Chevrolet C/K Pickups brake failure problems

Filed May 31, 2015 · Brakes · KY

I am one of the the lucky ones. I was pulling in my driveway and the rear brake line blew and the brake pedal went to the floor! I'm very lucky I did not go through my garage door! I have the truck at sutherland chevrolet waiting for the damages $$$$ I can't give you the mileage because it at the dealership. Corroded brake lines!

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Body, Brakes · 65,000 miles · KS

Brakes failed, inspection revealed completely rusted out brake lines, frame, suspension components, steering components, and crossmembers. Vehicle is not repairable and is no longer usable.

Filed Mar 16, 2013 · Brakes · 69,854 miles · IL

Approaching intersection green lite changed to red being first to get to crossing I applied my brakes and pedal went to floor!!! Needless to say I did not stop for red lite for 4 lane hi-way, pulled over a saw puddle forming from brake line, looking across the intersection there was a larger puddle appr. Where brake was applied. Thank god no cars were close, I sure if I hit some one the first would be said, a old man went through red lite, correct, no brakes!!!!!!! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 21, 2012 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · MI

Was moving truck into drive way after it had been parked in the street. Upon pulling into the drive way I noticed I had no brakes. Turned truck off and checked under truck to find that there was brake fluid leaking from under the truck by the left rear wheel. Upon calling my mechanic I am told that this is a normal thing with my year truck and that it was being investigated by the federal safety agency because of the amount of complaints. Oh and also it would cost almost 800.00 dollars to repair because the mechanic will not just replace one line because once one goes they all start to go based on his experience with my year truck. He does this for safety reasons. I have had the car towed to my mechanic to be repaired. Another 94.00 dollars. After again talking to my mechanic he tells me the brake line has corroded.

Filed Oct 14, 2010 · Brakes · 114,000 miles · MN

2000 chevrolet silverado 1/2 ton 4wd. 114m. Abs activation under 6 MPH......... No lockup, no reason. Escalated to total brake loss when this condition starts. Looked on the internet at similar complaints; primarily found: rusted and leaking brakelines, or malfunctioning ABS cured by removing the fuse for the ABS system. Checked for fluid loss, there was none. Checked power booster and master cylinder; found no problems. Removed the fuse for the ABS, problem fixed, brakes function normally. A brake system should not fail to a condition of no brakes when the ABS system malfunctions......... Google this and you will find numerous accidents/loss of vehicle control.

Filed Jun 8, 2010 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · FL

When applying brakes the ABS system kicks in and then releases when the brake system is needed the most. The brake failure happens mostly when the brakes are engaged suddenly or when it is or has rained. The rotors were turned down, new rear brake drums were installed, the system was flushed out, new front brake pads, and rear shoes were installed. It helped a little, but the problem still exists and is only getting worse. The vehicle jerks like the rotors and/or drums are out of round, and they were also turned down twice already. I have removed the fuse for the ABS system so I at least have some sort of braking power. My brother inlaws truck was recalled for this problem but mine wasn't. No one around here seems to know how to fix the problem, even the chevrolet dealership couldn't fix it, all they did was adjust the rear brakes and when the drums got hot the brakes locked up. They loosened the adjustment so the brakes wouldn't lock up but the problem still exists. I've had 3 near mishaps trying to stop the vehicle in time.

Filed May 26, 2010 · Brakes · 71,400 miles · PA · crash

Brake line failed on 1999 chevy silverado 4wd pick up. Crashed into the back of a ups freight truck at stop light. I applied the brake pedal app. 50 yards to try to stop my truck the brake pedal went to the floor I was helpless cars on one side telephone poles on the other luckily put truck in 2nd gear to slow the truck down some then crash ed hard into the back of freight truck. Luckily not killed. Brake fluid was flowing out of rusted brake lines under drivers side seat under frame. Truck is possibly a total loss. Gm had me tow at my own expense to verify the broken tubing break line,had my mechanic look at the brake lines and said it definitely ruptured and we took pictures of rusted brake lines as evidence. Gm investigator asked me if I was injured and what I wanted from them. I responded to be made whole for all the bills and damages from the accident from their rusted and faulty brake equipment.

Filed Apr 17, 2010 · Brakes · 136,403 miles · MA

Brake failure on 2 separate occasions due to brake line ruptures...once 6' below the master cylinder and 8 months later on a line to a rear brake. Both times lost the pedal. My truck is a 1998 ck 1500 with virtually no body rot. I was surprised that #1 there was a complete loss of pedal and #2 a second perforation occurred so soon. I will fill out the form for incident #1 ( july 2009) the other rupture was 23 mar 2010.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Brakes · 37,000 miles · CT

While driving my brake pedal went to the floor board and I had no brakes. The failure was a rusted brake line that ruptured. I queried the service manager at my local chevy dealer and him,along with 3 service tech's standing around said it is a known problem and all the brake lines fail after 4 to 6 years due to rust. I asked if there was a recall and found out one does not exist. At present my truck is at the dealers getting repaired. I was able to stop the vehicle by down shifting and applying the ebrake and no accident occurred. When I inspected the lines all the lines were rusted from beginning to end as well as the connector that adjusts the ebrake tension. I think something should be published warning of this failure.

Filed Oct 1, 2007 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · CA

I relied on the parking brake while I was doing some work. The parking brake failed to hold, and the vehicle rolled. Luckily I nearly avoided being struck. Further analysis shows that this is a problem on all chevy and gm pickup trucks for 2002. There was a recall for the vehicles with manual transmissions, but not those with automatic transmissions. The vehicles with automatic transmissions have the exact same problem, but the transmission must be relied on to hold the vehicle. The manufacturer refuses provide the upgraded parking brake system for these vehicles. The parking brake system was redesigned on 2003 vehicles because of this problem. In order to properly review this issue, the federal safety agency needs to look at the complaints for all gm and chevy pickup trucks. You will see a multitude of listings for parking brake problems. Vehicles with automatic transmissions should have been covered under the recall of the federal safety agency 05v161000 as there is no mechanical difference between the parking brake systems on the manual and automatic systems.