NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Sierra. 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
SLOWING DOWN TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRIED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO GET MORE PRESSURE BUT DID NOT WORK. DROVE OFF ONTO SHOULDER AND GOT IT SLOWED DOWN . DRIVE VERY SLOW WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I WAS ONLY ABOUT A MILE AWAY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER LEFT REAR WHEELS, FUEL TANK, LEFT REAR SHOCK AND DRIVE AXLE. CONTINUED TO LOOK AT ALL BRAKE LINES AND ALL OF THEM WERE CORRODED BAD. GETTING PRICES ON HAVING ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED. *TR
THERE WAS ALMOST A CRASH! A CAR, FROM THE RIGHT SIDE, STARTED TO PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME AT AN INTERSECTION. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ABS ACTIVATING. FORTUNATELY THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR AND I AVOIDED A COLLISION. IT WAS CLOSE! A 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO TURN LEFT INTO MY DESTINATION AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WE INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING IN THE VICINITY OF THE REAR AXLE. WE LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND THE MAIN METAL BRAKE LINE THAT GOES OVER THE GAS TANK TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUPTURED. WE CALLED THE LOCAL GMC DEALER AND FOUND NO RECALLS OR SERVICE CAMPAIGNS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TRUCK IS NOW AT A LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 20-25MPH, PULLING AWAY FROM MY HOME, A SMALL ANIMAL RAN ACROSS IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES, HARD, AND AFTER A MOMENTARY FEELING OF BRAKE PRESSURE, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. I BACKED UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY, JACKED UP THE TRUCK AND PLACED IT ON JACK STANDS. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK WAS WET AND DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID AROUND THE ABS UNIT BENEATH THE CAB. MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKE WHILE I EXAMINED THE UNDERSIDE. AN APPROX. 1/8IN HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE INCREDIBLY RUSTY AND WEAK STEEL LINE RUNNING FROM THE ABS TO THE LEFT FRONT WHERE IT JOINS THE RUBBER LINE TO THE L/F CALIPER. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALS ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE INCREDIBLY RUSTY, STRUCTURALLY WEAK AND IN DANGER OF FAILURE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS, CATASTROPHIC CRASH WITH THE POTENTIAL OF FATALITIES. FURTHER, ALL OF THE STEEL PARTS OF THE FUEL LINES ARE ALSO VERY, VERY RUSTY AND WEAK AND WITH THE HIGH INTERNAL PRESSURES AND HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE GASOLINE INSIDE ARE ANOTHER SERIOUS HAZARD. I AM A LICENSED MASTER AUTO/TRUCK AND MOTORCYCLE MECHANIC. IN NEARLY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BRAKE LINE FAILURE FROM SUCH MASSIVE RUST ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 68,830 MILES ON IT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MANY, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR GMC AND CHEVROLET TRUCKS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR BRAKE LINE RUST AND FAILURE. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST ESTIMATES CAN BE AS HIGH AS $1200 TO NEARLY $2000. BRAKE LINE FAILURE CAN KILL. IF EVER THERE WAS JUSTIFICATION FOR A SAFETY RELATED RECALL, THIS IS CERTAINLY IT. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 GMC SIERRA AND JUST PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY GOING DOWN THE STREET TO STOP SIGN AND BRAKE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO GO THRU STOP SIGN. LUCKY NO ONE WAS GOING THE OTHER WAY! MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK HOME AND NOTICED DRIVEWAY ALL WET .LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND NOTICED THE BREAK LINES ALL ROTTED! I CANT BELIEVE THAT GENERAL MOTORS WOULD MAKE STEEL BRAKE LINES KNOWING THAT STEEL WILL ROT !DID THEY JUST FIGURE THAT OUT? I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER!!!! WHY DON'T I HERE ABOUT OTHER VEHICLE MAKES DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. DID THEY JUST LEARN ABOUT STEEL? THIS IS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM AND BREAKS NEED TO WORK ALL THE TIME. I ALSO NOTICED THE MY FUEL LINES ARE SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS. GM SHOULD REPAIR AND LEARN FROM THIS BAD CHOICE TO INSTALL INFERIOR EQUIPMENT FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT SYSTEM IN ANY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE REPAIRED MY BREAK LINES AT A VERY EXPENSIVE $1,500 ! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND CRUISE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR
AS MANY OTHER GMC/CHEVROLET TRUCK OWNERS, I AM EXPERIENCING PREMATURE BRAKE LINE RUST ISSUES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT A RUSTED BRAKE LINE FAILED COMING TO AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED, I FELT A SLIGHT RESISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. *TR
