Check a VIN

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 grinding brakes problems

35 of the 4,101 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2021 model year.

owner complaints
35
worst model year
2021
typical mileage
40,155
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2024
    1
  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    7
  • 2020
    6
  • 2019
    1
  • 2015
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2008
    1
  • 2006
    1
  • 2005
    3
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    3
  • 2001
    2
  • 2000
    3
  • 1998
    1
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · 170,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the transmission shuddered and hesitated while driving 55 MPH or at higher speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was no longer in business. While driving at various speeds, the lifters were squeaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with lifters failure. The contact decided not to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was making a squealing noise. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 20-NA-020. The dealer was contacted and replaced the brake pads to fix the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Brakes · 24,052 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, there was a grinding sound coming from the front passenger's side wheel. Later, while driving slowly toward a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and traveled through a four-lane intersection. The vehicle was driven to a local service center where the failure recurred while reversing into a parking space, and the vehicle struck a curb. Upon removing the front passenger's side wheel, an independent mechanic discovered that the inner brake pad was missing and the brake caliper was lodged against the brake rotor. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front brake pads and calipers had failed and needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 24,052.

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Transmission · NE

Transmission has locked up briefly during decelerations, has been making grinding noises, has high transmission fluid temperatures, hard shifts during acceleration and deceleration, and has slipped during acceleration.

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Brakes · CA

Brakes and rotar issue. Within the first 8,000 miles the brake pads had to be replaced due to and excessive brake squeal. At 18,900 miles, my truck started to shimmy when I braked. Took it to the dealer who informed me that the rotar’s were warped and needed to be replaced. I have a Silverado HD and drive mostly city miles. No reason the brakes are failing at this low mileage. With the faulty rotar’s my very heavy vehicle is difficult to stop putting myself and drivers in danger. The brakes shimmy every time I brake and there has been no warning lamps or messages from my truck. GM is refusing to replace.

Filed May 5, 2023 · Brakes · SC

Brakes are grinding and squeaking. Sometimes does not seem like it will stop. Chevrolet dealership says its a wearable part and nothing they can do. Brakes are not supposed to grind and squeal. Brakes have done this since brand new. Contacted Chevrolet about the service bulletin on the web Bulletin 20-NA-020. They state they can't help me and its not covered. It Cleary has all the descriptions and symptoms of their bulletin. I made a formal complaint 9-9864406840. I just wan to be sure if something happens I am not held accountable for a manufacture that has a known issue but choses not to fix or be responsible for using bad parts.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

2021, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Crew-Cab, 6.6L Gas Engine. At @ 25k miles, the "Service 4WD" light came on dash. It later started a grinding noise/sound within the front axle transfer case. Was told they had a problem with moisture intrusion into the transfer case and it would cause corrosion to sensor. Truck was taken to dealership and in shop for @ 1 week or so. After repair was completed, less than 3k miles later, it happened again. Same problem ("Service 4WD"), same noises, same diagnoses. Truck was taken back to the dealership. This time, repairs were more extensive and the wiring harness was replaced. I was traveling with work yesterday (34,458 miles on truck now) and the "Service 4WD" light came on again. I've contacted the dealership to schedule a time at the end of week or early Saturday to take the truck back again. While reviewing other complaints, I noticed a similar problem where the customer indicated the "Service Tow System" light was coming on. It too was allegedly caused from moisture intrusion. I'm currently over 3 hours from home through the end of the week. I'm hoping the truck will make it home without creating a catastrophe on the Interstate between here and there.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure and informed the contact that the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with brake pulsation, and a rear brake bolt was loosened. The mechanic tightened the bolt. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Brakes · MI

Brake pad material is causing a glaze over on the rotor and cause a high pitch squeak. Had a reacal on the pads and replaced with a different pair that was supposed to be better. Since this has been done 3 days later started doing same thing again . Now it is causing brakes to stick at low speeds and is becoming a safety issue and concern for me and my family riding in our truck.

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Brakes · CO

The brakes have squealed since the day we purchased it new. The noise is usually at low speed, under 10 MPH. The dealer has told me that they could replace the pads but I would have to cover the cost.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control moduleReported September 29, 2021 · 3,241 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk
Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.

Recall number 21V758000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported August 30, 2018 · 42,280 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

Recall number 18V578000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported February 5, 2016 · 430,771 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.

Recall number 16V069000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported August 8, 2000 · 3,758 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Risk
These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105.
Remedy
Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.

Recall number 00V222000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 grinding brakes

Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2021 (7 complaints), 2020 (6 complaints) and 2000 (3 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history