Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and depressing the brakes, the vehicle did not stop and he crashed into another vehicle. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the brake lines were rusted and was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes complaints
Page 9 of 12: complaints 221 to 250 of 330, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Premature failure of brake lines due improper manufacture / improper materials and corrosion. Brake pedal went to the floor. No braking whatsoever. Very dangerous.
At approximately 30mph driver stepped on brake to stop vehicle for stop sign and brake line blew a hole out resulting in brake fluid draining from lines and leaving truck unable to drive due to no brakes. Gm dealership said brakes lines were rusted and rotted in various places. Dealership commented that they are seeing this happen in multiple gm pick models from 1999-2006. Dealership replaced lines with new lines made of alloy component. Gm should have used this component in the brake line in the first place as there are many drivers out there not knowing when their brake line could burst.
I was stopped at a traffic light and the service brake pedal light went to the floor and the vehicle began to roll. There was no warning signs of an issue at this point. Due to the light turning green I was able to avoid an accident with the vehicle in front off mine at the traffic light. I proceed to a safe location carefully testing the brakes and noticed the pedal to be soft. I pulled into a area quickly and the pedal went to the floor again and was able to put the vehicle in park before the vehicle moved more than a foot or two. I opened the hood and the fluid was above the min mark on the reservoir then noticed fluid on the ground under the cab. The brake lines appeared to be leaking and severely corrroded with holes in the lines from the engine compartment to the rear of the vehicle.
Bought the truck new. At 112,160 miles the brake lines failed causing the pedal to go completely to the floor while putting the truck into "drive". I quickly put the transmission into "reverse" to get the truck stopped. Brake lines corroded.
After towing my trailer to my sons and backing it into the barn the brake pedal went to the floor as I pulled out. I had just went about 5 miles at about 50mph with a 20 foot trailer. Luckily the brake line didn't let go on the major road I was on. The brake fluid was running out of a rusted brake line under the cab. This truck has 58,000 miles on it and is kept in a garage in the winter. After inspecting the underside of the truck I am quite surprised at the amount of rust on the frame and suspension parts. The underside of the floor looks like new but the brake lines look about 50 years old. I have a hard time believing the government would leave a safety issue just continue on our highways. What will it take to get this problem addressed and save lives.
While exiting interstate 89 in swanton vermont, I applied the brakes and the pedal went completely to the floor with nearly no braking occurring. There were no warning lights or previous problems. Vehicle was towed to a repair facility. An inspection revealed the brake line burst very close to the master cylinder. The inspection also revealed the entire brake-lines were rusted and corroded beyond any normal wear. The repairman stated that he has seen this on a number of silverado's and that their is obvious problems with the quality of the lines. This vehicle is garage kept and shows no body wear or engine wear.
Put foot on brake pedal to start vehicle and the pedal went to the floor. The brake system warning light illuminated. Pumped pedal and there was little increase in pressure. Turned off vehicle and starting visual inspection of the brake components. Fluid chamber was full and clean. Abs module was clean and all wires in place. The brake line above the left rear frame rail had a severe hole and fluid running out. Lines and fittings in other areas are also corroded but no leaks readily identified.
Brake line failure - braking ability loss. While stopped at a red light I noticed that the brake pedal was slowly fading and moving toward the floor. I assumed that the brake system was failing in some way and drove very carefully. I stopped and inspected the vehicle and saw that fluid was leaking from a brake line under the master cylinder area, I still had use of the rear brakes, apparently only the front side had leaked. I never lost control of the vehicle fortunately, as I became aware of the problem while stopped. If the failure had occurred while driving at highway speed things could have been very different. My local mechanic replaced the two brake lines that run from the equalizer to the ABS unit at a cost of nearly $300.00. All the lines were badly corroded but I can't afford to replace them proactively right now. Having read many other similar complaints I believe that gm should do something about this before more damage, serious injury or even death occurs.
