2003 Chevrolet Silverado Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AS HE ENTERED A PARKING SPACE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DRIVING AGAINST THE HIGH CURB. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKES LINES WERE FOUND TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, CALIBERS AND ROTORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND HE WAS NEVER ADVISED OF A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE BRAKE LINES. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,412. UPDATED 10/31/12*LJ

MY REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST IN A PARKING LOT AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE MAIN LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE ABS MODULE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SO RUSTED IT BURST UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES AND BURNED PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE INSULATION FIREWALL, THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS ABS COMES ON AND FEELS LIKE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. ABS LITE DOES NOT COME ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 34,925.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO AS I APPROACHED STOP LIGHT AN MY LIGHT WAS RED WITH TRAFFIC WAITING IN FRONT OF ME, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN TO PROCEED. I APPLIED BRAKES AND FELT AN IMMEDIATE POP AND MY FOOT PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES!!! COMPLETE FAILURE! THANK GOD THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN AND TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING, I MISSED HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY INCHES. MY TRUCK IS 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO WITH ONLY 64,994 MILES. VERY WELL KEPT AND MAINTAINED. WAS REALLY SHOCKED TO SEE THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN MORE SHOCKED THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AN NO RECALL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO, CREW CAB, SHORT WHEELBASE WEST ON RT 140, WHEN I OBSERVE THE LIGHT AT BETHEL RD TURN RED. I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND I PUMPED TO NO AVAIL, THEN PUSHED HARD, AND REALIZED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, SO I TURNED THE WHEEL AT THE LAST INSTANT AND DROVE INTO THE MEDIAN GRASS TO AVOID THE COLLISION. SCARED MY SON AND HIS FRIEND VERY MUCH. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, OF ANY KIND OF MALFUNCTION..ON THE DASHBOARD...EVEN AS I SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME!!!! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE TAKEN BY SURPRISE LIKE THAT!!! *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME THURS. AUG 23, 2012 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I DROVE THE TRUCK HOME WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. WHILE AT HOME I INSPECTED THE TRUCK, AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR. WHILE INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES JUST IN FRONT OF THE ABS MODULE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORRODED AND BROKEN BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,823.

DURING REPAIR, ALL BRAKE LINES APPEAR TO BE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $1300.00. DEALER STATED HE IS REPAIRING MANY EARLY 2000 CHEVROLET PICKUPS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE LINE RUSTED. *TR

LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES. HAD A 5000 LB. BOAT ON. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO AVOID ACCIDENT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES ARE FORESEEABLE. GM SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

BRAKE LINE RUPTURE FROM THE ABS MODULE TO REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND I CAN SEE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I BELIEVE IT RUPTURE IN MY DRIVEWAY RETURNING FROM A TRIP WITH MY CAMPER ATTACHED TO THE BED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND I REALIZED THE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED AROUND THE TRUCK AND NOTICED FLUID DIPPING FROM JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. I OPENED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT I HAD BLOWN A BRAKE LINE.WHEN I LOOKED AROUND UNDER THE HOOD AT THE BRAKE LINES, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THEY WERE RUSTED. MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH HIS 2001 SILVERADO, IT'S DEFINITELY AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT SPEEDS OF NO MORE THAN 40 MPH. I BRAKED AT A STOP SIGN AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WENT WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND YET THE TRUCK WASN'T STOPPING. WHEN I APPLIED EVEN MORE PRESSURE (AT THIS POINT I WAS UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRACTICALLY STANDING UPRIGHT!) THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY POPPED ON WITH A RINGING BELL. I WAS LESS THAN TWO MILES FROM HOME, SO I CONTINUED MY DRIVE, DOWNSHIFTING TO 1ST AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. AT A RED LIGHT, I SHIFTED INTO PARK TO AVOID ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC. AFTER RETURNING HOME, I NOTICED A LINE OF FLUID DRIPS ON THE DRIVEWAY. I PUT A DISH UNDER THE AREA THAT SEEMED TO BE LEAKING (UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR) AND MY HUSBAND LATER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS BRAKE FLUID AND THAT A LINE HAD RUPTURED. TWO SEPARATE REPAIR SHOPS CONFIRMED THAT FIVE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED OUT AND ONE HAD RUPTURED. WE PAID OVER $1000 TO REPLACE PARTS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT IF THEY HAD BEEN MADE WITH A RUST-PROOF MATERIAL RATHER THAN STEEL. IF THIS BRAKE LINE RUPTURE HAD OCCURRED ONE DAY EARLIER, THE SCENARIO COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH UGLIER: I HAD BEEN DRIVING TO THE BEACH, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS AS PASSENGERS. OUR SILVERADO HAS ABOUT 74K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE WITH PARTS RUSTING OUT BEFORE THEIR TIME. *TR .. UPDATED 08-30-12 *BF

