2019 GMC Sierra 1500: brake failure

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Brakes · PA

While driving in my uncongested neighborhood, my brakes totally failed. Dash indicated multiple brake failure warnings. I managed to get my truck stopped and returned home by engaging my low range, four wheel drive. If I had been in on the open road, going down a hill, negotiating a curve, or in traffic a crash would have ocurred, potentially fatality. My vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership. They diagnosed the problem in the electronic braking module with a software update needed. My vehicle Is a 2019, but had only 23,283 miles at the time of the braking failure.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Brakes, Steering · TN

This is a second report of an issue that first happened in February 2025, the dealer replaced the battery and called it fixed. On Friday 5-2-2025 I started the vehicle and as I was driving the dash lit up with these warnings: Service Trailer brake system, Service ESC, Brake System Failure 62 mph top speed, Steering assist reduced drive with care, The vehicle steering got stiff and brake pedal went to the floor board with a little braking available if I stood very hard on the brake pedal. I got off to the side of the road, cycled the truck on and off and was able to drive off. It did this three times before I could get it to the dealer the next day, If my daughter was driving I would have expected that two of the three would have resulted in a wreck as she would not have been strong enough to steer or stop the vehicle. The dealer had it three days and replaced the brake master cylinder and called it fixed, I picked the vehicle up and on the way home I stopped for gas, after the gas station the dash displayed: Service brake assist, I turned right around and took it back to the dealer, they checked the code and said the brake assist module was drawing too much current, I picked the vehicle back up three days later, they said they bleed the air out of the brake system and called it fixed. No one wants to ride with me and my daughter is begging me to trade the truck, they call it a death trap waiting to happen. GM says it is all normal issues.

Filed Oct 15, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CO

Question #1- “Service Trailer Brake System”-“Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care”-Brake System Failure 43 MPH Top Speed”-“Service ESC” Question #2- I experienced a Complete loss of braking ability, myself, a friend and, a coworker, as well as the properties around me where placed at risk. Question #3 Not yet I am having towed to the dealer today. Question #4 Not yet the vehicle will be towed to the dealer where I purchased it today. Question #5 Not my knowledge I do not recall any warning lights.

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

Was driving around 70 MPH brakes started engaging and disengaging truck felt like engine was missing, brake light luminated and stated to stop vehicle ABS light luminated as I got to the emergency lane I had no brakes pedal went to floor and I came to a stop after coasting and pressing pedal. Once stopped trailer towing light luminated ( I was not towing anything). I exited truck and it was apparent this was a issue with the front brakes as they were smoking. Rotors appear to have marks in them when compared to rear. After about 30 minutes I started truck and there was no indication on dash of a problem had brake pedal. The truck has 50800 miles on it. Contacted dealer (Hendricks Chevy) this morning they said it was not covered and no recalls I discussed brake issues I read on line again they repeated no recalls in system for my truck, but would be glad to look at it in 2 weeks.

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

The truck has 50,000 miles, purchased new. I don't tow or go off road. I take it to the dealer every 5,000 miles. While driving 65-70mph on the interstate (4-lanes), my dash lit up with five messages and the "Brake, Traction Control and Engine" lights illuminated. I applied brakes but the pedal went to the floor and the steering veered to the left causing me to move out of my lane. The truck then went to limp mode and I was unable to go above 43mph the remainder of the trip home. After taking it to my dealer the next day, I was told they "found air in the brake fluid system due to secondary seal failure in brake master cylinder, and was quoted a new cylinder (PN 86788482) for $1708.06. RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS: >Component failure: brake master cylinder (eBoost Brake Unit Assembly) / Brake System Failure >It was just me in the vehicle - brake failure on the highway put me and others on the road at major risk >Yes - After paying to diagnose, I was told this was brake master cylinder failure. ...GM issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (N202324120) for a limited number of MY2021 Silverado/Sierra trucks (mine is a MY2019) for dealers to replace the eBoost brake unit assemblies due to failure >Part has not been inspected by my insurance rep./I do not know if anyone else has inspected >The warnings illuminated on the dash at the time of brake failure while on the interstate 1. "Service ESC" 2. "Service Trailer Brake System" 3. "Steering Assist Is Reduced Drive with Care" 4. "Service Brake Assist" 5. "Brake System Failure 43 MPH Top Speed" 6. Also, the BRAKE, Traction Control and Engine lights illuminated

Filed Oct 28, 2022 · Brakes · MO

Service Brake assist is illuminated, Brake Failure has occured. Near miss on Busy street leaving parking lot.

