car - I was pulling close to 4000 pounds. Can you imagine if this line burst on interstate 80 at 55 MPH? When does this horror end? This vehicle has previously encountered sudden and unexpected brake failure due to metal brake lines rusting to the point of sudden failure. See the federal safety agency odi number: 10268917. Additional detail and pictures regarding rusting brake lines on my vehicles can be seen at: http://sites.google.com/site/gmbadbrakes/.
Anti lock brakes intermittently but suddenly engaging at low speed stops, on dry pavement, such as when slowing down for a stop light.
I own a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The ABS activates almost at every stop, even on dry pavement. In researching this problem I have found that there are many complaints on-line for the same problem. I also found that there is a recall for this problem for earlier model years but not for 2004. It seems apparent that the 2004 model year should be included. I have already paid a great deal of money to have the brakes, wheel bearings and speed sensors replaced. And the problem persists. I have to exercise extreme caution every time I stop for fear of rear ending the vehicle in front of me. Any help you can provide will certainly be appreciated by myself and all those affected.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that while attempting to stop, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who inspected the brakes and informed the contact that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was 69,500.
A few weeks ago the ABS and brake service light came on while driving at low speeds. It stayed on for one day and then it happened again a week later. It has gradually happened more frequently and more randomly as well. The shop has not found any structural problems and suggested that the ABS module be changed. The problem is random within the same kind of drive. Sometimes, if I stop the truck and restart it, on the third attempt the ABS light doesn't come up. There have been recalls for the 2002 models but not this year. I believe the problem still exists with other models.
Letter from congressman carney on behalf of constituent re his concerns about rusted brake lines in gm vehicles. *nj the consumer experienced sudden and unexpected brake failure due to a metal brake line that had ruptured and was rusted. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Fortunately, the consumer was able to bring the vehicle to a slow and safe stop. An inspection revealed all the brake lines under the drivers side door were severely rusted and were leaking braking fluid. The dealership replaced the brake lines to the front brakes, the master cylinder, ABS control module as well as the rear backing plates and right rear caliper that were severely rusted.
Tl*contact owns a 2004 chevrolet avalanche. While driving 55 MPH the brakes failed completely while trying to slow the vehicle down. The contact was able to drive the vehicle into the grass to slow the vehicle down. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the c-clip was missing which disconnected the brake shaft from the pedal. The c-clip has been repaired. The contact is aware of the safety risk since the brake failure could have caused a crash. The current and failure mileages were 53,000. Updated 10/06/09. *lj updatd 10/08/09
When I slow down at low rates of speed, occasionally the brakes began to pulsate as if in the ABS mode. I was told that it was because of the corrosion on the ABS speed sensors, located within the wheel bearing assembly, formed by road salt. This problem just appeared without warning or provocation. When operating the vehicle and low speeds, stopping distances are lengthen by 10 to 30 percent. There has been a recall on this type of vehicle for several years in other states. For some inexplicable reason, it does not pertain to wisconsin. Even after all of these years, the part to repair my truck remains on backorder. The dealer/manufacturer can only provide them if I purchased the whole bearing assembly which is quadruple the price of the part that I need. Of course, I feel that this is unfair and while I wait for the appropriate part to repair my truck, I am putting my safety, as well as others, in jeopardy (this is sad to say but I am not using prudent decision-making skills). I believe that it is fair to say that if there were not others in the area having this exact same problem, the part would not be on backorder throughout the dealerships in wisconsin. I believe that this matter should be look into and addressed and refunds given to those who have paid the enormous price of this repair simply because it is a known defect and because this defect is a safety hazards.
I have problem with the brake system, and the transmission fluid came out from the from front passenger side. I took it to the chevy dealer, but I was told that the transmission clutch was burned out, maybe it an defected transmission or recall, im not sure, but I do know that the transmission and the brake system are not in safe conditions, nor workable. Not to mention the cracking noise in the front of the suspension, while turning.
When replacing (for the first time) the rear brakes on my 2004 chevrolet avalanche at 28,767 miles, I was informed by the dealership that the rear rotors had severe corrosion. The rotors were pitted such that they would require replacement. I asked about my 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty because there was nothing I did to cause the defect. The dealership said that gm would not warranty the rotors. I contacted gm to inquire about the corrosion and their warranty as published in the sales brochure and warranty booklet. Plus, I have owned gm products for 30 years and never had any corrosion; brakes or otherwise. They replied that there was no defect in the parts; and that's it. As far as they are concerned, case closed.
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a braking situation occured, and extra effort was needed to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic shop, where the mechanic stated that the master cylinder is at fault. There were no repairs made. There is a the federal safety agency recall # 04v045000. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Dt: the consumer noticed a brake problem on september 8, 2005. The federal safety agency recall 05v379000 for the service brakes was issued. Contacted the dealer and the manufacturer, and they said this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. . When going between 1-10 MPH the ABS system will kick and could hear a noise, the ABS will let go then catch and let go again, then the brake pedal will down further. Had to stomp on the brake pedal in order to get the vehicle to stop, like loosing the brakes.
Dt: the consumer bought this vehicle brand new, the brakes will come on by themselves. Took the vehicle to the dealer, they said the brake fluid was contaminated. Then, took vehicle to gmc, they gave the consumer a run around and thought that consumer did something to it. The vehicle has been sitting for a little over a month. Now, took it to a local mechanic, who determined that the brake fluid was not contaminated. The dealership said this vehicle was not covered under a warranty, and noticed this on october 1, 2004.
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