2001 Chevrolet Silverado: brake failure

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · IL

A steel brake line cracked and failed. I was at my house when it happened so no serious injuries or damage. However, the brake failed completely and instantly with no warning. It could have occurred at an intersection and the results could have been much worse. I had my wife press on the pedal while I looked for the leak. It was along the length of the steel line routing from the ABS module to the front right brake. It creates a mist of fluid near the radiator. My next concern is that the fluid will cause further corrosion of the parts it sprayed.

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · Brakes · 66,869 miles · IL

Going out of the garage,stepped on the brake and the pedal went to the floor.noticed a puddle under the truck and found a rusted thru brake line at the ABS control valve. Updated 09/10/15*lj updated 11/01/2017

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Brakes · 58,000 miles · MI

On saturday 12/13 my wife was driving our 2001 chevy silverado. While hitting the brakes for a stop sign, the brake pedal went to the floor and she ran through the stop sign as the vehicle could not be stopped in time. Fortunately there was no accident. This occurred about a mile from our home and when she arrived home, she was extremely upset. I checked the vehicle and the brake fluid was low and I found the fluid was leaking out of the hydraulic brake line under the vehicle. I checked and learned there was no recall for this dangerous defect. With the amount of these vehicles on the road, this is extremely dangerous as there is absolutely no warning and the stopping power is almost non-existent. This is a very low mileage vehicle that is kept in excellent condition. Please have these vehicles looked at by the manufacturer or there is serious risk of life threatening crashes.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · WI

Transferring some materials from neighbors house to ours, dirt road / driveway. Got to our house, brake pedal went to the floor. Refilled master cylinder, parked the truck. Checked fluid later, entire master cylinder was empty as truck was parked. Brake lines seem to be rotted out.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · NH

Purchased the used vehicle originally at 42000 miles. Have taken impeccable care of it. Actual dates of incidents are unknown due to the fact most have been ongoing. Brakes failed due to ABS. Fixed twice by gm under the safety recall. Both fixes were bandaids (dealer cleaned and applied a "special" grease twice, they never replaced the ABS sensors. Third fix I paid out of pocket to replace the sensors, and since then the ABS has been ok. Brakes failed due to rust and corrosion (all lines and 2 calipers had to be replaced. Fuel pump failed, fuel lines failed due to excessive corrosion, fuel tank straps failed due to excessive rust and corrosion. Slow leaks in 3 of 4 wheels due to excessive rust and corrosion in the rims.

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · IN

Going on a trip to the store , so before the intersection I need it to stop, so pushed the brake pedal to slow down and the pedal just went all the way down to the floor and no warning light or sound and more importantly no brakes!!!!! So I acted quickly and down shift it to 1st gear that slow it down some so I put it in park and shuck the truck but I got it to stop. 10 more feet and would go in to crossing traffic that was very close. So I want to know if gm is aware of this problem (rusty brake lines under the truck) and if they are going to do any thing to fix it.they should inform the danger to public.

Filed Aug 16, 2014 · Brakes · 315,000 miles · MI

Operating the vehicle down highway off ramp, pedal suddenly pedal went to floor. Approaching intersection out of control, one pair of brakes locked up after repeated attempts to slow. The pedal was unmanageable in this emergency situation. I was able to avert an accident by driving into the shoulder. I was reported for reckless operation, and was cited, and was convicted of a lesser charge. I pleaded with the police officer that the trucks behavior was a result of a brake failure, and unfortunately the defense was ignored. Vehicle was towed to a shop where a ruptured brake line was diagnosed. I ultimately had to pay for the repair as well as a criminal fine because of brake line corrosion.

Filed Jul 27, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 99,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

I was traveling about 30 miles per hour when I had to stop for a van ahead of me. I touched my brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. No brakes at all. Because of other traffic, and no time, I hit the van in the rear. Neither of the air bags deployed. The gentleman in the van had to go to the hospital. I had a bump on my leg, and my brother was not hurt. I just now have heard other stories of the same problem going on for years. This is not right.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Brakes · 137,500 miles · MN

My wife was backing up the truck to give me and my stuck four wheeler a tow and just barely got the truck to stop. I jumped in to move it and the brakes went to the floor,no warning lights. I then noticed it was leaking brake fluid on the driveway.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · NE

I was pulling into a parking slot at home depot and pushed on the brakes to stop. Brake pedal went to the floor twice before applying parking brake to stop. No one was parked in the slot in front of me so I was able to stop without any accident. One of the brake lines, near the electro-hydraulic control unit, had sever corrosion and had ruptured causing failure of the complete brake system. There was no indication of any leakage from these brake lines before the failure. The oil was changed and vehicle inspected at the dealership about one month before this incident. Upon inspection, after this incident. All brake lines are corroded and need to be replaced. The fuel lines were replaced at the dealer about a year ago as they started leaking and were also corroded.

Filed Mar 13, 2014 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · NC

My wife was driving truck to post office when the brake pedal went to the floor slowly. After getting it home safely I looked at left front wheel area and saw brake fluid everywhere. The leak was in the bundle of brake lines just above the frame, going from the reservoir to the ABS unit under the driver side of the frame. Inspection showed that all of these lines were severely corroded. The lines going from the ABS unit to the back brakes appeared to show some corrosion as well but not nearly as bad. I have replaced all lines from ABS to the front with an aftermarket set and will replace the backs soon. This truck was bought new in south florida by me and has never been up north until just a few months ago. There is also significant rust on the frame and suspension parts as well for truck of this vintage. I am very disappointed in the quality of this crucial safety component of this vehicle. I hope our 2011 malibu which we bought new, doesn't end up with the same problem a few years from now.

Filed Sep 24, 2013 · Brakes · 211,000 miles · IN

I had just picked up 2 cu. Yds of mulch and was going home when I was coming up to a roundabout. I slowed down more than usual, started braking early, since I was driving with a load. As I got to the intersection I noticed a car that was coming through quickly and got to the intersection before I did so I had to stomp on the brake a little more than I had planned. As I did the brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily the hole was small enough that I still had some pressure and was able to slow down and just miss the car. I slowly crawled through the intersection and pulled over at the next street. I was thinking it was the calipers but when I looked under the truck I saw that the leak was coming from higher up. I crawled under the truck to get a better look and saw that all the brake line where severely corroded. I had the truck towed back home and need to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow to see what the damage is.