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.
Emergency brake failed three times. The consumer contacted the manufacturer. While driving consumer tried to down shift and the vehicle would not go into gear. The brakes locked up and the anti-lock braking system did not work. The emergency brakes also failed to work causing the driver to hit a tree. The driver or passenger side air bag did deployed. The driver's seat ejected off of the floor with the driver strapped into the seat. The vehicle had caught on fire upon the side impact. Consumer has had trouble shifting threes times previously and the transmission along with the clutch had been replaced once before.
Consumer has 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. Vehicle does not stop at slow speed, when applying brakes vehicle makes a terrible clanking or grinding noise. Consumer noticed this in February. Consumer said that she heard of recall by GM in March, and checked her vehicle to find no recalls. Consumer contacted GM, and was told that problem was her responsibility.
We have taken very good care of our vehicles, because we try to maximize their lives. One day, the "brakes" light came on. I contacted my Chevrolet dealer, who checked it out, then told me "you are better off just driving with it the way it is." When I asked why, I was told that GM has a problem with the ABS systems going whacky, but will not do anything. I made several calls to GM, trying to plead my case and listing the several others and web sites created by some of them, that have had this same problem. I was coldly told that there had to be large numbers of people having this problem, like millions. This is a safety device that buyers have no choice whether to have or not, but it is not backed by the manufacturer! it is ridiculous!!!
Truck does not brake properly, resulting in extended stopping distances. Had 2 accidents as a result. The brakes were applied, but they do not stop vehicle. This could occur when standing on the brakes. Had brakes replaced, and mentioned this to dealer, who ignored this problem.
At low speeds the antilock brakes on my 1999 Chevy Silverado (4X4) activates for no apparent reason and almost resulted in an accident. The brakes continue to be unpredictable at low speeds. A garage said they had multiple inquiries about this and knew of the problem well. I think this is a recall item and GM should resolve the issue. Incident date is approximate first occurence.
- Cohoes, NY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
When applying the brake at speeds under 10 mph I will hear the anti lock brakes turn on and then the brake pedal cannot be depressed and the vehicle will roll another 5-10 feet further then intended. This has happend to at least 6 other people that I know with the same type of vehicle. One of them a sheriff's department vehicle.
ABS motor was running all the time. Consumer took vehicle to local mechanic, and was told ABS valve along with the control valve were bad. The parts were replaced, and had no problems since. Mechanic contacted GM and was told the 1999 models were too old to qualify for repair assistance despite low mileage. Consumer therefore had repair done locally, replacing ABS pump and valve control at cost of $995, of which $825 were parts.
ABS brakes went out 20,000 miles and this again occurred at 45,000 miles. This occurred at low speeds but happened once at high speed on the highway. Took to dealer for repairs and they said that simply the ABS was out and needed to be replaced. Consumer saw report where GM was recalling Canadian vehicles due to the salt conditions and its affect on the ABS system. Owner feels his vehicle should be recalled because his state uses the same salt used in Canada.
99 Chevy Silverado pickup. ABS brake motor operation. Dealer told consumer it would be costly to fix. The brakes were making a humming noise and consumer had the ABS system disconnected. The noise stopped, but consumer does not have ABS brakes.
Since 12,000 miles the ABS was disconnected by dealer because brakes were not working properly. They failed to activate at low speeds. There was extended stopping distance along with vibration. ABS was disconnected due to this problem. The vehicle is now driven with manual brakes only-no ABS due to the faulty situation they provided, unable to drive safely due to the ABS.
GM/Chevrolet light truck ABS activates at slow speeds. At approximately 5 mph, when the brakes are applied, the ABS activates (audible) and diminishes braking requiring increased pedal pressure and increased stopping distance.
ABS enables itself when coming to a low speed stop. The ABS makes it hard to stop when it is enabled. No accidents. No repairs. A few close calls with almost hitting vehicles.
About a year in half ago the anti lock brakes starting acting up, when it was wet and preparing to stop the anti lock brakes would engage and the truck would not stop. Code was left front sensor. This was replaced. Did not correct the problem. Had the right front sensor replaced, did not correct the problem. The fuse was then unplugged just so I would have brakes. Currently, in Vermont truck was due for inspection in June, and it will not pass inspection, with or without the anti lock brakes. Spoke with elmore at GM in portland office, and he advised to take vehicle to GM dealer and have a diagnostic test done. Dealer cleaned both front speed sensors but did not guarantee it would solve the problem.
Driver's side safety belt will not extend so it can be used. Will not come out of the reel. The other concern were the ABS brakes. Had situations while in traffic the ABS activated on their own. This removes control from the driver, and is startling when it happens. There is a vibration from the ABS. Tried to corrrespond with GM, but feot concerns have fallen on deaf ears. No repair has been made as of yet. The seat belt began to fail on 1-1-03, and the ABS system began to malfunction on 2-10-05.
Traveling at slow speeds, the brakes would not work (anti-lock activating) causing long stopping distance or had to stomp brake peddle several times to get vehicle to stop. No major accidents but second time I ran over sidewalk I took car to service center (not dealer) and they disconnected anti-lock brakes and have not had any further trouble. Mechanic said the brake sensors (speed sensors?) would need to be replaced.
ABS problem. Coming down a hill, the brake was pushing back, not allowing the brake to engage. After pumping the brake several times, it re-engaged. Dealer stated that it was the left ABS sensor.
The consumer vehicle had problem with it's ABS brakes. While coming to a stop below 5 mph the ABS would kick in while on dry pavement. The vehicle was taken to the dealer Nov.2004 to be fixed. The dealer cleaned the sensor mounts of rust and retested and it showed that the left side was out of limits. The road test showed no unwanted ABS stops. This has happen to the consumer one time within the last month. The consumer has the service invoices.
MY1999 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD had 48,00 miles on it when problems started. In good weather on dry smooth roads my ABS would engage while I was stopping or slowing in a normal manner. Even though this was somewhat surprising I did not feel that the stopping distance was being compromised. Then an incident occured while my wife and I were turning into a parking space at a retail store. As I was turning into the parking space I applied the brakes to solw the vehicle and it felt like I had no brakes, the pedal was very hard to push, felt like it would not move like it was stuck, and there was no braking action. I immediately believed that I was going to strike the vehicle ahead of me and continued to push the brake pedal with greater force. The result is that all of a sudden the brake moved forward and the antilock brakes engaged. The truck stopped before I struck the other vehicle. A good mechanic explained that his experience with chevry truck ABS throwing false signals was that the sensors were probably dirty and needed cleaned. As a simple check of the ABS I removed the 60 amp fuse for the antilock brake system. My brakes work very well now and I have not had a problem. I have not scheduled an appointment to get the problem fixed and after reading that your organization is now conducting an investigation into problems with Chevrolet truck antilock brake failures I intend to leave the system as it is now until you finish your investigation. Some information on my background. I am 54 years of age, a retired law enforcement officer,26 years service, having reached the rank of chief deputy/undersheriff. I have owned, worked on, and built old cars since I was a teenager.
The motor continued to run after the vehicle was shut off. The dealer did not cooperate until a recall was placed on the vehicle. The vehicle was equipped to start itself but if the vehicle begun to move, the only way to stop it was to pull the electrical impulse or pull one of the two fuses that went with the ABS system, and would make the vehicle stop. The other fuse indicated whether or not the vehicle was running on the dashboard. The consumer has had other recall work done to the vehicle in reference to the transmission in which they replaced the driveshaft.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Torrington, CT, USA