I had full brake loss at 55 MPH coming to a stop light, luckily I was able to move the truck off the road or there would have been fatalities . I took my truck to monroe muffler and brakes and was told that all of my brake lines and my fuel lines are completely corroded and that they are seeing more and more of this in these vehicles. They replaced the brake line that rusted through but told me that all my lines need to be replaced. After doing a little research I have found that there are hundreds of cases just like mine with these same trucks. What is gm waiting for before they recall these trucks, a higher body count?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, he attempted to engage the brakes but the brake line rupture without any warnings. As a result, the brake pedal stuck to the floorboard and brake fluid was spewing out from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 87,000.
Brake line failed when stopping at a red light.
Truck: 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500, standard cab, long bed, 133 inch wheelbase, 109,568 miles on odometer. Brakes completely failed, pedal to the floor, no front to back split braking available, total failure. Brake line ruptured, brake fluid, under pressure, squirted on exhaust, lots of smoke, but no fire. Laid down puddle of slippery fluid on roadway. Pulled off road without incident. Truck is standard shift, used transmission, to down shift and slow down, emergency brake was working, but couldn't stop vehicle on its own. Didn't use tow, risked driving vehicle home, luckily only about 5 miles in rural area, in first gear at 5-10 MPH.
Brake lines resting on top of chassis in driver's front wheel well corroded and breached/leaked brake fluid. Vehicle is in michigan.
As I was driving my truck a small child on a bicycle came into the roadway, as I applied my brakes to slow to a stop the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I quickly deployed the emergency brake to stop the truck's forward motion, luckily I was only traveling at about 25- 30 MPH when this happened, had I been on a road with a higher speed limit I would not have had enough time to stop my vehicle. Upon inspection by my mechanic, I have been told that all of my brake lines were rusted out and the vehicle needed to have all the lines replaced. One week before this incident, I went up the mt washington auto road in new hampshire while on vacation with my family and consider myself lucky that we are all alive today. I believe the dot should issue or take immediate action to address this obvious manufacturer's flaw as I have found out this a common problem on many similar gm cars and trucks. The dot should at least notify or have gm notify owners of these vehicles that they are in danger especially if they drive there gm affected vehicles on a mountain road or hilly terrain. My truck is only eight years old with 83,000 miles on it and these brake lines should not have failed so quickly. The dot has a responsibility to protect the consumer and they should take some sort of action to address this issue.
The brake pedal when all the way to the floor. At this point brake fluid was observed on the ground and further inspection revealed severely corroded brake lines. It was luck that were not traveling faster. There is no way brake lines should corrode this fast with this low mileage. Stopping to me is the utmost safety concern and these vehicles should be recalled.
Steel brake line failed causing a loss of brake fluid and hydraulic pressure and vehicle failed to stop.
Began to slow for upcoming traffic light when brake pedal went to the floor. The last inch or so of brake travel semi-engaged some braking allowing me to stop (while applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal). At the dealer was informed that one brake line had corroded so bad that it burst, and all other lines should also be replaced as they showed the same rusted, corroded condition. Quoted a price of nearly $3000 dollars to replace them all. I've never skimped on maintenance, and since this is a great vehicle (besides this issue), I'm giving the go-ahead for the work. Had I been traveling any faster, or there had been more congestion, a serious accident could have occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the brakes failed. The vehicle was towed to a personal mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed the brake line was rusted completely and the entire brake line needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that there was nothing they could do to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 79,000. ..updated 09/07/12 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle had a total brake line failure. All lines had to be replaced. The mechanic informed the consumer there has been alot of this failure between 2000 and 2005 pick ups. Updated 09/17/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while having the vehicle examined by an independent mechanic, he was informed that the brake lines were severely rusted and corroded. The rotors and backing plates were also corroded. As a result, the contact stated that pieces of the backing plates fractured while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were notified, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 43,000. Updated 06/06/12
Owner was driving on a major highway when another vehicle pulled onto the highway from the shoulder. During the emergency stop the brakes began to fail, and completely failed at the conclusion of the stop, with the brake pedal going to the floor. Although there was no resulting accident, the potential for a serious accident was very prevalent. Upon inspection, brake fluid was found dripping from the frame rail just below the master cylinder and brake block area. The brake lines had rusted to the point of failure where the lines was mounted to the frame and held in place by plastic retaining clips..on additional inspection, the other brake hardlines were found to be rusted as well. The only viable fix would seem to be a total replacement of the existing lines, to prevent concatenated failures.
