My wife was picking up our 2 year old and 6 year old granddaughters from their home and bringing them to our house to babysit them. Traveling at 35-45 MPH she depressed the brake pedal to stop and the pedal slowly went to the floorboard. She finally made it home and she told me about it. I looked under the vehicle and noticed something leaking from the under carriage. I jacked the vehicle up and inspected the brake lines and discovered that the brake lines were rusted and one had cracked. I am a retired vehicle technician with over 50 years of experience on all types of automotive repair. I have never seen this much rust on a vehicle (2003 chevrolet s10 with only 55,000 miles) in all my years of service. We inherited this truck from my father-in-law who passed away. He lived in kentucky, so it was subject to unpaved roads, snow, salt, etc. We live in florida, and decided to keep the truck for sentimental reasons. I had to replace the entire brake system, brake pads ,rotors calipers, backing plates, ABS sensors, and now a brake line. I undercoated the vehicle and got as much rust off the frame as I possibly could. The front wheel hubs probably are next because the ABS brake system doesn't work properly. I spent a lot of time and money on this vehicle. Gm should be made accountable for this problem before somebody gets hurt or killed. In my opinion it is a priority safety issue that needs attention and general motors should be responsible for it.
2003 Chevrolet S10 brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 38 of 38, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Brake line corroded through and brake pressure was lost.
Severe "from the outside in" corrosion to all "hard" brake lines, causing hydraulic failures on two dates (within) two months, result being all the hard brake lines requiring replacement. Cost in excess of $1200, only viable option would have been to scrap vehicle. During hydraulic failures, service rear brakes totally unavailable. Fluid squirting into space. Front brakes partially effective. Not real safe.
Four days prior to incident date, I had applied brakes very hard, could be described as a "panic stop". On the days following, I had noticed a small amount of fluid under left front of vehicle when approaching vehicle. Then, after four days, I noticed at a stop light the vehicle began to creep forward and required more pressure on the brake peddle to remain stopped. Brake peddle also went further towards floor. Upon returning home I opened hood and confirmed brake fluid level was low. Took vehicle to shop and was told all brake lines needed replacing because of corrosion. The brake fittings on the lines and bleed screws on calipers were almost nonexistent, nothing but rust. The line itself had split, which had caused the leak. I feel this could have caused a catastrophic incident had I not hastened discovery by having to apply heavy brakes at a slow speed. Replaced all lines and calipers because of corrosion. First time I have had any problem like this in thirty seven years of owning a vehicle of one sort or another.
I applied the brakes on entering my driveway. The pedal went nearly to the floor. A pool of brake fluid formed on the driveway under the driver's side about the middle of the truck. Investigation showed a corroded and burst brake pipe just in front of the fuel tank.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s10 pickup. While driving there was a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and after inspecting it he noticed the rear brake rotors were corroded and deteriorated. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 28,800.
Year 2003 chevrolet s-10 pickup has a defect in the brake tubing. Very dangerous as brakes fail. For the last 3 years I have experienced brakes failing 3 times. The first 2 times the shop replaced a full tube from the master cylinder to the wheel. Now I have a new failure..I suggest a recall to assist me and others with this very dangerous and expensive problem. The brake lines must have been manufactured with inferior material that tends to rust out in eastern areas where salt is used on the roads.
Bought 2003 s-10 v6 one year ago.(11/2009) truck has less than 45000k on it brakes on the vehicle squeal and lock up all the time. I have had my brakes worked on 4x's by a gm certified mechanic, the problem still is not fixed. I have turned rotors, changed brake pads, loosened back brakes, etc. Nothing works! If it is raining outside vehicle is unsafe to drive due to skidding into car in front of you. As a matter of fact it is unsafe to drive all the time due to skidding/brakes locking up/increased stopping distance. Mechanic has looked online to see if anything is mentioned about what to do next. I have looked and looks like more people are having the same problem. I have spent already close to $700 on this brake problem. One diagnosis is to replace rotors but I feel this should be something gm does since more people are having this problem and the severity of this issue. Someone could be hurt or even killed.