A SECOND BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR UNABLE TO STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID ACCIDENT. *TR
ABS SENSOR IN WHEEL HUB FAILURE THIS IS ONE OF FOUR IDENTICAL FAILURES OF THIS PART IN THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR
BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUST THROUGH. TRUCK PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR IN HEAVY EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 GMC SIERRA SLE 1500 EXTENDED CAB PICK UP. I HAD THE TRUCK ON RAMPS. WHEN I BACKED OFF OF THE RAMPS, I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. SERVICE AND PARKING BRAKES. I COULD NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN. THE TRUCK PROCEEDED DOWN A HILL BACKWARDS AND INTO A DITCH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED THE PARKING BRAKE TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES AT ALL. AFTER FARTHER INVESTIGATION, FOUND THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE BACK BRAKES COMPLETELY CORRODED AND ALL FLUID LEAKING OUT. BRAKE LINE ALMOST CORRODED INTO TWO PIECES. THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES HAVE WORN DOWN TO METAL ON THE BACK OF THE SHOE. THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF PARKING BRAKE SHOES I HAVE REPLACED IN 70,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND THESE TWO ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I HAVE READ THAT THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE CORRODING BRAKE LINES AND A RECALL ON PARKING BRAKES, BUT ONLY ON STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. MINE IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HOW MANY MORE DAMAGED VEHICLES AND INJURIES OR DEATHS DOES IT TAKE FOR THE INVESTIGATION TO TURN INTO A RECALL? *TR
DRIVING 30 MPH IN TRAFFIC. LIGHT TURNS RED . CARS IN FRONT OF ME APPLY BRAKES .I APPLIED MY BRAKES. BRAKES INSTANTLY FELT SPONGY AND ABNORMAL. APPLIED MORE PRESSURE WITH 2 FEET AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON JUST WENT TO FLOOR. WAS DETERMINED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED AND I HAD A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE LOOSING MAJOR BRAKE FLUID AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. *TR
I WAS AT MY LOCAL COFFEE SHOP DRIVE THRU. I LEFT THE DRIVE THRU AND AS I APPROACHED THE EXIT, ROLLING VERY SLOW I EXPERIENCED THE DREADED GM BRAKE FAILURE. MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE INVOLUNTARILY MERGING ONTO A BUSY SECONDARY ROAD. I UNDERSTAND RUST IS INEVITABLE BUT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE BEYOND REPAIR ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC - HE WILL NOT REPAIR THEM ONLY REPLACE THEM. MY BIGGER ISSUE IS THE FACT THAT SINCE 1967 ALL CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS USE A DUAL MASTER CYLINDER ENABLING THE VEHICLE TO STOP INCASE OF BRAKE FAILURE. MY GMC AND APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE - THAT EVEN WHEN A LINE BLOWS THE TRUCKS WILL NOT STOP! THE DUAL MASTER DOES NOT DO WHAT IT IS DESIGNED TO DO! THIS COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT I ALSO HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH ABS LOW SPEED PROBLEMS SINCE 60K I REALLY FEEL THAT GM ENGINEERS AND BEAN COUNTERS NEED TO AGREE ON SAFETY. CONSIDERING THAT BRAKE LINES OF THIRTY YEARS AGO ARE BETTER THAN LATE MODEL PRODUCTS WOULD IT REALLY BE THAT MUCH FOR THE FEDS TO REQUIRE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES? MY 2002 SIERRA LOOKS GOOD BUT THE UNDERSIDE (CHASSIS, SUSPENSION PARTS AND BRAKE LINES) ARE NOT GOOD. THIS TRUCK IS NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT AND IT IS DEFINITELY FULL OF SAFETY ISSUES. IF I WAS IN TRAFFIC I AM SURE THAT I WOULD NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. WE AS CONSUMERS DO NOT NEED THIRD BRAKE LIGHTS AND USELESS ABS BRAKES. WE NEED BRAKES THAT WORK WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE PEDAL! *TR
THE BRAKE LINES IN MY 2002 GMC SIERRA TRUCK HAVE CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT FLUID IS BEING LOST AND BRAKING IS BEING NEGATIVELY AFFECTED. THIS WAS FOUND DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT A INCIDENT ON THE ROAD. MY TRUCK IS WELL MAINTAINED, I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR
SMELLS GASOLINE EVERY TIME FILLED UP TANK. LOOKED FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW THE FUEL FILLER NECK IS RUSTED WITH A BIG CRACK THAT ALLOW GAS VAPOR TO ESCAPE. LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THAT 2003 GMC VANS HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. GOING ABOUT 60 MILES A HOUR WE HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL. THE DRIVER KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM SPINNING OUT AND DOING A 360. WE CROSSED OVER 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE TRUCK FINALLY GRIPED ON TO THE ROAD WE HAD NO WAY OF AVOIDING THE CENTER MEDIAN, A CONCRET WALL DIVIDER. UPON IMPACT NEITHER THE DRIVERSIDE OR THE PASSENGERSIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE HIT THE WALL AT A 70 DEGREE ANGLE SO IT WAS PRETTY MUCH HEAD ON. WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY??????? FROM READING OTHER POSTS ON OTHER SITES IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS HAPPENS A LOT. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND IT'S UNSAFE. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## GMC, SIERRA, 1500, 2002 ##
