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.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and depressing the brakes, the pedal would go straight to the floor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they advised her that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 2/21/12
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the steel brake lines were rusted, making it dangerous when attempting to stop the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The contact repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 100,000. Updated 6/6/12
As I was approaching an intersection I applied the brakes and shortly thereafter the pedal went to the floor. At the time it seemed that I had a complete loss of braking and had to swerve to the side to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of me. After I came to a complete stop and assessed the situation, I realized I had very limited braking, about 10%, and was able to get the vehicle home (1/2 mile or so and almost no traffic). I parked the vehicle in my driveway and noticed a puddle of brake fluid on the driveway under the junction of the cab to the bed. I felt the brake line and determined that it had totally failed and was now in two pieces. I visually inspected the rest of the brake lines and determined they were all in a similar condition and extremely corroded and any of them could fail at any time. I had three of my children with me at the time and was very grateful that it wasn't worse than it was. No one was injured and no damage to other vehicles or property occurred, but it very easily could have. This is a serious safety concern and after searching the internet I know this is not an isolated incident.
All of the brake lines in my 2000 Chevy Silverado are completely rusted out. I have had the brakes stop working after a brake line ruptured with no warning on two different occasions.
I was driving my 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup and pulling an empty 16\' cargo trailer, and started to decend a 8% grade hill. I had the trans in tow mode and started applying the brakes to slow from approx 50 mph, as I was going to turn at the bottom of the hill. The brakes first held and then as I held brake pedal pressure constant the pedal went to the floor. I quickly realized I was in trouble and pulled the trans to 3 and then 2. thank god there was no one in front of me making the same left turn as I, as there was a steep tree lined hill to my right and it would have been catastrophic at that point. I stepped on the emergency brake and got the truck stopped but missed my turn by approx. 100 feet. I recovered my composure and after a few minutes stopped shaking enough to limp my truck home using the emergency brake and 2nd gear. I was approx. 2 miles from my home on a country blacktop road. When checking out the truck brake lines found them to be extremely rusty and in one place split. I replaced that line only to fail a 2nd line while bleeding the brakes in my driveway. After replacing the 2 lines from the master cylinder to the ABS module and the 2 lines from the module to the front wheel cylinders, I again ventured out only to again lose my brakes on the downgrade of my driveway again, which was the last straw, and I replace all the remaining lines. Pedal is still mushy but the brakes are holding and not leaking fluid. I am the 2nd owner of the truck and put maybe 3,000 miles a year on the truck. I also own a 1997 automobile which has over 300,000 miles and never had a brake problem and the brake lines show very little rust, and I drive this vehicle all winter while I might use the truck a half dozen times during adverse conditions. I believe GM is at fault here by putting cheap steel brake lines on their trucks, probably as a cost reduction since they
- Illinois City, IL, USA
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While driving my Silverado approaching a stop sign at 25 mph, the brakes failed without warning, a car in front of me already stopped there! I had swerve around by going on the sidewalk and use the emergency brake to stop, thank god I didn't hit that car or any pedestrians. I noticed brake fluid dripping from frame above left rear wheel & rear axel. I had the Silverado towed to the GM service center to inspect the brake lines; $99 plus tax GM service center said brake lines where rusted through and would be $1,012.98 plus tax! to repair leaking lines. I believe this ifailure is due to GM not utilizing stainless steel brake lines.
The consumer states he discovered leaking brake fluid from the bundle of brake lines beneath the driver side door. The Chevy truck was taken to the local Chevrolet dealer. The dealer found the brake lines were rusted. One had corroded to the point of rupture causing fluid to leak. Brake components were found to be rusted. The dealer determined that the brake system failure was not due to excessive use or abuse the manufacturer was contacted. There is no recall currently for this defect. The Chevrolet company representative refused further assistance citing the age and mileage of the vehicle. The front lines from the master cylinder to the ABS unit as well as from the ABS unit to the two front calipers were replaced. The brake bleeding values and hoses were cleaned. The system was bled.
The consumer found leaking brake fluid beneath the driver's door. A brake line ruptured due to rusting. This represented a severe and immediate safety hazzard. The Silverado truck was taken to the local Chevy dealer. The dealer found front brake lines rusted and one rupturted on LH side of vehicle. Rear brake lines rusted but not as bad. The dealer fabricated and flared new brake lines to the front brake components. They also cleaned out brake valves and hoses. The system was bled. The dealer stated that the brake line rupture was not due to abuse. The Chevrolet manufacturer was contacted at 1-800-222-1020, GM customer assistance. Chevrolet refused to compensate for repairs citing age and mileage.
Brake system failure due to brake line corrosion. Third time this has happened. First two instances were on the rear lines due to exposure to salt spray. Recent occurrence was located at the retainment clip holding the two lines running downstream of the master cylinder to the frame rail. Both lines rusted through and began leaking. Lines started leaking when brakes were applied in icy conditions. ABS system engaged and the added pressure lead to line failure. Vehicle continued into intersection due to reduced brake function. Fortunately did not result in a crash.
