342 of the
951 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the
braking system — 36% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
77,756 miles.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the brake and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact pulled to the side of the road, added brake fluid to the vehicle, and continued driving. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled down to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact engaged the parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road downhill. The contact turned on the hazard lights and drove 5 MPH to her mother's residence while being trailed by a Police Officer. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly and to Advanced Auto Parts, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact purchased an oxygen sensor, an oil sensor, the battery, the brake booster, the thermostat, and the brake lines. The contact's son and nephew attempted to replace the parts and noticed that the brake assembly was significantly damaged. The contact's son and nephew also noticed that the frame, the exhaust system assembly, and other parts were severely corroded. The Used Car dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The Chevrolet dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 162,616.
NHTSA complaint #11631573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesAlbemarle, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact's son owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while his son was exiting a parking lot, the brake pedal hose ruptured, and the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that there was a hole in the brake hose. The contact used a personal trailer to tow the vehicle home where the vehicle remained. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11581650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
De Queen, ARCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Abs system is failing light comes on then brakes don’t catch, airbags message keeps coming on . Pulling in to store when it done it end up hitting the metal pipe in from of store to stop
NHTSA complaint #11563911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spencer, INCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
# 1 is the 4l60E transmission that sits on the exhaust and runs next to it on the opposite side the heat from the trans itself and the exhaust overheat the gasket which causes weak spots that leak along with burning up the 3-4 clutch. Lost everything but 1&2,R,N on trip to Illinois on way back went to speed up to pass and all sudden the engine started tacking out and leaking fluid. I applied fluid all the way home at a speed of 45mph in a 70 mph limit which caused a major safety hazard with traffic. Took to trans shop said the 3-4 clutch was fried and was no good due to overheating and loss fluid from damaged gasket that's split on the stamps from AC Delco. 2nd issue arises out 1rst, even more dangerous to point of dragging me down drive way and cutting into my leg leaving a small scar. When wheels are chalked , E brake applied the vehical should not move, so after doing so I climbed under and unhooked the shift cable from the trans instantly with dog in truck it began rolling right over me I grabbed the frame and stopped it for a few sec then boom it went again I had spin around or my legs or head would've be smashed to Oblivion. At that point it just kept going as it cut into my leg, I let it roll over me hopped up and tried trow it in park yet no cable attached it wouldn't stop and just kept going till it hit a small ditch at end my drive and half way in the road.My leg was cut and I was scratched up in many spots yet dog was ok. The trans quitting lead to the unhooking of the cable then the e/p brake not holding due to worn brake shins in the rear which have calipers so if the calpier would've held with the brake it'd been fine but under everything is a set small and thin pads that hold the truck when brake applied. There was a recall (#05042). Yet my vin was not included, chevy was called yet denied any responsibility of either matter or action to cure it. These defects could've killed me, decapitated, or killed my service dog!
NHTSA complaint #11431699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewis Center, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle was being driven when "Service Brake System" appeared in the DIC. Vehicle was safely returned to owners home where it was discovered a master cylinder failure had occurred. The master cylinder contained no brake fluid, the booster was covered in brake fluid, and fluid was dripping from the undercarriage to the ground. The master cylinder and booster were replaced. In the process of bleeding the brake lines, a secondary leak was discovered in the brake line to the left front caliper. An inspection revealed a failure of the brake line due to rust. Inspection of the other brake lines revealed rust which will require replacement of all the brake lines. In this instance, the vehicle was actively being repaired when the failure of the brake line occurred. Had the brake line not failed during the repair process of the master cylinder and booster, a failure would have occurred while the vehicle was being operated possibly resulting in a crash with injury or death to the occupants or other drivers.
NHTSA complaint #11417374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,905 milesLenoir City, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN YOU APPLY THE PARKING BREAK THROUGH A FOOT PEDAL ON THIS YEAR OF TRUCK AND THEN PULL THE HANDLE TO RELEASE IT THE PARKING BREAK WILL ONLY COME BACK A LITTLE UNTIL YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY REACH DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND PULL THE PARKING BREAK FOOT PETAL BACK UP TO OPERATIONAL HEIGHT WHERE THE PARKING BREAK (EMERGENCY BREAK) IS NO LONGER APPLIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE CABLE IS STILL CONNECTED AND WILL ONLY BRING THE PARKING BREAK BACK UP AROUND A INCH UNTIL YOU HAVE TO PULL IT THE REST OF THE WAY BACK.
