While driving at slow speed in a very congested area, the brake pedal suddenly got very soft and went all the way to the floor. Braking became extremely limited. With the drivers window open there was the smell of brake fluid. If this failure had occurred 5 minutes earlier while braking from highway speed it would have certainly resulted in a serious accident. Once stopped, a trail of brake fluid was apparent and a puddle had formed on the ground under where the driver sits. Closer inspection showed one of the brake lines that runs from the master cylinder on the firewall to the ABS control unit mounted to the inside of the frame rail on the driver's side had ruptured. This brake line, as well as the adjacent line to the ABS controller, and the line from the ABS controller to the rear axle showed signs of severe corrosion. The surface was red and large chunks of corroded brake line material were falling off. The ABS controller, fuel lines in the area, and the frame rail itself showed very limited signs of corrosion typical of a 7 year old vehicle in a salt belt state. 8 months prior the vehicle was serviced by the dealer it was purchased and a report was submitted stating the brake lines were in good condition.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brakes complaints
Page 5 of 7: complaints 101 to 130 of 168, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving on secondary road doing approx 30 MPH, with 2 vehicles in front of me. The first vehicle hit brakes to turn into a parking lot, 2nd vehicle applied brakes , I applied brakes in my truck and pedal went to floor. Fortunately I was able to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me, ( a minivan with a woman driving and 2 or 3 children in the back seats) I was approx one mile from home and was able to get to my driveway by using low gear and I had minimal braking with pedal going almost to the floor. Checked it in my driveway and found brake line had burst due to corrosion of steel brake lines. This vehicle has only 55, 271 miles and is 8 yrs old . From what I have read online this is a common issue with chevy trucks for years. Chevrolet and the dealer I bought it from gave me the runaround and absolutely refuses to do anything about it, even though I have a extended bumper to bumper warranty that I paid $2,000 for.! With the number of complaints on this matter, I would think the nhtsb would force gm to do something about these issues as I am sure there must have been many accidents caused by this problem, and, I might add how many fatalities???. Dealer service mgr. Told me they put cheap lines in to keep costs down so people will buy them. Heck of a great answer for something that brand new is approx $50,000 .
Started vehicle in driveway. Stepped on brake pedal to shift into reverse. Brake pedal went to floor, shifted back to park. Shut off engine. Looked under vehicle and saw brake fluid all over vehicle undercarriage and on driveway. Vehicle is only 8 years and has less than 30k miles.
Due to brake failure on my wife's 2003 chevy 2500 hd silverado caused by corroded brake lines, I thought it would be wise to have the brake lines on my 2004 chevy 2500 hd silverado checked. Upon inspection of the brake lines by fitzgerald auto in frederick, md (where I bought my truck, and where my wife's truck had just had its brake lines replaced), the brake lines were severely corroded. Some areas of the brake lines were rusted so badly that they were flaking off. I was informed by the technician and the service adviser that replacement of the brake lines is imminent. And while it was already clear to me from the visual inspection, they both believed replacing the brake lines now was necessary to avoid brake failure in the near future. The total cost for my truck's repair was $1408.95. This is an 8 year old vehicle, and the brake lines should not be in such bad condition in such a short time. I have inspected my neighbor's 2004 ford f250 and his brake lines look brand new (though they are the original brake lines). I have inspected a 2007 chevy avalanche, and that vehicles brake lines look brand new (though they are the original brake lines). Whatever material was used on my (and my wife's) model year truck(s), it was substandard, and causes a hazard.
While pulling up to a drive up window at a food store, the brakes went all the way to the floor. I heard the pressure releasing underneath. Discovered that the left side brake line from the master cylinder to the ABS module had burst from rusting through. There is heavy rust on sections of all of the lines. Luckily, I was only going very slowly when is burst.
Jan 2011 during a real bad winter we lost the front brakes while driving, multiple brake lines were replaced at a cost of $600+, april 2012 while driving again 25mph the rear brake lines burst!! Just had to pay for more brake lines at a cost of $485. The truck now has 117,000 miles and this is not the first issue we have had, the odometer no longer works and had multiple problems with the blower for heat and A/C.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 2500 hd. The contact stated that brake fluid leaked onto the driveway. The contact examined the vehicle and discovered that the brake line was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed the failure of the brake line. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 58,000.
