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.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 127, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
I lost brakes on a return trip from shopping trip at a near by town . I was able to stop by using the emergency brake in time to prevent hitting the vehicle stopped ahead of me at a red light. I was able to get my vehicle home by driving at very low speed and using the emergency brake with without any further incident . I attempted to repair the corroded section of the line . While bleeding the brake lines another section rupture . Upon further inspection I discovered all the lines were corroding and needed to be replaced . Also all the couplings on the fuel lines are corroded . My truck has been sitting in my drive way for lack of the funds to get it repaired .the estimate for the brake lines to be repaired is about $1200.00. I haven't got a clear estimate for the fuel line couplings because the might also have to be replaced if they can't be repaired . The fuel lines other wise are not corroded.
A second brake line rusted through causing the pedal to go to the floor unable to stop quickly enough to avoid accident.
Brake line failure due to rust through. Truck pedal went to floor in heavy expressway traffic almost causing accident.
Failure of fourth ABS hub sensor on this same vehicle each costing between $450 - $600. To replace.
Abs sensor in hub failed this is one of four identical failures of the same part in this vehicle.
Abs sensor in wheel hub failure this is one of four identical failures of this part in this same vehicle.
Abs sensor in hub failed this is the first of four failures of this part on my vehicle. Each failure cost between $450 to $600 each to repair.
While driving at app 50mph I tried to brake to avoid a vehicle which pulled out in front of me and my pedal went all the way to the floor. To my horror I had no brakes!!!!!! Luckily my 2002 gmc is a 5 speed manual transmission and I was able to down shift to avoid an accident. Using my transmission and finally my emergency brake (which rusted through the year before and cost over $300. To repair)) I was able to pull to the side of the road and safely stop. My auto was towed to a local repair shop where the mechanic showed me the rusted through brake lines. It cost me over $2,000 for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the anti lock system braking system malfunctioned at various speeds. The brakes engaged independently making it difficult to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by mechanic who found corrosion in the anti lock braking system sensor. The braking system was replaced. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The current mileage was 119,000.
I have a 2002 gmc sierra sle 1500 extended cab pick up. I had the truck on ramps. When I backed off of the ramps, I had total brake failure. Service and parking brakes. I could not stop or even slow down. The truck proceeded down a hill backwards and into a ditch. The brake pedal went straight to the floor. I immediately pushed the parking brake to the floor. No brakes at all. After farther investigation, found the hydraulic brake line that runs along the frame rail to the back brakes completely corroded and all fluid leaking out. Brake line almost corroded into two pieces. The parking brake shoes have worn down to metal on the back of the shoe. This is the second set of parking brake shoes I have replaced in 70,000 miles. The vehicle has been well maintained and these two issues should not be happening. I have read that there is an ongoing investigation into the corroding brake lines and a recall on parking brakes, but only on standard transmission vehicles. Mine is an automatic transmission. How many more damaged vehicles and injuries or deaths does it take for the investigation to turn into a recall?
I was approaching a stop sign at the end of my street and when I applied the brakes the peddle went to the floor. I rolled to a stop in a grassy area and saw brake fluid leaking from the base of the vehicle. I brought it in to my mechanic and he said the brake lines rusted out to the rear brakes. He replaced the lines from the ABS pump to the rear axle and the brake lines from the rear axle to the rear calipers. The cost to replace the se lines was $433.46. This is the second time this has happened to this vehicle see odi number 10402034.
I was at my local coffee shop drive thru. I left the drive thru and as I approached the exit, rolling very slow I experienced the dreaded gm brake failure. My foot went to the floor. Luckily I was able to use the emergency brake before involuntarily merging onto a busy secondary road. I understand rust is inevitable but all of the brake lines are beyond repair according to my mechanic - he will not repair them only replace them. My bigger issue is the fact that since 1967 all cars & light trucks use a dual master cylinder enabling the vehicle to stop incase of brake failure. My gmc and apparently others have the same issue - that even when a line blows the trucks will not stop! The dual master does not do what it is designed to do! This coupled with the fact that I also have been plagued with ABS low speed problems since 60k I really feel that gm engineers and bean counters need to agree on safety. Considering that brake lines of thirty years ago are better than late model products would it really be that much for the feds to require stainless steel brake lines? My 2002 sierra looks good but the underside (chassis, suspension parts and brake lines) are not good. This truck is not a good investment and it is definitely full of safety issues. If I was in traffic I am sure that I would not been able to stop without an accident. We as consumers do not need third brake lights and useless ABS brakes. We need brakes that work when pressure is applied to the pedal!
On my 2002 gmc sierra 1500 extended cab 2wd the ABS and brake lights go on and off. I had my local gm dealer address this on several occasions they have come to the conclusion that the ABS brake module is bad. I asked if there were any recalls on this they said their is a bulletin out that the grounds could be bad so I had them do this fix it did not correct the problem also their was a recall to fix the speed sensors in the wheels which they fixed also did not fix the problem. I decided to google this type of problem to see if other people had this same issue I have found hundred of thousands of people with exact same issue or were it has even gotten worse and the lights stay on all the time. It seems to affect gm vehicles made from 1999 to 2007 cars and trucks but mostly trucks. To me this is a big safety issue most people do not know that when both of those lights are on they have no ABS. I was lucky to have a good service manager who explained this to me and how often this problem occurs. Thank you.