NHTSA complaint #11374492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesHemet, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE VERY UNSAFE, MY STEERING WHEEL HAS TO MUCH PLAY, SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES DON?T OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE TRUCK SHAKES AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THE SHAKING AND VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. BUT TO SUM IT ALL UP TODAY ON 06-02-2020, I REALIZED THE TRUCK IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND GETTING HARDER TO STEER AND THE BRAKES CAUSE THE STEERING TO MAKE IT EVEN HARDER TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE SHAKING AND PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALSO I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE REALLY HARD AT TIMES AND THEN REALLY LIGHT AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11327048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSturgis, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD TO AVOID HITTING A DEER. ONCE I PRESSED THE PEDAL, THE TRUCK SLOWED AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A STEEL BRAKE LINE BELOW THE CAB BLEW. AFTER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT ALL THE ORIGINAL STEEL LINES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #11291059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesHurricane, WV
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKED AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11288142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesGreentown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED THROUGH AND WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE ALSO ROTTED AND SPILLED FUEL ALL OVER THE PLACE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11257305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesAlexandria, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE, BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11222455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesWest Bend, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO RUST AND USE OF INFERIOR PARTS FROM CHEVROLET. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED DUE TO AWARENESS OF OTHER DRIVERS. IN A NEIGBORHOOD STREET, WITH CHILDREN PRESENT VERY NEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11165019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO RUSTED LINES. BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. BRAKE LINE WAS SO RUSTED IT HAD A HUGE HOLE IN IT DUE TO THE RUST.
NHTSA complaint #11045501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Browns Mills, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
I KNOW MY TRUCK IS 14 YEARS OLD. BUT MY BRAKE LINES RUST OUT NEAR THE ABS BLOCK AND NEAR THE FUEL TANK ON THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. WHICH IS ODD TO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE HEARD OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK LINE SOONER THEN ME. NOW I HAVE A 85 TRANS AM MADE BY GM AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM . I THINK THE NHTSA AND GM NEED TO LOOK AT THIS CLOSER. THIS HAPPEN TO ME THIS MORNING ON MY WAY OUT TO WORK AND IT SCARED THE HELL OUT ME LUCKY I WAS JUST IN MY DRIVE WAY. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY TRUCK AND DON'T ABUSE IT. I TRY TO KEEP UP ON THE UNDER BODY AND FRAME AFTER SNOW STORMS BY RINSING OFF THE UNDER BODY AND FRAME. NOW I WAS INFORMED I WILL COST ME ANY WERE FROM $1500.00 TO$ 2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. JUST GLADE I WASN'T ON THE ROAD DOING 50. AS I TAKE LOCAL AND STATE HIGH WAYS TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11034728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSayville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TRAFFIC MOUNTED UP AND CARS VIGOROUSLY APPLIED BRAKED. BRAKED TRUCK, WHICH SLOWED AT FIRST, THEN PEDAL SANK TO FLOOR AND CEASED TO STOP. EMERGENCY BRAKE DEPLOYMENT PERFORMED REMAINING NECESSARY STOPPING (JUST BARELY). INSPECTION FOUND BADLY RUSTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED NEAR THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE, AS THE METAL LINE MEETS RUBBER. ALL LINES BADLY RUSTED WHILE LITTLE OTHER UNDERCHASSIS SHOWS ANY RUST AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11031843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,500 milesBrookfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
YESTERDAY MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. I PUT MY BLINKERS ON AND DROVE ABOUT TWO MILES AN HOUR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND HE SAID ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ARE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING FLUID TO A COST OF $750.00. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW SO I WON'T HAVE THE INVOICE FOR A FEW DAYS. HE ALSO SAID THE THE FUEL LINES LOOK RUSTED ALSO AND HOPES THEY WON'T BREAK WHILE FIXING THE BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #11031500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesNorth Endover, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT, CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL FORCEFULLY AND PUNCTURED THE BRAKE LINE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
NHTSA complaint #11021729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesRantoul, KS
