2004 Chevrolet Tahoe: brake failure

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately while the brake pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V045000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Brakes · 127,617 miles · IL

Driving down the road around 25 to 30 MPH and a kid ran out between two cars and I slammed on the brakes and they partially failed. The truck eventually stopped, but immediately got a brake failure warning and I had to hold the peddle to the wall to stop the remaining mile or so home. I get home and look under the drivers door to investigate a puddle and I see smoke where the ruptured brake line had been spraying brake fluid on the catalytic converter. Thought for sure the truck was going to catch on fire. The brakes were just serviced, pads and rotors a year or so ago, so I had no clue the lines were bad. Just got home to search on this and see that the federal safety agency has been investigating this, but not much has happened with this since 2014. Very distressing. Seems the only thing that has been done is gm is offering the replacement lines for sale, but no mention that the dealers want $2,000 or more to install them?? I am very thankful that this kid is still alive and we both did not have to endure a death due to the close call. However, I'm extremely disturbed that this is a known issue with millions of these trucks on the road and nothing is being done with this ticking time bomb. Every single such affected truck will eventually run into the same issue, and people are going to get killed. Gm is clearly not addressing this or even warning people of the hidden problem. Why won't you guys do anything about this big problem? You've know about this for 4 years and nothings been done? I'm shocked, that gm has been able to avoid all responsibility due to a mfrs defect by using cheap and inferior products that do not hold up in the northern climates. Coated brake lines should be mandated!!! Just came back from the next page to qualify: no crash - by about 1 foot. No fire - very lucky. No injury/fatality - this very close! I would like a call back.

Filed Aug 1, 2018 · Brakes · OH

Complete brake failure pedal straight to the floor main brake line midway of the truck completely blew apart my son just drove 2 hours pulled in the driveway I went to move his car thank goodness put the brake pedal to the floor and fluid was everywhere I have read that this problem is a 1 + 1,000 on chevy trucks however I have purchased a chevy 2005 tahoe 1 year difference and this weekend the same exact thing happened traveling back from a weekend away and complete brake line failure brake line completely busted halfway down and fluid everywhere so I guess I am too in 2000 seems a little coincidental I am in ohio and I have read about the salt brine and everything however I have one of the cleanest trucks around we are detail freaks every one of our cars is taken care of something is definitely wrong with these years of tahoes and it's going to kill somebody once again we were on a two-hour trip home stop to use the bathroom the next time we hit the brakes they were totally gone had to use emergency brake to stop and pull over we feel the divine intervention on both incidences and are blessed that someone was looking out for us and it sure wasn't chevy

Filed May 30, 2017 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · VA

On 11-11-15 I was sitting at an atm with my foot on the brake pedal. Without warning the brake pedal went completely to the floor. Limped to our mechanic. The mechanic advised that the front brake lines were completely rusted. Replaced the front brake lines at a cost of $580. On 5-28-17 my husband had pulled into a convenience store and was letting my son out of the vehicle, had his foot on the brake and yet again, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Got the vehicle home, checked the brake fluid reservoir and only 2" of fluid was left, checked brake lines and found rusted out places with fluid leaking out. Got the vehicle to our mechanic, same one that replaced the front lines, he advised the same problem, rusted out lines. Estimate to replace rear lines $540. He also told me that this was a "flaw" with that year tahoe and pick up trucks. My question is if the manufacturer knows this is a flaw with the brake lines why isn't there a recall to have the brake lines replaced??? It appears to be a major problem, no brakes is not a good situation!!!!!!! Something need to be done with this problem.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Brakes · 73,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet tahoe. While driving, the brakes failed. The contact's vehicle came to a stop after bumping the preceding vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake line was corroded. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2016 · Brakes · 66,434 miles · PA

Trying to come to a complete stop coming down a hill approaching stopped vehicles ahead when the the brake system failed the pedal went to the floor I fortunately was able stop before hitting anything or anyone including myself and my pets....used emergency break and put in park conducted investigation..1st checked the brake fluid and even though it was just topped off it was down to the minimum levels I next looked under the undercarriage and saw fluid leaking underneath. Since have had it looked at by a mechanic and said my breakline blew and possibly the others because of corrosion.

Filed Dec 13, 2015 · Brakes · 240,000 miles · VA

Brake line blew without warning. Approaching stop signal and was slowing down by braking and then suddenly the brake pedal went to the floor. I swerved into left turning lane to avoid the car in front of me and traveled halfway through the busy intersection before stopping. Proceeded into lot of nearby convenience. Brake fluid pooled under car. Could hear air coming out of brake line when brake pedal depressed.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Brakes · 136,000 miles · TN · crash

I was traveling towards home around 45 MPH in my 2004 chevrolet tahoe. The car in front of me attempted a non-signaled right hand turn and then continued straight ahead. I applied my brakes in a manner to avoid hitting the car as she decided what she was going do. The pedal was firm at first, then completely went to the floor. I had no brakes at all. This resulted in me taking an off road adventure through someones yard and back onto the road to avoid slamming the car in front me as she regained her sense again. I slowly crept home and spit a trail of brake fluid along the way. The hard brake lines on this vehicle are so corroded with rust and I found the front feed line into the ABS module had burst from the corrosion and use of cheap factory lines. I could have lost my life because 11 years ago gm decided cheaper brake line material in 2004 is better than my life in 2015. Now I find that the investigation is closed and they are blaming "maintenance" as the cause. In all the vehicles I have owned, not a single one had to have a hard brake line replaced. It's just not normal wear and tear. It is a material and producer flaw that is going to get someone killed. It almost took my life.

Filed May 28, 2015 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · MO

Wife was driving with son in car went to hit the brakes doing about 40 MPH and brake pedal went to the floor. Luckily she had room to swerve out of the way of the stopped car while continuing to pump brakes coming to a stop in the middle of a busy intersection. Thank god no harm was done to her or my child. 2 brake lines has been ruptured on the driver side of vehicle and was spewing brake fluid everywhere. All of the lines connected to the ABS pump were severely corroded and all have to be replaced.

Filed Dec 30, 2014 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · MD

While braking hard for stopped vehicles on interstate highway my 2004 tahoe brakes failed. It was later determined that my rear crossover brake line had rusted through.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · FL

Returning home from trip. As I pulled into driveway brakes failed. Took it to shop and was told all brake lines were badly coroded and needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet tahoe. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake service indicator illuminated. The contact discovered that the rear driver side brake line was corroded and leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.