2004 Chevrolet Silverado: soft or spongy brake pedal

Filed Mar 16, 2014 · Brakes · 108,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2006 · Brakes · NH

Hydraulic brake system is ineffective in stopping this vehicle. Brakes are spongy and go to the floor when stopped or if hard pressure is applied. This vehicle would not stop if a child ran in front of it. Three attempts to repair and now we are told it is part of the design and if we used it more this would help. The newer models do not have this system. I wonder why?

Filed Mar 6, 2006 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated the brakes on the vehicle feel spongy. The brake pedal must be depressed hard at 5mph and below before the vehicle stops completely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer stated after the inspection, part of normal maintenance would be to replace the brakes; however the contact did not replace the brakes.

Filed Dec 15, 2005 · Brakes · 4,572 miles · FL

Dt: the contact stated since purchase of the vehicle the brakes have been weak and spongy. The brakes were not able to stop the vehicle properly and it took an extreme amount of pressure to stop. The vehicle has been inspected by the sales dealership and two other dealerships and they all stated there was nothing wrong with the brakes. *ak updated 1/11/2006.

Filed Sep 9, 2005 · Transmission · 11,256 miles · OR

Dt: clutch failure, vehicle has been to the dealer three times for the same problem. They have temporarily fixed it. They replaced bearing, flywheel, pressure plate, and the slave cylinder. This was the first time. The second time they replaced the master cylinder. The third time they replaced the hydraulic fluid. This started on january 12, 2005. This usually happened when driving straight for four or more hours. The last time dealer took vehicle to dealer for fourth time, took out the frame, and there was an increase in clutch pedal travel, and pedal became momentarily spongy.

Filed Jun 10, 2005 · Brakes · 15,275 miles · OH

Brakes failed while approaching intersection causing vehicle to come to stop in the middle of intersection. Applied brakes lightly while approaching the intersection, and when appling brakes harder, to come to complete stop, they went to the floor, causing vehicle to roll into intersection before stopping almost being broadsided. My wife had the same failure on two other occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the brakes feeling spongy on two other occasions and we were told ,"the brakes are working normal" after the near accident on 6/7/05 it was taken to the dealer again and I was told by the service manager that they would bleed the brakes and that they would contact gm about the problem . The service manager told me to get rid of the truck as the brakes could not be repaired. I filed a claim with gm that evening and they got back to me on 6/10/05 saying there was nothing they would do to fix the problem.