2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: brake failure

Filed Dec 24, 2019 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · KY

I pressed the brakes hard to avoid hitting a deer. Once I pressed the pedal, the truck slowed and then the pedal went to the floor. A steel brake line below the cab blew. After inspection, I found that all the original steel lines were significantly rusted.

Filed Nov 12, 2017 · Brakes · MO

Brakes failed on highway due to rusted lines. Brakes completely failed. Brake line was so rusted it had a huge hole in it due to the rust.

Filed Oct 3, 2017 · Brakes · 107,500 miles · IL

Yesterday my brake pedal went to the floor and I could not stop the truck. I put my blinkers on and drove about two miles an hour to my regular mechanic and he said all the brake lines need to be replaced because the are rusted out and leaking fluid to a cost of $750.00. It is in the shop right now so I won't have the invoice for a few days. He also said the the fuel lines look rusted also and hopes they won't break while fixing the brake lines.

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 151,041 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving 70 MPH, the battery indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to pull the vehicle over when he observed that the steering wheel had seized and took great effort to turn. Also, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact was able to stop using the fifth wheel camping trailer that was hitched with electronic brakes to slow and eventually stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt and idler pulley failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,041.

Filed May 13, 2017 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · KY

The brake lines on my 2004 chevrolet silverado are badly corroded and one of them has failed. When this happened, the pedal went to the floor and the truck had no brakes whatsoever. Fortunately I was not involved in an accident. I live in kentucky and I have had this truck since new. We receive a minimal amount of bad winter weather here so I find it hard to believe that this was caused by salt. This truck is only 13 years old.

Filed Oct 30, 2016 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · VA · crash

2004 chevrolet silverado experienced complete brake failure. Driving down a short hill, brake pedal pushed completely to floor with no brake response or stopping availability. Driving @ approximately 20 MPH, applying the emergency brake had little effect and had to turn into a dirt hill to stop the truck. Upon further inspection, 4 brake lines directly underneath the cab on the drivers side were completely corroded with 2 lines failing simultaneously releasing brake fluid onto the ground. The 2 lines from the proportioning valve in the engine compartment to the ABS and the 2 lines from the ABS to the 2 front wheels run parallel under the cab and are severely corroded in 2 places only. The 4 lines were severely rusted at the point of the plastic clips that secure the lines to the frame of the truck. The plastic clips that hold the brake lines hold moisture and salt and cause all the brake lines to corrode at those points. It's important to note that there is no rust in the lines to the rear of the truck or at both rear brake calipers. This is not normal wear or lack of maintenance. I clean the underside of my vehicle every winter. The lines are rusting as a result of the clips retaining salt and corrosives and causing year round contact to the brake lines. Is anyone reading or investigating here? There are literally hundreds of complaints here regarding this exact issue. I have seen multiple post that list the corrosion in the exact same spot as my truck. These lines rust not from normal wear but because of a defective clip design. Repair estimate from chevrolet dealer is $1250 to replace all lines. When will gm consider this a defect or write a service bulletin?

Filed Aug 20, 2016 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · IN

Total brake failure on 2 occasions, both with trailer attached - badly rusted brake lines to both front wheels burst under the added pressure of stopping while trailering. Other lines to the rear are also badly rusted, but have not yet failed. Front lines (providing the majority of braking) are held in horizontal plastic clips that do not readily drain, and accelerate corrosion damage. Both incidents involved near miss accidents and possible injuries. One, while backing the trailer into parking spot with someone behind providing directions, and the other just after hooking up the trailer and proceeding into traffic (if that failure had been one stop later, it would have occurred while stopping to turn onto a highway). Due to a fear of admitting guilt, gm has not offered replacement parts for purchase, and all new lines must be custom built, with a cost estimate of over $1000 to replace the bundle of all 5 lines. Finally, this truck (1 owner) is otherwise totally rust free - there is no explanation for the first 2 things to rust out on an otherwise rust-free truck to be brake lines. Without trailers or high loads, the half system failure leaves the vehicle with limited reserve stopping capability, but under the higher load conditions (exactly when the compromised brake lines fail) the reserve capability is greatly reduced. One of the reasons there likely have not been more injuries and fatalities, is that once the owner is aware of the problem, there is little or no trust in the brake system. Why must there be a death count before something is done about a problem reported hundreds of times over many years on both gm and chrysler truck (both using the same lines)? At least order the oems to provide kits of all brake lines at reasonable cost to owners.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Brakes · 158,000 miles · MD

Total brake failure. Rusted brake lines. Why are these not recalled? How many people must be killed or injured?

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Brakes · 5 miles · CT

Brakes failed completely while driving on street near home. Line from proportioning valve to ABS unit has pin holes, I had to replace all under chassis brake lines last year, but lines in the engine compartment really? The plastic securing clips act as a container for moisture and rot the line.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond. The brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines had experienced severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 09/08/16*lj updated 06/18/18

Filed Jun 4, 2016 · Brakes · PA

I was driving today with my lawn tractor loaded on the truck of the bed. I came upon traffic stopped at a red light. As I pressed my brakes to stop , the brake pedal went to the floor and I almost struck the vehicle in front of me. Luckily I was not travelling at high speeds and the vehicle managed to move and avoid being rear ended by me after I began honking my horn as a warning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, I discovered that a brake line had ruptured, which caused this problem.

Filed Apr 27, 2016 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · MI

Driving late at night, all of a sudden with no warning a complete loss of brakes and all fluid. Brake lines rusted and broke.. Was able to gear down to slow and use parking brake thanks to no traffic late night. This is not normal as the lines are not visable without crawling under vechicle where they are up in the frame. Only had 41,000 miles on truck. The cost for repair was $600.00 which I believe should be borne by chevrolet. If this had happened in traffic, it would definitely would have caused an accident. They are not located in a place where they can be seen easily.