446 of the 731 complaints about the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the braking system — 61% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,500 miles.
446
Complaints
42
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
Emergency brake keeps engaging Power steering problem, seat belt light stays on even when buckled. Headlights are dim
NHTSA complaint #11524964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving home from work, while braking for a stoplight, the brake pedal suddenly went soft. Using an abundance of caution, i drove slowly home, though pumping brakes was required even when driving 5 mph. When i made it home, it was obvious there had been a catastrophic brake line failure, as fluid trailed across my driveway and pooled under my truck. On closer inspection, it's amazing how corroded all visible brake lines were. This failure could have happened at speed and would likely have resulted in a crash. I am appalled these have not been recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11437085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED OUT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLOWLY DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE HOME SAFELY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11241015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS BRAKES ACTIVATE ALMOST EVERY TIME I APPLY THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA complaint #11210273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. AND WHEN I TURN MY TRUCK OFF. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 3 OR 4 TIMES A DAY
NHTSA complaint #11190187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE BURST BELOW DRIVER'S DOOR. WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CRASHING AS I WAS ONLY MOVING A FEW MILES PER HOUR IN A DRIVEWAY, THOUGH THERE WAS VERY LITTLE BRAKING CAPACITY. I SEE IN A SEARCH THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL YEARS OF GM TRUCKS. GM APPARENTLY ADMITTED THEY USED INFERIOR STEEL FOR BRAKE LINES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11141521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE UNDER THE CAB BROKE DUE TO RUST. I LIVE IN EAST TENNESSEE IN AN AREA THAT DOES NOT USE EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SALT ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER AND ALWAYS TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES. I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS MUCH RUST ON A SAFETY COMPONENT SUCH AS THE BRAKE LINE. WHEN SLOWING TO TURN OFF THE STREET INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY WEAK. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE LINE RUPTURE. I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND WAS QUOTED IN EXCESS OF $1,000 FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11118089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ABS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #11111695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. FRAME FAILURE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. BRAKES LINES HAD ALSO RUSTED OFF PREVIOUS AND REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 130,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11104975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE CORRODED (FROM OUTSIDE) AND DURING A TRIP HOME FROM WORK, I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. I HAD JUST ARRIVED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS TURNING AROUND. I WAS PROBABLY DOING 1 MPH OR LESS AND VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #11074248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I JUST HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON MY TRUCK WHEN IT BURNED THE GEARS UP. MY BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS EITHER WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THEY STOPPED OR LOCKED UP. RIGHT NOW ITS BROKE DOWN DUE TO TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO FIX BUT HAS ONLY BEEN NOT DRIVEABLE SINCE JULY 2017
NHTSA complaint #11043200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WENT TO MOVE MY VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO BACK UP INTO THE ROAD. AS I WAS COMING BACK DOWN MY DRIVEWAY MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING A COUPLE MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS ABLE TO JAM IT IN PARK BEFORE GOING THROUGH OUR HOUSE. I GOT OUT VERY NERVOUS AND SAW BRAKE FLUID SPRAYING EVERYWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #11031696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #11024020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE FAILURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11003457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PETAL, IT WILL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND IF I LET OFF OF PRESSING THE PETAL AND PRESS AGAIN, IT WILL PUSH MY FOOT BACK UP TOWARD ME AND IF I LET OFF AND PRESS AGAIN IT WILL FINALLY COME TO A STOP. IT DOES THE SAME THING ANYWHERE I APPLY THE BRAKE PETAL AND I'M IN MOTION. WHEN I'M IDLE AND PRESS THE PETAL FOR THE FIRST USAGE OF THE DAY, THE PETAL GOES TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #11000226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS NOT EXPOSED TO WINTER/SALT CONDITIONS FOR THE FIRST FIRST 13 YEARS OF IT'S LIFE. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MY PRIMARY VEHICLE. RECENTLY WHEN I HAD TO "SPIKE" THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT A BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AREA RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. ONLY THROUGH EVASIVE ACTIONS WAS AN ACCIDENT AVOIDED. REPLACEMENT COSTS FROM A DEALERSHIP IS IN THE $800.00 AREA. WERE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURE THIS EXTREMELY INHERENTLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM COULD BE AVOIDED. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION, THE SMALL INCREASE WOULD BE OFFSET IN LONG TERM SAFETY. MANY VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURES HAVE BEEN MANDATED OVER THE YEARS, CERTAINLY ISSUES CONCERNING BRAKE SYSTEMS MUST FALL UNDER THAT CATEGORY. I AM A LONG TIME COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT MECHANIC, STAINLESS STEEL LINES WOULD PREVENT THE PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED. JUDGING FROM INTERNET SITES I'M NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH THIS CORROSION PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10985655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ANTILOCK PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10969206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TOOK PICK-UP FOR A DRIVE, WAS 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD WHEN BRAKES WENT DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED SPRAYING ON THE BACK WINDOW BETWEEN CAB AND BED OF TRUCK. BARELY MADE IT BACK TO MY HOME AND NERVOUSLY PULLED IN WITH BARELY ENOUGH BRAKING POWER TO STOP. DRIVING ON 2-LINE BLACK TOPPED STRAIGHT ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10955512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. LUCKILY WAS IN DRIVEWAY WHEN FAILED. FOUND LEAKING METAL BRAKE LINE NEAR THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OTHERS ARE RUSTED TOO, SO IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10953938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN DRIVING AND COMING TO ANY STOP ABS ON AND YOU LOSE ALL BRAKES AND YOU JUST ROLL. PUMP THE BRAKES NOTHING HAVES HIT EMERGENCY BRAKE SHUT TRUCK OF AND RESTARTED PROBLEM CONTINUES. SO TRUCK IS PARK UNTIL PROBLEM RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10938864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SO I COULD STOP. WHEN DRIVING SLOW AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL IS SOLID AND DOES NOT MOVE. VERY DANGEROUS. CANNOT STOP THE VEHICLE AT ALL. BRAKE LINES ROTTED OUT. HAS TO REPLACE. TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED OUT. HAD TO REPLACE. TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER ROTTED OUT. HAD TO REPLACE. FUEL LINES ARE ROTTING OUT. NOT REPLACED YET. DRIVE SHAFT IS QUESTIONABLE. SEVERELY RUSTED. REAR BACKING PLATES ROTTED OFF, NO MORE PARKING - EMERGENCY BRAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER MANY TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. ENGINE LEAKS OIL. LOOSING COOLANT, POSSIBLE BURNING IT. FUEL MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE. BODY RUSTED OUT. ROCKER PANELS ARE GONE. CAB CORNERS ARE GONE. REAR BUMPER IS GONE. PUTTING THE SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH IS A STUPID IDEA. THE COST TO REPLACE THESE PARTS IS TOO EXPENSIVE. FOR WHAT THESE VEHICLES COST NEW ALL OF THESE PARTS SHOULD BE MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL OR USE PLASTIC FOR THE FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING RELATED TO A POLLUTION CONTROL DEVICE SHOULD BE ENTIRE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THESE PARTS AND WHATEVER IS UPSTREAM THAT CAUSED THE POLLUTION CONTROL PART TO FAIL SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN PERPETUITY. ANTI LOCK BRAKES SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM ALL CARS. THE PARTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. THE COST SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE CAR OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10928822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKES LOCK UP UNDER LIGHT BRAKING OR NORMAL BRAKING, RUSTING BRAKE LINES, REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES BANGING AND CHATTERING. BACK PLATES RUSTED OFF
NHTSA complaint #10925593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND HAD TO STOP FAST AND BRAKE LINE BROKE FROM RUST COULD NOT STOP AT ALL HAD NO WARNING ENDED UP IN A FIELD COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD AND HAD MY KIDS WITH ME.
