I was launching my boat this morning and nearly launched my truck with it. Putting the boat in the water my brakes all of a sudden stopped working. Luckily I thought to put it in drive especially since I can't swim. After driving to the top of the hill I had to crash in to a bank to stop! Then I noticed something leaking above the left rear tire. It appeared to be a brake line that had rusted through.?.?.I had my wife press the brake pedal to find where it was leaking and it was exactly what I thought. Rusted brake line! Of all things designed to survive rust, the brake lines were obviously left out. This is the first time in a long time that I felt my life was in danger. After some research I learned this is very common. I just can't believe nothing is being done about it. Doesn't seem like the gm I know to put lives in danger.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado brakes complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 211, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Approaching traffic light, went to apply brakes and pedal went to floor. Pulled off road and saw brake fluid from vehicle leaking . Had vehicle towed to shop, this is second time 1st time front brake line rusted through, this time the rear lines rusted through. Extremely dangerous situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the brake lines were excessively corroded. The dealer stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 186,000.
While driving, I went to apply brakes at stop light when brake pedal went to floor and "service brake system" warning light came on. Was able to stop by using emergency brake. Aaa towed to local gas station and discovered that brake lines were badly rusted and had ruptured at one point. Technician ordered a brake line "kit" from gm and installed it for total cost of about $1000.00. After 3 months, I noticed that the brakes felt soft, and discovered it needed 3/4 can of brake fluid. Closer inspection under vehicle disclosed another badly rusted brake line located on the rear drivers side between the top of the frame & the truck bed. (it appears the bed will have to be lifted to replace this line. It either wasn't part of the kit, or the repair station skipped replacing it because it was too hard to get to.) my complaint would be that non-stainless steel brake lines were used originally, and that the lines that were installed are of inferior quality that will rust out and fail. I was able to stop the truck when mine failed because I wasn't going that fast, there were no vehicles in front of me, and it was experienced enough to apply the emergency brake. I'm not sure a younger driver going faster in traffic could stop before a collision.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed and the service brake indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
Brake lines rusted out needing replacement. Chevrolet dealership charged $772.70. Service manager says many problems. Gm offers kit to replace lines. Should be recalled. Never had a brake line problem in 50 years as I maintain my vehicles. I could no long wait for a recall. The brake lines were terrible. My 2004 subaru outback has twice the mileage and lines look like new. Brake lines should last life of the vehicle. Please do something. How can you investigate for 4 years and do nothing?
On june 27,2014 approx. 6:30pm my brake pedal went all the way to the floor as I was backing up to turn my truck around in the driveway. I proceeded to put the truck in drive and pushed the brake again and the pedal went to the floor. I put the truck in park and got out and looked under the truck and noticed that brake fluid was pouring out from under the driver side cab. I got a closer look at what was going on and that is when I noticed that the brake line had burst. I also noticed how extremely rusty the brake lines were. The brake lines were in such bad shape from rust that repairing it was not an option. The lines needed to be completely replaced. I had the truck towed to shelor motor mile in christiansburg, va on 7/3/14. I told them to replace the brake lines because they were too rusted to repair and I did not feel safe driving it with the brake lines in such bad shape. I picked up my truck on 7/10/14 and I also got my old brake lines that was removed from the truck. After I got home I got under the truck and looked at the new brake lines and noticed they had a black coating on them. I was told that the coating was to rust proof the brake lines which the old lines did not have. I felt very fortunate that this happened while I was in my driveway and not on the highway because it could have been real bad accident.
The brake lines collapsed leaving my truck with minimal stopping power . This has now happened two times in one month. My mechanic said there was an unexpected amount of corrosion on the lines.
I was traveling down the expressway about 70 MPH and needed to brake quickly for road construction. When I stepped on the brake pedal, it went to the floor board and there was no pressure. The red brake light came on immediately, but there was no warning before applying the brakes. With difficulty, I was able to get the vehicle to stop and barely missed the vehicle way out in front and the road construction equipment and crew. I was scared to death.
I was getting ready to brake my vehicle at a stop sign, as I applied the brake pedal it went straight to the floor. Luckily I was able to apply the emergency brake to stop the truck. I only lived close by so I was able to get home without further incident. When I inspected the truck , brake fluid was all over my engine compartment and upon further inspection I could see my front driver's side steel brake line was rotted out.
I was driving down the road and stepped on my brake pedal and it went to the floor I was told the brake lines rusted out. I had it repaired and then happened twice more. Know I had to order ss. Brake lines before my wife or someone else got killed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Something needs to be done about this before someone dies.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact indicated that the brake pedal had to be pressed to the floor in order to stop the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the brake lines had ruptured causing brake fluid to spill from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 09/05/14*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. No assistance was offered from the manufacturer. The consumer stated the vehicle appears safe but, the new lines appear to be similar material from the previous defected lines. Updated 12/3/2014
I was driving the vehicle , , I tried to stop, and the pedal went to floor, I had the vehicle towed to a local shop . All the brake line were rusted out , I find out now gm sells a replacement kit with the line coated in ABS plastic. Gm knows there is an issue with this truck.
In preparation to leave on a camping trip the next morning I attached a tag along trailer to the truck. When I pulled forward a little to test the brake and running lights on the trailer and to achieve a more level ground, so as to turn on the refrigerator, my brake pedal went to the floor and I could hear liquid leaking from under the driver's side of the truck. Upon further investigation, my mechanic replaced all the brake lines as he deemed them all unsafe due to exterior rusting. We are so glad that the brake line failure happened in the drive way and not on the interstate highway.