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. BULB HOLDER GETS MELTED. 90% OF CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCK AND BLAZER HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
DESCRIPTION: 2002 GMC SIERRA?82,XXX.00 MILES. WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL, I STOPPED AT A LIGHT, ACCELERATED TO MAKE IT UP THE HILL, AND AS I CAME OVER THE HORIZON I PROCEEDED TO STOP, WHEN I DEPRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HAD I NOT THROWN THE CAR INTO LOW GEAR, AND DEPRESSED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, I AM CERTAIN THAT WE WOULD HAVE SMASHED INTO THE SCHOOL BUS IN FRONT OF US. MY WIFE CALLED AAA, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL GMC DEALER. IT SEEMS THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM IS RUSTED OUT, AND THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST LINE TO BLOW. THEY HAD THE AUDACITY TO TELL MY WIFE THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD START AT $3,300.00 AND WOULD NOT GUARANTY THAT IT COULD NOT BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THAT!. WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE TRUCK, LAST YEAR WE HAD ALL THE BRAKES DONE, NEW TIRES, AND RECENTLY HAD A NEW HEAD GASKET INSTALLED, AND THE OIL CHANGED, SO IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE DEALER DOES NOT EVER DO A THOROUGH VEHICLE INSPECTION. WE CANNOT AFFORD THE SHELL OUT THE MONEY FOR THESE REPAIRS, AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME KIND OF A RECALL FOR THIS, SINCE I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME SUBJECT? PLEASE HELP! *TR
THE BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE RUPTURED. THE BRAKES REMAINED BARELY OPERABLE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO DEALERSHIP BY CONSTANTLY ADDING BRAKE FLUID TO TANK. ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $2000. IT WAS JUST LUCK THIS HAPPENED ON AN EMPTY ROAD AND WHILE NOT CARRYING A LOAD OF MATERIAL. *TR
XMAS TREE SHOPPING W/FAMILY VERY LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, THEN NO BRAKES. I MADE REPAIR AT HOLDING BRACKET NEAR LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON FRAME. THEN ON 2/25/2014 ANOTHER BRAKE LINE RUST FAILURE NEAR BUT IN BACK OF ABS MODULE TO BACK WHEELS. I REPLACED THAT SECTION . TODAY 3/15/2014 ANOTHER FAILURE AT THE FIRST SPOT,HOLDING BRACKET NEAR LEFT FRONT WHEEL ON FRAME. ALL THIS ON 2002 GMC SIERRA,FUNNY I HAVE A 2002 FORD TAURUS ALMOST THE SAME MILEAGE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
I WAS LUCKY AND NOT MOVING WHEN THIS OCCURRED FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONCE AGAIN I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE IN MY TRUCK WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHOULD I TAKE MY CHANCES ON THIS HAPPENING A THIRD TIME? PERHAPS I WON'T BE SO LUCKY AND THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT INVOLVED ALONG WITH POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. I DID FIND A RECALL FOR TAILGATE STRAPS FOR THIS TRUCK BUT NOT FOR CORRODED BRAKE LINES THAT ARE BURSTING? I FIND THAT TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF SOMEONE DYING FROM CORRODED TAILGATE STRAPS? THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING MILLIONS OF TRUCKS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED TO HAVE THESE BRAKE LINES REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL SO AS NOT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPEATED IN THE FUTURE. *TR
VEHICLE IS A 2002 GMC HD 2500 PICKUP TRUCK WITH A DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE, AND 5 SPEED ALLISON TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS, THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING BOTH WENT OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY. STOPPING REQUIRED BOTH FEET ON PEDAL, AND STEERING WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. PROBLEM TRACED TO THE "HYDROBOOST" AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. BOTH WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. EVIDENTLY, THE PUMP FAILED TO YIELD ANY BOOST PRESSURE, WHICH IN TURN RENDERED POWER STEELING AND BRAKES INOPERATIVE. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE TOW TRUCK THAT RESPONDED INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SAME ITEMS (87 OT 8 GMC HD TRUCKS) AND IN BLOGS WITH OTHER GMC/CHEVY DIESEL OWNERS IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT. THERE WERE NO NOISES, OR OTHER INDICATOR OF PENDING PROBLEMS. CONTACT WITH THE DEALER REVEALED THAT " I SHOULD CHANGE THE PS FLUID EVERY 2 YEARS: (NOT IN THE MAINTENANCE SECTION OF OWNER MANUAL). *TR
