2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD: brake failure

Filed Mar 8, 2015 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · VA

The brake lines basically rusted off the truck, the first occurrence I went to use the truck and the brake pedal went to the floor and I started smelling brake fluid. Had it towed to have repairs done (06/04/2011) the lines that showed the main problem were changed for new. Exactly 2 years I had my big car trailer hooked up loaded with my tractor. Another line going to the rear of the truck ruptured in the yard. Going back to the shop again, I had a company out west make all new stainless steal lines for it.(06/20/2014) and now I'm again broken down again (03/07/2015). This has cost me a considerable amount of money and I'm not through I fear. This time the ABS system wants to continue to run and running the battery down. Gm should be on top of this.

Filed Feb 25, 2014 · Brakes · 134,000 miles · FL

This was not a wreck but could have been. Complete brake failure on my truck. Lines completely rusted out. Googled this and have seen many complaints on this. Chevy does not make the lines anymore and have redesigned the braking system on 2004 up trucks. $3100 to replace if you can find them. Now I'm stuck with a truck that is not safe to drive. No brakes whatsoever. Thank god it was early sunday morning. Brake pedal went clear to the floor. Had to slam it into 4wd and put trans in low then neutral and then ran off the road to avoid a collision.

Filed Nov 13, 2013 · Brakes · KY

Pressed brake pedal going over a hill and pedal went all the way to the floor. Pumping pedal did not help to build any pressure. Pulled off the road brake fluid reservoir was empty and fluid was all under left rear of truck. Mechanic inspected rupture in factory steel line and all other lines rusted.

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Brakes · 138,000 miles · VA

I was coming to the end of my driveway and the brake pedal went to the floor and wasn't providing any stopping power. The end of our driveway has an incline and I was able to use the emergency brake before traveling into oncoming traffic. I checked the brake reservoir tank and it was almost completely empty. I added more brake fluid and upon applying the brakes, fluid was coming out from underneath the truck. It was dripping from underneath the driver side door and also from some place further back on the truck. I couldn't verify whether the source near the back was a separate leak. All four of the brake lines have significant rust and need to be replaced. The truck is currently not drive-able because any new brake fluid is immediately leaking out and not providing any resistance to the brake pedal. I've checked the brake pads and rotors and they are still in almost new condition. This is a serious safety issue in my opinion and yet seems very common with this line of trucks if you check this forum and others available on the internet. Http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/274830/

Filed Apr 25, 2013 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · OH

I was driving along coasting at a lower than normal speed, (fortunately) because I saw the traffic light way ahead of me turn red....not towing anything...no load in the bed of the truck. When I applied the brakes,in a normal/not panicked manner, the pedal went straight to the floor. There never were any warnings/lights, even after the failure. Luckily I had enough time, and piece of mind, to manipulate the emergency brake, and come screeching to a stop (by just the rear brakes) with only a couple feet to spare. If I hadn't, (or if the e-brake hadn't worked) I would have plowed into several small cars that were stopped at the light., with my big crew cab truck. Certainly severely injuring many people! I discovered the rear brake line had failed...totally...it is a pile of rust...resulting in complete brake failure! I can send you a photo....I would like to send you a photo! All of the lines are going to have to be replaced in order to safely operate this vehicle again... I have also found (with a quick internet search) countless other identical instances of this occurring in similar model year gm trucks.. Many, years prior to it happening to me! Mine only has 50k miles on it, and is garage kept...and always kept spotless. I've always been under the assumption that if a brake line failed, the master cylinder was supposed to shift over to shunt/prevent the leaking line from bleeding pressure...so the rest of the brakes would work?? (not like in the movies) the gov't mandates 5 MPH bumpers and everything else under the sun, but not this type of redundant brake feature? What is going on here? They do a recall because the tailgate cables rust, and might damage the tailgate, but don't for rusting brake lines that could kill people!!?? This is unacceptable!!!! I'm very anxious to hear a reply to this..

Filed Jul 16, 2012 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · OH

Brake lines rusted out & causing brake failure x 3.

Filed Nov 3, 2011 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · IL

While under hard braking the drivers rear brake failed just above axel. After the repair during the test drive 3 lines ruptured on the drivers side frame rail just below the drivers feet next to the ABS module. I see that there has been a the federal safety agency action number : ea11001 already started on this problem.