NHTSA complaint #10916331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I OWN A 2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4WD, YESTERDAY AFTERNOON I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES I HEARD A "POP" NOISE AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD . I GOT THE TRUCK STOPPED BY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. I INSPECTED ALL 4 WHEELS LOOKING FOR A LEAK AND FOUND NONE , THEN I SAW A PUDDLE ON THE GROUND UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR , UPON INSPECTION I SAW THE BRAKE LINES HEAVILY RUSTED AND FLUID LEAKING FROM THEM . I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY HAND AND SAW THE FLUID SQUIRT OUT AND SPLASH ON THE EXHAUST PIPE . I HAVE READ ON - LINE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY MANY CHEVY TRUCK OWNERS ACROSS THE NATION . I DO NOT USE MY TRUCK IN MUD OR ON THE BEACH AND I DO NOT LIVE IN A STATE WITH HARSH WINTER SALT ISSUES . I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE LINES ON MY TRUCK AND THEY ARE RUSTED IN PLACES NOT THE WHOLE LENGTH AND THIS TO ME LOOKS LIKE A MATERIAL PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER . I HAD NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM , MY BAKE PEDAL WAS FINE RIGHT UP TO THE SECOND THAT LINE BURST AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR . I FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT AND AS SUCH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED BY G.M. AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED . I WAS LUCKY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE AND MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10914892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FIRST BRAKE LINE FAILURE WAS IN JULY OF 2012 AND WAS FROM THE ABS TO THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, THIS ONE LINE COST $337.05 TO REPLACE. IT FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALMOST RAN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE 2ND LINE FAILED YESTERDAY 10/5/16 WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD AND AGAIN WAS LOCATED ON THE ABS UNIT. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I BOUGHT A STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE KIT FROM DORMAN AND PLAN TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES ON THE TRUCK SO AS WE DON'T GET KILLED OR HARM ANYONE WE RUN INTO ON THE NEXT FAILURE AS THE REMAINING LINES ARE VERY, VERY RUSTY. FUTURE FAILURE OF THE REST OF THE LINES IS BOTH IMMINENT AND EXPECTED. NHTSA PLEASE ACT SO AS TO PREVENT ANYONE FROM GETTING HURT OR EVEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10914373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
LOST BRAKEING DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT.TRUCK HAS 44,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR 14 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED.THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE WINTER DRIVING.COST 826.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL RUSTED BRAKE LINES.THESE LINES WHERE OF FAULTY MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10903393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN. I STOPPED AT MY MAIL BOX AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I ONLY HAD ANOTHER 400 FEET TO MAKE IT HOME. THE P/U IS NOW PARKED, WAITING ON REPAIRS. I HAVE TALKED TO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY TELL ME THE BRAKE LINE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS REPLACED. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD A AUTO MANUFACTURER USE SOMETHING THAT RUST ON SUCH A VITAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE SALT IS USED ON THE HIGHWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10902017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WAS LEAVING DRIVEWAY. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD RELEASED AND REAPPLIED TO TAKE OUT OF PARK BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR INSPECTED UNDER TRUCK BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER DRIVEWAY UNDER TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10898229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
AS I WAS MAKING A TURN AFTER A STOP (WHICH FELT SOMEWHAT SLUGGISH OF A STOP) I WENT TO TAP THE BRAKES AND EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. I WAS ON A DESCENT AND IMMEDIATELY THREW THE TRUCK INTO PARK TO CUT THE POWER TO WHEELS AND PRESSED EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD A SPLIT SECOND TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO AS THE ROAD WAS CAUSING RAPID ACCELERATION. I SAW ONE CHANCE TO DRIVE OVER A DITCH AND INTO A YARD BY A HOUSE. I DID SO, FLYING OVER THE DITCH. IT TOOK THE LENGTH OF THE ENTIRE YARD (ABOUT AN ACRE OF PROPERTY) FOR THE TRUCK TO EVENTUALLY STOP ON ITS OWN. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED WHERE UPON QUICK ASSESSMENT MECHANIC SAID I HAD CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND RUPTURED BRAKE HOSE. THIS MOST CERTAINLY COYLD HAVE REAULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT AS THE END OF THIS ROAD IS FULL OF HOUSES AND SHARP BEND WITH MULTIPLE TELEPHONE POLES. I AM STILL AWAITING FULL REPORT ON VEHICLE BUT AM VERY UPSET GM HAS NEVER EVER ADVISED ME OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I MAINTAINED VEHICLE AT GM DEALER AND AM SINGLE OWNER. NEVER ONCE WAS I NOTIFIED. MY VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 100,300 MILES ON IT AND I WAS JUST STARTING DOWN THE HILL, ABOUT 10MPH BUT RAPIDLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHIN SPAN OF 2 HOUSES...RESULTING IN THE CRASH AND LOSS OF VEHICLE USE DUE TO NEED FOR TOWING. HAVE NO IDEA OFBSPEED AT THE DITCH AS I WASN'T ABLE TO LOOK DOWN .
NHTSA complaint #10896458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
A BRAKE LINE EXPLODED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION ON MOST OF THE BRAKE LINES. IT SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO MAKE THEM OUT OF A MATERIAL THAT RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH AFTER 16 YEARS. WHY ARE THEY NOT USING STAINLESS STEEL?
NHTSA complaint #10882723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.