NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ON THE FLOOR. I WAS TRAVELING SLOW ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID ANY COLLISIONS. UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE HOOD MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID AND IT MUST HAVE BLOWN A LINE. WE ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND GOT IT HOME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ARE COMPLETELY CORRODED. HE IS A CORROSION CONTROL SPECIALIST AND KNOWS DEFECTIVE MATERIALS WHEN HE SEES THEM. *TR
FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED DRIVERS SIDE ON TOP OF FRAME FROM RUST AND DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE AS SEEN IN THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, RECALL? GLAD IT WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY. OTHERS WERE NOT SO LUCKY. I READ THERE WAS/IS A INVESTIGATION. RESULTS? *TR
BRAKE LINES IN MY CHEVROLET 2500HD 2003 BURST. THE AMOUNT OF RUST IS VERY EXCESSIVE. THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IS ASTOUNDING. *TR
JUST TAKING THE TRUCK OUT OF MY GARAGE AND MY FRONT BRAKE LINE BROKE. CHECKED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND SAW THAT THE LINES WERE ALL RUSTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES WHEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHILE BACKING TO ATTACH A SINGLE AXLE TRAILER, TRYING TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES. FINDING A RUSTED BRAKE LINE HAD BROKEN. *TR
WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT WENT TO STOP AND LOST BRAKES. I GOT IT BACK HOME AND INSPECTED IT AND FOUND THAT IT BLEW A REAR AND FRONT BRAKE LINE. THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED SO BAD WE REPLACED THEM ALL. UPON REPLACING BRAKE LINES I NOTICED THAT FUEL LINES WERE ALSO ROTTED SEVERELY AND ONE WAS WET WITH DIESEL. THE TRUCK IS USED EVERYDAY AND DOESN'T SIT. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT ROT THIS BAD THIS FAST. SOME THING GM SHOULD ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THANK YOU *TR
A STEEL BRAKE LINE LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TIRE ON THE RADIATOR SUPPORT CROSS MEMBER BURST DUE TO RUST. MORE TO FOLLOW AFTER A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING LOT BUT WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND ONCE HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
MY 2003 SILVERADO 2500 HD WITH ONLY 55K MILES ON IT DID NOT PASS A RECENT SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THE TRUCK GETS VERY LITTLE USE AND I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DISTURBING THAT BRAKE LINES ARE FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. HAD I NOT GOTTEN AN INSPECTION I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS EMMINENT AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TT
ON THE ABOVE LISTED DATE THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK FAILED WHILE GOING DOWN HILL NOT FAR FROM MY HOUSE, THIS WAS NOT A COMPLETE FAILURE AS I WAS ABLE TO STOP, GET TURNED AROUND AND GO HOME. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND A BRAKE LINE THAT RUSTED THROUGH. WHILE LOOKING ON LINE FOR PARTS AND GUIDANCE I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE WHICH PROMPTED ME TO FURTHER INSPECT THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK. I MUST SAY THAT I TOTALLY AGREE ALL THE COMMENTS MADE REGARDING RUST ON THESE VEHICLES, IT IS QUITE EXCESSIVE. AS I LOOKED CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF RUST ON ALL COMPONENTS OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE, IE CAB MOUNTS, BED MOUNTS ALL BRAKE LINES, SPRINGS, SPRING SHACKLES, THE ENTIRE FRAME AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. MY OTHER VEHICLE IS A 1993 TOYOTA COROLLA WHICH HAS BEEN IN UPSTATE NEW YORK SINCE NEW. THE UNDER CARRIAGE LOOKS NEW COMPARED TO THE CHEVY. I FEEL G.M. MUST HAVE USED A VERY POOR GRADE OF UNDER COATING ON THESE VEHICLES AND TO LEAVE SOMETHING LIKE BRAKE LINES UNPROTECTED LIKE THAT IS JUST WRONG. I'M JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE TOWING THE FIFTH WHEEL. I ALSO FEEL A RECALL IS IN ORDER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE BRAKE LINES. *TR
2003 CHEVY SILVERADO LAST YEAR BRAKE LINES BROKE WHILE ON ROAD DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION LINES . WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT REPLACED ALL LINES ON VEHICLE. NOW ALL ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THEM . POOR QUALITY OF ROTORS AND CALIBERS ON VEHICLE . WE ONLY HAVE 38,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED 90 DAYS AGO THE REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES LINES FAILED. THE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE, BUT NOT BEFORE IT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES LINES WERE CORRODED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN UPDATED 12/07/11
I HAVE HAD 2 BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 (66K MILES) CORRODE AND LEAK CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY, SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE 2ND FAILURE I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO REVIEW THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM AND ALL THE LINES COMING FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ARE TERRIBLY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THEY ARE BUNCHED SO TIGHTLY TOGETHER RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK THAT MOISTURE CAN'T ESCAPE AND CAUSES CORROSION. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN, AND THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN STAINLESS STEEL FOR THIS DESIGN TO HAVE BEEN USED. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT $300 DOLLARS ON THE TWO LINES THAT DID FAIL, AND I AM NOW FORCED TO REPLACE ALL THE LINES AT A COST OF OVER $1000 DOLLARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL THIS DUE TO POOR DESIGN/CHOICE OF MATERIALS. *TR
BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE EMITTED FROM UNDER OF THE DASHBOARD INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCONNECT THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH STOPPED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, WIRING HARNESS AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,254 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,620.