ROTTED OUT BRAKE LINES @ 118,000 MILES . SHOULD BE A RECALL . NO ACCIDENT BUT WAS PULLING MY BOAT AT TIME OF FAILURE. COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT . JUST FINISHED CHANGING ALL THE BRAKE LINES WHAT A JOB. BETWEEN THIS N THE INJECTORS THIS TRUCK WAS A POOR VALUE. ALL DONE WITH GM HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRUCKS WITH NO SUPPORT FROM GM OR IT'S DEALERS. LOST LIFETIME CUSTOMER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT APP 50MPH I TRIED TO BRAKE TO AVOID A VEHICLE WHICH PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND MY PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. TO MY HORROR I HAD NO BRAKES!!!!!! LUCKILY MY 2002 GMC IS A 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. USING MY TRANSMISSION AND FINALLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE (WHICH RUSTED THROUGH THE YEAR BEFORE AND COST OVER $300. TO REPAIR)) I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAFELY STOP. MY AUTO WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES. IT COST ME OVER $2,000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR
PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A STORE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR,HIT BUILDING. BRAKE LINES BLEW OUT RELATED TO POOR QUALITY BRAKE LINES FROM MANUFACTURER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING HOME, SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I MANAGED TO AVOID A COLLISION AND MADE IT HOME AS THIS HAPPENED LUCKILY AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE. I LOOKED FOR THE PROBLEM, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG AS UNDER THE HOOD THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH BRAKE FLUID. I WAS AMAZED TO FIND THAT ONE OF THE METAL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE OTHERS DON'T LOOK TO BE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL BE REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES (A COST OF $350.00). I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY STAINLESS STEEL LINES ARE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. RUST SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE NOT ONLY THE BRAKE LINES BUT ALSO PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION.
THE TRUCK HAS SEVERAL BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS THAT ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING FAILURE OF CORRECT EMISSION CONTROLS THROUGH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND OUT OF THE HEADERS INSTEAD. THIS IS ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY, AND IS REALLY ANNOYING AS THE EXHAUST LEAKS FROM UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO LACK OF BOLTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *TR
THE TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AT STOP SIGN AND THE BRAKE GOES CLEAR TO THE FLOOR BEFORE SLOWS TO A STOP. *TR
A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED CAUSING LOSS OF STOPPING POWER. TRUCK WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW ENOUGH TO MAKE ORIGINALLY-PLANNED TURN. TRUCK WAS SAFELY RETURNED HOME USING EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ENGINE BRAKING. UPON INSPECTION, A LEAKING BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS MODULE. ALL BRAKE LINES WERE FOUND TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. *TR
I WAS EXITING MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS VERY STEEP,THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING,LAMPS OR OTHERWISE. MY VEHICLE SURGED ACROSS BOTH LANES AND WOUND UP IN THE WOODS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 GMC SIERRA I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED FORWARD. I SWERVED OFF THE ROAD TO MISS HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE TRUCK I NOTICED ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THREW AND THE REST DIDN'T LOOK MUCH BETTER. *TR
REAR BRAKE LINE DEVELOPED LEAK MAKING VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL, VERY CLOSE TO HAVING ACCIDENT. I GUEST GM WOULD RATHER PAY OUT FOR A FEW ACCIDENT DEATHS THAN REPAIR THIS DEFECT. IT SEEMS ITS ALL ABOUT THE DOLLAR THAN SAFETY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD ON I95 WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT WHICH POINT THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED PULSING THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO FURTHER BRAKE RESPONSE. THANKFULLY, THE BRAKES SLOWED THE TRUCK ENOUGH PRIOR TO FAILURE TO PREVENT A COLLISION AT 65 MPH. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT ~5-10 MPH, CAUSING BUMPER DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TO MY HORROR I HAD NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTHORIZED GMC DEALER WHO HAS MAINTAINED THE TRUCK FOR ME. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES BURST WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THEY INDICATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DO TO RUST THROUGHOUT. I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK AROUND WITH A PENDING CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING FROM GM OR THE SERVICING DEALER. IF THE WORD IS NOT PUT OUT TO OWNERS OF AFFECTED GMC TRUCK, LIVES WILL BE LOST. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN PULLING UP TO A PEDESTRIAN FILLED CROSSWALK WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ *TR