The brake line going to the rear passenger side tire ruptured. The brakes remained barely operable. Was able to drive to dealership by constantly adding brake fluid to tank. All the brake lines needed to be replaced at a cost of about $2000. It was just luck this happened on an empty road and while not carrying a load of material.
While driving home, someone pulled out in front of me. I applied the brakes and the pedal went straight to the floor. I managed to avoid a collision and made it home as this happened luckily around the corner from my house. I looked for the problem, it didn't take long as under the hood the frame was covered with brake fluid. I was amazed to find that one of the metal brake line had rusted through and the others don't look to be in very good condition. Needless to say I will be replacing all the brake lines with stainless steel lines (a cost of $350.00). I can't imagine why stainless steel lines are not original equipment. Rust seems to be a problem with this vehicle not only the brake lines but also parts of the suspension.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH with the vehicle in reverse and depressing the brakes, the brakes went straight to the floor board. The contact engaged the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they advised him that the brake lines in the rear of the vehicle were rusted away and they needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the rear brake lines. Approximately 4 months later the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving slowly in a parking lot. The contact stated that the mechanic was on site and advised him that the brake fluid was pouring out rapidly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they informed him that brake lines along the door were rusted. The vehicle was repaired for the brake lines. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000 and the current mileage was approximately 178,000. Updated 12/31/12 *bf updated 1/4/2013
Rear brake line developed leak making vehicle hard to control, very close to having accident. I guest gm would rather pay out for a few accident deaths than repair this defect. It seems its all about the dollar than safety.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 4 MPH, the vehicle was unable to stop when the brakes were depressed. The contact stated he felt like the ABS system activated and caused the failure but no warning lights were illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer was notified and advised the contact to remove the fuse and disable the anti-lock braking system. The contact did not feel that the repair was appropriate. The failure mileage was 92,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.
Was in my driveway about to make a 2 hour drive on the high way. I stepped on the brake to put my truck in reverse and the pedal went to the floor. I inspected the brake lines to see fluid under my truck between the cab and bed. I asked someone to step on the brakes while I saw the brake line shoot fluid very hard. The brake line had burst and was shooting out fluid. I'm lucky this wasn't on the highway as I wouldn't have been able to stop at all.
I had a complete brake line failure going up toward intersection yellow light tried to stop almost caused crash, no warning the brake light signal went on after it happened. Pulled off into shopping center using emergency brake. Towed to mechanic where I found out the line broke in front of the ABS system and all the other lines are just as rusted out and will break if not replaced.
My husband was heading out to drop off my kids to the babysitter. He was traveling highway speeds of 55/60 MPH when he needed to hit brakes for slower traffic. He did so and there were no brakes. He was able to use the shoulder of the road and the emergency brake to slow down and stop safely. We had the truck towed back home and apparently the front brake lines are rusted through and need to be replaced. We've already replaced brake lines to the back, now we'll be replacing all the brake lines.
My husband was leaving our neighborhood in the morning with my kids in the truck. He got to the end of our street to stop and pull out onto very busy road, but the truck failed to stop. He ended up having to hit the emergency brake, but luckily he was not hit, nor did he hit anything. We found that the brake lines to the back brakes were rusted through.
When operating vehicle at slow speed and attempting to stop anti lock brakes engage and increased stopping distance is required. This vehicle was recalled for same problem in 2005. I made an attempt at my local gmc dealer to remedy this continuing problem. However, I was informed that general motors would only make one attempt to remedy issue and that I already had used that. The dealer representative stated that I could pull the fuse on the ABS and the vehicle would perform stopping without the aid of ABS and would stop normally in dry environment, without the assistance of anti lock brakes. I feel this is a design problem and is a tremendous safety issue. I did take vehicle to another mechanic who drove vehicle in his parking lot and the problem occurred to him almost causing a crash in his lot.
When operating vehicle at slow speed and attempting to stop anti lock brakes engaged and increased stopping distance is required. This vehicle was recalled for same problem in 2005. I made an attempt at my local gmc dealer to remedy this continuing problem, however, I was informed that general motors would only make one attempt to remedy issue and that I already had used that. The dealer representative stated that I could pull the fuse on the ABS and the vehicle would perform stopping without the aid of ABS and would stop normally in dry environment, without the assistance of anti lock brakes. I feel this is a design problem and is a tremendous safety issue. I did take vehicle to another mechanic who drove vehicle in his parking lot and the problem occurred to him almost causing a crash in his lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the pedal was abnormally depressed into the floorboard. The contact stopped the vehicle and after inspecting, he noticed that all the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
I went to apply parking brake on my 2002 gmc sierra 1500 with 40478 miles on it and there was a loud snap (I had already stopped the truck and was going to park it) - emergency brake pedal went to the floor. Release lever works, pedal will go back up. If it is pushed again the pedal will go to the floor and there is no parking brake.
Brake pedal goes to floor and is kicked back, no brakes at low speeds 5 to 8 MPH. Was subject to recall when still under manufactures warranty. Problem is same now. No brakes at low speeds. Purchased this vehicle new, very low mileage. Gmc will not respond to complaint. This is a serious issue.
Abs activates at slow speeds when not needed, causing vehicle to be unable to stop in a reasonable distance. This most often occurs when pulling into a parking space at slow speeds with the steering wheel turned to the left or right.
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