2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: brake failure

Filed Jun 19, 2018 · Brakes, Fuel system · 42,000 miles · OH

I have had a complete brake job because all of the lines rusted out and failed as I was driving. Fortunately, I was able to use the emergency brake to stop safely. I spent rough.y $3,000 to get this repaired. Now the fuel lines, fuel cooler and everything attached has rusted out to the point that it is going to be an additiona $2,500 to repair this. Also, the complete under carriage and rear end has rusted to the point that I am expecting it to fail at any time. This is not only a dangerous situation, but is extremely costly to the consumer, me. When the brakes failed, I was driving on a street approaching a busy intersection. With no warning at all, the pedal went to the floor and I had no brakes. The repair facility mechanic said he has never seen a system so bad. I keep the vehicle in a garage and have washed the under carriage in the winter to keep road salt from accumulating.

Filed Sep 16, 2017 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · NJ · crash

Total brake failure when attempting to slow/stop vehicle to make a turn. Drove into parking lot to get off of roadway, hit sign, tree, parked vehicle before vehicle finally stopped.

Filed Feb 11, 2017 · Electrical · 142,000 miles · VT

Driving on the interstate at 65-70 MPH truck shut off no power steering no brakes showing "reduced engine power" almost got into a wreck with my 2 year old son and 70 year old grandmother...I still owe $10,000 on this hunk of crap...it went away after a broken wire was fixed....but as I sit here in my truck at 3 am because I had to move it I started it up and once again reduced engine power...just so frustrating

Filed Aug 14, 2016 · Brakes · 82,500 miles · OH

While traveling 50 MPH towing a boat applied the brakes , the vehicle slowed down and the brake pedal went to the floor with the units finally stopping . All brake failure warning lights light up on the dash and upon inspection it was discovered the brake line to the right front wheel had rusted through and blew out all the brake fluid directly under the drivers door. All remaining brake lines are severely rusted and appear swollen as to be ready to burst as well under the drivers door along the frame rail. Vehicle has 2,760 engine running hours on it with 82,500 miles driven. All brake lines are original to the truck .dealer estimate to replace all brake lines was in excess of $2,000. This vehicle is only driven on the highway and never off road. I have owned many vehicles over the years and this vehicle is the only one that has suffered a catastrophic brake failure which thankfully did not end in a crash. After further investigation with other similar truck owners I have discovered this has been a common problem that in now surfacing and may result with tragic consequences if not addressed by the federal safety agency and gm immediately.

Filed May 21, 2016 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · VA · crash · 2 injuries

On 4/28/2016 traveling to work following a tractor trailer in a 55 MPH zone, the tractor trailer abruptly merged into the right turn lane after a curve without a signal leaving two stopped cars in my travel lane making a left turn. I applied hard pressure to my brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I impacted an avalanche that was pushed into a small compact car causing substantial damage to my vehicle and the avalanche. The driver of the avalanche was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. While at the accident scene I noticed fluid leaking under my truck just behind the left rear tire. The truck was towed from the scene to a body shop where they discovered 2 ruptured brake lines in between the master cylinder and proportioning valve. Attached pictures show severally rusted brake lines with no other rust or corrosion on parts in the surrounding area. Initial estimate for repairs on my truck were $6,371 before tear down.

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Brakes · 293,000 miles · MD

Brake pedal went to the floor trying to avoid hitting another car traveling at 60 MPH on the interstate , steel brake line under drivers door rusted and broke .

Filed Nov 6, 2015 · Brakes · 190,000 miles · MA

During a highway braking event, brake lines blew out due to rusting, causing complete brake failure.

Filed Oct 27, 2015 · Brakes · 164,000 miles · PA

Brakes failed under hard stop (highway, in motion) to avoid a collision with deer. Master cylinder to ABS module steel brake line failed in a mode of rupture due to corrosion. All other steel lines were corroded and contacted gm. 2 other silverado line vehicles owned also failed this year due to corrosion. Gm response was that no recall existed. Replaced all steel brake lines in vehicle with stainless aftermarket lines. After multiple contacts with gm customer service, I was told to save my receipts for repairs. This is an incorrect material specification, latent defect and gm needs to be held accountable. 3 vehicles that I own with the same repair in 8 months. Inexcusable!

Filed Sep 8, 2015 · Brakes · 250,000 miles · IL

Rear brake line failure due to corrosion. Failure point between gas tank and rear frame rail where hydraulic line is mounted on lh side of vehicle. Upon applying brakes, the line blew causing near total brake failure coming to stop light narrowly avoiding the car in front of me. There was just enough pressure for front brakes to grab barely stopping the vehicle. There is no reason for this to happen considering the coating technology available in 2004. This truck is rated @ 9200 gvw with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. If this truck was fully loaded the results could have been catastrophic in the right situation.

Filed Aug 3, 2015 · Brakes · 81,238 miles · PA

As traffic slowed ahead of me I applied my brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I then used my parking brake to stop. I stopped an inch away from the car ahead of me. Vehicle was towed to repair shop. Upon inspection the technician said the brake line failed and the other brake lines were also rusted bad and needed to be replaced. He also said the fuel lines were rusted and should be replaced soon. I was very lucky I was able to stop in time . I could have injured other people in front of me.

Filed Jul 24, 2015 · Brakes · 159,037 miles · MI

I was towing my rv. When I hit the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor. Scared the blank out of me since I had my wife and two kids with me. The brake line for the rear brakes blew due to corrosion. The only thing that saved us was the trailer brakes or we would have had a serious accident. Gm is so cheap they build their brake system with lines that easily corrode in stead of stainless. There should be a recall. The internet is littered with this issue. There should be a regulation forcing manufacters to use corrosion proof brake lines. Ridiculous!!!

Filed May 21, 2015 · Brakes · VA

First time brake line failed my wife was at a fast food drive thru and when leaving window applied brakes and pedal went to the floor. Two brake lines had to be replaced going to ABS module/motor pack. The next time was about a year later,had moved the truck from bottom of driveway to top and parked it. A couple of hours later brake line broke under drivers seat. Each time had to hold pedal down for 5-10 seconds to find leaking fluid. The fluid was apparently spraying on the frame and running down it. The third time another line busted. Stopped perfect at stop sign in neighborhood and when reaching the second pedal went to the floor. No warning at all three events. Brake pedal went from normal to going to the floor. There was no softness or extra travel prior to all three times. The truck now has 85,000 miles on it. My local dealers answer to why this keeps happening was it is 11 years old, maybe you should talk to sales about getting a new one. I love this truck minus the brake issues