TODAY IS 9/24/12. FIRST LET ME START BY SAYING I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK SINCE 2004, AND TAKE PRIDE IN TAKING CARE OF MY VEHICLES. MY VEHICLES ARE ALWAYS DEALER MAINTAINED AT A GM DEALER. I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLES WITH MY TRUCK UNTIL NOW, AND THIS BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY. MY TRUCK WAS INSPECTED APRIL 13TH 2012 LAST AND HAD NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF UNSAFE BRAKE LINES. I HAD ONLY PUT 326 MILES ON MY TRUCK SINCE SAID LAST INSPECTION. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES. MY BRAKE PETAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AS I HELD THE HORN AND DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I WAS ALSO LUCKY THAT OTHERS DRIVERS IN THE INTERSECTION HAD NOT STARTED DRIVING. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE THEN FAILED FROM THE HIGH SPEED I WAS TRAVELING, BUT DID HELP MINIMALLY IN THE SLOWING OF MY TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY DOWNSHIFTING AND DRIVING UP AN EMBANKMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS MY TRUCK TRAVELED UPHILL AND CAME TO A SLOWER SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK WHICH THEN GOT ME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DECIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER LEARNING THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME TRUCK AS ME HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD HAS BREAK LINE FAILURE. IT IS UNHEARD OF AND MUST BE DIRECTLY CAUSED FROM GM USING INFERIOR METAL FOR THESE VEHICLES BRAKE LINES, THEREFORE MAKING THEM RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND STAND BY THE VEHICLES THEY HAVE MADE! NOT ONLY COULD I HAVE DIED FROM GMS FAULTY MANUFACTURING, BUT I COULD HAVE INJURED OTHERS. GM NEEDS TO STAND UP AND DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS AND HELP OWNERS WITH THESE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I WAS QUOTED OVER 2000 DOLLARS FROM MY DEALERSHIP TO FIX MY BRAKE LINE FAILURE. WE NEED HELP GM! *TR
WAS TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR - THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I THEN DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION FROM "D" OR DRIVE TO "L1", ENGAGED THE "TOW SETTING" OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKES WHILE MAINTAINING THE PARKING DISENGAGEMENT LEVER IN THE "UP" POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES FAILED. GM DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FROZE IN PLACE RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE LINES, ROTORS, DISCS. *TR
WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT TO MAKE A 2 HOUR DRIVE ON THE HIGH WAY. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES TO SEE FLUID UNDER MY TRUCK BETWEEN THE CAB AND BED. I ASKED SOMEONE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES WHILE I SAW THE BRAKE LINE SHOOT FLUID VERY HARD. THE BRAKE LINE HAD BURST AND WAS SHOOTING OUT FLUID. I'M LUCKY THIS WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 7 OUT OF 8 GLOW PLUGS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE GLOW PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,649. ..UPDATED 12/05/12 *BF UPDATED 12/06/2012 *JS
I HAD AN UNEXPECTED BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY THE RUST THROUGH OF THE BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AT THE TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM AS THERE WAS RUST ON ALL THE LINES. THE REPAIR COST WAS $741.89. I HAVE HAD OTHER GM VEHICLES, AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE. *TR
FIRST THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES RUSTED OUT COSTING OVER 400.00 TO REPAIR. TODAY THE BRAKE LINES FAILED BECAUSE OF RUST. THIS WILL BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING THE TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED HE FELT LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE BUT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REMOVE THE FUSE AND DISABLE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THAT THE REPAIR WAS APPROPRIATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY STREET AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ROLLED TO A STOP IN A GRASSY AREA AND SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT TO THE REAR BRAKES. HE REPLACED THE LINES FROM THE ABS PUMP TO THE REAR AXLE AND THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE REAR AXLE TO THE REAR CALIPERS. THE COST TO REPLACE THE SE LINES WAS $433.46. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE SEE ODI NUMBER 10402034. *TR
THE PAINT JOB IS PEELING AND THE CLEARCOAT IS BUBBLING CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LOOK HORRIBLE. IT IS A GREAT TRUCK WITH EXCEPTION TO THIS.
