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.
In December of 2005 I brought my 2002 Silverado to the dealer for a recall on ABS sensors. I was contacted and told I needed brake rotors and pads on all four wheels. I asked them how a truck with only 10,200 miles that had been garaged since purchase could require $900 worth of brakes. First I was told it was due to inactivity. After explaining I have a 1976 GMC CK10 parked beside the Silverado and it did not require such repair, I was told new brake materials are inferior to the older brake materials. I suspect there may be faulty materials used in GMC truck brakes circa 2002 and seek you advice on the matter. Thank you.
The contact states since purchase the brakes have been weak when pulling his boat and making emergency stops. He states with both feet on the brake pedal, it feels spongy and it goes to the floor. The vehicle does not stop any faster when the brakes are pressed harder. The trailer for the boat does not have any brakes and both weigh approximately 2000 pounds. The pulling capacity for the vehicle is 7200 pounds. The vehicle has been to the dealership and they state the brakes are working properly; therefore, no repairs have been made. They have not driven the vehicle with the trailer and boat attached.
I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado K-1500 with 64,000 miles. Last week I was pulling into a parking space at 2-3 mph, and all of a sudden my brakes failed ( pedal to the floor) and it felt like the truck accelerated (my foot was off the gas pedal. I ran into a brick wall, cracking some plastic on the front bumper, and denting the bumper itself. Luckily, I hit the brick wall with the front tow hook. The next day I took my truck to stanley Chevrolet and had them look for any problems. The truck was taken there earlier in the fall, to correct the ABS recall. Stanley, could not find any problem. I would also like to submit that my emergency brake system is completely worn out. Which is odd since I have never used them.
Consumer letter regarding safety deficiency on 2002 Chevrolet Silverado braking system. The brake rotors and calipers have been replaced several times.
- Whitefield, NH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Premature rear brake wear. The rear brake were wore out before front brakes at 4 times the rate on this particular vehicle. This has been happening for 18 months. This vehicle has been regularly maintained. This vehicle is on its first set of rear brakes. The front brakes are original. The front brakes have approximately seventy percent wear remaining. Consumer is replacing the rear brakes and rotors. There are service bulletins #1336875, and #00-05-23-005B. The brakes were grinding in the rear and the rotors have been damaged.
Contact states the brakes on vehicle started pulsating while braking. A local service dealer replaced the brakes and rotors on the front and rear of the vehicle.
When the driver started to apply the brakes (lightly), they felt like they didn't have power brakes and the vehicle didn't stop the way that it normally did. The consumer pressed hard on the brake pedal but the vehicle still did not stop. On another occasion the consumer applied the brake and the and activated for about 5 seconds then returned to normal.
The problem was with the brakes which seemed to be the ABS. The problem would usually occur about 10 mph then the brakes would start to shake when slowing down. There was a noise that was heard and would have to pump the brakes. The vehicle was a 4 wheel drive and does it every time when slowing down.
The vehicle had several mechanical problems to include the emergency brake, transmission and 4-wheel drive. The consumers vehicle was parked on a hill and the emergency brake failed causing the truck to roll off the hill. The vehicle sustained $15000 dollars worth of damage. Consumer contacted the dealer and contacted Chevrolet but to no avail because they will not take responsibility for the damages. The mechanics at Chevrolet stated that the emergency brake is defective but no mechanical defects. The consumers vehicle is undrivable.
While driving at low speeds, the driver applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it home. When slowing down a speeds of 0-5 mph the brake pedal became hard to depress then the ABS would activate. If there was enough time, the brake pedal could be pumped then the ABS would stop, then the vehicle would stop.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado brake equipment. The consumer had to replace the ear rotors, shoes and hardware. The rear axle fluid was low and discolored. When the rear axle was serviced it was determined that the front axle vent tube was leaking from the oring. The axle vent tube was replaced.
Many of the problems took several times in the shop to fix. The castrophic failures in the engine & transmission have never been fixed. The truck has lunging, dead spots & surges & the transmission clunks (shifts hard, jerky) the auto may or may not accelerate on demand & will later accelerate when you need to apply the brakes.
The brake line that runs to the rear left wheel was installed incorrectly causing it to contact the turn down seam of the cab sheetmetal. This was located just behind the fuel cooler. The rubbing caused the line to burst while stopping. The dealer service rep said that since the truck was 10K over the warranty that it would be unlikely that the GM would fix the problem. Since I didn't have the time to fight with the dealer and since I use the truck in the course of my business I had it repaired by local mechanic.
The power steering & power brakes went out simultaneously. Fortunately I was only towing the boat trailer(2000 lbs) I had just unloaded a 5000 lb boat the date was 7 July. No one was injured and nothing was damaged. However upon checking around this apparently is a common problem on this GM platform. The dealership knew what was wrong before they saw the vehicle and admit to servicing this problem. My issue is how many people need to be injured or killed before someone recalls these. I just found out that the shaft which is breaking has been replaced with a new part but there are thousands of these things out there and no warning has been issued. My local dealership. They have replaced 6 of these in the last 2 weeks. The dealership in cheboygan has replaced 5 in the recent past for a total of 11 in two dealerships.
While turning consumer lost control of steering. Consumer later found out that the wheel, hub, brakeline and brakes were disconnected from the vehicle.
Soft brake pedal...goes to the floor. Questionable brake response. Also "clunk" heard in front-end and felt through steering around turns. Both since new in March 2002.
The hydraulic pump failed while driving. The consumer was forced to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Heavy duty 2002 diesel Silverado. Dealer replaced power steering pump but there was no brakes, pedal went to the floor. On another occasion, consumer left vehicle idling while changing a tire on the trailer. Got in the vehicle, stepped on the brake and lost the brakes and trailer lights. Consumer decided to drive about a mile to exit freeway when the brakes started to work again.
While driving 20 mph brakes failed. Pedal would go to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Had taken vehicle to dealership, but problem not resolved.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cicero, NY, USA