2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: brake failure

Filed Jul 18, 2021 · Brakes · PA

As I approached an intersection to make a left-hand turn, I stepped on my trucks brake pedal. I experienced a complete loss of braking power, with the trucks brake pedal going straight to the floor, after an instant of a firm, solid pedal. Pumped the pedal to try to regain brake operation to no avail. No hydraulic pressure was present. No warning lights or other indications of brake system failure occurred. Truck was driven home a very short distance using e-brake. Brake fluid was seen dripping from the rear axle area in large amounts. Truck was towed to my local garage which found a burst steel brake line at the junction with the rear hydraulic flex hose. Other brake lines were heavily rusted. Rest of the undercarriage was not similarly rust like the brake lines. The garage stated this was not the first Silverado they saw with this problem. All steel lines were replaced with stainless steel lines, and as a precaution we replaced all brake hoses as well. The bleeder screws on the front disk brake calipers, and on the rear wheel cylinders were also found heavily rusted and frozen, so those components were replaced as well. The shop stated this issue of severe corrosion of brake lines and bleeders is very common on this generation of Silverado’s . They have repaired quite a few like mine after similar brake failures. If you research the issue on-line, there certainly is a problem with these trucks. In my 45 years as a mechanic and practicing mechanical engineer, I have never seen brake system components so severely corroded as the ones removed from my truck. I was lucky I wasn’t towing anything, or was at highway speed when the failure occurred. The next owner may not be that lucky if it happens to them.

Filed Jul 5, 2020 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · NC

Son was driving truck and brakes went to the floor. Almost hit the car in front of him. Once I was able to get the truck home, I found a leak in the brake line under the drivers side door that appears to be due to rust.

Filed Feb 25, 2019 · Brakes · 213,300 miles · NJ · crash

While driving approx 50mph on 2-lane highway a brake line burst under hard braking (vehicle in front of me suddenly slowed to make a turn off the highway) due to rust. Pedal went all the way to the floor and I lost significant braking power. This resulted in a minor accident where I dented the bumper of the truck that was turning and significantly bent the right end of my front bumper. Was able to continue the trip the last 50 miles to my destination but braking distances were considerably longer than normal. Took it to a local mechanic who said all the brake lines were rusted and had to be replaced.

Filed Dec 23, 2018 · Brakes · 212,000 miles · PA · crash

While traveling at about 5 MPH, I experience a total brake failure. The petal dropped to the floor. I was unable to stop the vehicle resulting in a rear end collision with the stopped vehicle in front of me. It was determined that a brake line ruptured. I was under the impression that it was a law that vehicles of this year had a dual braking system to avoid this situation. If this vehicle does have such a system it did not function.the vehicle had to be towed from the scene since it had no brakes.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Brakes · 85,349 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado 1500. While the vehicle was on an incline, the brakes failed to engage without warning. After depressing the brake pedal several times, the brakes were able to engage. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,349.

Filed Jul 21, 2018 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · OH

Brakes failed. Leak from corroded brake line

Filed Jul 14, 2018 · Brakes · 53,500 miles · PA

Total brake failure due to a ruptured metal brake line/pipe. Failure occurred in my driveway while attempting to move the truck forward. I understand that a recall for this failure was denied for general motors trucks up to the 2003 model year but my truck is a 2005 model, and based on what I have learned, this failure continues with newer models. This recall needs to be re-opened and re-investigated by professional engineers and mechanics. I've worked on motor vehicles all my adult life, for a time as a certified new york state inspector even, and never saw a corrosion related brake failure of this nature. My truck is not a work truck. This type of brake failure can, and likely has been the result of fatal accidents. There are now well over 3.5k complaints and hundreds of accidents relating to this specific brake failure on gm trucks.

Filed Mar 16, 2018 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · CT

Complete and sudden brake failure while pressing on brake pedal to slow vehicle to avoid colliding with vehicle ahead -vehicle was in motion _operator pressed brake pedal -brake pedal travelled to floor and vehicle did not slow certified mechanic diagnosed problem as burst brake line

Filed Apr 30, 2017 · Brakes · 95,125 miles · WI

I was coming home on a state highway traveling 45 MPH I turned onto my home street and I had no brakes. Luckily I was 200 feet from my driveway and I coasted and turned into my driveway and was able to stop. I had it towed to a gm dealer and found out all my brake lines had rusted out. The mechanic could not get the bleeder screws off the calliphers because the screws were also rusted out. We always undercoat our vehicles when we buy them brand new so nothing would rust out under there. In 2005 we were told by our dealer that if we undercoat we would lose our warranty. The mechanic also told us that the new brake lines are all poly coated now, so they won't rust out anymore. Why weren't they poly coated to begin with . The expense was 1200.00 to replace the brake lines plus the towing fee. The mechanic told us he seen this in 2002,2003,2004,2005 and 2006 trucks. 2007 hasn't come in yet.

Filed Dec 18, 2016 · Brakes · 15 miles · MO

While driving on a highway at 55mph, I pressed on the brake to slow my speed as I was entering a congested area nearing a town. The pedal went to the floor. I geared it down manually with my gearshift and turned off the highway into a self-car wash. After looking under vehicle, I noticed brake fluid all around drivers side rear wheel. After further detailed inspection, the brake line that runs from the master cyl to rear of vehicle to a union mounted on frame that converts solid line to flex hose type had corroded and cracked. Truck was just inspected 6 months prior at dealer. In my 45 years of driving professionally, I have never had a brake line fail for no reason, as it was untouched and secured just as it was when it left factory. Its obvious to me and everyone I talk to that the break line is made of a lower quality steel or not as thick as ones produced in the past by gm. I have heard that thru the grapevine that a certain someone who decides faults in these cases suggested that salt put on the roads in the winter could have caused this if the trucks underside were not washed off after winter driving to remove the corrosive salt. While I would agree to that to some extent, because I am one who does take pride in my $ 32,000 vehicle, I not only power wash the underside several times a winter, but also undercoat it as well. What makes this so dangerous, is that brake fluid that leaks causes major damage to everything it comes in contact with. My fuel tank, wiring, insulation around wire, paint that peels off everything which means frame rust now. The worst and most dangerous of all is that the leaking brake fluid turns pavement made with asphalt into a oil slick on the road that is not noticed by the everyday driver. And there is no stopping whatsoever when you start to slide. I want gm to fix and install the safe and correct ones, stainless steel. Thank you

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 100,000 miles · IL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to operate. The contact crashed into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed May 19, 2016 · Brakes · 61,000 miles · MD

Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor no pressure. Lost all pressure during snowstorm. Lucky to pull over into drifted snow to prevent crash. 61000 miles and well maintained. Maryland area. Upon inspection all brake supply lines are rusted and blown out. Very difficult to repair oneself. Very costly repair at dealership. This should be a sfety recall. Ridiculous!