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.
This complaint is to document brake line failures on 3 separate occasions for my 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While bleeding my brakes in June of 2011, one of the rear brake lines burst and the pedal went completely to the floor. Thankfully, this happened in my driveway and the burst was in a section of the line accessible for me to replace. Then, in August of 2013, my brake pedal went all the way to the floor while attempting to stop suddenly after someone pulled out in front of me. I was traveling 25 to 30 mph. With some maneuvering, I was able to avoid hitting the person but drifted well through the intersection before coming to a slow stop. Thankfully no one else was there. Fortunately, I could literally see my house (and my children who were waiting for me to return from work), and was able to pull into the driveway and have my truck towed to a service shop the next day. The shop replaced a section of the rear brake lines and felt the remainder of the lines were still safe. It should be noted that the break was in a different place than the first brake line failure. The third brake line failure occurred on December 5th, 2014 when my brake pedal went all the way to the floor when I attempted to come to a sudden stop when another driver came into my lane without warning. Again I was traveling 25 to 30 mph and nearly ran head on into another driver after my truck drifted slowly to a stop (probably took 3 times the distance it would have normally taken to stop). At the time of the incident, my vehicle had roughly 67,100 miles on it. Roughly two-thirds of the total brake line system was completely rusted and needed to be replaced. Seeing the other complaints filed for Chevrolet Silverado?S and GMC Sierra's, I sincerely hope that something is done to address this issue before someone is seriously hurt or killed by these failing brake lines.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the brakes failed completely and no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred once. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The technician deemed the vehicle was a total loss due to numerous issues that could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,187.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brake lines were rusted and corroded. The contact replaced the brake lines, but the failure recurred. In addition, while driving approximately 50 mph, the brake lines fractured. The vehicle was taken to private mechanic, who diagnosed that the driver and passenger front brake lines and the rear driver and passenger brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Traveling through intersection and making left hand turn to go in East direction. My vehicle's brakes catastrophically failed. The mechanic said that all(!) the brakes lines were rusted through and that my brake fluid leaked out. And now all of the brake lines will need to be replaced. Not one, not two - all! there was no warning light and no indication of any problems prior to this incident. The only thing worse than a GM product with a faulty ignition switch would seem to be a GM truck that can't stop!
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
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Noticed a need to top off brake reservoir due to dash warning light. Brake lines failing due to corrosion, fortunately no accident has been the result so far.
During showing the vehicle for resale, the brake lines broke and leaked and there was no braking power to stop vehicle. Fortunately this took place in a parking lot therefore we were able to control the situation. However we were about to enter a major roadway at 5pm rush weekday rush hour where a potential serious accident could have occurred.
As I was leaving my home there was a complete loss of brakes in my driveway. After checking I discovered that the brake line had burst due to corrosion. I had a hard time trying to understand how there could be a complete loss as all vehicles now have a dual line master cylinder. I then remembered I had seen a oily spill and trail up the shared gravel drive several months ago. Apparently I had lost half the brake system months ago. There was no warning light or different feel to the brakes during this time. I managed to get the truck in the garage and while checking what was needed for repair I discovered that every single brake line on the vehicle needs to be replaced. I have another Chevrolet pickup that I bought new in 1989 and the brake lines are in better shape than the 2005's.
Put my foot on brake to put vehicle in gear and pedal went straight to floor. The brake line burst. If I got out of the driveway and headed down the hill to the stop sign and the brakes failed, I would find myself in oncoming traffic doing 40mph+ during rush hour. There was no warning, and no brakes at all!!! this vehicle only has 51,000 miles and is always garaged, washed and very well maintained. I have no doubt that if the brakes failed on the road instead of in the driveway, I would have been involved in a very serious accident. You need to do something before multiple deaths and/or injuries. At least a letter to owners to inspect the brake lines.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake and shift into the park position in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,600.
While stopped at a red light I noticed that I had to push the brake pedal all the way to the floor in order to keep the truck from rolling forward. When I got to a friends house I noticed that there was fluid leaking from some rusted brake lines located on the drivers side of the truck. As I pressed the brakes fluid was running out at an accelerated pace. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they said that all of the brake lines needed to be replaced due to rusting. There have been numerous complaints online about rusted brake lines on full size GM trucks. I contacted GM but they said that this is no recall for my vehicle and the repair is going to cost me nearly $1800. I bought the truck brand new in 2005 and its a little disturbing that something like that would fail that way where all of the brake lines were rusted only after 9.5 years. If they would have broke suddenly they could have cause me to have an accident due to the fact that I wouldn't have been able to stop.
While driving at 55 mph, I applied the brakes to come to a stop. The brakes began to slow the truck then the pedal went clear to the floor and all braking action was lost. This caused me to strike the vehicle in front of me. Afterwards I observed brake fluid dripping from the lines forward of the rear axle and near the firewall area. I was very lucky to escape injury to myself and the other driver that I struck. My truck sustained extensive damage to the front end. I have not gotten estimates for repairs yet.
Driving to work, car stops in frt of me an brakes went to floor, drove around on shoulder barely missed hitting car. Brake lines rusted so bad they failed, ive had trucks an cars all my life an have never seen lines on a vehicle this bad. Should be a recall on all Chevy of this year.
I was entering my driveway and began to brake going downhill, the brake pedal sudden "went to the floor" (brake line had ruptured due to corrosion). After taking truck to mechanic, I learned all my brake lines were serverely corroded and had to be replaced - fuel lines as well. Repairs totaled $2185. I owned several other make pickups, driven under the same conditions and have never experienced any problem with either brake or fuel lines.
Brakes lines popped a leak below the drivers side door, which seems to be a common problem. I have never had brakes fail after only 9 years and only 31,942 miles. We purchased the truck new on 8-4-2005. I have a Ford car that is a 2000 model year, and the lines still look good. We had 2 other Ford cars in the past that had nearly 200,000 miles when we got rid of them, and they still had the same brakes lines, which looked good for being nearly 15 years old each. I know this is an important routine maintenance issue, but GM apparently put poor quality lines on various vehicles. We rarely drive it on salty roads in the winter, and when we do, we regularly do a undercarriage wash, which wasn't available when we had the 2 previous Ford cars. It is very obvious the lines put on these vehicles are junk. They put on a exhaust that is supposed to last the life of the vehicle, but put on inferior brake lines which are a safety issue, go figure. After seeing how GM stonewalled and brushed off the ignition switch issue, and now this brake line issue, all I can say is I'm going back to a Ford. I always do preventive maintenance, but these brake lines caught me way off guard. I have done a lot of brake lines over the years but none this soon. I am going to advertise this to any GM owner to check see if they have crappy brake lines.
While traveling at approx 30 mph, brakes were applied in anticipation of a red light. The brake pedal hesitated, then went to the floor. Vehicle was stopped utilizing the emergency brake. Upon further inspection, the brakes ruptured due to severe rust. Currently being repaired at the dealer.
Rear brake line ruptured while braking for a highway exit. All the brake fluid leaked out when I attempted to pump the brakes to stop. I was able to use the emergency brake to come to a complete and safe stop. When I looked to find the problem, I found the rear brake line directly under the driver door was completely rusted and blown out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New Providence, NJ, USA