2006 GMC Sierra: brake failure

Filed Dec 26, 2015 · Brakes · 81,750 miles · OH

Total brake failure while in motion. Corroded brake line ruptured causing immediate loss of all fluid. Had this happened 5 minutes earlier, I would have been on a four lane highway in bumper to bumper christmas traffic. At 70 years old I can only imagine how catastrophic an accident my reflexes would have generated. The fluid sprayed on the hot engine creating a cloud of smoke. I was afraid the truck was on fire. The fluid cooked off the engine as smoke and again luckily there was no fire. Now after extensive repairs, I am very nervous behind the wheel of this vehicle. This very dangerous situation with corrosion should be addressed as blogs on the internet indicate this dangerous issue has been ongoing for quite awhile. I have attached the invoice of the repairs required. I was in the drive through of a mcdonalds and had placed my order and was pulling to the window to pay when the brakes failed. Luckily I was only moving slowly at that time, thus able to avoid injuring anyone or damaging any other vehicles.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Brakes · 87,000 miles · IA

Brakes failed at highway speed, brake pedal went to the floor with very little braking. On investigation, brake oil would spray from the brake line under the truck.

Filed Sep 8, 2014 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · GA

Brakes failed while coming to a stop in light traffic. Braking action reduced to approx 10 to 20 percent of normal. Driver felt a "pop" and the brake pedal went to the floor, followed by a 'service brake system' warning message. A large puddle of fluid formed under the truck when parked and a quick look under the truck showed lots of fluid from the front of the bed to the rear of the truck. Further investigation showed heavy corrosion on all rigid brake lines. All brakes lines will be replaced. The failed line powered the rear brakes. This truck is only eight (8) years old. This could have been lots worse if the brakes failed one week earlier when I was pulling a camper through the tennessee mountains.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Brakes · 11,400 miles · PA · crash

I went to put on my brakes, I first started to stop then my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I hit a vehicle in front of me. The collision shop that I had it repaired at said the brake lines were rusted. After further investigation I read a lot of complaints about this same defect in chevy and gmc trucks.

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · VA · crash

I was approaching the stoplight fletcher drive and lee highway at approximately 25 MPH heading east on lee highway around 1600 edt in warrenton, va. There were four (4) cars waiting to turn left onto fletcher drive in front of me. The car in front of me came to a sudden stop. I applied the brake with approximately 2 car lengths in front of me. The brakes started to grab but then the brake pedal went all the way to the floorboard. I pumped the brakes and my truck continued to roll and then hit mr. [xxx] vehicle at approximately 5-7 MPH. I was unable to come to a complete stop until making contact with [xxx] car. I asked if he was ok or hurt and he replied yes, I am ok. Why didn't you stop?? I explained that I tried. I then suggested that both of us pull into the fauquier bank parking lot and exchange insurance information. At this time, I noticed my brakes had completely failed and the truck was leaking a significant amount of brake fluid onto the parking lot (coffee can or more in 10 mins). I stated that since it was a mechanical failure on my vehicle, I would feel better submitting it through insurance. I also showed him the leaking brake fluid. [xxx]. Asked why I was driving with failed brakes and I explained that the brakes had failed at the intersection, that my brakes were working properly prior to the accident and that my truck had just been picked-up from service at the dealership (country chevrolet) on monday with no problems. The dealership just informed me that all the brake lines need to be replaced and that they have corroded through and basically "exploded". A similar issue occurred with my 2003 gmc sierra in 2009, but with no accident. All brake lines had to be replaced due to corrosion. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 12, 2014 · Brakes · 100,300 miles · MA

Without any warnings when attempting to come to a quick stop brake pedal went to the floor and had no braking power. Avoided crash by driving onto a lawn. I have found that all the brake lines where they are attached to the frame in a plastic support under the drivers door have rotted through. Contacted gmc with no success just informing they are aware but no re-calls.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Brakes · 55,600 miles · PA

Driving the truck in my driveway with a landscape trailer attached, applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. One of the brake lines failed due to corrosion. Had to have all of the brake lines replaced.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Brakes · 62,459 miles · PA · crash

There is no warning the pedal goes to the floor and you don't stop. I had a 5th wheel trailer hooked to my 2006 gmc 2500 ext. Cab long bed sierra p/u with 62,459 miles on it. I was able to stop it with the trailer brakes and a scratch on my front bumper from a tractor trailer that was in front of me. I have owned over 200 cars + trucks since I started driving. I do all my one work on them and I never had a brake line fail, I will be 70 this year. It is ridiculous for an 8 year old truck to have rusted brake lines to fail. The worst part of this is that nobody notified the public that this was a problem when they gmc knows about this problem. I found a garage that fixed the two front lines. So we could get home. Then I inspected the other lines and ordered the complete set of stainless steel lines from ebay, when I removed the old lines they all were rusted at hidden spots two were close to failing. Why do they have to wait for some one to die before they notify the public there is a safety problem. This is gmc and our government (the federal safety agency) failing the people.

Filed Sep 7, 2011 · Brakes · 16,053 miles · MD

The brake lines are rusted through allowing all of the brake fluid to leak from the vehicle resulting in no brakes.