My chevrolet silverado pickup (1500 4x4) has experienced three major brake failures. The first failure was while driving and approaching a stop sign. When I attempted to brake, my foot went to the floor. After pumping a few times, the truck slowed but with little stopping power. The vehicle was immediately towed and brake fluid was actively dripping from the lines. The second failure was about a year later while driving at low speeds (<5 MPH) while parking. Again, my foot went to the floor before the ABS system activated (completely dry conditions) with essentially no stopping power (ABS activation but no braking power). This resulted in an accident as the truck did not have enough room to effectively stop (thank goodness the car in the parking space in front of my was unoccupied). After being repaired by the dealer (twice), the problem just occurred again (approx. 2 years later).
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes complaints
Page 4 of 13: complaints 71 to 100 of 363, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the ABS system engaged intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger speed sensor erratic needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Went to stop for a red light. Brake pedal went right to the floor. Had to swerve not to hit the car in front of me and swerve again not to kill the guy walking on the shoulder of the road. This is unacceptable I have driven lots of car into the ground never has this even been a thought. All brake lines needed to be replaced 1100 dollars later!
I was traveling at approximately 5 MPH approaching an intersection and applied my brakes. I could feel the ABS system functioning as I was on a snow-covered road. After about 1-2 seconds of ABS activation, the brake pedal lost all pressure and continued to the floorboard. I was able to coast to a stop and could see the brake line located on the driver side under the driver seat, squirting brake fluid onto the ground each time I engaged the brake.
Brake line under driver side frame are completely corroded and one ruptured and my brakes to fail about 90 % could barely come to a stop.
While driving downhill at o'hare airport terminal 5 I went to stop for the light and there was a brief second where the brakes acted normally and then the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I had maybe 10% braking power. I had to drive on the side of the road and through the red light to avoid hitting another vehicle. I brought the car to my mechanic who said the brake line above the gas tank rusted right through.
Drove to milan, mi from ypsilanti, mi. To look in on sister in law who is incapacitated due to broken femur from fall. Brakes felt mushy as I slowed to enter her driveway. After entering the driveway at low speed I applied brakes and pedal went to floor. Tried pumping brakes with no result. Threw shifter into reverse to keep from plowing into sister in laws vehicle. If this had happened earlier on the busy road leading into town I would have surely had an accident. Found brake lines badly rusted and both lines leaking that run from master cylinder to antilock module mounted to frame under drivers area. It is ridiculous that these two safety sensitive lines are made of un protected steel as opposed to copper nickel and are run out of the protected under hood area to the high corrosion prone underbody to meet the inappropriately placed antilock module. Two years prior to my purchase of this truck gm heavily advertised the rust resistant galvanized panels they were using in their trucks. I have since found out that they quietly removed this rust protection. I have ordered new break lines to totally replace all metal lines on this, my last chevy truck. I can only wonder how many fatalities have resulted from this often referenced condition. The difficulty will be in ever proving the cause and affect (effect) of these accidents since they will be so devastating in nature, the driver will probably be killed and not be able to testify about the true cause and almost all gm trucks of this vintage (especially in the rust belt states) will have break lines so rusted that they will crumble in almost any accident. My experience shows that the unfortunate driver won't always have "some" braking ability left on a line failure.
Brakes started to slip when applied, taken to shop reported that all brake lines need to be replaced due to rust.
The emergency brake fails to work, it has had the pads replaced 3 times. The emergency brake continues to not work properly.
I had replaced antilock brake module last year and had brakes worked on this year and last and replaced brake pads. The rotors had been turned before, on a trip to my daughters my brakes started to go out. They were completely out by the time I reached her corner. I had to have all new brake lines and rotors and pads even though there were only 6,000 miles on the pads. I also had rustproofed the truck including the underbody and carriage when I bought it new in 2002. It's a rust bucket despite the extra protection. The antilock brake module was rusted. The brake lines were completely rusted through. And now the fuel pump is out and they fuel lines are rusted as well. What gets me is I paid so much extra for extra rust proofing. It should not have rusted through this bad at only 125000 miles. The antilock brake module is placed where the rust can get at it right under the chassis part unprotected. So much for safety. That went out at about 75000 miles but just got it replaced at 100000 miles or so. The brake lines and the fuel lines are a joke on this vehicle. I used to make and inspect and test them at a factory and these would have never passed inspection for corrosion test. But they weren't made there. The factory is closed. No union wages either, but we did good work not this garbage. It cost over $500 for module and it cost 2500 for the rest of brake job. And now the fuel lines and pump and filter will cost over $1000. Plus my truck body is rusting through on the rocker panels. I bought a silverado because they hold their value and are dependable. Now my vehicle is only worth about half of what it should be and I'm paying though the nose on top of it! We have a 98 chevy blazer with 195000 and no rust on the rocker panels and the brake lines are just now getting replaced. There was no extra rust protection on it either! When is gm going to be responsible?
