Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake failure problems

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 9,100 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the steering wheel seized, and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. White smoke with a burning odor was coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was on an incline, which helped the vehicle to decelerate. The contact pulled off the road and came to a stop with smoke billowing under the hood. A Sheriff driving by called the fire department. The fire fighters arrived and determined that the smoke had become extinguished. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the fuel line had ruptured and there was diesel fuel collecting inside the engine compartment. The contact was informed that the fuel system had a catastrophic failure and the engine needed to be disassembled for further diagnostic tests. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 9,100.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash · 1 injury

I am reporting a serious and extremely concerning brake failure involving my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Diesel. Traffic ahead of me began to slow down. I saw the traffic slowing and immediately began applying the brakes to slow my vehicle. Although I was pressing the brake pedal, the truck was not slowing or stopping as it should have. When I realized the vehicle was not going to stop, I pressed the brake pedal as hard as I possibly could. The brake pedal went completely down to the floor, yet the vehicle still failed to stop, resulting in a collision. I want to be very clear: I saw traffic slowing, I applied the brakes, and when the truck failed to respond properly, I applied maximum pressure to the brake pedal. Despite this, the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floor and the vehicle did not stop. Because of the seriousness of the incident and our concern regarding the braking system, we had the vehicle towed from the scene rather than driving it. This was an extremely dangerous incident involving a 2026 vehicle. A braking system that fails to respond when the driver is actively attempting to stop presents a serious safety concern and could result in severe injury or death. I am requesting that this incident be formally documented and thoroughly investigated as a potential vehicle safety defect. I also request that all relevant vehicle data, diagnostic information, braking-system data, and electronic crash data related to this incident be preserved and reviewed.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Brakes · PA

I am filing this complaint regarding my 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, which has approximately 20,000 miles and has been babied since new. The truck is maintained meticulously and the undercarriage is washed weekly. The brake failures I have experienced are completely unacceptable for a truck with this mileage and maintenance history. Both the FRONT and REAR brake friction material has completely DELAMINATED from the brake components. This is not normal brake wear. The material has separated from the underlying metal, which I believe is a serious material/manufacturing-quality issue. The dealer is now reporting that the rear emergency/parking brake shoes are also defective and require replacement. These components are inside the rear rotor and are not visible during a normal inspection. I strongly dispute any suggestion that this is simply corrosion or abuse. This truck is babied, maintained properly, and the undercarriage is washed every week specifically to prevent buildup and corrosion. At only 20,000 miles, having the front brakes, rear brakes, AND parking-brake shoes fail is completely unacceptable. The brake failures are also part of a disturbing pattern of component failures on this truck. The A/C compressor failed, leaving me without reliable air conditioning and resulting in a SIX-WEEK wait for replacement during the middle of summer. Additionally, only FIVE DAYS after I purchased the truck brand new, it required replacement of the Engine Control Module. This is a 2023 truck with only 20,000 miles. I expect normal wear items to wear normally—not to physically delaminate and fail. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether there is a systemic safety or manufacturing defect involving the brake materials/components used on these trucks. A brake component physically separating from its backing material is a serious safety concern and should not be dismissed as routine maintenance. GM needs to be held accountable for the quality and safety of this

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I was driving the truck on my way to work in [XXX] , last March 12, 2026, at around 6:50 am. It was raining when I entered the exit ramp to work going west; the truck died, and the steering wheel locked. I tried to start it, but it wouldn't. The dashboard displayed: 'Trailer Park Brake Failed,' 'Power Steering Pump Needs Service,' and 'Axle Repair Error.' I was on the exit ramp for a highway that runs north and south, and I could have been t-boned; it was still dark. The truck was towed to Curry Chevrolet in Scarsdale. They said it was the ECM and ordered the part. They installed the new ECM module last Tuesday, March 17. The service manager called me and said they tested the truck, but it is still showing active codes. A GM advisor called me saying the truck should be ready for pickup this Friday. However, this afternoon, I got a call from the service manager saying there is another issue—the engine wiring harness—and they will order the part; now it will not be ready until next week. GM owes me my life. I do not want to drive the vehicle. The service department people at Curry Chevrolet are very professional, but did I pay and spend a lot of money for a garbage truck? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 15, 2025 · Brakes · IL

Took truck to dealer with concern of higher than normal braking force needed. Couldn’t verify concern. Looked today under the steering column and the brake booster is leaking fluid inside the cabin of the truck when the brake pedal goes through the firewall. There was Almost no brake fluid inside the reservoir causing the brakes to fail with no warning. Looked at similar trucks and all have brake fluid leaking from the same location. With as little as 10,000 miles. Mine has 22,000 miles and it’s failed requiring complet replacement of the brake booster. Taking to the dealership to replace the complete brake booster assembly when part is available. This is a 21 Chevy 2500 truck that pulls up to 18,000 pounds. higher than normal braking application needed, can be deadly or lead to complete brake failure whether loaded towing a trailer at a weigh of 25,000lbs or even the 7,000 pounds empty the truck weighs would reasonably result in the loss of someone’s life. Only thing that drew me to this concern was a harder application of the brake pedal and noticing brake fluid under the dashboard. Would gladly allow anyone to inspect my truck.

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 Apr 10, 2025 · Brakes · WA

While towing our 25ft travel trailer, I began getting warning from the trailer brake controller which repeatedly disconnected and, thankfully reconnected them after a brief interval. Luckily, the times when I had no trailer brakes did not require rapid stops. That said, towing a 7000 # trailer thru the mountains in a driving rain storm with no brakes randomly caused a bit of concern. After researching this I find this is a known defect and has TSB’s and voluntary recalls in place. (TSB 23-NA-149 and N232414840 respectively) However I was never notified by GM as my VIN was not included in the above. We could have been seriously injured or worse. This tsb is almost 2 years old. Why were we not informed/included? Our issue is identical to the tsb.

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Intermittent lose of trailer brakes. Dealerships are unable to duplicate issue, will not replace under factory warranty. Chevy has not issued a recall for this specific vin. But other 2024 Chevy 2500 have had recalls for it. Would like a recall for my vin die to this being an issue if an accident occurs. Traveling with multiple 10K pound trailers and no brakes.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

While driving with a trailer connected the display in the truck will say trailer disconnected. Then the light will go away and come back on. The trailer plug and the trailer are connected and the plug is tight. When this happens the trailer braking system is disabled (trailer has no brakes) I can plug the same trailer to Ford or Dodge with no issues. Have had the Chevy to the dealer 4 times now and they are unable to duplicate the problem. I have researched the problem on the internet and there are a lot of discussions of other people having the same issue. GMC has replaced the trailer control module, but this did not fix my problem. I am at the point the dealer and GMC are giving me the run around. I bought this truck for commercial use and frequently haul trailers. It is very unsafe when the brakes on the trailer are disabled.

Filed Jun 1, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

Vehicle was towing Horse Trailer. Gave an indication message to check trailer break wiring. I did so and all was working fine. I loaded my horses and pulled out onto the road. Traveling 10 mph the truck completely shut off, no brakes, No warning, I helplessly rolled to a stop. The truck then turned on electrically, but did not start the engine completely by itself. Two minutes later, the truck turned itself off electrically. The motor was never running. I had it towed to a dealership in which it took them five days to repair. The truck has 17,000 miles on it. If I would’ve been traveling on the expressway or going any faster, I could’ve killed people.. I personally have PTSD from ever driving this truck hooked to a trailer again. There should have been some kind of warning system. I should have never lost my brakes. I purchased this truck as a towing vehicle from my Horse Trailer And now I am terrified to use it!