The contact owns a 2004 GMC Savana. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V045000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
GMC Savana brake failure problems
12 of the 348 owner complaints about the GMC Savana describe brake failure, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 1999
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20071
- 20041
- 20031
- 20021
- 20003
- 19993
- 19981
- 19961
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 gmc savana. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver attempted to stop, but the brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
S10 direct reply- letter to the secretary from constituent re requesting assistance with the recall of a 2012 general motors vehicle. *smd the consumer stated in march 2015, he received an information letter, not a recall that the brake line may fail due to inadequate clearance. After visiting the gmc dealer, the consumer was informed there were no problem indicators at that time and the part would not be replaced until it failed. On august 19, 2015, while driving on a steep mountain road with an 8% grade, the brakes failed. By using the transmission to assist in braking, the consumer was able to drive the van to a flat area before an accident occurred. All the brake fluid leaked from the reservoir and fluid splashed on the under carriage due to brake line failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The consumer was informed it would take 6-8 days to get the redesigned part. The brake line had a hole in it because it was installed in a known area of inadequate clearance.
When approaching stop light with traffic the brake pedal went to the floor. I had to swerve and use the parking brake to stop. *tr
I bought this gmc savana used (22,000 miles) and the parking brake did not work at that time. The dealer refused to fix it under warrantee, claiming it was a wear item. I have not had it repaired yet. Parking brakes should not wear out in that short a time. No crashes yet, but I saw that gmc pickups are being recalled for the same problem and this van probably has the same parking brake system.
2000 gmc savana vehicle is equiped with antilock brakes. On two occassions when I had to make sudden stops I encountered brake failure. Although, there were other times they never resulted in accidents. The brakes would seem to engage then let go causing vehicle to travel father than expected.
Brake bearing have burned out on passenger side of vehicle causing total brake failure, which could eventually cause wheel to fall completely off. Please give any further details.
When brakes were applied under normal stopping conditions pedal went to the floor, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in a collision. Prior to incident dealer inspected vehicle.
When brakes are applied pedal feels normal, but ABS system does not kick in as it should, causing a loss of brakes. Extremely soft brake pedal, goes almost to the floor. Brakes must be pumped several times to achieve enough brake to slow dowm or stop. Gm rep will not authorize any further warranty brake service. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
Consumer was traveling about 20mph in good weather conditions and pressed on brakes & the ABS brakes didn't work. Left front & right rear locked up. Gmc was aware of problem and will investigate more.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
- Risk
- If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Recall number 98V033000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Savana brake failure
Which GMC Savana years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (3 complaints), 2000 (3 complaints) and 1996 (1 complaints).
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