Crested a small hill to see a red light with three cars in line. I depressed brake pedal, which went to the floor. The vehicle was stopped using the parking brake after swerving into empty lane of oncoming traffic in order to avoid hitting the line of cars from behind. Upon inspection, the front brake circuit was blown in the piping just aft of the front driver's side wheel. It is extremely difficult to stop a large truck with empty bed using only the rear brakes as they lock up easily. There seemed to be no brake power using the brake pedal, which is why the parking pedal was used. Even with a functional parking brake, the "failsafe" of having only one circuit is nearly useless given an empty truck bed (low rear-wheel traction) and a loss of pressure on the front circuit. In my opinion, losing the front brakes on a truck is catastrophic. In any event, in my case, the supposed fail-safe either did not work or was inconsequential. All of the hard lines (fuel and brake) on this vehicle are extremely corroded and are being replaced with stainless. This car spent the first five years of its life in oklahoma and missouri (where little to no salt is used) and moved to nh in 2006. The rear driver's side rocker panel is also rusted through and the frame has very significant rust, especially on the leaf spring hangers. In addition, the front driveshaft is rusted to the point that I will not operate the vehicle in 4wd until I replace it. This vehicle seems very susceptible to rust, especially the brake lines, some of which crumbled in my husbands hands while removing.
I took the vehicle to the shop for a safety inspection. They found that the metal brake lines had rusted through and were leaking. Fortunately this problem was discovered in the shop, avoiding a possibly catastrophic brake failure while driving. I had the front lines replaced by the shop at a cost of $581.50, and I am replacing the rear lines myself. I am filing this complaint to document the problem as it relates to previous requests to gm by the federal safety agency to issue a recall on these vehicles for this problem.
While traveling through town approached an intersection when brakes were applied pedal went to the floor tried to pump them as fast as possible to not get into a collision with car sitting at the red light. Did an avoidance maneuver into right turn lane was unable to stop truck and narrowly missed oncoming traffic turning left as I approached the corner, I shifted transmission into low gear and was able to apply parking brake to stop truck. Took to mechanic and found brake line ruptured below drivers seat had to replace all brake lines due to corrosion .was informed by mechanics repairing the ruptured line could break surrounding lines as they were all corroded as well. So they replaced all brakelines and all piston calipers as well because ferrul nuts were rusted into calipers. $1600 dollar repair. Lines and calipers (4).
Driver swerved in front of two cars in front of me causing them to brake hard. When I brake the brake pedal went to the floor at 70 MPH. I swerved in to the emergency lane to avoid hitting the vehicles in front of me. I kept the pedal pressed and engaged the parking brake while down shifting the truck from drive to 3, 2 then 1st. I then placed the truck in neutral and got the vehicle stopped. Upon inspection on the side of the road I found one of the rear steel brake lines had burst.
While driving on us rt 202 the light ahead of me turned red so I attempted to slow down and my brake pedal went straight to the floor and did not stop or slow down. I had lost brake pressure. Ran the red light where I almost t-boned another car, right in front of a police office. After avoiding the crash I parked on the side got out and saw brake fluid pouring out of the drivers side under the drivers door area. The brake lines had failed due to rust. I and other motorists could have been seriously injured for an issue that both gm and the federal safety agency know about.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver side seat belt would suddenly retract and prevent the contact from moving. Also, the contact indicated that the ignition key became lodged in the ignition switch and could not be removed. In addition, the ABS sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ABS pump motor was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 168,000.
While traveling at 25mph and coming to a slight abrupt stop, the brake pedal fell to the floor while depressing the pedal to stop. The vehicle came slowly to a stop with steam rising from under the vehicle. Upon pulling the vehicle to a safe location and upon inspection, it appears as if one of the metallic (assuming steel) brake lines feeding from the master cylinder to the ABS block had burst. No indication lights on the dash of a braking system failure or low pressure alert for the system. It appears that the brake lines were corroded/rusted. Upon discussing with a reputable auto shop, they indicated that this is a common issue on this model year vehicle and that a repair to replace the lines may be required. This is a safety issue in my opinion and if the materials used to make this safety system were non-corrosive; this would have not happened.