Filed Apr 26, 2011 · Brakes · 67,395 miles · MD

I drive a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500hd. I have had the truck to the dealer where I purchased it for regular oil changes and maintenance reviews. When trying to leave the grocery store parking lot recently I noticed that my brake pedal went all the way to the floor when I attempted to stop after pulling out of my parking space. After pumping the brakes repeatedly, some pressure was present but after pumping more, it was apparent that the brakes were completely out. Looking under the truck, I saw a huge puddle of brake fluid. Putting more brake fluid in the truck does not fix the problem , as it is only forced out upon pumping the brakes - the failure is permanent and critical - the truck is not road worthy at this point! Upon close inspection in the engine compartment and under the driver's side of the chassis, the entire length of brake lines to all four wheels is rusted and one of the lines is completely broken (with a hole expelling brake fluid) under normal driving conditions. The instrument cluster reads "service brake system" and a bell rings repeatedly to warn of the problem. I have not been able to correct the failure yet as I do not have the money to have the dealership replace these rusted brake lines. I have never seen brake lines on any vehicle rusted like this before and I have to believe this is a serious parts problem. I intend to contact my dealership with this issue.

Filed Jan 16, 2011 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · PA

2003 chevy silverado extended cab pickup. Brake line corrosion. Brake line burst. Pennsylvania. Brake line burst on drivers side. Brake line burst when brakes applied. Loss of braking ability was the result. Incident occurred on residential street- thankfully there was not an accident. Had vehicle towed to dealer to resolve problem. Apparently there are numerous complaints about the defect of chevrolet's brake-line assembly for the 2003 chevy silverado. Have proof of repair. Is chevy going to recall the inferior materials used in these brake lines?

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · IL

My brakes failed without warning causing me to go through a stop sign. There was a mini van with 5 occupants that swerved off the road to keep from hitting me. There was no warning at all that my brakes were not working. Upon inspection of the car on 12/28 at a gm dealer I was told my brake system was rusted out and corroded causing my brakes to fail. I have investigated myself this problem and find out it is very common on this year and gm will not do anything about it. Everyone that has this truck is at risk of crashing and doesn't even know it. I was one of them until a few weeks ago.I have been trying to get gm to acknowledge the problem and only been getting the run around from their customer service department in the philippines. The will not supply me with a contact number for a zone rep or anyone else. Please do something about these faulty brake lines before innocent people are killed if it hasn't happened already.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · IL

My nightmare started when I pulled onto a from my drive way and drove about a half block to the stop sign in my 2003 silverado and noticed a mini van going south. When the brakes were applied the pedal went all the way to the floor and I couldn't stop. No warning on the dash nothing. The van had to swerve off the road to avoid me and almost tipped over containing 5 people. I saw him coming but couldn't do anything to stop in such a short period of time. The last thing on my mind was no brakes. I have been driving for 39 years and never experienced brake failure in my life. Yesterday I called gm customer service and got the usual run around. They told me I had to take it to a gm dealer to have it inspected they were very clear that my car even though only has 65,000 miles on it and is kept in a garage is out of warranty and there are no recalls for the brake lines. The best part was they will replace the lines with standard gm parts the same ones that are on the vehicle now. Doing that will have the same results and a accident waiting to happen. Even if they acknowledge the problem please don't let them do the repairs with the same inferior brake lines that we all have now !!!!

Filed Aug 9, 2010 · Brakes · 82,220 miles · FL

I own a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500hd 4x4 quad cab truck. After picking up a camper trailer and returning to my home I noticed a significant loss of brake pressure in the pedal. Upon arriving home I noticed brake fluid leaking from a brake line on the underside of the truck at the driver's side door. The 2 lines that run from the master cylinder to the ABS unit and the 2 lines that run from the ABS unit to the left front and right front brake calipers were severely corroded (rusted). I corrected the problem myself by replacing all the brake lines. My truck only has 82,220 miles on it and this is a serious safety defect that chevrolet should be held liable for. If a vehicle would have pulled out in front of me while returning to my house I wouldn't have been able to stop in time. I understand brake pads and rotors are items that are subjected to normal wear and tear but brake lines should never have to be replaced unless they are chaffing somewhere.