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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,453 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 13)

problem #252

Dec 102021

Silverado 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

THE THROTTLE CABLE MAKES CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS. I SMELL GAS INSiDE CAB. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME

- Planada, CA, USA

problem #251

Jan 012019

Silverado 1500

  • 200,000 miles
ABS system will activate when applying brakes without cause such as a wet surface

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #250

Dec 132019

Silverado 1500

  • 65,000 miles
Hard break lines are fully corroded and need full replacement after a break line failure. Low mileage vehicle, currently 65K, vehicle has been in mild climate of nc and SC since 2002 where snow and salt is infrequent. Never driven in coastal area. Only recently driven across country, where failure occurred. Thankfully at slow speeds.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #249

Jul 252019

Silverado 1500

  • 116,060 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake lines started leaking brake fluid out of nowhere. Because of this, the brake petal suddenly stopped working and could have resulted in death. I was driving at about 30 mph on a city street when I discovered this issue. Had I have been driving at a higher speed I may not be here to complain. Rusted brake lines is the problem with this issue.

- Spring Hill, KS, USA

problem #248

May 152019

Silverado 1500

  • 75,000 miles
ABS kicks in at low speed

- Salineville, OH, USA

problem #247

Dec 292018

Silverado 1500

  • 205,000 miles
When we bought truck I checked VIN and only the tailgate recall came up but listed my truck being a Chevy 800 model, well couple weeks ago our truck wouldn't brake while parking making a left into a restaurant and the truck wouldn't stop and hit the restaurant window!!! when I checked just our exact vehicle 15 plus recalls came up with this particular defect listed, please help advise. Thank the parkerd

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #246

Nov 292018

Silverado 1500

  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While slowing down coming to a stop - no brakes. Checked everything. Suspect power booster. This started slowly about three weeks ago. Today it actually would not stop and I almost hit the fire hydrant.

- Union Beach, NJ, USA

problem #245

Nov 012018

Silverado 1500

  • 125,000 miles
Brake lines rusted through to point of failure

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #244

Oct 032018

Silverado 1500

  • 70,000 miles
My brake lines on my Silverado have been replaced 5 different lines in 4 years the truck has 90,000 miles on it and in the last month 3 times ive lost brakes the guy who fixes my brake lines tells me the lines are rusted out each time this happens, he told me he cant tell by sight when they will fail cause they look ok but that's not the case, I've read this is a issue with these vehicle's ive been lucky so far (knock on wood) but the cost and the stress of having your brakes fail is unacceptable seeing the lines are not up to normal standards, someone should be held responsible for this issue

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #243

Jul 282018

Silverado 1500

  • 158,722 miles
In July of 2018, my 2002 Chevrolet Silverado had major brake failure as I was driving about 35 mph approaching a red light. I pressed on the brakes, it went totally to the floor and I was unable to stop, blowing right through red light. My mechanic told me the my brake line rusted through, and all the brakes lines, as well as the fuel line is totally rusted. I was told that this is very common in this Chevrolet / GM model era. He said if all he were to do is replace brake lines in this 1999 to 2006 era, it was enough to keep his business booming. What shocking struck me is that he told me they all fail under the drivers side door, along the frame, before the ABS module. This is definitely a safety hazard that should be addressed. Myself, as well as others could of been killed when I was unable to stop at the red light. John D. norristown, pa.

