This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the brake line needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Vehicle was stopped at stop sign. Suddenly brake pedal went to floor and vehicle started drifting into intersection with tractor trailer approaching. No lights ever came on. My wife pulled the emergency brake to stop vehicle. Found metal brake line ruptured at fuel tank.
GM had repaired the rust brake defects on my type of vehicle in many salt states that endure cold weather. But because there was not enough outrage they did not repair this same defect in my state. There is a problem with the wheel bearings where rust causes the anti lock braking system to needless engage when it should not during slow speeds sometimes making braking dangerous in slow turning and parking situations. I have already spent thousands of dollars fixing these defects on my own but because of a faulty design in the system this problem has a tendency to re occur.
I was leaving work and traveling around 20 mph. I attempted to brake for a stop sign and the brake pedal went nearly all the way to the floor and braking was severely compromised, taking much longer than usual to stop. It was taken to a GM service shop (hallman's Chevrolet) where they indicated that my brake lines were corroded, one was leaking brake fluid, and all lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle had passed the state inspection 2-3 weeks prior to this event. At that time, I had told them that my brakes were acting abnormally. The dealership indicated that they do not check brake lines during an inspection. Cost to fix the issue was quoted at around $1700.
Pulling boat (22 ft ) from the boat launch to the make ready area. Stepped on brakes and peddle suddenly and without warning went to the floor ! upon inspection of the brake lines, they are rusted and in bad shape. The brake line that runs on top of the frame rail on the drivers side and goes to the rear wheels had blown out !!
Was driving around the block as I had just jump started the dead battery. As I approached a stop the brakes were applied and the truck kept rolling as the brakes were spongy. As I applied more pressure the pedal hit the floor. I narrowly missed hitting a car coming from the side street. I coasted the truck home and there was fluid pouring from the lines just behind the ABS module. All the lines are severely rusted.
Emergency/parking brake parts worn out prematurely. Park brake hardly ever used but the vehicle failed state inspection due to inability to stop vehicle. I was told by several mechanics and owner's of similar vehicles that this is a design flaw and should be subject to recall.
As I was approaching a stop light at approximately 25 mph I applied the brakes and the brake pedal suddenly went to the floor and I lost the brakes causing me to roll through the traffic light. Fortunately no one was coming through from the other direction. It was taken to my mechanic where he discovered that the rear brake lines were so corroded that they burst when the brakes were applied. Entire rear brake line system needed to be replaced at my expense.
When approaching a stop light changing to red, brakes were applied moderately hard and the pedal went to the floor with severely reduced braking resulting in a stopping distance about 1 car length longer than normal. No brake warning light during this incident. I continued another mile to my destination with reduced braking. When the warning light appeared, the leak in a corroded line on top of the frame on the left side of the engine was apparent. I drove the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer about 1 more mile for repairs.
Antilock brake lights came on...there was a recall for "salt" belt states, however, areas that get snow and roads are salted as well such as reno, nv, truckee, ca etc and other states that have similar conditions to those that were already included in the previous recall should have been included as well.... same problem, similar conditions. Why would my area not be included as well??
While driving thru a parking lot after picking up my lunch, the food began to fall which I took my eyes off driving to catch it. When I looked up I saw light pole in front of me and when I pushed my brakes, it felt like the pedal went straight to the floor. Its like I pushed so hard I overpowered the system. When I backed away from the pole the brakes felt fine. I hit the pole which in turn caused cosmetic damage along with breaking the steering box because the tire hit the cement base. Also we found the brake fluid level sensor had broken at the fluid reservoir.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the ABS engaged without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and the contact's VIN was included in the recall however, the contact's state was not mentioned as one of the salt belt states that were eligible for repairs under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Slowed rapidly for a vehicle that pulled out in front of me. Brakes worked fine until speed dropped to 15 mph. Then brake peddle went to the floor and brake light flashed and warning chime sounded. Limped vehicle to dealership at closing time. Awaiting estimate and cause.
The Avalanche is our tow vehicle (only) which is why it has so few miles for a 2002 model year vehicle. Normally it is towing a 9000 pound 28 foot toy hauler, but just by pure luck it was towing a single axle flat bed trailer with the cab for a 1935 Chevrolet pickup on it back from the body shop. I pulled into the driveway and tried to stop and there were no brakes. Tried to apply the parking brakes and the cable snapped. Stopped by driving up a hill into the grass. Took the Avalanche to the dealer where they told me the brake lines all had to be replaced and they were no longer available from the manufacturer. In the course of getting the brake lines out they found that the fuel lines were also leaking and had to be replaced. The total bill for repair was $2900, plus the vehicle was out of service for 6 weeks. Granted the vehicle is 12 years old, but I have a 1963 studebaker that still has solid brake and fuel lines. It is only by the grace of god that the Avalanche wasn't towing a 9000 pound 28 foot long trailer at 70 mph when the brakes failed. There was no warning light, no indication at all that there was a pending problem. Someone could have been killed. These vehicles need to be recalled, and I need to be reimbursed for the repairs.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the ABS engaged without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.
Was driving on street from store to home when I noticed brake light on dash came on and then parked in driveway. My son went to use the truck the next day and when he pulled out of driveway to street, could barely stop. Subsequently discovered brake fluid on driveway. Checked brakeline and it was rusted completely with a hole in it. Car has been laid up and not drive-able. Rusting through the brakeline should not happen. This should be repaired under a recall.
Was driving on NY state thruway with wife and three small children. Women cut in front of me. I pushed on brakes and pedal went to floor. I swerved out of the way and went off the road. Luckily it happened near a clearing otherwise we would have hit something and been seriously hurt and/or killed. Turns out all of my brake line are rusted out and need replacement. Turns out GM used cheaper brake lines and not stainless steel ones.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kimbolton, OH, USA