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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,523 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.

2000 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2000 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Nov 032014

Silverado 3500

  • 78,000 miles

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

NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 NHTSA action number: PE05020 past recall fix by General Motors was done incorrectly. Front sensors for the ABS system become dirty because of bad seals in the hub assembly.original fix only provided maintenance to the problem not a permanent fix. At low speeds the ABS system kicks in when you put your foot on the brake pedal.

- Pocono Lake, PA, USA

problem #65

Sep 202014

Silverado 3500

  • 190,000 miles
I pressed on the brakes and felt one set blow out, pressed harder to compensate and felt the remaining set blow out. The pedal then went to the floor resulting in a total loss of braking. The brake light did not come on (no reason for it to?). luckily I had a trailer connected which had working electric brakes and I was able to manually activate those brakes. Later that day while moving the vehicle in my yard, I used the emergency brake which immediately failed. Inspection of the brake lines revealed massive corrosion on all of the lines and will require complete replacement. Inspection of the emergency brake revealed the line was coated in plastic except in some areas. Those areas were totally corroded resulting in the cable braking in one of those areas. So in one pedal action, both front and back brakes catastrophically failed. And in the same day, all 3 systems failed. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and they requested that the vehicle be towed in and have a diagnostic test run (at the vehicle owners expense), however Chevrolet had no program in place and would not cover any of the repairs no matter what the outcome of the diagnostic test... I opted to repair all the break lines myself to avoid the the extra cost of a tow and diagnostic test that would have no outcome other than a report to Chevrolet at a large expense to me. Approximate failure mileage was 190,000 miles.

- Dayton, MN, USA

problem #64

Jul 222014

Silverado 3500

  • 164,000 miles
While driving I hit my brakes and the pressure went out and the brake pedal had to be pushed all the way to the floor before I was able to stop. Brake fluid was leaking from driver side just behind the front tire.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #63

Feb 272013

Silverado 3500

  • 140,242 miles

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

Was driving my 2000 1500 and had brake failure. Upon inspection not only did I find extensive rust on lines but my rear shackles are rotting through and some places on the frame. Started to think there no way this should not be happening to this truck. Only 140000 miles this has got to be a case of poor quality. Not only is this a safety issue and should be checked on but it is an expensive fix. I did slide off the road but I came to a safe stop in a field luckily my E-brake worked and nobody else was around. Could you please investigate this and take care of it. Chevrolet should stand by their product but they don't care about us, they just want their money. Also there is a lot of rust on body of truck, like actual holes in bedside and passenger side rocker panel is bad. Thank you for your time and consideration, sincerely Chevy truck owner:(

- New Providence, PA, USA

problem #62

Apr 042012

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Rear brake line corrosion leak without warning. Loss of braking.

- Scotch Plains, NJ, USA

problem #61

Jan 222012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 177,000 miles
Truck lost 90% of braking ability due to what was diagnosed as corroded brake lines / lack of hydraulic brake power. Thankfully I was on an empty street, moving at a slow rate of speed.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #60

Dec 152011

Silverado 3500

  • 56,000 miles

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

Had multiple brake line failures in the last 2 months. First being the main line to the rear brakes, then brake line to the right front wheel, then line to left front wheel. While truck was being worked on it was noticed that the front frame rail was starting to rust through near where the front bumper mounts, also noticed rust on the frame at front of cab area, this is not surface rust, this is rusted through the frame and has large rust scales. It is primarily in the area of the cab and forward. Frame seems to be okay from the cab back, problem is where the frame is enclosed.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #59

Mar 012002

Silverado 3500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for routine service when the anti-lock braking system failed to activate. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a concrete wall. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 00V055000: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock and was taken to the dealer but the contact was advised by the dealer that the vehicle did not need the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

- Inver Grove Heights , MN, USA

problem #58

Dec 082011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 182,345 miles
Complete brake failure when driving due to rusted brake lines. Had one replaced earlier. No proportioning. Front and rear failed together. Only way to stop is the emergency brake (which had previously failed and been repaired).

