2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: brake failure

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Brakes · 97,000 miles · NJ

While slowing down coming to a stop - no brakes. Checked everything. Suspect power booster. This started slowly about three weeks ago. Today it actually would not stop and I almost hit the fire hydrant.

Filed Oct 2, 2018 · Brakes · 158,722 miles · PA

In july of 2018, my 2002 chevrolet silverado had major brake failure as I was driving about 35 MPH approaching a red light. I pressed on the brakes, it went totally to the floor and I was unable to stop, blowing right through red light. My mechanic told me the my brake line rusted through, and all the brakes lines, as well as the fuel line is totally rusted. I was told that this is very common in this chevrolet / gm model era. He said if all he were to do is replace brake lines in this 1999 to 2006 era, it was enough to keep his business booming. What shocking struck me is that he told me they all fail under the drivers side door, along the frame, before the ABS module. This is definitely a safety hazard that should be addressed. Myself, as well as others could of been killed when I was unable to stop at the red light. John d. Norristown, pa.

Filed Aug 29, 2018 · Brakes · 1 miles · IN

There is a major safety design flaw in the 1999-2002 brake system. The front tires through the salt and grime from the roads onto the brake lines where chevrolet has located them in the design. This causes the brake lines to corrode and burst during driving. Mine have now burst for the second time in the last 5 years. The first time in 2013 I was driving at about 35-40 MPH when I went to make a rh turn and the brakes went to the floor. This time I had went to a local gas station and was on the way home when I stopped to talk to a neighbor and once again the brake pedal went to the floor. I drive the truck very little so I have only put just over 17,000 miles on the new set of brake lines that I had installed by a chevrolet dealer in 2013. I live in southern indiana, just north of louisville, ky so our winters are not that harsh, so the amount of salt from roads is pretty limited. I have talked with other chevrolet silverado, yukon and suburban owners and they all share having the same issues with their brake lines. I have went to youtube to see how to make the repairs myself and have seen countless videos on individuals repairing their brakes because of the corrosion and the brake lines bursting. Come on nhtsb what are you waiting on before you issue a recall, someone to die or be permanently disabled! Do the right thing and issue a recall to fix the brakes with stainless steel lines, rotors, calipers and brake pads that will not rust after a few years!

Filed Oct 20, 2017 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. While backing out of the driveway, the brakes did not work. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact shifted to drive to park the vehicle back in the driveway, but the brakes did not work again. The emergency brake had to be utilized. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed brake fluid all over the driveway. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed the brake lines were severely rusted to the point that it was hard to determine which of the brake lines was leaking fluid. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (kendred chevrolet in smithfield, missouri) where it was diagnosed that all the brake lines failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 175,000 miles · IN · crash

The anti-lock brake system engages at slow speeds causing inability to stop. The road surface does not matter, wet, dry, dirt or paved, it is a failing system. This was a random problem, now it happens all the time. The system will make a ratcheting sound then a grinding before as you come to a stop. You have to be ready to let off the brake and reapply pressure hoping it works. I live in a neighborhood with small children running around everywhere. I would hate to think what would happen if these brakes failed me when I really needed them.

Filed Feb 28, 2017 · Brakes · 251,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving 6 MPH, the brakes failed to work without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 251,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2017 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · KY

Started vehicle early one morning for the first time that day, allowed it to warm up for about one (1) minute and then placed it into reverse to back out of driveway. After traveling about six (6) feet in reverse attempted to stop, pedal went completely to floor with no resistance at all and vehicle stopped after about six (6) feet. There was a complete and total brake failure. No prior indications, no dashboard warning light. After stopping the vehicle I noticed a small puddle of liquid on the ground near the rear of the driver's side door. After having vehicle towed to repair shop I was notified by the repair shop that the brake lines had completed corroded. Total repair shop cost to replace all brake lines was $810.36. This did not include the cost of the tow truck to get the vehicle to the repair facility. I am the first and only owner of this vehicle.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · MN

Complete brake failure on a busy suburban street. I was intending to stop for a red light and had no brakes. Pedal went to the floor. No collison. Truck needed to be towed to repair shop. Cost was $872.73.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Brakes · 163,000 miles · PA

Travelling from pa to cape hatteras, nc. Total brake failure of all 4 wheels in bumper to bumper traffic on us 158 s bypass in kill devil hills. Managed to swerve onto right berm grassy area and shift to low and use hand brake to stop. Had two children in the back seat. One was a 2 year old. Had to drive 42 miles with no brakes to reach destination. Mechanic in rodanthe had to replace all brake lines and master cylinder. Brake lines were totally rusted out. If this would have happened on I-95 at 70 MPH we would probably all have been killed.

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Brakes · 193,000 miles · MO

I was pulling my 2000 lb boat to the lake sat. With my 2002 silverado 1500 . I made it to the launch ramp ok but when I went to launch the boat I couldn't stop rolling down the ramp [ no brakes) I was only able to save the truck from becoming a submarine by throwing it in drive and hitting the gas. I drove into the parking lot to find the brake line rusted out . Had this happened at highway speeds it would have been catastrophic . I read online about the issues with the lines and the fact there was a backup. Trust me when I say while pulling a boat it would have never stopped me. I've had cars longer this in my 40+ years of driving any never had a brake line fail from rust. I would have liked a heads up on this issue as I've seen it to be a problem in multiple years. Needless to say I'm disappointed again by gm by not at least giving the owners a heads up. And I'm thanking god for my wife and I not being injured on a simple fishing trip. Shame on you guys. If it wasn't an issue you wouldn't have changed the lines on later model cars. Just one more push to make me look at other vehicle manufacturers. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 4, 2016 · Brakes · 156,412 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. While attempting to engage the brakes, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake lines fractured due to corrosion and caused the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,412. Updated 10/06/16*lj

Filed Jul 21, 2016 · Brakes · 237,000 miles · MD

I was driving on the highway and had to stop, the brake pedal goes to the floor with hardly any brakes.I had to go on the right side of the road to avoid major crash . Was very shocked and heart was racing . I never had that happen before in all the years I have been driving. I managed to make it home by using lower gears and emergency brake to stop. When I finally got home I looked to see what the heck was going on and saw that my brake lines had corroded thru and the fluid was coming out. I went on line to see if there was any others with this problem and saw there were many, many complaints about this issue. I called several places and the cost to replace all my brake lines was around 1200 - 1700. I ended up getting them replaced for $1600. This should not happen. I have owed many vehichles over the years in this same area and have never ever had to replace a brake line. I think this should be a major recall before anyone dies. There must be faulty metal being used in these and needs to be stainless steel. I would like to be reimbursed for the $1600 I had to spend on these faulty brake lines. They need to do a recall or let people know about this problem and reimburse them for the repairs.