On a snowy day going back home for lunch, I tried to stop at a 4 way stop but it took a little bit longer than I expected. First I thought it was because of the ABS engagement and road condition. But I felt something unusual, so I pressed the brake pedal after leaving the 4way stop around 30mph. Then the pedal started loosing back pressure and it went down to the floor before it stopped. I could come back home with lower gear down shifting and parking brake. When I checked the bottom of the vehicle, I found fluid leakage around the brake line on the floor.
I was backing my truck up to park it in yard, and hit the brakes and it went to the floor. After investigating I found a hole in the line to the left rear wheel. The hole was caused by a wire harness rubbing on the brake line. At the same time of looking at the problem I discovered the brake line were very badly rusted. Any way the wire harness had to be put there at the factory because I have never messed with it and no one else has either. I feel this should have been caught at the inspection area on the assembly line. But now I have to pay to have it fixed do to the poor workmanship by the factory. And when I went to move the truck to my barn the emergency brake did not hold very well, yeah more problems.
Brake line failure, left side behind wheel where lines run on top of frame. While in the drive thru lane at fast food restraint. Nearly pinned pedestrian between my truck and the vehicle in front of me.
Brake line leaking fluid. Wife stepped on brakes and rolled through intersection of highway K and highway N in St. Charles, mo. The line that failed is in the bundle along the frame under the drivers seat. All the lines show signs of rust. I understand this is not the first occurrence. Just glad she did not hit anyone or get injured. Hope you quit dragging your feet on this issue and make the car company that the usa is invested in fix their brake problem.
The brake lines failed on my 2000 Chevy Silverado 2500. The vehicle was backing down a boat launch ramp at the time and was stopped with the parking brake. The truck had to be towed and all of the metal brake lines replaced (the brake lines had to be made because GM does not sell replacement line).
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that when applying the brakes from 10 mph or less, the brakes would abnormally lock. The dealer recommended replacing the sensors at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall where the dealer cleaned the brake sensors. The contact was under the impression that the brake sensors should have been replaced under the recall. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 64,000. Updated 12/01/10 updated 12/07/10
For the time in 4 months, my 2000 Chevrolet K2500hd full sized pickup truck has experienced brake failure due to rust-through of a brake line. The first failure point was located near the right front wheel in the vicinity of the metal line to rubber hose connection, in the exact location where the metal line runs between the frame and the electrical connector for the antilock system's wiring to the right-front wheel sensor. Today's failure is located in the engine compartment directly under the master cylinder. The actual leak is in a section of line that is not obscured by any mounting points. It is out in the open and fully visible when looking into the engine compartment while standing in front of the vehicle. Several other sections of brake line appear have major rust issues also. This truck has 45,454 miles on it. The original brake master cylinder failed at 26, xxx miles. The vehicle's warranty had expired, so I was responsible for this repair. I have noticed the brake fluid in the reservoir of this vehicle has a history of turning to a dark color within a short period after a brake fluid flush, even after the replacement master cylinder was installed. I have never been satisfied with the stopping power of the brakes on this truck. I am the original owner, and since the truck was new I always felt the brakes had a very "spongy" feel. Even when new there were a few occasions when I experienced 'am I going to be able to stop' scares. I must now have the truck towed to a repair facility, to have the entire system of brake lines inspected and replaced as necessary. Obviously the truck is not safe to drive until this is done.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the brakes were engaged and there was only fifty percent braking power. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and barely avoid a crash. The dealer advised that all of the brake lines were corroded and fractured. The contact stated that the fuel lines were replaced two years prior to the failure due to corrosion. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 190,000.
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that she experienced ongoing brake failure; when she attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle would not respond. She had to exert more force in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer nine times where brake lines, rotors and other braking components were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer and was offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was approximately 130,000. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
2000 Chevrolet Silverado - sudden brake line failure as driver was approaching intersection, brake pedal went to the floor and there was no slowing action whatsoever. Driver was able to limp vehicle home using emergency brake. Upon inspection, I discovered that all brake lines on the vehicle were badly corroded and the ABS to rear axle chassis brake line had ruptured due to excessive corrosion. While examining the line that failed, I observed that all steel lines on the vehicle were corroded very badly and were likely to fail at any time. When I asked a mechanic about this issue, I was told it was a common problem and that I should plan to replace all the brake lines on the vehicle soon to help prevent another failure. A vehicle that is only 10 years old should not have metal brake line failure due to corrosion - clearly the manufacturer used an inferior product that has made the vehicle unsafe to drivers as the vehicle ages. What I really don't understand is why automakers are not required to use a stainless grade steel or some other material that is not prone to corrosion/failure when it is for such a critical system such as the braking system. At least a requirement that if the pedal hits the bottom, as would occur with line failure, that it activates a non-hydraulic mechanical system that doesn't rely on fancy electronics or hydraulics would be a better safeguard than hoping that the driver is able to remember the parking brake when he/she has seconds before a collision. I removed the failed brake line and replaced it with a new steel line. I also sprayed the line with a clearcoat paint in an attempt to preserve the replacement line. I then examined the other lines and confirmed that they look solid (for now); but noted that they are more extremely corroded than the brake lines on my 1999 Mercury Cougar or 1985 Toyota MR2.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Montrose, PA, USA