Filed May 20, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

Last Weekend was taking the kids and my brother and his son fishing, so 2 adults in front seats 3 kids on the backseat. Got my boat all hooked up and we're off. About 2 miles down the road the truck rebs up really high and then bottoms down hard on the RPM's. As soon as this happens all lights and instrument cluster goes crazy. Check Engine light on, Parking Brake Light On,Traction Control Light On, And I'm sure I'm forgetting more. The Cluster states ESC failure drive with caution, Do Not Exceed 43 miles per hour speed limit Brake Failure and So on. I have since found pictures pf the exact same thing that happened to me that morning and will provide. Needless to say I have no brakes and have a 19 ft bass boat behind me. All I could do was let off gas completely and push brake pedal all the way to the floor and pray that it stopped. Good Lord willing it did. Pulled over asap and killed truck, let sit a few minutes while I assessed the situation and cranked it back up. All lights and brakes were fine. Has not done it since but I only drove to dealership to find out the issue and 4 days later still no answer. Its a 2019 with only 26000 miles, and has never had 1 issue before this

Filed Oct 18, 2021 · Brakes · AK

Vehicle had the "Service ESC" warning come one along with the warning of brake failure do no exceed 43 miles per hour. Called the dealer to discuss options and was told that I could not get in for 1 month..... For a critical failure and known issue this is unfathomable.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

On 6/24 I drove my 2019 gmc Sierra denali truck 2 miles to the store was in there 10 minutes come out to start it and a ESC service warning message appeared then another message appeared say service power steering drive safe then my traction light came on then my trailer light I tried turning truck off then waited 2 minutes pumped brakes started it again same messages appeared I called my husband to tell him I said I will try to drive home as I preceeded to put in gear and back out of parking spot I lost my steering it froze up then lost my brakes I immediately put in gear turned off called husband to come get me as I was waiting I tried to start again when I did all messages were gone and I had steering as well.as brakes but at this point I was a an emotional wreck we just had a horrific scare in same truck on a major interstate my husband completely lost brakes and almost wrecked only to find there was a brake module reprogramming recall on the truck we had not been notified by mail yet so now this if I was driving on main road this could have been fatal so my husband called and dropped off vehicle on 6/25 told them every detail they said they call when done so on July 6th was told truck was ready when he arrived they handed him our keys and invoice said have nice day my husband got to truck read invoice only to find they did nothing to truck he went in to service said why isn't it fixed they said because no codes come up but if it happens again bring it back my husband said what if im driving it and it happens this can cause a fatal accident the service Mgr said just bring it in so he said so if my wife gets callhet husband was killed along with another family because his steering and brakes failed your going to tell her sorry for loss truck had no codes is now we have a truck we paid $58500.00 that is unsafe to drive i refuse to put my life or others in jeopardy im an emotional wreck I spent 2 days sick with worry can anyone help with guide us to some help

Filed Apr 7, 2020 · Brakes · 4,000 miles · NC

When I started my vehicle this morning, I got a warning of brake failure that came up on my dic; this has been happening a lot. I just took the truck in last week for the 4th time and they did another update due to the last recall that was put out by gm. Nothing seems to be working with this brake issue. The brake pedal at times seems to have difficulty when I'm starting the truck. I did not use my remote start on any of the issues I'm having.the truck was parked in my drive way yet it's also happening at various places around town as well.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Brakes · 4,947 miles · OH

Multiple warnings popped up on the screen telling me "brake system failure" "ecu failure" "trailer brake failure" and "max speed 62 MPH." after that the brakes become almost non-functional. I had to stand on the pedal with both feet and was unable to slow down enough (45 MPH traffic) to had to go into the e-lane to avoid an accident. Truck also gave dtc p25a2. I can't stress enough that it wasn't just degraded braking, it was almost nothing at all. It took nearly 1/8th of a mile to get it stopped on a mild downhill grade.

Filed Feb 9, 2020 · Body, Brakes · 8,200 miles · PA · crash

I was driving to work in snowy conditions and on a very slight bend on a flat public highway my truck starting sliding and as I turned the wheel and applied the brakes the usual action of antilock brakes did not work as intended allowing me to steer clear of the obstacle causing me to wreck.2018 gmc sierra 1500