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.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado. When decelerating to stop for a red light, the ABS system activated causing the vehicles deceleration to decrease, thus increasing the stopping distance, resulting in a near collision. The vehicle now does this consistently during every stop once the vehicles speed drops bellow 10 mph. There are no warning lights indicating anything is wrong with the vehicle, which is even more alarming. This problem seems to be identical to that in NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000. If there is an problem with speed sensing (as in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000), the system should be able to detect inconsistent sensor readings and render the ABS system into a passive mode as a fail safe measure.
When placing the vehicle in drive/reverse after start up, the on board diagnostics reports "service brake system". a complete brake inspection has been performed with no indication of any type of issue. This is an intermittent problem. If the diagnostics reports this failure, I can turn the vehicle off and wait a few seconds and re-start the vehicle with no failure report. I took the vehicle to the dealer, melbourne Chevrolet, melbourne, fl, they reported that they were aware that if a vehicle remained idle for any period of time, this type of code would be a result of salt water corrosion. I have 28,000 miles on this vehicle. I have done some research and found that GM has had similar recalls on the Silverado's but not for my year/area.
I was driving up tp a stop light when the light turned red there was a car in front of me that had stopped, I realized I didn't have a lot of room but thought it would be enough to stop. I put the pedal to the floor and still hit them two people were injured. Then on 9/8/07 and a deer ran out iin front of me, again my foot to the floor I hit the deer. 1st I was suprised that my air bags didn't deploy (really tore up the front of the truck) and 2nd I should of been able to slow down in time. After reading all of the issues with the brakes on Chevy and no one is doing anything about it, I think its time to look for a different car company.
Hydraulic brake system is ineffective in stopping this vehicle. Brakes are spongy and go to the floor when stopped or if hard pressure is applied. This vehicle would not stop if a child ran in front of it. Three attempts to repair and now we are told it is part of the design and if we used it more this would help. The newer models do not have this system. I wonder why?
- Nashua, NH, USA
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My 2004 Chevrolet Silverado has dangerous brake problems. The brakes give way unexpectedly with the pedal going all the way to the floor. This has happened four times in the past two months- each time the situation was different. The first time I was just parking the car in the garage moving it from the driveway. The second time I was pulling a trailer loaded with a tractor across town and the only thing that stopped me was the electric brakes on the trailer. The third time was moving it across the yard. The last time was in the city driving to a store, I was going down a hill to a red light. The pedal suddenly gives way and goes all the way to the floor with no warning. It then begins working again just as suddenly as it quit. The brake pedal will snap back up and the brakes start to hold again. One time it took 15 minutes before it started working again, the other times it was a matter of 3 to 5 minutes without brakes.
The contact stated that 2004 Chevrolet Silverado failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. The speed was around 40 mph when the driver went to apply the brakes and the ABS did not engage. The brake pedal went completely to the floor. The contact was standing up in the vehicle and mashed the brake to the floor. There was plenty time to stop, but the contact's vehicle went sliding into another vehicle. This created a chain reaction with other vehicles. The total of number of vehicle involved in the accident were four. Neither the dealership nor the manufacturer were contacted about the brake failure. A police report was taken. There is a picture of the front end of the drivers vehicle. The problem with the brakes was intermittent. The vehicle has not been checked for the brake problem by a dealership or independent party. The property damage did affect three other vehicles. Updated 11/29/05.
In January 2005 the consumer's husband was driving at 30 mph when the brakes and steering locked up. In January 2005 there was a light snow. The consumer took the vehicle to the mechanic and found out that the brakes were corroded. The vehicle had a little under 20,000 miles on it. On August 31, 2005 the same thing happened and it was wet outside. The air bags did not deploy. There was no for warning.
I had the following problem with my 1999 Silverado as well: While driving my 2004 Silverado down rt. 128 in MA. At rate of speed of about 45 mph the person in front of me approximately 75 feet (?) stopped suddenly. There was plenty of distance to stop. If I was driving my 1968 Dodge dart with 1 brake and bald tires I could have stopped. However, while driving the 2004 modern computer controlled vehicle, the truck failed to stop and I rear-ended the driver in front of me. The air bag was not deployed because of the slow rate of speed. The reason the truck failed is because ABS would not stop the tires because the road was rough like a wash board. The truck just kept rolling forward at a slow rate and I could not turn off due to the guardrail and traffic to my right. I watched my new truck slowly hit the person in front of me. They were driving a Nissan that just got a scratch on it. My Chevy Silverado heavy duty 2500 fell apart on the highway. The entire front end of body parts were on the ground. I now have a giant insurance rate that I am disputing. There has to be a stop to these ABS. How did I make it 38 years without helmets and ABS. This is getting ridiculous.
Traffic came to quick stop I did a rapid push on the brake pedal and nothing happened no brake lock at all and rear ended the person in front of me, causing major damage to front of my vehicle and my air bag did not even deploy.