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GUAGES ARE ALL FAILING. I DID NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL I RECEIVED A TICKET FOR SPEEDING AND FOUND OUT MY SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BODY WAS SEVERELY RUSTED, COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,871. UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ UPDATED 02/01/12
APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT SIGNAL LIGHT. BRAKE LINE TO RIGHT FRONT BRAKE BROKE WITH PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *JS
I HAVE HAD A EXHAUST LEAK THAT I FINALLY PINPOINTED TO BE BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT NEW BY ME AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY EXHAUST WORK DONE. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR DONE. APPARENTLY THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EXTENSIVE PROBLEM, WITH THESE BOLTS. THIS I UNDERSTAND TO BE AN EXTENSIVE REPAIR. GM KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BOLTS, WHY WONT THEY MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING ALL OF THE BRAKING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND BEGAN EXTENDING ABRUPTLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO FAULTY BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
THE BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE. WHO HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS IS RECALLED. *TT
ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED, FROM THE PROP VALVE TO EACH RUBBER LINE ON ALL FOUR CALIPERS.IT APPEARS THAT GM USED STEEL LINES INSTEAD OF A MATERIAL THAT DOESN,T RUST(SS).IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS A SAFTEY CONCERN? I WAS LUCKY NO ONE OR ANY PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A LOW SPEED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,200.
MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO GOES INTO GEAR WITH OUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE, ALSO THE TRUCK WILL GO INTO GEAR WITH OUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE E-BRAKE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE, THE E-BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE TRUCK. MY 2 YRS OLD SON WAS SITTING IN THE TRUCK ON 9/20/2011 WHEN THE TRUCK WENT INTO GEAR. I LIVE ON A INCLINE MY TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE HILL WHILE I WAS CHASING THE TRUCK ON FOOT, THE TRUCK FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT A 98 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY ACROSS THE STREET. THE E-BRAKE WAS SET , THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE TRUCK, THE TRUCK WAS NOT RUNNING! MY SON COULD HAVE KILLED HIMSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE DUE TO THE FACT THE TRUCK IS NOT SAFE! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BUT THE CONTACT CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND COULD SEE THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000. UPDATED 10/18/11*LJ UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN
WAS DRIVING ON MY COUNTRY BACK ROAD AROUND 35 MPH AND THE BRAKES WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I ENTERED A 4 WAY INTERSECTION LUCKILY NO ONE WAS GOING THRU AT THE TIME COULDNT STOP.BRAKE LINE BLEW FLUID UNDER TRUCK COULDNT BELIEVE THE LINES ARE TOTALLY ROTTED OUT,GM COULD NOT USE STAINLESS LINES THIS COULD OF BEEN TRAGIC THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS SOMEONE HAS TO PROTECT THE PUPLIC HERE WE NEED HELP.HEY WE WERE THERE FOR THEM DURING THE BAILOUT NOW THEY CAN HELP US OUT WE NEED A RECALL AND GIVE US WHAT WE PAID FOR.I NO THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUES WITH THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES WE JUST NEED SOMEONE TO ACT UPON THESE ISSUES I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFTEY REASONS. *TT
WHILE RIDING ON MERRICK ROAD,I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. THE BRAKE PAD WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WENT THRU THE RED LIGHT WITH NO BRAKES. NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME AND THE CARS ON THE SIDE STREETS SAW ME COMING AND DID NOT GO. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COAST TO A STOP FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT 2 TO3 FEET OF MY BRAKELINE WAS CORRODED AND BLEW OPEN WEND I HIT THE BRAKES,THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES WERE GOOD. *TR
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE. FORTUNATELY, IT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AS I BACKED OUT OF THE SPOT. MY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOPING SOMEONE REALIZES THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE IF THIS DOES NOT GET RESOLVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES WHEN THEY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MASSIVE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,700.
