Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the brakes began to feel spongy when depressed. The contact was taking the vehicle to the dealer when the brakes failed completely and he had to utilize the emergency brakes to stop the vehicle. When arriving at the dealer, the contact discovered a large puddle of brake fluid on the ground under the vehicle. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the brake lines were severely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 139,000.
2001 Chevrolet Silverado: soft or spongy brake pedal
6 of the 876 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado describe soft or spongy brake pedal.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 21 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Soft or spongy brake pedal by model year
What owners say
Anti-lock brakes were engaging at low speeds on dry pavement, ie: slowing down, stopping. Brakes failed at a low speed with a hard pedal. Ran into a building air conditioning unit causing minor damage. Gmc removed, cleaned and lubricated the front speed sensors for the anti-lock brakes.
After the vehicle reached the 30,000 mile mark vehicle experienced a soft spongy feel on the ABS brakes. Dealer stated that this experience was normal. Consumer disagreed. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Getting the vehicle to stop was difficult. *ak the braking was especially poor when carrying a heavy load in the truck. The dealer checked the brakes and indicated that nothing was wrong with the truck.
While braking from 55 MPH the brake pedal became hard and the vehicle would not stop. The ABS brake light also illuminated on the dash. The consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder and stop the vehicle by pulling up the emergency brakes. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. (bernard fearron-service manager).
The ABS sensor failure resulted in service brakes failing to stop the vehicle immediately. The consumer had to depress the brake pedal several times to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal was hard when this occurred. *ak the problem was also present while being repaired.
Brake pedal spongy at times scince new. Dealer states pads need to brake in. With spongy pedal there is almost no braking ability.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: anytime hydraulic brake pipes assembly need replacing, pre-formed and pre-flared...
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds (clean wheel speed sensor mounting surface)
- ABS light on, dtc's C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss of communication with brake module
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) light on, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCS) C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss...
- Supplement to 04094 front wheel speed sensor corrosion
- Product safety recall regarding front wheel speed sensor corrosion
- Low effort parking brake apply system
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
- Risk
- This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V379000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
- Risk
- If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado spongy pedal
Is soft or spongy brake pedal a common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
6 of 876 owner complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado (1%) mention soft or spongy brake pedal. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
There are 2 recalls and 21 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado
ABS 163Brake failure 70Stalling 30No deployment 27Tire blowout 27Knocking 24Fuel gauge 19Grinding brakes 17Power steering loss 14Harsh shifting 12Check engine light 9Fuel pump 8Headlights 8Jerking 8Pulling 8Loss of power 7Transmission failure 7Engine failure 6Steering noise 6Misfire 5Premature wear 5Wipers 5
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