A 2004 2500 hd Chevrolet truck hit consumer's son in Ford Ranger. The Chevrolet momentarily stopped, and then hit consumer's son with a light impact. Recall id 05V043000 was issued on brake problems & difficult steering. The tie rod end broke, and it appeared they were not well built to break with only a light impact. Consumer filed a complaint with Chevrolet. The Chevrolet driver sustained chest problems and heart racing from the accident.
In June, 2004, Mr. Wold began experiencing mechanical problems his 2004 Chevy Silverado truck. To begin with, the ABS brake light in the new Silverado came on and intermittently stayed on. In July of 2004, Mr. Wold took truck for servicing at riverside auto center in bonners ferry, Idaho for investigation of this problem with no success. In early December 2004, the ABS light continued to come on and the brakes were now not functioning properly. The first time that the brakes on the truck failed, Mr. Wold was exiting his driveway. Fortunately, the surface was fairly flat and Mr. Wold was able to coast to a stop. After examining the truck for any outward signs of brake failure, Mr. Wold took the vehicle in for servicing. The second time that the brakes failed on the 2004 Silverado, the situation was a serious threat to life and property. Mr. Wold was pulling a four (4) horse trailer and coming down a hill towards the town of bonners ferry. The speed limit on this particular grade decreases from 60 to 45 and then again, to 35. As Mr. Wold began to brake from 45 to 35, once again the brake pedal was pushed all the way to the floor and there was no response. Luckily, it was a Sunday afternoon and there was little traffic on the road. As Mr. Wold frantically rolled through a bypass through the town of bonners ferry, he attempted to engage the brakes again, and fortunately, they engaged after he had illegally and unsafely rolled through the middle of a bypass through town. Again, Mr. Wold took the vehicle in for servicing and repair. The last, frightening episode of brake failure occurred in the evening, after Mr. Wold was driving home from work. Again, as he decelerated and lightly applied his brakes while coming into town, the brakes were non responsive. After this last episode, Mr. Wold doubted the safety of the brakes on his new truck and feared that the brakes would not function properly and kill him or somebody else.
Not had a brake problem until applied brake pressure. While driving home saw road construction and hit brakes and slid to what seemed a long way. Felt there was extended stopping distance. This was the first incident of this type. This did result in an accident, striking vehicle in front. No repairs. One person died as a result of this accident. Consumer felt brakes contributed to this accident.
2004 Chevy Silverado ls ext. Cab 1500 4X4. Brake pedal going to floor board when applying brakes. Must pump brake pedal to be able to stop. Has happened 12 to 15 times since I took delivery 12/20/03. Have taken to dealer 2 times and of course did not show up when they test drove it. Service manager said not to pump the brake pedal because of the antilock brakes, they are suppose to act and stop the truck. Told service manager truck is still rolling with pedal to the floor and if you don't pump them you will not stop and probably be involved in accident. I did not feel any antilock action, pulsations. Also have seen same problems and complaints on the internet with Chevy and GMC pickups. Seems to actup more on cold and damp days. Contacted brian landin at customer relations in detroit. He said don't beleave anything you see on the internet. We had 3way conversation with service manager at dealership and brian pretty much agreed with his service manager. [if it ain't broke, don't fix it] I tow a 21ft. Boat with surge brakes and must have good brakes on the tow vehicle or you don't stop. He told me to stop being so paranoid and to contact my service manager if I have further problems. I told him that if I have an accident, my lawyer will be in contact with him. It was left at that point. I see that Chevy and GMC are calling back 1999 to 2002 pickups and SUV's for brake problems. Could this be inherited problem with all there trucks, seeing that they completely revamped their brake system for the 2005 year. If you have any answers to this problem or fixes, please contact me. Seems to me that there is some problem with the master cylinder? thankyou, roland torok ps: Milage is 17,400
Contact states: While driving approximately 35 mph vehicle in front slammed on brakes when driver tried to stop and missed that vehicle, but brakes failed, causing an accident. Afterwards brakes worked, but sustained $ 2,700 worth of damage. Repair work was being done today.
2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 hd has antilock brake problems. The antilock wheel sensor became dirty which caused the antilock to engage right at the end of braking causing it to take longer to stop the truck. The manual never indicated that the sensors needed to be checked or cleaned. There was no warning for this failure.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in two collisions caused by brake failure. The first collision involved a vehicle making a U turn and consumer's vehicle traveling 40 mph was unable to stop and stroke the other vehicle. During the second collision consumer's vehicle was traveling at 35 mph, was unable to stop, and collided with another vehicle. Consumer contacted the manufacturer involving an upcoming recall, and was told that notification will take place in two-three weeks.
On three separate occasions while applying the brake pedal it went to the floor. The vehicle failed to stop. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, the mechanic could not duplicate the problem at this time. The ABS/brake light stayed on, there was an intermittent rattle in the flywheel, the consumer stated that the clutch has no "throw."
While braking at 40 mph the brakes failed intermittently, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Broadalbin, NY, USA