I am experiencing issues of serious rot and rust with components of my truck. First failure was that my power steering pump reservoir rotted through and caused a leak of fluid, had to replace unit. Then transmission line rotted through, causing a leak of fluids, had to replace lines and cooler due to corrosion. Then starter failed, seriously corroded. Had to replace. Afterward, alternator froze up, inside was corroded with rust and would not spin freely, had to replace. Most recently, brake lines burst causing complete loss of braking ability. Will need to replace. I have owned a substantial number of vehicles over the years and this is completely unusual in my experience and has caused a situation that could lead to death or serious injury. I was fortunate to escape both. Furthermore, it has been a serious financial burden and inconvenience to have to replace so many components on a truck that has yet to reach 60,000 miles. I bought this truck new and have taken very good care of it in hopes that my 30,000 investment would last me a good number of years with regular and expected maintenance.
My sister inlaw borrowed my truck to move some boxes. Driving down the road hit brakes pedal felt funny. Second time she hit the brakes pedal went to the foor. Luckly the second time was not a must stop situation. And got the truck off the road into a driveway. Upon inspection I found the rear brake lines were severly corroded and leaking brake fluid. I think this should be addressed before somebody is killed or even a family is killed.
On feb..9 2012 I was in a drive thru automated car wash, when driving out I went to step on brake & the pedal went to the floor. I pulled over to the side lifted the hood & checked the master cylinder & saw that it needed fluid, I went into the convenience store & bought a pint of brake fluid, I filled the master cylinder, it took the whole bottle of fluid, I walked to the side of the truck to test the brake pedal & noticed the fluid leaked right out on the ground without stepping on the brake pedal. I had the truck towed to my repair shop, when put on lift the mechanic pointed out the rotted out brake line by the modular valve plus the other three lines were rotted & were unsafe, for a temporary fix I had the one line fixed by replacing a piece of the broken line. It was brought to my attention about the ongoing investigation with the federal safety agency. I purchased the truck in nov. 2003.
Brake line leaking due to corrosion. Remaining lines also are excessively corroded. Fuel lines also showing corrosion which I feel is excessive and premature.
Brake line near frame rail beneath drivers seat are corroded. One of the lines developed a leak and a loss of brake function resulted. All of the brake lines are completely corroded and need to be replaced.
While testing the brakes and lights on a 7,000 lb gvw trailer the brake pedal went to the floor. Investigation showed brake fluid from behind the drivers seat and above the gas tank. The brake line over the gas tank rusted through and burst. Another 5 minutes I would have been traveling on mountain roads with no brakes and pulling a trailer. Vehicle was towed and repaired at my expense. Also a days work was lost because I was not able to travel 130 miles home for my companion to work the next day.
Brake lines corroded and vehicle lost all brake fluid, thankfully while parked. Vehicle is 7 years old, with low mileage, always garaged and driven a limited amount during winter, so exposure to salt was not high at all. This type of failure should not occur on a 7 year old heavy duty truck with 50k miles. Thanks god it didn't lose brakes when towing a horse trailer..
Went to use the truck and brake pedal went to the floorboard. Looked under the truck and fluid had shot out everywhere. Two blown brake lines due to rotted out condition of the lines. Repair total of $411.68. 2 lines plus fittings plus new bleeder screws. The mechanic tells me this is a common problem with gm pick-ups and that the other brake lines are on the edge of going also. These lines too are rotted and need to be replaced asap. I see that there is an investigation with the federal safety agency action number of ea11001. The investigation should be expanded to include additional years for vehicles before 1999 and after 2003. I was lucky my incident happened in the driveway and not doing 70 MPH out on the highway. I am looking at an additional repair bill of about $750-$800 to replace the other lines. Needless to say I am distressed to be in this position due to the materials used and installation position of these lines.
Failure of corroded brake lines.
The brake lines ruptured during a panic stop and required the emergency brake to bring the truck to a stop. The truck was towed to a service center that found that all the brake lines are severely rusted.
2004 chevrolet silverado 2500hd lt 4x4 extended cab short bed all hard steel brake lines are severely rusted. I was told by the dealer 2 days ago that my general motors warranty (it is a gm warranty purchased though the gm dealer not some other company) does not cover rust on any parts. In order for them to be replaced they must fail. I sorry but brake lines failing with my wife and 6 month old daughter in the truck is not acceptable to me. Please help us get gm to recall these vehicles and replace the lines with all stainless steel lines. Thanks for your help in this matter.
Not only have I had problems with the emergency brake sticking and rear brakes but the brakes and fuel lines where it makes a turn around the frame just under the driver side foot well are scary rusted as if they used a cheap steel for the lines. I was a chevy dealer mechanic in the 1980s and know what im looking at. I havent had the lines blow out yet but im sure they will. Also all the gauges in the instrument cluster exept the odometer and gas gauge and the fan controls do not work.