The ABS system activates or does not allow you to stop. It seems like the truck continues to accelerate. Pumping the brakes does not work. Putting it in neutral or ramming it in park is the only way to stop it. I almost ran someone over today. This is a very serious issue. I can not drive this truck in this condition. Looking at the forums out there this is a well reported problem yet I have not been made aware of the recall. I have not changed my address and have owned this for more than a year and a half.
Was approaching a red light at approx 30 miles per hour when the brake pedal simply "popped" and went all the way to floor. I was able to muscle it to a stop between the very little braking left, downshifting and the emergency brake. Mechanic determined all brake lines rusted and leaking.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving various speeds, the antilock brake system activated automatically and the antilock brake system warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but was repaired by the contact who removed the antilock brake system sensor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Leaving from work at the greater cincinnati airport. Driving down the ramp to the stop sign at donaldson rd. While attempting to brake for the stop sign the brake pedal went to the floor causing the truck to go through the stop sign across the east bound lanes of donaldson road and finally stop before entering a ditch on the north side of the road. At first, I was going to have the car towed. I found that there was some residual braking left and I, slowly, drove the car approximately 12 miles to my house. The next day I took the car to the local shop and upon inspection was told that one of the brake lines had failed due to corrosion. I was also told that "all" brake lines needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Total bill was over 1200 dollars. 2002 chevrolet silverado extended car/long bed 1500.
2002 chevy silverado truck was sitting in driveway I was ready to leave pushed on the brake to put it in drive and the pedal went to the floor . Looked under the vehicle fluid everwhere. Not one leak or any sign before. I knew what it was because I know at least 4 other people with chevy trucks and thier lines went, 1 had an accident running in to the rear of a car. I have a new line set but didn't get to in time. If thay hadn't failed in my driveway the outcome would have been intierly diderent with my son his friend and myself. One would think they would use a material to withstand the elements on brakes!!!!! My work truck truck is a 2001 silverado so I checked it and there gone also. I would be willing to bet that most pepole fix the lines and don't report. To me this is a big problem.
Brakes failed due to rusting brake lines.
The incident happened while driving home from toledo ohio to home in white lake michigan. My exit was normal when exiting the freeway. I applied brakes to begin slowing down. As I approached the end of the exit ramp the traffic light was red with other vehicles waiting. I applied the brakes harder and heard a popping noise. The brake pedal went to the floor. I tried to pump the brakes to get them to work to no avail. Rather than running in to stopped cars I ran my truck off the road. I was lucky that I was able to stop my truck without hitting the vehicles waiting for the light. I went online to review this and found there are numerous complaints. One comment from gm is that the vehicle will stop if a line ruptures. Not true. Also, since when are brake lines a maintenance issue and not a safety issue. My manual doesn't say replace brake lines every 20,00 miles or 5 years.
Was leaving a paintball field parking lot. Was moving at idle speed of 5mph and went to slow down to hear someone yelling something. Pedal went to the floor. I continued to the stop sign and the pedal once again went straight to the floor. I had to drive 23.5 miles to get back home using the old school method of down shifting and applying the little bit of brakes I had left. ****very dangerous**** once I got home I checked my brake reservoir and it was half full. Under the truck inspection showed fluid from the drivers door all the back to the rear end. I could not see where the leak originated from. Will have to take to a mechanic and pay.
Issue with the ABS brakes. Sometimes the ABS kicks in and doesn't allow you to stop.
At under 60,000 miles both brake lines from master cylinder were badly rusted. One line failed and the other was in imminent danger of failure. This is an extremely dangerous problem and chevrolet has been resisting a recall for years. This truck was driven mostly in a non-salted roads state. It is unacceptable to have brake lines rusted through in under 60,000 miles. Chevy tries to cut costs and save a few pennies on a component that is critical to life safety and they refuse to make it right when their cost-cutting scheme fails. My second and last chevy.
Pulled out of parking lot at low speed and stopped to wait for a red light. While stopped with foot on brake pedal, brake pedal suddenly dropped to the floor. When light turned green I accelerated slowly and tested the brakes to find the stopping power of the vehicle reduced to near zero. Pulled over in a safe area after a few blocks and inspected vehicle to find fluid sprayed around front passenger wheel well and dripping from brake line. Suspect sudden brake line rupture had occurred. Decided vehicle was unsafe to operate and parked it awaiting tow.
I own a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. The brakes failed while attempting to stop the vehicle in a 35mph zone. The brakes initially worked and then the pedal went to the floor. I could feel the ABS engage but not stop hitting a vehicle in front of me. When I exited the vehicle I could smell the brake fluid and observed fluid leaking from multiple locations. The air bags did not deploy. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle is currently being repaired by the manufactures dealer.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes failed while driving downhill. As a result, the vehicle was crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was injured and the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The speed was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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