1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD: brake failure

Filed Feb 13, 2012 · Brakes · 155,120 miles · OH

I was traveling down a steep hill on dry pavement and my vehicle was picking up speed so I applied the brakes and the pedal went straight to the floor. I started frantically pumping the brakes as I noticed the crossing guard going down on the train tracks at the bottom of the hill and still no brakes at all...after realizing I was completely without any brake pedal I immediately downshifted to 1st gear which slowed the vehicle down and I remembered the emergency brake and I then jammed the emergency brake pedal to the floor which stopped me 20 ft from hitting the side of a cargo train...as a guy who repairs mechanical systems for a living I was totally floored that the brake system could fail totally,.... I then took my truck to my mechanic who said the brake lines were totally rusted out and that both front brake lines had blown large holes between the master cylinder and the ABS module and he told me I was lucky that my truck was not running very long before blowing the line as it could have started a fire as the brake fluid was spraying directly on the exhaust manifold...he recommended changing every brake line on my truck as all were severely rusted out and that it will happen again...he also informed me that I should check if there was a brake recall on this vehicle as he said this excess corrosion was a common problem on my model and year truck and he read last year that they were investigating it as severe safety hazard of multiple brake lines failing at once...my comment on this after reading many online complaints is that someone is not doing their job and they might want to warn people before someone dies...

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · NY

Brakes failed to respond and almost went over a restraining wall two times. On other occasions when braking, the brakes would release and I would have to slowly reapply brakes to slow down or push the brake pedal all the way to the floor. This could be extremely dangerous if I was towing my horse trailer. Have not been able to find any recalls about this problem and I am the original owner.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Brakes · 106,255 miles · GA

I am the original owner of a 1999 chevrolet 2500 silverado truck. While backing up to hook up a horse trailer, the brake pedal went to the floor and the brakes suddenly were unable to stop the truck properly. The truck was then driven to a dealer for repair using the emergency brake. The truck had 106,255 miles on the odometer at that time. The dealer replaced a brake line. There have been 2 other brake line failures I will list separately. One in 2006 and currently one in 2010.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Brakes · 108,000 miles · GA

While pulling a large horse trailer, we had stopped for lunch. We went out to the truck, started the vehicle and while pushing in the brake pedal to place the vehicle in drive the brake pedal went down to the floor. Inspection showed a blown brake line although the line showed little wear. The line ran to the back brakes. We were broke down on a major highway at a rest stop with animals and children. We had to roll the line and crimp it so that the front brakes could function. Shortly after the line was repaired by my husband. This is one of 3 brake failures we have had with this vehicle. I am filing separate claims for each failure. One was in 2005, this one in 2006 and one currently in 2010.

Filed Jul 22, 2010 · Brakes · 185,000 miles · GA

While driving the vehicle, the brakes became spongy, then while at a traffic light the brake pedal went to the floor. Inspection revealed several brake lines rusted in a cluster located under the driver's side of the vehicle outside of the frame. Pictures of the lines with the resulting brake fluid spray are available. The actually lines will be available once replaced. This is one of 3 brake failures this truck has experienced. I am submitting them independently. The dates were 2005, 2006 and now in 2010.