2003 Chevrolet Silverado: brake failure

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Brakes · 210,515 miles · WA

While routinely driving my 03 chev silverado truck, the brakes failed. When I was able to safely stop and move to a safe place, I looked under the vehicle and saw brake fluid leaking from one of the brake lines which had failed due to excessive corrosion. As a retired police officer, I have excellent driving skills which helped me to avoid a collision with another vehicle when the brakes failed!

Filed Feb 17, 2016 · Body, Brakes · PA

Brake lines, gas line, transmission fluid lines all rusted/corroded beginning at under 50,000 miles. * had near accidents as the brake lines blew while driving on a highway and was decelerating in an attempt to come to a stop..pedal went to the floor, I continued on (foot off the gas) until the truck slowed down enough on it's own, shifted into low gear & was able to come to a stop and get towed. * shortly after brake line incident, the same thing with the gas line, rusted/corroded and leaked gasoline when ignition was on and pump was running... Towed * a few ,months later, I was parking the truck and fluid started spewing from under the truck - after close examination I determined it was transmission fluid, the lines had rusted/corroded - again,towed. * rear bumper rotted out completely before hitting 35,000 miles- I had it replaced, now the wheels and side quarter panels and everything in between are also rotting out. * currently the dash lights/panel will intermittently begin to flash - the whole dash goes blank, lights off, then they come back on, while driving! **my mechanic recently told me after state inspection, that the frame is the next thing to go, it is rusting out more than expected for a vehicle of it's age/low mileage. Personally, I feel that inferior products were used when the truck was manufactured only because I have another chevrolet product with twice the mileage and 6 years older with barely any rust/rot/corrosion.

Filed Mar 26, 2015 · Brakes · 173,230 miles · UT

While starting the vehicle, the brake pedal suddenly dropped to floor and brakes failed. There was no warning light and all four brakes failed. Fortunately, the vehicle was stopped. Testing the brakes, I found there was a little braking capability, but very little. I have since found that the brake lines were rusted through and the brake fluid sprays out the line below the driver's door hinge. A quick internet search showed this is a well known problem, but I was never notified of the risk. Thank goodness it didn't happen on the freeway! This vehicle has spent most of its life in ohio.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Brakes · 93,185 miles · MN

There was a complete brake failure coming to a stop sign. Fortunately was able to get the vehicle stopped using emergency brake. There was also no other vehicles at stop sign or at cross street. Went through the intersection. There was little or no brake pressure and the brake pedal went straight to the floor. At the shop it was noted there was a complete brake line failure at the ABS module near the driver door of all 6 rear brake lines. The brake lines all rusted through. The shop noted this was a common defect of the chevy silverados. This appears to be an issue especially in cold climates where salt and snow accumulates. This needs to be a safety recall to fix this defect. All 6 brake lines were replaced.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Brakes · IL

2003 chevrolet silverado rusted brake lines *cn when the dealer tested the brakes, the brake pedal went to the floor and five brake lines burst under the driver seat area.

Filed Nov 16, 2014 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

I was approaching a traffic light in town and when the brakes were applied the brake line broke and there were no brakes. I swerved to miss the car infront of me but hit her passenger side rear. She in turn hit the car in front of her.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Brakes · 84,900 miles · MI

I depressed brake pedal to shift the truck from park, and the brake pedal went to the floor! Pumping the brakes did no good. I looked underneath, and brake fluid was running down from under the driver's seat area. Upon closer inspection, one of the brake lines coming out of the ABS modules had sprung a leak at the point where it bends over the top of the frame rail. If this had occurred while driving, an accident is likely, as there was no brake, despite the dual master cylinder! All of the brake lines are severely corroded, especially where the oem factory formed bends are. The brake lines are actually at the point of crumbling in places. To counter any claims about severe corrosion environment causing the problem, contrast the brake lines to the fuel lines on this vehicle which have no to very minimal corrosion. I also own another 2003 gm vehicle with far more miles, and it also has very little brake line corrosion. I have owned both these vehicles from new, and the silverado has less miles, and less winter salt exposure than the other vehicle. I have also owned other vehicles for many more years and miles than this silverado, and have never experienced anything like the horrible crumbling of this obviously defective brake line material used on the silverado. Please the federal safety agency, take some action on this obviously serious safety situation caused by defective manufacturer materials!

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Brakes · 62,300 miles · NY

I was coming to a stop to turn right and brake pedal went to the floor . I had very little brakes only if I went completely to the floor. I had to swerve to miss the car in front of me. I brought truck to brake shop and the driver side rear steel brake line was spraying brake fluid all over my tire .

Filed Oct 5, 2014 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · NJ · crash

My wife was driving our 2003 silverado when she was approaching a bend in the road. She went to apply the brakes, and the pedal went right to the floor. To avoid hitting other vehicles, she ended up going off on the side of the road where she put the shifter into park and applied the ebrake. A tow service was called and had the car towed to a local service shop. The shop had determined that the cause of the brake failure was due to rusted brake lines. I find it amazing that on a truck with no rust, that the brake lines are the first thing to rust out.

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · MI

While driving and approaching a read light, I depressed my brakes and the pedal went to the floor causing me not to stop and running a read light. I was fortunate not to have hit or be hit by another car. I managed to pull to the side and later when the truck was in the shop I came to find out that my break lines rusted through nearly causing a serious accident. This kind of defect is completely unacceptable. I was fortunate not to have been killed. What more can I say?

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Brakes · 139,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact observed brake fluid leaking onto the ground. The contact replaced the rear brake line and noticed that the front brake line also failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2014 · Brakes · 92,000 miles · WI

I was backing my boat down the boat ramp when the brakes went to the floor. Parked the truck and seen a puddle under driver side rear tire area. Drove home slowly on back roads and pulled it into my garage to see where the leak was coming from. Found the brake line rusted above the frame just before it turns to come down to the block that connects to the rubber line. I spliced in a new section of brake line, bled the brakes and ok again. Welcome to wi