I WAS SLOWING IN TRAFFIC TO STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. I PASSED THE RED LIGHT AND MY TRUCK CAME TO A STOP IN THE INTERSECTION WHEN I THROUGH IT INTO PARK AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. I NARROWLY MISSED A MOTORCYCLIST THAT WAS LEGALLY PASSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. THIS REQUIRES A RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CRADLE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SAFETY LATCH IN ORDER TO DROP IT DOWN. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE A TURN, THE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR. I DROVE SLOWLY HOME AS I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES, I FOUND WHERE ONE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. ALL THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I BACKED INTO A TREE BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP. BENT MY BUMPER INTO THE FENDER. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE METAL BRAKE TUBE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR HAD FAILED AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT. IT LOOKS AS IF THE HOSE RUSTED THROUGH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND MANY OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND SPRUNG LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN NO BRAKES (TO THE FLOOR) EVEN WITH PUMPING BRAKES THERE WAS LITTLE BRAKING. *TR

I STARTED DRIVIN WHEN MY BRAKE WARNING CAME ON. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND HE ADVISED ME THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND HE COULDN'T ORDER A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THERE WAS OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE. *TR

MID AUGUST 2012 APPROXIMATELY 5 PM AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS 76 DEGREES AND ROADS WERE DRY. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 83 SOUTHBOUND NEAR HARRISBURG PA AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE (BRAKE) PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY LOST SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO UTILIZE WHAT BRAKE POWER I HAD LEFT WHILE DOWN SHIFTING TO USE THE ENGINE TO ASSIST IS SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. WHILE USING THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN APPROXIMATELY 2/10 OF A MILE. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED THUS RELEASING BRAKE FLUID AND CAUSING BRAKE LOSS. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES HAVE SIGNIFICANT CORROSION. A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS MADE TO THE RUPTURED LINE HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER THAT ALL THE LINES BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD (BY THE SERVICE MANAGER) THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IS FROM THE TREATMENTS USED ON HIGHWAYS FOR WINTER DRIVING. HE ALSO TOLD ME HE IS REPLACING BRAKE LINES ON AT LEAST 3 TRUCKS A MONTH. I SPOKE TO OTHER GARAGES IN THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AREA. THOSE GARAGES CONFIRMED THEY ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE BRAKE LINE REPAIRS. *TR

MID AUGUST 2012 APPROXIMATELY 5 PM AVERAGE TEMPERATURE WAS 76 DEGREES AND ROADS WERE DRY. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 83 SOUTHBOUND NEAR HARRISBURG PA AT APPROXIMATELY 5PM I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE (BRAKE) PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY LOST SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO UTILIZE WHAT BRAKE POWER I HAD LEFT WHILE DOWN SHIFTING TO USE THE ENGINE TO ASSIST IS SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN APPROXIMATELY 2/10 OF A MILE. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED THUS RELEASING BRAKE FLUID AND CAUSING BRAKE LOSS. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES HAVE SIGNIFICANT CORROSION. A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS MADE TO THE RUPTURED LINE HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER THAT ALL THE LINES BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD (BY THE SERVICE MANAGER) THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IS FROM THE TREATMENTS USED ON HIGHWAYS FOR WINTER DRIVING. HE ALSO TOLD ME HE IS REPLACING BRAKE LINES ON AT LEAST 3 TRUCKS A MONTH. I SPOKE TO OTHER GARAGES IN THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AREA. THOSE GARAGES CONFIRMED THEY ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE BRAKE LINE REPAIRS. *TR

COMING TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO STOP BEFORE I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP BARELY, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. MECHANIC FIX THE ONE THAT BROKE BUT SAID THE OTHERS ARE ABOUT TO GO ANY TIME . NOW I'M DRIVING WITH THE FEAR OF MY BRAKES GOING AT ANY TIME BECAUSE OF $900.00 REPAIR THAT IS NEEDED.*TR

DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH ON UNDIVIDED HIGHWAY. APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID ANIMAL AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. DROVE VEHICLE SLOWLY BACK HOME AND FOUND THE BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT LEAKING ABOVE REAR END. BRAKE LINES ARE ALL RUSTED BADLY. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. I NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM A 9 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

ON A DOWN HILL ROAD , A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND I WENT TO APPLY BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. NO PRESSURE FELT AND I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AVOIDED COLLISION. I HAD 50% OF BRAKE FLUID IN MASTER CYL. AND FLUID DRIPPING ON GROUND UNDER TRUCK AT BRAKE DISTRIBUTION . ANTILOCK CONTROLLER W/FLASH LITE ON. REAR LINE DRIPPING ALSO. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. HAD ALL NEWBRAKE LINES INSTALLED. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A LOCAL 2-LANE HIGHWAY, HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR A CAR THAT MOVED INTO MY LANE, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL? DOES A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES THE RESPONSIBLE THING? BRAKE LINES RUN AROUND $1500 TO REPLACE. IT LOOKS LIKE THE LINE IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BURST. IN REVIEWING THIS ONLINE, I SEE MANY MANY MANY MANY CHEVY OWNERS ARE HAVING HE SAME PROBLEM. NEVER GM AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIDE AND QUALITY IN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING? IT'S A SHAME, MY TOYOTA AND INFINITI DO NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH, AND WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AFTER THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR WENT UNDER THE TRUCK, AND NOTICED ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. IN THE PROCESS OF CALLING A MECHANIC TO FIX THE LINES. BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. VERY LUCKY ONLY PERSON ON ROAD, AND DID NOT INJURE MYSELF OR OTHERS.

IN DRIVEWAY PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FOUND REAR BRAKE LINE HAS LEAK IN SECTION BEHIND FUEL TANK. INSPECTED OTHER FOUR LINES GOING INTO ABS UNIT AND FOUND THOSE LINES RUSTED BADLY ALSO. NOTED UNDERCARRIAGE HAS LOTS OF RUST EVERYWHERE. FUEL LINES ALSO VERY RUSTED. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE, MY FOOT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE APPLICATION, I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE AND PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE LOWEST GEAR TO SLOW AND STOP THE TRUCK. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND LEVEL, WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE OPTIMAL AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION. I HAD MY WIFE AND 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH MOST DRIVERS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE QUICK THOUGHT TO REACT THE WAY I DID AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. UPON INSPECTION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A ROTTED BRAKELINE IN A SPOT NOT VISIBLE TO INSPECTION. THE BRAKE LINE WAS THE ONE THAT RUNS FROM THE ABS DITRIBUTION/CONTROL UNIT TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK; AN ALMOST 12 FOOT LINE. IT ROTTED OUT WHERE THE LINE RUNS ALONG THE LEFT FRAME RAIL, ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA. I AM NOT SURE WHY GM DID NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE BRAKE LINES ON THESE TRUCKS OR HAS NOT ISSUES A WARNING TO OWNERS OR OFFERED TO REP[LACE THE LINES AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS A TRULY UNSAFE SITUATION! STAINLESS STEEL COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE FOR A MINIMAL EXPENSE AND PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER. AFTER ALL THEY USED STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM....WHY NOT THE BRAKE LINES? *TR

EVERYTHING RELATED TO MY TRUCK'S BRAKES SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THE TRUCK ~100 HIGHWAY MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION, I BACKED MY TRUCK UP AND HITCHED MY BOAT TRAILER TO IT. THE TRUCK BRAKES WORKED FINE AS I MANEUVERED THE TRUCK TO ALIGN IT WITH THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY IMMINENT FAILURE - NOTHING ON THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A NORMAL FEEL TO IT. AS I BEGAN TO PULL AWAY WITH MY BOAT IN TOW AND PREPARED TO TURN, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED - NO WARNING LIGHT AND ABSOLUTELY 100% LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. I QUICKLY PLACED THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND THE DRAG OF THE TRAILER ACROSS THE LAWN SLOWED THE TRUCK ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. I ADDED 12 OUNCES OF THE APPROPRIATE BRAKE FLUID, RESTARTED THE TRUCK, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY WIFE, WHO WAS STANDING ALONGSIDE THE TRUCK (SHE WAS BEHIND IT AS I BACKED UP - THANK GOD THE BRAKES DIDN'T FAIL AT THAT POINT), NOTICED A STREAM OF BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND NEAR THE FIREWALL. I CALLED AAA AND HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL AAA APPROVED SERVICE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT MY BRAKES LINES WERE LEAKING, SEVERELY CORRODED THROUGHOUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I'M SAVING THE BILL AND ALL OF THE RELATED PARTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY INCONVENIENCED - NOT HURT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TIRES, SIZE: TA 245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT SUPPORT RODS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BECAME DAMAGED FROM THE TIRE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SHIPPED THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT AN OBJECT HAD STRUCK THE TIRE AND CAUSED THE TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 23,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,900. UPDATED 12/31/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED EBERHARDT TIRE WAS CONTACTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT TIRE AND WAS GIVEN THE INFORMATION TO REACH MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA. A MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT APART OF THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER AND CLAIM PACKET ANYWAY. EBERHARDT AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A LARGE PROTRUSION ON THE OUTER EDGE. THIS TIRE WAS IN THE COURSE SEPARATING.. THIS INFORMATION WAS DOCUMENTED ON THE REPLACEMENT RECEIPT FROM EBERHARDT'S TIRE. MICHELIN DENIED THE PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM CAUSED BY THE LEFT REAR TIRE. MICHELIN STATED THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED THAT A RADIAL BREAK THROUGH THE CASING IN THE CROWN AREA CAUSED BY AN IMPACT BY OBJECT OR OBSTRUCTION. UPDATED 1/7/2013*JS

