2004 GMC Sierra 3500: brake failure

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Brakes · 131,883 miles · WV

I was traveling on the interstate towing a 5th wheel trailer and traffic came to an abrupt stop. I applied my brakes and had brakes than the pedal went to the floor and I lost braking power. I let off the brakes and reapplied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor with low breaking affect. I pulled the truck over and found brake fluid coming out from above the gas tank. I carefully took the truck off at the next exit using my trailer brakes to stop the vehicle. I took the truck to the first service station that I saw and had them look at it. They found that the rear brake line had corroded at a clip above the frame rail above the gas tank and advised me that they would have to replace the rear brake line. Unfortunately I was stuck away from my tools and service shops that I use and was stuck being gouged by the service center that I was able to get to for a repair. After I returned home from vacation I questioned the mgt of the service center about the bill. They checked with the local dealer about the hours for the repair and the local dealer advised them that they see this all the time on this vehicle. I looked for a recall on this and found none. I contacted gm about this as just about everyone that I talk to about this problem has all seen it. Gm advised me that it was an isolated problem and that they could not help with the repair since the truck was 9 years old. I advised them that this is a common problem and they deny it but they did offer me $2000 towards a new gm vehicle. I advised them that was not what I was after as I do not need a new vehicle nor want an new vehicle. What I did ask for was 50% of what the repair was as it was a 9 year old truck and they refused. They will not even put the refusal in writing. This needs to be a recall before this problem kills someone as it is a common problem. I seen an investigation to 03 but mine is 04 with same.

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Brakes · 131,883 miles · WV

Brakes failed due to a sudden brake line failure. There had been no prior fluid leaks. The rear metal brake line under the bed rusted at a clamp in front of the fuel tank. As I have looked further into this I have several friends that have had this problem and several shops said that they saw this often with these vehicles all failing in the same area.

Filed Nov 30, 2012 · Brakes · 60,004 miles · WI

I picked my stepdaughter at school and at the stoplight to leave the school there were no brakes. I used the curb to slow the truck enough to the lights to change. It was not a busy time and students were not present otherwise this would have been a disaster. I drove the truck home with flashers very slowly home on a back road downshifting and relying in the allison transmission. When I reached home the light came on to service brakes. That was obvious already. This is a 1 ton dually that usually hauls skid loads, paving bricks, etc. I could not imagine what would have happened if the brake lines blew during this time. There is a small rusted pin sized whole in the front brake line that runs on top of the truck frame. I still have brake fluid in the reservoir, but not enough to stop the truck. There was not warning and those lines are tucked up on the frame out of site for inspection. This incident went to fine to disaster immediately. What would have happened if this vehicle were traveling at 70 MPH and needed to stop? This is fatality waiting to happen. This size of truck would have killed me and anyone I would have hit at highway speeds. Shame on you gmc. Brakes and rotors were replaced 4 years ago. Emergency brake was repaired by gmc certified shop also 4 years ago due to fact the vacuum plate rusted off. They did not inform me of any issues of brake lines rusting like this otherwise this would have been repaired!

Filed Jul 17, 2011 · Brakes · 92,000 miles · PA

Brake failure due to rusted out brake lines, also on-going since truck was new with ABS engaging at slow down due to corroded sensors.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Brakes, Steering · 40,000 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra 3500. While attempting a turn, the power steering and power brakes failed. A mechanic stated that the power steering shaft snapped and caused the failures. The contact has had the power steering and power brakes replaced on four separate occasions for the same failures. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 67,000.