2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: brake failure

Filed Aug 9, 2025 · Brakes · IL

I pulled the truck out of the garage in working condition, left it running while parked in the driveway. It emptied the entire brake fluid reservoir through a leak in the distribution junction on the rear axle, leaving the truck with no brake function whatsoever. Had I not parked the truck in the driveway, I would have been involved in a serious collision due to sudden complete brake failure.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Brakes · KY

While driving on US60 East of Lexington Kentucky I was preparing to turn left using the left turn lane. There was another car in front of mine and as I approached it I began to lightly apply the brakes. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no decrease in speed. Fortunately I was able to switch back to the through lane and avoid an accident. While I was able to avoid an accident there was definitely a risk of injury to myself and the occupants of the other vehicle. When I was able to inspect the vehicle I found that the brakeline adjacent to the fuel tank was rusted through which caused a complete brake failure. I do the vehicle maintenance personally and have since made necessary repairs to the brake system. I was aware of problems with the brakelines on this vintage truck being prone to failure due to rusting. As I was making repairs it was obvious the routing of the brakelines was such as to making the rusting more likely to happen.

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Brakes · 200,000 miles · IL

Excessive metal brake line corrosion on this vehicle. Brake lines corroded through causing an immediate loss of brake fluid and resulted in zero braking ability while vehicle was in motion on a busy city street. Emergency brake was depressed to bring vehicle to a stop. Inferior materials have been used to produce brake lines on this vehicle. Brake line placement in conjunction with inferior metal that is prone to corrosion is at fault. Cost to repair this flaw in manufacturing will be nearly $2000.00

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Brakes · 64,850 miles · MI

Driving to pick up my son from work on side streets,traveling about 25mph when my brake went to the floor.almost rear ended car at stop sign. Got out of truck and found large spot under my truck,brake fluid. Had it towed to brake shop and mechanic informed me my brake lines were rusting though and needed to replace all brake lines. Also told me he has seen this with 3 or 4 other chevy trucks lately. Found other complaints after telling my story. Heard this is a known problem with these trucks..I bought this truck new & have had it rust proofed 12 times. Thank you

Filed May 11, 2015 · Brakes · 71,008 miles · MO

I own a 2002 chevrolet silverado ls hd2500, original owner purchased in june of 2002, currently have 71,000 mile, beautiful truck very well maintained. This is my second complaint being filed on this vehicle concerning my brakes. My first complaint was filed in march of 2014, when my brake lines rusted through and I was left with no brakes. After searching on-line, I found that this is a known problem for these vehicles and there is a recall on some of these vehicles, but not all of them. My complaint today also has to do with my brakes. Once again, I found that some of the vehicles have a recall, but not all of them . The anti-lock brake system would activate, causing my brakes to not work. If I wanted to stop, I couldn't slow down to stop, I would have to brake hard to stop my vehicle, if I tried to slow down to stop, my anti-lock brake system would activate, causing my brakes to not work. I did contact gm, and was told that there was nothing they could do to help resolve this problem with my vehicle because mine was not included in the recall, even though some of my year, make and model had a recall notice. They are well aware of this problem, because they do have a bulletin out informing the dealer how to resolve this problem. Once again, this is the brake system, very dangerous, could be fatal. Not sure why this isn't a priority to resolve.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Brakes · 149,207 miles · MI

I was driving home in my 2002 silverado 2500 hd, when I can to a stop at the stop sign, my brake pedal went to the floor and I could not stop. My truck went through the intersection, but luckily there was no oncoming traffic. I brought my truck to a local auto repair shop, where they replaced just faulty brake lines due to them rusting out prematurely. My repair bill was over $1500 dollars.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Brakes · 52,722 miles · WV

Brake lines rusting , leaking, breaking and no brakes.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Brakes · 116,984 miles · FL

Total brake failure. Started my truck and discovered I had no brakes.

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · Brakes · 91,929 miles · WI

Was backing out of the driveway and when I tried to stop the brake pedal went all the way down and I had no brakes. There was no warning whatsoever that I had a braking problem. When I looked underneath the truck I could see that the brake lines are very corroded and one is leaking. It looks like they will all need to be replaced and the truck will probably need to be towed in to have this done. It sounds like this will be a very costly fix. I bought this truck new and it has always been garaged and well taken care of.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Brakes · 289,324 miles · IL

On trip home from a vacation. Pulling a 28 ft fifth wheel camper and a motorcycle trailer. On interstate 65 north bound when an older gentleman merging into traffic thought it was a good idea to come to almost a complete stop to let other vehicle merge in front of him. At which point I had to lock the brakes and just after the ABS started to come into effect the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily just before I was going to impact the vehicle in front of me he pulled away. I took the next exit off the interstate pulled to the side of the exit ramp to discover brake fluid dripping on the ground just forward of the drivers door. Inspected the brake fluid level to discover it was empty. All brake lines on this vehicle will have to replaced at an estimated cost from a dealer at $1500.00. This is a safety issue and should be in a recall status.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · TX · crash

While driving on city streets , I went to stop behind a car at a stop light and the brakes went to the floor with no warning. I hit the car from behind and luckily no one war injured but minor damage to the rear of the car was observed. After the incident, oil continued to leak from the line under driver side door, the warning light did come on but after the accident had already occurred. This was the first failure. Brake line was repaired and a year later, the second brake line failed on may 23, 2014. While pulling boat out of boat ramp, I went to stop the truck and the brake pedal went to the floor again , luckily not going fast or down an interstate. Again the leak was from under the driver side door, but was the other parallel line going to the ABS block. This is a serious safety issue and I was very lucky twice. All brake lines will be replaced with stainless steel lines. I will not buy another gm product unless they make this right.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Brakes · 187,000 miles · MD · crash

On may 9, 2014 I was backing up to hook up to a trailer with my truck. With absolutely no warning sign or indication, my brake line busted and I had no brakes whatsoever. The pedal went all the way to the floor. Even at this slow of speed in reverse I could not stop and ran directly into the trailer. My wife was standing at the trailer directing me and luckily did not get hurt because of this brake failure. I had to use the emergency brake to get stopped, and even that was very sluggish to stop the truck. I am now finding out that this is common issue with these vehicle and there is an open investigation into this matter. Gm needs to do something about this as the immediate failure of the brakes with no warning is sure to cause serious injury or death should it happen while driving down the road.