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #57

Nov 302011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 135,890 miles
Brake lines are severely rusted. The hydraulic brake light comes on during every drive, but still has fluid. Replacement cost of components over $1600, not including ABS control problems.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #56

Sep 012011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 135,000 miles

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

The brake lines failed on my Silverado and I completely lost braking. With a dual master cylinder system this is usually not possible. On these trucks the lines are spring covered plain steel lines that are packed tight together next to the frame before they enter the antilock brake controller, which is under the floor on the drivers side of the truck. The way the lines are constructed and routed leads to contaminates being trapped in the area around the lines causing them to prematurely rust out. The fact that both the front and rear lines and routed together to the middle of the vehicle eliminates the safety benefits of the dual master cylinder / front and rear systems that provided an additional safety factor on older vehicles. In my case the front and rear lines failed at the same point and at the same time. Additionally on inspecting my truck the hardware that holds the emergency brake pads in place had also rusted away and caused the emergency brake lining to set askew in the rotor causing it to get worn down. In an emergency situation you may not be able to count on the emergency brake to operate as well. All in all a really poor designed system that should be recalled and fixed before lives are lost.

- Oskaloosa, IA, USA

problem #55

Nov 012011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
I took my 1500 Chevy pick-up to a GM dealer in ri, ( hurd GMC) after I smelled gasoline when driving, the service dept informed me that the fuel line is rotted (at or near the fuel filter)and leaking gasoline near the exhaust, they told me not to drive the truck, for fear of a fire. They also noted that the brake lines the run down the drivers side frame rail are also rotted. I have repaired other brake lines in the front, last year, because of leaking brake fluid, the GM dealer quoted me a price of around $2000 to replace the entire fuel line from the tank to the injectors. Which included replacement of all rotted brake lines. I have parked the truck for fear of a fire, or possible loss of brakes. The truck is not a rusted mess underneath, I took care not to drive on salty roads, these lines are made of raw steel, I believe if they were stainless steel, I would not be in this mess. What does one do with a perfectly good truck, but can't drive it for fear of fire or crash "?"

- N. Scituate, RI, USA

problem #54

Sep 192011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 178,500 miles
No brakes at low speed. A continuation of the problem related to a safety recall. The recall does not permanently fix the problem, just replaces the failed component with the same parts. The condition appears again in about the same period of time/miles. Had repaired by a GM dealer and receipt shows it is the same issue as recalled. Contacted GM and they refuse to reimburse for the cost the second time stating age/miles of the vehicle is not their problem any more.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #53

Sep 032011

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • 100,491 miles
Brakes failed while attempting to stop at an intersection. Vehicle was going approx. 30mph as I applied the brakes. When I pressed the brake pedal it was firm at first, and then went spongy and collapsed to the floor. There was no indication from the dash, no break light, associated with the brake failure. Upon post driving inspection it was noted that all four brake lines were rusted. While researching the issue on the internet I noted that there are hundreds of complaints from other owners with the same vehicle. At this point I am not sure what line, or lines, may have rusted thru as I have not had the vehicle repaired yet, expensive repair estimate.

- Old Lyme, CT, USA

problem #52

Aug 092011

Silverado 3500

  • 209,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 209,000 and the current mileage was 210,000.

- Waynesville, OH, USA

problem #51

Oct 072011

Silverado 3500

  • 145,000 miles
Time 15:30. Road conditions: Dry. No clouds. Incident: Slowing to a stop at pedestrian crossing, the ABS system activated at approximately 8 mph. Vehicle failed to stop and lurched forward into pedestrians. Condition replicates the ABS failures in similar vehicles that are under recall; dealer indicated this vehicle was not part of recall but has same issue.

- Galena , IL, USA

problem #50

Aug 302011

Silverado 3500

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet K3500. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, he applied the brakes and the anti lock brakes engaged. The vehicle was not taken to dealer to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #49

Aug 272011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 210,300 miles
While stopping in my driveway in front of my garage, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor with loss of braking. A portion of the brakeline was replaced by a local mechanic. He reported a line leading to the rear brakes had failed at the "T" on the rear axle and also in the area of the drivers side door. After driving approximately 90 miles, another brakeline failure occurred while driving on the highway. I was able to stop the truck safely without incident, but with very little braking power. Another portion of brakeline was replaced. As a result of the 2 incidents, all brake lines are in the process of being replaced.

- Windham, NH, USA

problem #48

Jun 182011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
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

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

problem #47

Jun 122011

Silverado 3500

  • 102,000 miles
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.

- Solon, OH, USA

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