2002 GMC Sierra 1500: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. The ABS and brake system warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the brake lines were replaced due to rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000. *bf brake lines were replaced twice same location on the vehicle. Consumer is now having problems with ABS brake lighting on dash ( wheel speed sensors on front tone rings).

Filed Nov 2, 2017 · Brakes · 165,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving between 3-8 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the anti-lock brake system engaged, increasing the braking distance. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was rust between an ABS sensor and the hub in the front driver and passenger side wheels. The hub and sensor needed replacement, but the vehicle was not repaired. The gmc dealer (jeff wyler florence buick gmc, 1154 burlington pike, florence, ky 41042 (859) 279-4590) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any service bulletins or recalls. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2016 · Brakes · 124,000 miles · CT · crash

Abs system is kicking in at slow speeds, as in a crawl like you were driving next to a walking person. Like I am pushing on the brake pedal and it is pushing back and not allowing me to stop truck. Very scary

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Suspension · 169,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving at various speeds, the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side front hub assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle was taken in for inspection and the contact was notified by the service technician that the driver side front hub assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07e106000 (wheels). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2015 · Brakes · 98,300 miles · AR

I recently took my truck off the road to replace the shock absorbers. While replacing the rear shocks, I noticed that the brake pads were worn to less than one eighth inch thick. I then looked at the front brake pads and noted that they had hardly any wear. I understand that the front brakes do 70% of the braking and the rear brakes do 30%. That made my finding abnormal. All the brake pads and rotors were replaced, at the same time, about one year ago. When I prepared to change the front shocks, I noted that the ABS dashboard light was on. I was turning the vehicle around at the time and when I approached the garage I applied the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. A few seconds later, I felt the brakes modulating and the pedal was forcefully pushed back up to the at rest position. The truck continued to roll and the brakes were ineffective. I have always believed that a dual (front/rear) braking system was a safety feature. I was incredulous that this was even possible. I feel fortunate that I was only navigating in my yard. I pull a 27 foot fifth wheel with this truck several times a year. I can only imagine the outcome if this event happened on the highway with the rv attached. I found many anecdotal stories that were similar to mine on several websites. As of now, this truck is grounded until I find a satisfactory explanation for this. The brake fluid reservoir was found to be completely full of brake fluid and an inspection of the brake lines revealed no sign of leakage. I have not yet delved into the trucks ABS system, but I have strong reason to believe it is defective.

Filed Sep 8, 2015 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · IA

Slowed down and turned into a parking spot and the ABS system kicked in. Did get the pickup stopped and noticed brake fluid leaking by the driver real wheel. Had almost no brakes getting the pickup home. Upon inspection found the rear brake line had ruptured due to corrosion. The ABS system has been kicking for no reason before this. Talked to a mechanic and he said there have been a lot of corrosion problems with the 1999 to 2003 gm pickups.

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Brakes · 87,510 miles · OH

My 16 year old daughter was driving the truck at the time of the failure. She has her temporary license and was driving for the third time. After driving in town and on some rural roads, she started getting too close to other cars at stop lights and stop signs. I began telling her to stop sooner, she said she was trying. It only got worse so we went home. She almost ran into our house as tried to stop in the driveway. Because she is a new driver, she did not realize the brakes were going out. After we got out of the truck I noticed a puddle of fluid forming under the driver side. I determined that it was brake fluid. I raised the hood and had her press on the brake pedal. Brake fluid started spraying out of a brake line near the frame. The brake lines from the master cylinder to the ABS module are very rusty along with every other brake line. This truck may be 12 years old and have 87,000 miles but I have always taken very good care of it and it still looks new inside and out. I do not believe a major safety component like the brakes should be failing at this time. Other critical components have warning systems to alert you to possible failures but when there is no way to tell if something critical will fail I believe those parts should be made to last. If the life expectancy of a part is limited, the manufacturer should recommend service at a reasonable interval. My daughter is now scared to death to drive any of our cars because she feels it could happen again. I am just glad I wasn't pulling my 20 foot boat and had to make a panic stop at highway speeds when the line failed. Someone could have got injured or killed I am currently getting quotes to have it repaired. So far I have received prices ranging from $600-1500. I feel gm should cover most to all of these expenses because they used sub-par parts to build a critical component of the brake system.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the brakes and ABS warning lamp illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the ABS control module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Brakes · 119,850 miles · AZ