2003 chevy s10 pick-up truck to many complaints on brakes and rotors and not a [xxx] thing being done is [xxx] . My rotors need replaced they are defective and I have to pay for it. Again, [xxx] .why aren't we being heard? They want us to buy there chevy's but not make them safe, again [xxx] . Do we have to band together and go for a class action law suit? Sadly it might come to that. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s-10. While driving approximately 30 MPH approaching a stop sign the brake pedal traveled to the floor when engaged. The vehicle continued to travel through an intersection. The contact began to pump and apply pressure to the brake repeatedly until the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The rear brake line corroded causing brake fluid leakage. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired for the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 87,000. Updated 06/29/10 *bf updated 07/13/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s10. The vehicle was parked when the contact observed brake fluid leaking on the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The failure was contributed to corrosion in the rear brake line causing the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was repaired for $176.69. The failure mileage was 65,261. The current mileage was 73,000.
My 2003 chevrolet s-10 pickup has a dangerous ABS system in that it locks up under routine stops and actually appears to pull vehicle to an abrupt stop. I took it into a mechanic who said that he had another owner of the s-10 with same problem. He advised me to remove the fuse #22 which would turn off the ABS and return my vehicle to standard braking. The mechanic said he was looking up information on how to fix the problem, but had not success.
I have a 2003 s-10 that when it is damp out due to rain or melting snow my rear brakes will lock up. I have taken it to 2 different mechanics and they both say the rear brakes are out of adjustment. After a few days it happens again. Again the mechanics claim the brakes are out of adjustment. It has been in the shop a total of 4 times between the two mechanics each saying the same thing. It is slowly getting worse and has caused me to skid and at times "get sideways" in the road. I have since parked the truck and am driving a different vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s-10. In inclement weather conditions, the windshield wipers fail to return to their proper position. As a result, the windshield remains partially covered with debris. The contact, who is a certified mechanic, stated that the failure was due to improper spring tension in cold weather conditions. He heard grinding metal when the brake pedal was depressed. Eventually, the brake pads completely failed and needed to be replaced. He called the dealer and the manufacturer, but was not provided any assistance. The failure mileage was 3,000 and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 2/9/09 *cn updated 02/13/09.
Bolts fell out of rear brake hanger while driving home they appeared to have been strip out at the factory and were not installed properly the vec. Only has 42000 miles on it.
Bolts fell out of the rear brake hanger and caused a lot of damage to the pad and rotors apparently they were strip out at factory as no one has work on the brakes the vec. Only has 42,000 miles on it.
2003 chevrolet s-10. Brake lights stay on. Replaced the switch and it fixed it only a short time. Many complaints on the internet and I know of one other owner, of an s-10 truck with the same problem.
Left and right front brake lines ruptured causing loss of braking ability.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s10 pickup ls. The vehicle did not pass inspection due to the rust on the rotors. The rotors have been replaced by the dealer on several occasions. The dealer acknowledged that this is a common problem for this year, make, and model. The dealer also stated that this is a manufacturers defect because of the material that is applied to the rotors. They also stated that if he were to stop suddenly, there is a great possibility that the brakes would not catch due to the rust on the rotors which could result in a crash. The current mileage was 35,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 32,000. An appointment is scheduled for january 2008. General motors has not offered any assistance with the cost or repair.