Steel brake lines failed due to corrosion under the hood in the engine compartment and along the frame behind the driver side door. Lost the ability to stop the truck. Luckily, there was no one else on the road.
Was driving on highway and applied brakes just before exiting on off-ramp and pedal went to the floor. Inspection of brake lines revealed that rf brake line that runs under the radiator ruptured and is severely corroded. All other brake lines having heavy corrosion as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that the brake lines were completly rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 96,000. The VIN was not available.
Wife was driving my 2004 chevy silverado with 89764 miles when she was coming to a stop the brake pedal went right to the floor she went into other lane to avoid hitting the car in front of her. The steel brake line by the gas tank had ruptured. Seems like this is a common thing on these trucks however chevrolet won't even acknowledge that there is an issue until someone dies. I have been a loyal gm guy for 32 years unless they acknowledge this problem and offer some kind of repair "I will never buy from gm again" and I will advise everyone I know to do the same. However I don't think they really care they will just get more money from the government when they can't sell cars.
I was driving down my hill when my brake pedal unexpectedly went to the floor. I coasted the rest of the way down the hill in low (automatic trans) and turned around and coasted back into my driveway where I could check it out. My rear main brake line was rusted in two and the others were completely corroded. The metal on my exhaust has no rust after all of these miles but the brake lines are obviously made of a far cheaper metal. I read a lot of articles where this is a huge problem with these trucks from 1999 to 2003. Gm, old or new needs to accept responsibility and recall these cheap brakes.
Since the purchase of the truck new the parking brake has never worked correctly. While the brake is engaged the vehicle will still roll. After noticing gm had issued a recall on this model truck for similar problems I contacted them. General motors has informed me that my truck is not included in the recall. On the above date while launching my boat the truck lunged backward while I was behind (parking brake engaged) as a life long gm owner this will be my last.
Rusted brake line broke , causing loss of brakes.
Wife was driving her niece and nephew and coming up on a stop sign to cross a busy highway. The pedal went to the floor. I checked the brake lines and they are extremely corroded/rusted and have a failure in at least one location. This did not result in a crash or injury but could have easily been fatal. There is no way that a truck only 11 years old should have brake lines rusting like this and having complete failure.
I was backing out of my driveway and a brake line blew. Lucky it happened in the driveway and not coming down a hill. I had to have the truck towed to a repair shop and they said all the lines need to be replaced due to rust. The cost to replace the lines is around $950.
I drove to dental office, parked my truck, attended appointment. I returned to my truck, drove approx. 1-2 miles before coming to an intersection where my lane was stopped at a red light on this two lane road. 3 vehicles in front of me were stopped at a red light. I attempted to slow down when my brakes failed with no warning. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor and was barely slowing down. I swerved left and had to cross double yellow lines into oncoming traffic to avoid crashing into the car in front of me, which would have collided with the two other cars at the light. Once that accident was avoided, someone turned from a side street headed directly at my veh. I managed to slow, cut back into my proper lane and narrowly avoid hitting the stopped cars at the light once again. I regained very little stopping ability.once stopped, my brake light came on. Brake line broke in rear left drivers side. Brake lines need to be replaced.
When I left our garage I noticed that the red brake system light was on. Usually my husband drives this to work but we switched vehicles because I needed to haul a trailer to help move my daughter. I have only drive this vehicle one other time so I was unfamiliar with how it handled. I noticed that I had to press hard to stop but thought that was how it handled. I drove over 120 miles with it this way, I didn't know what was wrong with it, by the time I pulled into our drive, I could barely stop the vehicle. My husband came out to release the trailer out back. He got in and said, "what's wrong with the brakes?" I said, "what do you mean?" he told me I had no brakes and I could have been killed. It was a near miss incident but I have found (as a former safety manager) that those near miss incidents often show a root cause) that in the future means something. Please let me know if there ever is a class action suit to recoup the money we will have to pay to have this repaired.
Brake line broke due to excessive rusting of line. Internet research shows many many owners having same problem.
While driving my 2004 chevrolet z71 crewcab silverado the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no warning sign such as soft pedal or warning light. I avoided rear ending the car in front of me because I was going slow enough in traffic to use my emergency brake. Upon inspection if found the brake reservoir below minimum and no visible leaks in my garage so I filled with dot3 fluid per owners manual. Upon depressing the brake pedal seeking a firm pedal the rear hard brake line burst. Further examination revealed all brake lines were rusted and in need of replacement, not just the burst line. My truck is not a daily driver and seldom driven on salted or chemical treated roads. When it is I always take is to my local car wash that has an undercarriage wash. I have noticed multiple complaints on brake lines for this vehicle with no recall. This is the first time I have ever heard of brake lines rusting to failure on a vehicle that is under 20 years old. Please insist chevrolet do a recall before someone gets hurt and those of us that own this vehicle can be reimbursed, retroactively if necessary. Thank you.
My wife was transporting me to my first check up after major shoulder surgery, when the brakes failed. Upon a mechanical inspection, it has been determined that the brake line rusted totally through. We were very lucky she was able to get truck stopped with no injury to us or anyone else. Not a good situation with my shoulder totally immobilized.
Driving into work this morning I tried to stop to and the brakes when to the floor. I looked underneath and there was brake fluid leaking from my brake lines near the drivers door on top of the frame rail.
All my lines under truck rusted out brake lines shift linkage transmission lines. Brakes were the worst lines popped from rust.I keep this truck in a garage not used commercially. I'm a hospice nurse and need to get where I'm going. I keep this truck mint detailed twice a year professionally maintained every 3000 miles.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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