CHEVY TRUCK HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AT ALL. GOT THE TRUCK HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK. BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE FOOT AREA. BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. GOT TRUCK TO MECHANIC AND FOUND REAR BRAKE LINES HAD PREVIOUSLY RUSTED THRU. NOW FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THRU. HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES.I DID SO WITH AFTERMARKET SS LINES. FRONT LEFT CALIPER WAS FROZEN. MECHANIC SAYS REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND CALIPER NEED REPLACING ALSO. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET OF ROTORS AND CALIPERS ON THIS TRUCK. MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THAT THE TRUCK FRAME NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND COATED DUE TO RUST. THIS IS LAST GM PRODUCT I'LL EVER PURCHASE. *TR
BRAKE LINE RUNNING TO THE REAR RUPTURED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND ALL BRAKING WAS IMMEDIATELY LOST TO THE VEHICLE. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS BY USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO EXTEND TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT DEALER DID REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 2/28/12 *CN
MOVING AT 30 MPH TOWARDS INTERSECTION WITH LIGHT , WENT TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ( NO BRAKE RESPONSE). APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRUCK SWERVED SIDEWAYS. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING THE OTHER WAY. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS. SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS NEEDS A RECALL ASAP AS ITS HAPPENING ON TOO MANY OF THESE CHEVY TRUCKS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,900. UPDATED10/13/11 *BF UPDATED11/07/11*JB
MY BRAKE LINES RUPTURED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT BY THE ABS BOX. I INSPECTED ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES AND THEY ARE ALL RUSTED BADLY AND NEED REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I WAS PULLING MY SEADOO'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAVE READ A TON OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET TODAY. WHEN IS ANYONE GOING TO MAKE CHEVY REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES? THIS TRUCK IS ONLY A 2003 AND LOOKS LIKE A 1903 UNDERNEATH. THE WHOLE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTING BADLY. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU *TR
ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2011, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. ALSO, I WAS ACCOMPANIED IN THE VEHICLE BY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO STEER MY VEHICLE AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE INTERSECTION DUE TO THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE BRAKE ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR DASH ILLUMINATION TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE ISSUE. THANKFULLY, A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING INJURY OR DEATH WAS AVOIDED. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. I INFORMED CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE. AT THIS TIME I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER (71984021797) AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE CONDUCTED BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE GARAGE. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2011, A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY TRUCK AND THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION WERE RELAYED TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. LATER THAT DAY, I SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED AND CORRODED. SHE FURTHER STATED THE TRUCK WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH LOW MILEAGE AND THAT WOULD MAKE IT AN EXCELLENT CASE FOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE. SHE FORWARDED THIS INFORMATION TO A HIGHER DEPT. AND THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED THE FOLLOWING DAY. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2011, I WAS CONTACTED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE . THEY INFORMED THAT CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT BRAKE LINES ARE A WEAR ITEM. I REMINDED HER THAT BRAKE LINES ARE NOT A WEAR ITEM AND THEY DONT FALL WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF TIRES, ROTORS, AND BRAKE PADS. I THAN ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR SO I COULD BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BASIS OF THE DECISION TO NOT PROVIDE REPAIR ASSISTANCE. AT THIS POINT, CUSTOMER SERVICE LAUGHED AT ME AND SAID THEY WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING.
THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2003 SILVERADO 2500 HD DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2002. LUCKILY, MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN SAFELY HOME. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND REPLACED THEM. I FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE SAME PROBLEM VIA GOOGLE SEARCH AND THE NHTSA INCIDENT EA11-001, WHICH DESCRIBES THE SAME SYMPTOMS I EXPERIENCED. *TR
STEEL BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND RUPTURED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF US WERE IN EXTREME DANGER OF BEING INJURED OR KILLED AS THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE A TRAFFIC JAM. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AS THE ROTTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED SPILLING THE BRAKE FLUID OUT TO THE ROAD. TO PREVENT INJURY TO OTHERS I DROVE THE TRUCK INTO A GUARDRAIL AT A GLANCING BLOW UNTIL IT STOPPED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY 13 YR OLD DAUGHTER TO VISIT HER DYING GRANDMOTHER FOR LAST TIME. MY DAUGHTER WAS CRYING HYSTERICALLY AND CLEARLY DISTRAUGHT AT THE ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JUST NOTICED THE SAME YEAR EXPRESS VAN HAD A RECALL AND THOUGHT I SHOULD FILE A REPORT FOR WRK ALREADY COMPLETED ON MY TRUCK LAST YEAR. *TR
THE BOLT HEADS ON THE EXAUST MANIFOLD ARE SNAPPING OFF CAUSING AN EXAUST LEAK AND A POSSIBLE EMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT COME ON UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES SHOWS THAT THEY ARE RUSTED, ESPECIALLY AT THE POINTS WHERE THE CLIPS HOLD THEM TO THE FRAME. THERE APPEARS TO BE LEAKS IN MULTIPLE SPOTS WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION (SPOTS UNDER THE VEHICLE) OF ANY PROBLEM. I JUST HAD IT INSPECTED A WEEK PRIOR AND IT PASSED. I ALSO OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRAY WITH 250K + MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. *TR
WHILE BACKING-UP TO UNLOAD A 24 FT BOAT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. STOPPED VEHICLE BY APPLYING EMERGENCY BRAKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER. COST $1836.15 TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES, PLUS $85 FOR TOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STATED THAT IT FELL ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE EXTREMELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE WAITING FOR FUEL PUMP. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DURING FILL-UP, INSPECTED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM FRONT END. IDENTIFIED LIQUID AS BRAKE FLUID. REAR BRAKES STILL FUNCTIONED MINIMALLY. TOOK INTO MECHANIC. FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED. NEARLY ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. AT MECHANIC'S SUGGESTION BASED ON SAFETY, REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES -- $2100 (APPROX $300 PARTS, $1700 LABOR). MECHANIC APPLIED UNDERCOAT SPRAY TO BRAKE LINE AS RUST PROTECTION. I KEPT A SECTION OF BRAKE LINE. NOTE: PREVIOUSLY OWNED 1991 CHEVROLET C1500 HAD SIMILAR FAILURE ON THE BRAKE LINES AROUND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *KB
FULL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. DURING A PANIC STOP TO AVOID A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT ALL THE METAL BRAKE LINES BETWEEN THE ABS MODULE AND THE WHEEL ENDS BURST DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION BUILD UP. ALL THE METAL LINES MUST BE REPLACED WITH NEW. *TR
CHRONIC FAILURE OF FUEL INJECTORS ON 2003 DURAMAX CHEVY TRUCK, DEAL HAS REPLACED INJECTORS THREE TIMES, NOW THEY ARE FAILING AGAIN AND WANT 5K TO FIX THEM. LAST FIX WAS 40,000 MILES AGO. HERE IS THE SHORT AND SKINNY. I WAS INFORMED (DURING AN INJECTOR SWAP IN MY TRUCK) THAT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INJECTORS THAT WERE TESTED BY GM AND THEIR PARTNERS (ISUZU AND BOSCH) PROVIDED GOOD DATA FOR THE ONGOING SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT WILL NOT BE RELEASED THROUGH GM PARTS. GM AND PARTNERS (BOSCH) HAVE MADE 2 MODIFICATIONS (DOCUMENTED) TO THE INJECTOR DESIGN FROM ORIGINAL AND HAS DEEMED THE CURRENT INCARNATION OF THIS INJECTOR ADEQUATE. THAT IS GM'S SOLUTION APPARENTLY. WILL IT BE A PERMANENT SOLUTION? WHO CAN SAY, BUT IT PROBABLY WILL BE THE ONLY SOLUTION WE EVER SEE. THE PRODUCTION AND DESIGN COST COMBINED WITH A "LIMITED" CUSTOMER BASE DICTATES THAT WE WILL PROBABLY NOT SEE A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT UNIT OF NEW DESIGN COME INTO THE MARKETPLACE. MANY FAILURE CAUSES HAVE BEEN THEORIZED, TWO MAIN MODES OF PREMATURE FAILURE HAVE EMERGED, BUT I AM OF THE THOUGHT THAT A WAVEFORM ANALYSIS OF THE POWER TO THE INJECTORS DONE OVER LONG TERM MIGHT YIELD SOME INTERESTING RESULTS. HAVING BEEN THROUGH THE MILL ON THESE INJECTORS PERSONALLY, AND HAVING READ VOLUMES OF INFORMATION, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE EFFECT OF A PROBLEM ON A WEAK POINT (INJECTOR BODIES), AND NOT THE ROOT CAUSE. SO THE BUY IS STUCK WITH A POORLY ENGINEERED TRUCK. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE??? COME ON GM COME CLEAN AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT, AFTER ALL WE THE PEOPLE BAILED YOU OUT! *TR