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.
Brake lines on this 1999 Chevy Silverado lt 1500 4WD Z71 have failed 2 times. First in October 2006 with approximately 98,200 miles. All brake lines were replaced at a cost of $1,400, plus the cost of the tow. Then again in October 2011 at approximately 173,600 miles. The first occurrence happened in my driveway while pulling out onto the street. Fortunately, I was not moving too fast and was able to pull over without incident. The second occurrence happened at speed, approximately 35 mph, as the light turned red and the car in front of me applied his brakes. I applied mine only to have them go straight to the floor. I was able to make an erratic loop around the other vehicle, going through the red light and the intersection. Had it not been the middle of the day, with light traffic, I, and any number of other drivers, could have been severely injured or killed as a result of this failure. This vehicle was towed, at my expense, and is presently in the shop being evaluated for needed repairs. Two complete brake failures in 12 years or a failure once every 6 years is totally unacceptable. I have been a Chevy driver for more than 36 years, however, I no longer trust my vehicle, or any Chevy.
Went to back up out of driveway and peddle went to floor. No breaks hit parking break nothing there either. Two lines rusted threw and two mor of 5 were bad. Back calipers frozen and damaged. Thought breaks would never fail totally but this is not true. No warning lights either just roll and stop when you hit something. Not fun. Good thing I was not on the freeway or in traffic could have killed one.... not happy......... just nice fat bill to pay...
Brakes failed when leaving a residential driveway. Two lines split near the balancer valve located below the driver seat underneath the vehicle resulting in catastrophic brake failure. Noticed extreme corrosion around all five of the brake lines around the balancer valve upon inspection.
Was driving my truck to the carryout when I went to stop and all of sudden there were no brakes and the pedal went right to the floor. Never had a warning it was going to happen. I was lucky that the person that didn't have to stop didn't hit me, as they had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid me. I am lucky this happened at 2 am in the morning when there wasn't much traffic. I was only able to stop because I ended up hitting the curb and jumping in someone's yard scared me into thing I was going to smash into the house. Well the truck came to rest about 10 foot from the porch. I looked under the truck and can see that the lines are rusted really bad under the driver side cab and it looks to be all need replaced. I have never had brake lines rust like this ever and I own several older trucks and they aren't this bad being twice the age of this truck. GM should own up to this problem and do a recall before somebody gets killed if that hasn't happened already. Like I can just let my truck sit while this investigation is slowly looked at by officials that don't care if people die by not issuing a recall now.
- Fostoria, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 10 mph and coming to a stop the ABS activated inadvertently. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing nor was it repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
After stopping hard due to traffic, the brakes lost almost all pressure. Stopping distance increased greatly while pedal went to the floor without much resistance. Upon returning home, albeit slowly, it was discovered that there was a small leak just after the master cylinder in the steel brake lines where they enter a plastic retaining clip. All of the surrounding steel lines have corrosion on them as well.
Fuel line failed while sitting in driveway due to extensive corrosion after repairing the fuel line and running the truck to check for leak I applied the brakes and the forward brake line failed. The entire under carriage is rusty and all fuel lines and brake lines are completely rusty and will need to be replaced.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that at low speeds, the ABS would activate without warning. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock) but the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with further repairs to the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 87,262. Kmj
After exiting the main road, I started a curve and downhill exit which had a traffic light at the end of the exit, which dead ended on to another main road. Seeing that the light was turning from yellow to red I started to brake. Fortunately for me no traffic was approaching the green light as when I began to brake the pedal went to the floor. As I was attempting to stop, I continued through the red light and onto the opposite shoulder of the road and used my emergency brake and downshifted the trans. Once I stopped I checked under my truck and found a ruptured brake line. I managed to get my truck to a service store and had the line replaced. At that time the service provider told me all Chevy trucks have bad lines and mine was no different as they were common steel line and he priced replacement of the lines at about $1300 give or take.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of brakes while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the brake lines were completely rusted through. The contact also stated that the frame was rusted through and there was hole the size of a half dollar on the passenger side of the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 150,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated they were driving the vehicle and when they engaged the brake pedal, they failed to respond. The contact stated the ABS light did not come on, but the emergency brake did not work as well. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the entire brake line had corroded. The vehicle was at the dealership waiting to be repaired. The failure and current mileages were 73,000.
Just driving home from work and the brakes were not working as well as normal when applying them. Light came on in the dashboard indicating brake problem. When I arrived at home checked fluid and was out of brake fluid. Started looking for the problem and found a broken brake line badly corroded. Looking at the rest of the lines they are all in a bad way. I'm a plumber and have worked with stainless steel tubing my exhaust is original never had a problem or leak. It seems strange to install such a great exhaust system and not the same on a little more important system.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated when he depressed the brakes, the pedal extended to the floor abnormally. He then inspected the vehicle and found brake fluid leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test which indicated that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet silvarado 2500. While driving approximately 25 mph the brake pedal extended to the floor more than usual and the vehicle became difficult to stop while applying pressure to the brake pedal. The brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that one of the shocks were wet and covered with oil. The contact noticed that the rear brake line which connects to the rear axle was also leaking oil. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer or local mechanic. There was an open investigation; NHTSA action number EA11001 (service brakes, hydraulic service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
1999 Silverado truck brake line failure. Went to stop brake pedal went to the floor. Problem brake line rusted thru. All the brake line are rusty pretty sad the trucks only 10 years old.
1999 Chevy Silverado 2500 ext cab long box 2wd pickup with 155,000 klm had two brake lines explode upon applying the brakes. Truck was pulling a full load at the time and an accident could have been major. Luckily the trailer being towed had electric brakes on it. Inspection of the brake lines shows them all very rusty. Should not be occurring. I drive an older astro van and there are no problems with it. GM should be replacing all the brake lines.
On Friday Sept. 15, I was driving my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado when I experienced brake line rupture from two different locations. I was merely attempting to slow down for a curve and I did 'dynamite' the brakes. I applied normal pressure and suddenly, the pedal began to travel towards the floor and I could feel the vehicle becoming harder to slow. Luckily, I was able to stop the vehicle before suffering an accident. After I pulled off the side of the road and saw leaking brake fluid, I inspected the area and found several locations on the brake line where corrosion had severely damaged the lines, as well as two small holes in two different lines. When I got home, I performed a search of the problem on my computer and found literally hundreds of complaints regarding the same issue!! this is an extremely dangerous condition that GM should address, or be forced to address immediately!! if not, they are responsible for injury/loss of life due to sub-standard materials used in their braking system.
Driving my 1999 Chevy Silverado 2500 down the road, went to brake and the brake pedal went straight to the floor without warning, I narrowly avoided hitting the car in front of me, causing significant damage and injury. Limped home and found rusted thru brake lines just outside of driver side frame. Truck has just turned 100,000 miles, but the undercarriage looks much older...severe corrosion and rust...not what you would expect for a $45,000 truck. Not to mention the other failures I have incurred...will never buy a Chevy again. NHTSA, you need to do something about this before people get killed!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arlington, VA, USA