Brake line failed as I was backing out of my driveway . Found the cause to be severe rusting of the underbody I find this condition unacceptable for a 30.000 dollar truck with this many miles. I am thankful there were no injuries or property damage.
Brake lines rusted and ruptured at a bend going to left front wheel. This truck was bought new by me in south florida and never driven on the beach or in salty conditions. Why are you only looking at 1999 through 2003 when they clearly did not improve the brake lines for 2004? The underside of my truck has bad corrosion.
On saturday march 3, 2012, my son was backing the truck out of a driveway when the brake pedal went to the floor. Investigation showed that brake fluid was squirting from a broken brake line under the bed of the truck and about 6 - 8 inches rearward from the back of the cab. Subsequently, I found that all brake lines are defective and there will be a cost in the area of $1600 to repair these items.
Brake line from master cylinder to the antilock control box failed to line corrosion.
When I had the oil changed I had the garage check the brake lines since I had heard of many failures. They determined and showed me that the lines were corroded and the connections to the calipers were also so corroded that they broke when they tried to remove them. I had everything replaced to prevent a failure of the system.
Driving on I-95 in florida exit 289 as I was exiting I applied brakes pedal went to floor used e-brake to slow vehicle down which took some distance lucky for me exit ramp very long, I noticed no traffic on rt.1 so I went through stop sign. There was no warning light on dash or any other warning. I finally stopped got out and found a major leak behind left front tire along side frame I noticed 4 brake line stacked 2x2 against frame rail.they were totally rusted and rubbing frame truck now at dealer. I have owned many chevy trucks with more mileage and age never had this happen or brake lines rustout so bad.
After returning to the truck from an errand I started the engine and, upon depressing the brake pedal to put the vehicle in gear, the brake pedal went to the floor. No warning lamps of any sort were illuminated prior to the brake pedal going to the floor. Pumping of the pedal did not produce any resistance. After a few minutes the brake fluid level warning lamp came on. Brake fluid was added but did not result in any resistance from the pedal. Had to have the truck towed home where it then sat over-night. The next morning I observed a large wet spot on the driveway just below the driver's side door. I looked underneath and saw that all of the brake lines going into or out of the ABS module were severely corroded and at least one had obviously been leaking brake fluid. The truck was towed to a chevrolet dealer. I arrived as they were raising the truck on a lift. Evidently they also added some brake fluid because quite a large puddle was forming on the shop floor below where the brake lines enter the ABS module. The technician, the service consultant, and I all observed the rusted brake lines, and fluid was literally dripping from one that had obviously burst. The dealer advised that gm does not make replacement steel brake lines so all the lines would need to be hand fabricated by the technician. Dealer also advised that the ABS module may have to be replaced because of how corroded the brake line fittings are (fittings are steel, ABS module is aluminum) where they screw into the module. We also observed that the fuel lines were severely corroded. I have owned many vehicles far older and with far more mileage and have never had to replace the steel brake lines. I believe the design is flawed (the routing and placement of lines and module) or the brake line material (steel, instead of stainless steel) is insufficient. I have photos and the old parts.
Front brake lines blew out at different times first left front brake line blew out in 2010 then a year latter the right front brake line blew out in 2011.
I own a 04 1500 4x4 silverado. As I was stopping behind a car that was waiting to make a left turn I press on the brake pedal to slow down the pedal went to the floor. I had to pump the pedal and go off to the side of the road what a ride!!!!! To stop.by the way I'm a mechanic too. I look under the truck to see if there were leaks. Found that 4 brake lines under the cab on the driver side outside of the frame was very very rusted and leaking as well rested under the truck all under how many is bad I don't know. I just has it tow to the dealer the next day. I don't drive the truck much because I have a 98 s-10 p/u the brake lines on that is holding up so far.
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