2002 GMC Sierra: brake failure

Filed Aug 24, 2015 · Brakes · MO

On the morning of friday august 21, 2015, my wife went to move my 2002 gmc sierra. She pulled out of our driveway and proceeded up-hill about 300-400 feet, and then turned around in a neighbor's driveway, when coming back down the hill she tried to brake to stop in front of our house, but the brakes totally failed without any warning. She then went up a slight hill on the other side of our house, but still couldn't stop, and didn't think to put the truck in park as she slowed. She rolled backwards down the hill and was able to steer into a neighbor's yard where the truck came to rest on a berm. At the time she said there were cars parked on both sides of the street and had a car been coming the opposite direction she would have crashed into it. Had there been pedestrians they could have been hit as well. When I came home that afternoon, I added brake fluid to the reservoir, and then pushed on the brake pedal. I saw a huge stream of fluid pour from below the driver's side door. I looked under the truck and found the brake lines surprisingly corroded. If sudden, immediate loss of brakes without any warning is not cause for a recall I do not know what is.

Filed Jan 31, 2015 · Brakes · 231,500 miles · NJ

Made a left hand turn at a traffic light after it turned green. I was the only vehicle at the time making the turn, nobody in front or behind me. Drove about 1/10th a mile to the next light, when it turned yellow, I immediately hit the brakes to stop. At first the brakes worked then my foot went to the floor, I had no brakes. I came to a stop in the middle of the intersection. I then backed up, to get behind the light. As I stated at the beginning, there was nobody in front or behind me at the other light making the turn with me, so when I was approaching the next light, I had nobody in front of me, behind me or to my right. The roadway was four lanes, two in each direction, with a center medium. I was driving in the left lane. So I am looking to drive another day and someone else too. The cause of the problem is that the brake line that goes from the front to the rear, running along side the frame, on the driver side, rusted out and broke. I contacted gm about this, and after talking and complaining about what happened, they said there was nothing they could do for me. My problem is that, this is a safety issue, and they take no responsibility for it. I should have been at least notified in some way as an owner that my life may be in danger if I do not have my brake lines checked and replaced if needed. They no about the problem and are not contacting owners of my vehicle and others with the same problem. I am looking to have not been hurt or killed or hurting and killing someone else. I did not know of the problem until after it happened. I am now faced with doing the work myself, which is a major undertaking, or having the local gmc dealership doing it for 1500+, which is where it is right now, waiting for my call. Thank you.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · MD

Started vehicle and began driving on street. Brake pedal went to the floor and brakes were not normal. Stopped vehicle and saw large puddle of brake fluid under vehicle. Had vehicle towed to repair shop and was told brake line rusted and all brake lines were corroded and that gm has had problems with this in many vehicles. Fortunate that failure had not occurred at highway speeds. Repair estimate was $3200 for replacement of brake lines and associated parts.

Filed Oct 15, 2014 · Brakes, Fuel system · 42,674 miles · KY

Dear sir or ma'am, I have a 2002 gmc sierra truck that I bought new in 2002. The brakes recently failed completely while my wife was driving on or about september 26, 2014. The brake pedal went to the floor without significant braking action. Fortunately she was able to stop safely and was not involved in an accident. Upon examination, the brake line to the left rear wheel was completely rusted through. I examined the rest of the lines and noticed that the brake lines, the transmission cooler line and the fuel line all show signs of major corrosion, especially along the frame. I have less than 43,000 miles on this truck and it was garage-kept the first nine years I owned it. I live in ky where the roads are only salted a few times a year. The rest of the vehicle is relatively rust free. The truck is unsafe to drive now. Even if I patch the leak, the rest of the lines could fail at any time. I could suffer catastrophic brake failure while towing my boat or horse trailer or simply going down a hill. Furthermore, the fuel lines are under considerable pressure and if they rupture, there could be a very dangerous fire hazard. If the transmission cooler lines rupture, I could have a complete transmission failure. I have read that this is a known issue with chevrolet and gmc trucks for years 1999 to 2003 and that the nthsa has looked into this in the past. If other trucks are in the same condition as mine (and I believe there are), there is a major safety problem on the roads right now. Yet, to date no recall has been issued. I think this is courting disaster. It is my opinion that lines made with inferior steel were used in the construction of this vehicle, yet gm refuses to acknowledge the fact. I urge you to look further into this matter. This is nthsa case number: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Brakes · 167,000 miles · VT

I was driving approx 35 MPH when a dog ran in front of my vehicle. I applied the brakes to avoid hitting the dog. A moment later I went to apply brakes to slow down for an unfamiliar turn and my pedal went to the floor. I managed to downshift to come to a stop and upon inspection, noticed a hole in my drivers side rear brake line. All of the brake lines have a severe amount of rust. The bundle of lines running along the frame on the driver's side are the worst.

Filed Mar 15, 2014 · Brakes · 96,000 miles · NJ

Xmas tree shopping w/family very long stopping distance, then no brakes. I made repair at holding bracket near left front wheel on frame. Then on 2/25/2014 another brake line rust failure near but in back of ABS module to back wheels. I replaced that section . Today 3/15/2014 another failure at the first spot,holding bracket near left front wheel on frame. All this on 2002 gmc sierra,funny I have a 2002 ford taurus almost the same mileage no brake problems.

Filed Feb 23, 2014 · Brakes · 156,000 miles · MI

I was slowing to a stop light from residential street,into a main road, and brake pedal went to the floor. I pumped brakes and recovered pressure and stopped. I then proceeded on the main road to next light. After being at the light with my foot on the pedal for approx. 15 sec. The pedal went to the floor and truck began rolling forward. I let pedal go and pumped and pressure came back and held for about 15 more sec. Then failed again with truck rolling forward. I then drove the truck directly to the shop about 4 miles away. I was informed that a very alarming and common occurrence with 99-06 gm trucks occurred. My brake lines had rusted out completely. 650.00 bucks later I'm back on the road. I was told to look at this site and I was amazed at how many other vehicles have reported this problem. I was wondering if gm would be so kind as to at least pick up the cost of the parts which I was told around 100.00. Wishful thinking I guess.

Filed Jan 1, 2014 · Brakes · 46,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

Driving 30 MPH in traffic. Light turns red . Cars in front of me apply brakes .I applied my brakes. Brakes instantly felt spongy and abnormal. Applied more pressure with 2 feet and brake pedal went to the floor with no warning at all. No brake light on dash came on just went to floor. Was determined by my mechanic that the brake lines had rotted and I had a catastrophic brake failure loosing major brake fluid at the accident site.

Filed Dec 24, 2013 · Brakes · 177,256 miles · RI

The rear brake line failed when trying to stop for a red light. The brake pedal went to the floor and I was not able to stop the truck before entering the intersection. Fortunately, there was no traffic crossing the intersection at the time. I got the truck home, and a puddle of brake fluid formed in the rear of the truck. Upon inspection, all of the brake lines are badly corroded.

Filed Nov 3, 2013 · Brakes · 110,610 miles · IN

Brakes failed in drive way due to corroded line on top of frame rail under drivers seat.

Filed Jun 25, 2013 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that when he applied the brakes, the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact was able to avoid a crash and cruise to a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that all of the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2013 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · MI

I was driving and my brakes went to the floor. I got it to a repair shop and they said my rear and front drivers side brake lines had rusted out and had holes in them. I had them replaced. Then on february 2013 I had the same problem again. It turned out that now the driver side and the two lines to the master cylinder have rusted through. I have never had a brake line rust through. On this truck I have had to replace everything at the cost of over $500.00. This is not rite....