SEVERE CORROSION LEAD TO A BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO STOP. BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED WAY BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND MUCH MORE THAN THE FUEL AND STEERING LINES. THE LINE LEADING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT WAS THE ONE THAT FAILED, BUT ALL ARE SHOWING SEVERE CORROSION. *TR

WENT TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. STOPPED THE TRUCK AND HAD BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM A FAILED RUSTY LINE. MOST LINES HAD MAJOR CORROSION JUST BEHIND THE ENGINE AND ABOVE THE GAS TANK. GETTING ESTIMATE TO FIX NOW...WON'T BE CHEAP AS I UNDERSTAND IT REQUIRES CUSTOM BENDING OF BRAKELINES. *TR

WHILE TOWING A BOAT AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP, BY BRAKES HAD GONE OUT (AS INDICATED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON). I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND DOWNSHIFTED, BUT THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP ME AND I NARROWLY MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC TURNING LEFT AT A RED LIGHT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAD FOUND ONE OF MY BREAK LINES WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED BY THE ABS UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BEHIND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. I ALSO NOTICED ALL OF MY OTHER LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AS WELL. ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE SOURCES, THIS IS A KNOWN GM ISSUE, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL PLACED??? *TR

THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES TO THE FRONT WHEELS ROTTED AND BURST. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED. *TR

BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WHEN DESCENDING HILL TO HOUSE. UNABLE TO STOP MY WIFE DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR TO TRY TO SLOW TRUCK DOWN BUT STILL COULD NOT GET IT TO SLOW DOWN. END OF ROAD IS CUL-DA-SEC (LUCK IT WAS EARLY MORNING AND KIDS WEREN'T OUT PLAYING YET) WITH A WALKING TRAIL TO WOODS AT THE END. SHE FIGURED THAT WAS BEST WAY TO SLOW IT DOWN SO AIMED TOWARDS TRAIL. AFTER ENTERING THE WOODS 75 FEET THE TRUCK FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS NOT HURT AND ALSO THE TRUCK WAS NOT DAMAGED, BUT NOW MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO USE THE TRUCK. MECHANIC TOLD ME BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ARE NO LONGER STAINLESS STEEL. WHO'S BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT AT GM TO CUT COST BY MAKING THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES NOT BE STAINLESS STEEL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF LINES NOT BEING STAINLESS AND SHAME ON ANY SAFETY INDUSTRY PERSONAL THAT DECIDED THIS WAS OK. I WOULD GLADLY PAY THE EXTRA $20 ON TRUCK COST TO HAVE IT STAINLESS. HERE IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA THEY USE SALT ON THE ROADS DURING THE WINTER AND EVEN IF I RINSED OFF THE TRUCK EVERY DAY IT WOULD STILL CORRODE OUT THE LINES. GM GOT LUCK WITH THIS ONE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, THEY OFFER RECALLS FOR OTHER ITEMS WHICH ARE WASTEFUL, BUT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS THEY DON'T. I HAVE BEEN A GM OWNER FOR A LONG TIME BUT IF GM IS GOING TO TAKE RISKS WITH ME AND MY FAMILIES LIFE, THIS MAYBE THE LAST GM PRODUCT I OWN. *TR

PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY WITH A MINI EXCAVATOR ON TRAILER ATTACHED TO VEHICLE, STEPPED ON BRAKES AND PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE BARELY STOPPED BEFORE ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC, BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND AND BRAKE LINES UNDER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR RUPTURED LEAKING FLUID CAUSING BREAK FAILURE, TRUCK HAS NEW BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS INSTALLED WITHIN LAST YEAR. *TR

GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES FELT WEAK. PUSHED HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESIDUAL BRAKING CAPABILITY LEFT. STOPPED VEHICLE WITH PARKING BRAKE. UPON INSPECTION, NOTED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED ALONG THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL WELL FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE SHOWED CORROSION ON ALL BRAKE LINES THAT WILL NECESSITATE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE HARD FORMED BRAKE LINES FOR SAFETY REASONS. ALSO NOTED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED DIRECTLY ONTO THE LEFT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FULLY WARMED UP, THERE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN A FIRE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN STOPPED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *TR

ON MY WAY HOME FROM A FAMILY VACATION IN OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND, WHILE GETTING OFF RT1 IN DELAWARE I SAW THAT THE LIGHT WAS RED, APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP AT SAID RED LIGHT WHEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD TO USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. PULLED OVER AND HAD MY SON IN LAW LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A LEAK OF ANY KIND AND HE NOTICED A LEAK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. DURING CLOSER INSPECTION (WITH ONE OF US UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE OTHER APPLYING THE BRAKES) THE SAID LEAK WAS COMING FROM ONE OF FOUR EXTREMELY RUSTED METAL BRAKE LINES ATTACHED TO THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR

I WAS IN A PARKED POSITION. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A ALARM BELL CAME ON. MESSAGE ON DASH SAID HAVE BRAKE SYSTEM LOOKED AT. I PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW BRAKE FLUID RUNNING ON THE GROUND. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC SAID BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT AND ALL OF THEM NEED TO BE REPLACED. I KNOW SIX OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR GM. TRUCKS FOR 2003 YEAR. I THINK THEIR NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THOSE YEARS TRUCKS! *TR

BRAKE LINE BROKE WHILE BRAKING FOR TURN. LINE BROKE THAT SUPPLIED DRIVERS FRONT BRAKE. HOLE IN BEND BEFORE FLEXIBLE LINE TO CALIPER. NOTICED ALL FRONT BRAKE LINES VERY RUSTED THOSE EVEN GOING TO THE MASTER CYL. NOT DROVE THAT OFTEN DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, NOT FROM SALT. *TR

VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALL BRAKELINES WERE RUSTED AND HAD HOLES IN THEM. MECHANIC REPLACED ALL BRAKELINES, LINES WERE ALL IN VERY POOR SHAPE. (RUSTED) *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH AT A STATE INSPECTION STATION, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SKID PAD FOR THE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINE HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE'S REAR DUST SHIELD WAS CORRODED AND HAD DISINTEGRATED PRIOR TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO CONSIDER REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATE/DUST SHIELD. UPDATED 07/30/12

FRONT BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE MANUFACTURER CAN PRODUCE A VEHICLE WITH STAINLESS EXHAUST THAT LASTS AS LONG AS THE TRUCK BUT STILL ASSEMBLE VEHICLE WITH STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT RUST THROUGH CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. THERE ARE BETTER MATERIALS TO MAKE BRAKE LINES FROM AND CHEVROLET SHOULD BE FORCED TO USE THEM. *JB

WE WHERE DRIVING ALONG A STATE ROUTE WITH OUR 21 FOOT BOAT IN TOW HEADING TO THE LKE. WE WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO ENTER A GAS STATION. PEDAL WENT TO MUSH, AND I KNEW I HAD LOST THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON MY TRUCK. GOT IT STOPPED WITH OUT INCIDENT, AND GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME. THE STREAM OF BRAKE FLUID WOULD TELL ME I COULD ONLY STOPPED IT ONE OR TWO MORE TIMES. THE CORRISON IS RIGHT WHERE THE BED AND THE CAB MEET ONTO OF THE FRAME RAIL. YOU CAN AD MINE TO THE EVER GROWING LIST OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BRIDGE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY. APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AFTER IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LUMBAR SPINE INJURIES, FRACTURED RIBS, AND AN INJURED LUNG. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND SCALP AND METAL FRAGMENTS WERE PRESENT ON THE FACE AND IN THE SCALP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.