Today I was on freeway in bumper to bumper traffic and when I went to stop my brakes fluttered and made a weird noise and I pushed with all my strength on brake pedal to stop and wasn't able to stop like 25 other cars in my life would have stopped and rear ended a minivan, there was minimal damage done to his van, my bumper has a little dent and his van has a small scratch, this I the third time in last week this has happened with the first 2 me thinking it was nothing because it only happens maybe 1 out of every 300 brake applications, I came home today and did some research on google and found out there are 1000s of trucks like mine with the ABS activating at low speeds causing crashes, I called gm and asked a few questions and all they said was my VIN does not qualify for ABS or brake recall gm had on these yr trucks. If my truck is doing the same thing as these trucks that qualified for recall why wont they fix mind because obviously its same problem, the gm guy I spoke with played dumb and act like he has never heard of someone having my issue, he is lying because there is tons of people on these gm forums that have called gm with same problem as mine with same results, please help me or let me know what recourses I have to have gm fix this ABS issues before someone gets killed, thank you

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Brakes · 208,010 miles · NE

While trying to park my vehicle in a parking lot the brakes anti-lock system engaged. I was pulling forward to back into a stall. There was a person walking down the parking lot some distance in front of me. As I applied the brakes to stop going forward and start to back the ABS system engaged and I could not stop. The gentleman in front of me thought I was going to hit him, and quite frankly I thought that I was also. The pavement was dry, the temperature was about 62 degrees. This is a dangerous situation. There is nothing wrong with my brakes at higher speeds. I have read some things about issues with the ABS speed sensors on the wheels. If this is the case gm needs to recall all of these vehicles before there are serious accidents or deaths!!

Filed Jul 11, 2013 · Brakes · 59,000 miles · MD

There was almost a crash! A car, from the right side, started to pull out in front of me at an intersection. I hit the brakes hard and felt what I thought was the ABS activating. Fortunately the car stopped and I was able to swerve around the car and I avoided a collision. It was close! A 1/4 mile down the road I applied the brakes to turn left into my destination and the brakes were not effective and the pedal went to the floor. We inspected the truck and found brake fluid leaking in the vicinity of the rear axle. We looked underneath and found the main metal brake line that goes over the gas tank to the front of the vehicle has ruptured. We called the local gmc dealer and found no recalls or service campaigns for this problem. The truck is now at a local independent shop for repairs.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Brakes, Fuel system · 68,830 miles · MI

While traveling at approx. 20-25mph, pulling away from my home, a small animal ran across in front of me. I hit the brakes, hard, and after a momentary feeling of brake pressure, the pedal went straight to the floor with no brakes whatsoever. I backed up into my driveway, jacked up the truck and placed it on jack stands. The underside of the truck was wet and dripping brake fluid around the ABS unit beneath the cab. My wife applied the brake while I examined the underside. An approx. 1/8in hole was found in the incredibly rusty and weak steel line running from the ABS to the left front where it joins the rubber line to the l/f caliper. Further examination reveals all steel brake lines are incredibly rusty, structurally weak and in danger of failure. This could lead to a very serious, catastrophic crash with the potential of fatalities. Further, all of the steel parts of the fuel lines are also very, very rusty and weak and with the high internal pressures and highly flammable and explosive gasoline inside are another serious hazard. I am a licensed master auto/truck and motorcycle mechanic. In nearly 50 years of driving I have never seen a brake line failure from such massive rust on a vehicle with such low mileage. This vehicle has only 68,830 miles on it. It is unsafe to drive. Many, many other owners of similar gmc and chevrolet trucks have reported similar brake line rust and failure. Repair/replacement cost estimates can be as high as $1200 to nearly $2000. Brake line failure can kill. If ever there was justification for a safety related recall, this is certainly it.