I HAD A COMPLETE BRAKE LINE FAILURE GOING UP TOWARD INTERSECTION YELLOW LIGHT TRIED TO STOP ALMOST CAUSED CRASH, NO WARNING THE BRAKE LIGHT SIGNAL WENT ON AFTER IT HAPPENED. PULLED OFF INTO SHOPPING CENTER USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHERE I FOUND OUT THE LINE BROKE IN FRONT OF THE ABS SYSTEM AND ALL THE OTHER LINES ARE JUST AS RUSTED OUT AND WILL BREAK IF NOT REPLACED. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME. REPAIRS ESTIMATED BY SEARS INDICATED THAT ALL LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED AS WELL AS PARKING BRAKE PARTS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. HAD THE RUPTURED LINE REPLACED ALONG WITH CALIPER AT THE AFFECTED WHEEL. WILL HAVE TO HAVE ALL REMAINING LINES REPLACED TO BE SURE THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN SAFELY. THE TECHNICIANS WHO WORKED ON THE VEHICLE INDICATED IT IS EXTREMELY CORRODED COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES OF IT'S AGE AND MILEAGE. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS HEADING OUT TO DROP OFF MY KIDS TO THE BABYSITTER. HE WAS TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 55/60 MPH WHEN HE NEEDED TO HIT BRAKES FOR SLOWER TRAFFIC. HE DID SO AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. HE WAS ABLE TO USE THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP SAFELY. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK HOME AND APPARENTLY THE FRONT BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED BRAKE LINES TO THE BACK, NOW WE'LL BE REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
THIS IS AN OLD INCIDENT; HOWEVER, UNTIL JUST RECENTLY, I DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS A WEBSITE SUCH AS YOURS. ALSO, I AM REPORTING A SPECIFIC INCIDENT, BUT ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION. THE INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED WAS RELATED TO MY BRAKE FLUID LINES RUSTING COMPLETELY THROUGH WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY TWO SMALL GRANDCHILDREN. WHEN A VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME, I PUSHED ON MY BRAKES ONLY TO FIND I COULD NOT STOP. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS A FIELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I DROVE INTO IT, RATHER THAN HITTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE BRAKES, THE LINES LITERALLY FELL APART. WE STILL HAVE THIS TRUCK, BUT THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF IT (FRAME, SPRING HANGERS, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, ETC) ARE ALL RUSTED. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS SUMMER - THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER HAD BECOME SO RUSTED, MY SPARE TIRE ACTUALLY CAME LOSE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY IT WAS HELD UP BY A CHAIN. UPON LEARNING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MOST ALL GM TRUCKS, I FELT OBLIGATED TO BASE MY COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. TOYOTA FACED SIMILAR PROBLEMS, BUT FORTUNATELY STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AND MADE IT RIGHT WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS AND I FEEL GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO LIKEWISE. WE HAVE TRIED TO TRADE THIS TRUCK IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT ARE BEING OFFERED WAY BELOW KELLY BLUE BOOK PRICE BECAUSE OF THE RUST ISSUE. *TR
THIS MORNING I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELING DOWN FURTHER THAN NORMAL AND LITTLE TO NO STOPPING POWER. ONCE ARRIVING AT WORK I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT KEPT GOING TO THE FLOOR. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK I DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND ONE OF BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BLOWN OUT IN FRONT OF THE ABS MODULE. THE GENERAL CONDITION OF ALL THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS AREA IS VERY RUSTY. I WILL LIKELY HAVE TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC 2500 HD PICKUP. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX/MS TIRES, TIRE SIZE 265/75/16 (N/A). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE SOUNDED FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE TWO NEW TIRES WERE MOUNTED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,828.