Was testing the brakes on a boat trailer before towing it away and a steel brake line running inside the frame channel behind the driver's side rear wheel suddenly burst. Upon inspection, the line was completely rotten for about a 3 to 4 inch section in that area. No warning, another 10 minutes I would have been towing a heavy trailer and the brakes would have failed at any sudden stop. After this line failure, the truck has no brakes except the e-brake, which isn't much. Hopefully there will be a recall, though I already dropped $600 at the shop to get it fixed today.
Total brake failure in my driveway. Brake lines rusted through.
2004 silverado 2500 hd, while towing approx. 7000lbs my brake line ruptured, luckily I had the trailer brakes to stop me because the pedal went straight to the floor. Upon inspecting closely the brake lines are so rusted you can literally smash them between your fingers. This is the newest vehicle I own and is in the worst shape as far as corrosion goes, a shame at 70k miles. Truck is in the shop now, can only imagine what this will cost. Already replaced rotors due to corrosion, e-brake cables, wheel speed sensor(bracket rotted off).
I was backing truck into drive way moving about 5mph and applied brakes to put truck into reverse and brake pedal went to floor did not stop truck. Steel brake line ruptured where the ABS module is under the truck right below driver seat. All brake lines look extremely rusty. Truck is a 2004 2500hd crew cab 4x4. I bought brand new and it has 47,212 miles. I pull a 7000 lbs. Camper and I'm glad it happened in my driveway. In june the rubber gas line failed pumping 15 gallons of gas onto bottom of truck and ground on the way to work (27 miles). Once again, I was lucky. I prefer to not have any other strikes, two is enough for me! I hope it does not take an injury, death, accident or property damage to get the needed attention this vehicle needs.
I own a 2004 silverado 2500hd crew cab. I was leaving a lake boat ramp with my boat in tow when, without warning, the brake pedal went to the floor. With the assistance of the e-brake I was able to bring it to a stop on the shoulder. After inspecting under the hood I went under the truck and found that the brake lines into the proportioning valve were severely rusted and one had ruptured. I had to have the vehicle towed at this point. Upon returning home I began looking for replacement parts and found that your agency is investigating this problem. I find it unsatisfactory that there hasn't been at least an advisory to at least inspect so at least the owners of these vehicles would have a chance to protect themselves, their property, and other individuals from harm. Thank goodness I was not going any faster than I was. There was no warning and I had my family with me. Would you please at least put something out. I know there is currently no recall. How can this be??? There is nothing more dangerous than a 9000lb+ truck with no brakes!! How long do you plan on "researching" this? I am an aircraft mechanic and know that safety changes are usually written in blood!! Please stop acting like the faa and be proactive on this issue. Updated 08/11/11 *bf *tr updated 06/06/12* js
I was on a state road doing 50 MPH leaving my town and went to turn and my brake pedal went to the floor. I was able to slow down and pull over and not get in an accident. I was able to get home and discovered no brake fluid. I filled up the fluid and started to bleed the brake. That's when I noticed the rusted out brake lines and the brake fluid spraying out. I have ordered new brake line from inline tube. I was lucky to not crash but I am worried about others who may have this problem and not be as lucky as me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 2500. The contact stated that while reversing from a driveway, the brakes were applied and the pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were approximately 39,000.
Brake line burst and we lost our brakes! Slow speed and rural location so we were able to stop by steering off-road and into some bushes. Inspected the brake lines and found a leak in the steel line going to the left front brake. The brake line had extensive corrosion on it as well as corrosion on adjacent lines. This is not a maintenance issue, steel brake lines in this part of the country do not rust out at 67,606 miles... Except on this truck. Shameful design and poor materials are the cause. Somebody could have been injured or killed!
2004 chevrolet 2500 crew cab truck brake lines completely rusted out. Noticed problems with brakes not wearing evenly and eventual loss of braking. Took truck to original dealer for servicing to find out the brake lines were completely rusted and fluid leaking from the rusted areas. Was informed by the dealer that it was not cost effective to replace all the brake lines because they would have to be custom fit. We also have a 2000 chevrolet 1500 extended cab that has double the mileage of the 2004 and is still working perfectly, no rusted lines.
No accident yet - wheel is rubbing brake hose. Factory wheel, factory brake hose. No aftermarket parts involved. Left front rubber brake hose.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 2500 hd. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact applied the brakes repeatedly and there was no response. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into a preceding vehicle. The rear passenger sustained a minor injury to the neck. In addition, the other vehicle driver suffered a neck injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
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