The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH with a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the trailer brake failed to respond on and off independently. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The trailer brake failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with N232414840 - Customer Satisfaction Program (Equipped with BRK APL CTRL FEATURE-INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE); however, the VIN was not included in the program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. No assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brake failure problems
71 of the 1,078 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 describe brake failure, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 71
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
C3500 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and towing a trailer or an RV, the brake pedal was depressed, and the trailer brake failed to engage. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the manual trailer brake was able to activate, and the trailer brake engaged to slow the trailer or the RV. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tow hitch wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the tow hitch was factory installed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
1st incident: When driving the vehicle dashboard shut off, no indicators working such as speedometer, gauges etc and brakes were not working, luckily I was in a 60 miles an hour zone so I had to just let the vehicle come to a gravity stop. To turn off the engine and start it back up again. 2nd incident: when driving the dash lights turned off and on like flickering on and off and all the gauges mentioned above did not work, and brakes did not work. This is very scary! All power in the truck is lost while driving and braking issue!
During operation of the vehicle at approximately 45mph and sudden stopping/ breaking is required, truck fails to do so. It is a partial loss of brake pressure and a loud "whale cry" type sound that appears to be coming from under the hood. I have had it happen twice just recently; I have taken to dealer, and they cannot replicate the issue. I have caught the sound the second time on video. To summarize truck loses partial breaking power, pedal does not bottom out, but it feels like there is not as much pressure being applied to the breaks when needed. Once the sound stops all braking returns to normal.
Driving home from work 7/1/2024 approx 5:15PM Smelled burning smell, no noise or dash lights, thought it was another car. 1 minute later, heard a thump from under hood and "Charging System Failure" came on dash. Decided to take to Chevy dealer, which was 5 minutes away. Within next 2 minutes steering failed. As I came to next intersection, brakes failed, went thorough red light, luckily not hit by another vehicle. Coasted to stop and called tow service.Engine was still running until I turned it off. Had towed to local Chevy dealer. AC compressor had locked up, broken belt. Steering and brakes failed. Dealer agreed both failed, but would not list the brake failure on the invoice. I was originally invoiced 2900.00 to repair, even though truck had only 29244 miles. That was reduced to 1160.00. Was told it was 2 months past 36 month warranty. Engine was still under warranty, but AC, alternator, power steering and brakes, was not,. I had contacted GM which originally told me they would reimburse me for repairs and would mail me a check, I have the email. When check did not arrive after 2 months, I contacted my case worker again via email and phone. Could not get a response after about 6 attempts. When I called and finally got another person, I was informed they had changed their mind.
We tow a 2024 Grand Design Solitude 310GK with our 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 diesel truck. We are getting frequent but intermittent loss of our trailer brakes during towing. As you can imagine this is a serious safety issue. We will be towing and receive a message on the display "Trailer Brakes Disconnected" then typically followed by "Service Trailer Brakes". This has been happening more frequently over the past 3 months. Imagine driving down a hill with a 15K pound rv pushing you and there are NO brakes on the 5th wheel. It is extremely scary and dangerous. I've researched on the internet and Facebook and there seems to be a "Technical Bulletin" from GM Bulletin No.: 23-NA-149 Date: September, 2023 recommending the replacement of the Trailer Brake Control Module. I've called to have the dealer replace our brake control module but it is not covered because it is a "Bulletin" and not a "recall". This is absurd and the manufacturer should take care of this known issue.
I was towing my 36 ft 5th wheel home from my storage place when the engine stopped. I had no brakes or power steering. I was coming up to a stop sign when this occurred so fortunately I was only moving about 15 mph. I was able to stop the truck and trailer by using the 5th wheel braking system without any damage to vehicle or other property. Once I regained my composure I tried to start the truck. All the dash lights were on but it would not start. The digital display kept showing Service ECM & Service StabiliTrak. I had the truck towed to the dealer where it is right now. They have been unable to replicate the issue and have no suggested fix at this time. I had no prior warning messages or symptoms of the problem. All of this happened Sunday April 5, 2024. The truck is a 2024 and I bought it new, picked it up November 30, 2023. Current mileage is 3,523. If I would have been towing on the Interstate at 60-65 mph around a curve this could have been catastrophic.
There was oil leaking from my rear wheel causing loss of brakes and lots of smoke, almost caught on fire. Dealer stated that there was a defective rear wheel seal. There was loss of braking control on wet pavement from precipitation.
Trailer Brake controller DIC shows "check trailer wiring" and Brakes are not functioning. Intermittent issue but mostly no brakes. Lights all work fine. New RV bought in [XXX] testing brakes and DIC indicated issue. Stokes Chevy dealer replaced Brake controller and for 1st 1 1/2 hours on [XXX] no issue. Pulled over for lunch and when restarted truck the issue came back. no brakes or at best intermittent for 700 miles. numerous times pulled over and reconnected 7 pin. using GM recommended 7 pin on RV. Brakes and wires tested by RV dealer. Ford was used to haul trailer initially to RV park and no issues. Took truck to dealer once home ( Cavender GMC) they cannot find issue. Also the check parking brake icon comes on. Heard there is bulletin w/ issue involving solar chargers and batteries on RV being possible issue. RV is 2023 Grand Design 373FB-R. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving at about 35 MPH, I had to stop for a garbage truck doing a trash pickup. When I applied the brakes on my pickup, the brakes totally failed and I nearly drove another car into the back of the garbage truck. That averted crash would certainly have killed the car's driver. I avoided a crash by a rapid turn into the oncoming lane just as a car coming toward me cleared the opposing lane. My truck has been maintained professionally and the brake failure was a great shock to me. My truck is a 2007 chevy silverado 3500 dually.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module
- 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 linkages
- 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 linkages
- 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
Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brake failure
Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (9 complaints), 2004 (9 complaints) and 1997 (7 complaints).
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