The antilock brakes on my chevrolet s-10 pick-up fails while trying to stop in bumper to bumper traffic of between 15 to 20 miles an hour fortunately I ran into the back of a full size chevrolet truck and there were no injuries, only damage to the vehicles. Prior to this incident for about a month the brakes would pulsate after driving a a while and stopping at low speed or during light pedal pressure. The brakes were check for warped or defective rotors and possible worn pad. The rotors and pads were found to be ok and so were the rotors which are smooth. The brake pads and rotors are the factory originals and the vehicle has under 36,000 miles. The truck is use as an occasional local commute vehicle and for pleasure, and not for work, or to carry heavy loads. After I found two 020525006a and 02052500 which describes the problem of low speed ABS activation. I think this is a very serious issues that people should be made aware of. Just as I couldn't stop and I hit a truck, I could easily have hit a person or a child that may have ran into the street chasing a ball. This accident happened just two blocks from my home. I think is negligent that car companies are not made to report to consumers such serious life safety issues, which can cause the lost of life for both drivers and pedestrians, which could be any of us or any of our relatives. When I got home and realized the implication of consumers not being notified of such bulletins I felt sick to my stomach. I hope that general motors is made to bear the responsibility of not only informing consumers of such a vital safety equipment failure, but also for paying for the repairs of something which could have been corrected while my vehicle was still under warranty.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet s10 with an odometer reading of 15800 miles. The contact started having problems with the vehicle at 1100 miles when the brakes began to make loud noises. In august o 2003 the contact took the vehicle to don hall chevrolet of ashland kentucky, and the service personnel determined that the brake pads were not compatible with the factory rotors, thus causing the brakes to make a v loud noise. The rotors were turned and new brake pads were installed. Three days later the noise continued. A mechanic installed wagner brake pads. The manufacturer's pads installed at the dealer were not as efficient. At 11, 000 miles the brake pedal rattled when driving over speed bumps. The service personnel at mcfarland murray chevorlet dealership of grayson kentucky removed the dashborad, and replaced the bushing on the brake pedal. They concluded that the brake pedal assembly was incorrectly installed ,and the bushing was defective from the factory installation. Two years later the contact had the same problems with the bushing. The dealership did not want to make the repairs since it was out of warranty. The brake assembly was installed incorrectly from factory and it was a safety problem. In addition, the tailgate cables were recalled and replaced. Finally power steering pump was replaced due to a leak. The cooler line was leaking, the oil pan gasket was leaking and the rear brakes were replaced. Updated 03/30/07.
At 7200 miles the rotors on our 2003 chevy xtreme needed to be resurfaced, they resurfaced. At 12,000 mile our vehicle was back in for rotor problems again this time they stated that they would not repair we were accused of doing brake stands (back tires were over inflated wearing in the center). Rotors and brakes needed to be replaced, too it to another chevy dealer we again were told that this was damage because of braking after a talk with the service mgr they went ahead and replaced the front and rear brakes, resurfaced the rotors. At 3000 miles I would bring back for inspection. Tires replaced. Took my vehicle to have tires rotated then made appt. With chevy to inspect brakes at approx. 30,000 mile the rotors again were warped, I had to wait for the area service mgr to make our on oct. 26,2006 we had an appt with chevy to inspect the brakes and rotors with the area service mfr by this time our mileage was up to 38,000. They stated that the lug nuts were torqued at 140 and should of been at 100 (this dealer was the last one to take the tires off the vehicle so they torqued the tires too tight. Torque for s-10 is 100 and torque for a 1500 is 140) this caused the rotors to warp, the brakes were gone because of excessive braking they wanted to take no responsibility for their product. They would not repair the brakes or the rotors because 1. Lug nuts torqued to much 2. Braking excessive 3. Vehicle out of the 3yr/36000 mile warranty. Several people that own a chevy. Xtreme have had the same problem with the brakes on their vehicle too. I feel that this is an issue that general motors needs to address immediately this is not the consumers error but a gm product defective. These dealerships have no right to make judgment calls on consumers on how they feel they drive when it is their product that is defective.
2003 s-10 pick-up truck.ABS brakes engage when brakes applied at 10mph causing vehicle to swerve to the right and wheels locking.this caused increased stopping distance and almost being rear ended by the vehicle behind me.was unable to drive the vehicle in traffic conditions to the engagment of the ABS.
2003 chevrolet s-10 experiencing problems with front brake line.*mr the consumer requested a refund on 2 brake lines that were replaced.
While applying the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop completely. The consumer applied the emergency brakes and the vehicle stopped completely. This caused the passenger to move forward and sustain major injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection numerous times. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please provide further details.
When I hit a small bump my ABS kicked in and I lost alot of braking power, almost caused accident. Brake pedal went to the floor. (earlier date). *ak brake pads completely warn down to squelers after 10,000 miles cost of $160 to replace pads.
Consumer complained about a major brake problem. Brake rotors warped after 5,000 miles of usage. Vehicle had been to the dealer on 2 occasions, and they would not replace the brake rotors until they fell below specifications. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who refused to help.
Intermittently brake light illuminated on the dashboard. As a result, the brakes applied by themselves, resulting in extended stopping distance.
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