- Norristown, PA, USA

problem #242

Jul 102018

Silverado 1500

  • 1 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is a major safety design flaw in the 1999-2002 brake system. The front tires through the salt and grime from the roads onto the brake lines where Chevrolet has located them in the design. This causes the brake lines to corrode and burst during driving. Mine have now burst for the second time in the last 5 years. The first time in 2013 I was driving at about 35-40 mph when I went to make a rh turn and the brakes went to the floor. This time I had went to a local gas station and was on the way home when I stopped to talk to a neighbor and once again the brake pedal went to the floor. I drive the truck very little so I have only put just over 17,000 miles on the new set of brake lines that I had installed by a Chevrolet dealer in 2013. I live in southern Indiana, just North of louisville, ky so our winters are not that harsh, so the amount of salt from roads is pretty limited. I have talked with other Chevrolet Silverado, Yukon and Suburban owners and they all share having the same issues with their brake lines. I have went to youtube to see how to make the repairs myself and have seen countless videos on individuals repairing their brakes because of the corrosion and the brake lines bursting. Come on nhtsb what are you waiting on before you issue a recall, someone to die or be permanently disabled! do the right thing and issue a recall to fix the brakes with stainless steel lines, rotors, calipers and brake pads that will not rust after a few years!

- Henryville, IN, USA

problem #241

Jan 132018

Silverado 1500

  • 173,000 miles
I was driving at low speed on a street that is 25mh as I break to stop at the stop sign my ABS activated. Almost caused me a serious accident because I couldn't stop so I had to break so hard my but was actually off of the seat. And this continues to happen so now I have to take the ABS fuse out to deactivate my ABS.

- Falling Waters, WV, USA

problem #240

Mar 012018

Silverado 1500

  • 130,000 miles
Takata recall - have been stranded numerous times as it has appeared to be the fuel pump not getting gas to start the car. Sometime can hear pump running as I have replace 3-4 pumps since 2012 or 13. Some time beating under tank helps. There seem to be numerous complaints about this problem. Security light flashing and start sometime when it is reset. Sounds wonderful when it runs. Can it be the computer? towed to a safe location after not starting and diagnostic technician show 10% fuel pressure. I parked went in to make a payment at a business and would not start for 4 days

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #239

Jan 292018

Silverado 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed. The driver had to apply force to stop the vehicle, which had still gone through the stop sign due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was excluded from the brake system recall. There were more than 20 tsbs on the brake system; however, the manufacturer provided no solution to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was not available.

- Fort Valley, VA, USA

problem #238

Jan 192018

Silverado 1500

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 50 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to operate. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, which caused the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The contact was a certified mechanic and was able to diagnose that the brake line was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #237

Dec 152017

Silverado 1500

  • 101,700 miles
Experiencing unwanted ABS activation at low speeds on dry roads when slowing down and/or stopping, with or with out pressing on the breaks.

- St.Stephen, MN, USA

problem #236

Oct 152015

Silverado 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,475 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic who informed the contact that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to stewart Chevrolet (780 serramonte blvd, colma, ca 94014) where the contact was informed about an unknown manufacturer recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not being repaired per the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 133,475. Consumer stated he had a numerous close calls with the brakes. Had one accident where they failed to do their jobs. Updated 8/7/18

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #235

Oct 052017

Silverado 1500

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While backing out of the driveway, the brakes did not work. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact shifted to drive to park the vehicle back in the driveway, but the brakes did not work again. The emergency brake had to be utilized. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed brake fluid all over the driveway. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed the brake lines were severely rusted to the point that it was hard to determine which of the brake lines was leaking fluid. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (kendred Chevrolet in smithfield, Missouri) where it was diagnosed that all the brake lines failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #234

Oct 032017

Silverado 1500

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 7 mph, the anti-lock brake system activated and pulsated until the vehicle stopped. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure started intermittently approximately three weeks ago and has become worse. The failure occurred daily. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

problem #233

Oct 022017

Silverado 1500

  • 175,000 miles
The anti-lock brake system engages at slow speeds causing inability to stop. The road surface does not matter, wet, dry, dirt or paved, it is a failing system. This was a random problem, now it happens all the time. The system will make a ratcheting sound then a grinding before as you come to a stop. You have to be ready to let off the brake and reapply pressure hoping it works. I live in a neighborhood with small children running around everywhere. I would hate to think what would happen if these brakes failed me when I really needed them.

- New Albany, IN, USA

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