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON EXITING HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRIED TO PUMP WITH NO RESULTS. THIS WAS A SINGLE LANE EXIT RAMP WITH A CAR TURNING LEFT AND ONE TURNING RIGHT AT THE END OF THE RAMP. STILL AT APPROX. 60 MPH I HAD NOWHERE TO GO. DOWN SHIFT TO 2ND AND APPLY PARKING BRAKE. FINALLY ONE CAR TURNS AND I BLAST THROUGH INTERSECTION ABOUT 40-45MPH AND JUST MISSED T-BONING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS I WENT DOWN THE ENTRANCE RAMP BACK ONTO HWY. I WAS ABLE TO BRING TRUCK TO A STOP. LATER INSPECTION OF TRUCK SHOWED ALL 4 BRAKE LINES FROM ABS TO FRONT OF TRUCK SEVERELY RUSTED WITH ONE RUPTURED. REAR BRAKE LINE ALSO RUSTED. G.M. NEED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. AT THE SPEED I WAS TRAVELING I HAD SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TURNED AND I MISSED THE CAR ON THE CROSSROAD. THIS TRUCK HAS 85,XXX MILES AND HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN IN SNOW OR BAD WEATHER MAYBE A HALF DOZEN TIMES DURING ITS LIFE SO CORROSION SHOULD HOT HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS WITH 200,000 PLUS MILES AND NEVER HAD BRAKE LINE ISSUES. I BELIEVE WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS I READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM YOU NEED TO FORCE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS DISABLED FOR THE REST OF THERE LIFE, OR SOMEONE LOSES A FAMILY MEMBER!!!
NHTSA complaint #11020002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,041 milesAshbyburg, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BATTERY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WHEN HE OBSERVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD SEIZED AND TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO TURN. ALSO, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP USING THE FIFTH WHEEL CAMPING TRAILER THAT WAS HITCHED WITH ELECTRONIC BRAKES TO SLOW AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT AND IDLER PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,041.
NHTSA complaint #11013439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monticello, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 5-10 MPH THE ABS ACTIVATES PREVENTING SAFE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10992019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesLexington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO ARE BADLY CORRODED AND ONE OF THEM HAS FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK HAD NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN KENTUCKY AND I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK SINCE NEW. WE RECEIVE A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF BAD WINTER WEATHER HERE SO I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY SALT. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 13 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10985515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesBlue Mounds, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
THE ABS KICKS IN AT SPEEDS UNDER 5 MPH ON DRIVE PAVEMENT
NHTSA complaint #10957255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesIndianapolis, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE BUSTED ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT. REALLY DANGEROUS! HAD TO HIT THE CURB TO STOP! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE STEEL BRAKE LINES! IN THE SHOP NOW TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES THAT ARE FAULTY! A COST THAT SHOULD BE PAID BY GM NOT THE CONSUMER OF A FAULTY PRODUCT!
NHTSA complaint #10937139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesArlington Heights, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN PARKING IN MY DRIVEWAY, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP. MY BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING FLUID DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION AND MUST BE REPLACED FOR OVER $3000.00. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #10926242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesWallingford, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TOWING A BOAT REAR BRAKE LINE BURST LOSING BRAKES THANK GOD I HAD ROOM TO HIT E BRAKE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A BACK ROAD
NHTSA complaint #10925639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesEdinburg, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. DRIVING DOWN A SHORT HILL, BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED COMPLETELY TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKE RESPONSE OR STOPPING AVAILABILITY. DRIVING @ APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD LITTLE EFFECT AND HAD TO TURN INTO A DIRT HILL TO STOP THE TRUCK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, 4 BRAKE LINES DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE CAB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED WITH 2 LINES FAILING SIMULTANEOUSLY RELEASING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE GROUND. THE 2 LINES FROM THE PROPORTIONING VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE ABS AND THE 2 LINES FROM THE ABS TO THE 2 FRONT WHEELS RUN PARALLEL UNDER THE CAB AND ARE SEVERELY CORRODED IN 2 PLACES ONLY. THE 4 LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AT THE POINT OF THE PLASTIC CLIPS THAT SECURE THE LINES TO THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HOLD THE BRAKE LINES HOLD MOISTURE AND SALT AND CAUSE ALL THE BRAKE LINES TO CORRODE AT THOSE POINTS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE IS NO RUST IN THE LINES TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK OR AT BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE. I CLEAN THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE EVERY WINTER. THE LINES ARE RUSTING AS A RESULT OF THE CLIPS RETAINING SALT AND CORROSIVES AND CAUSING YEAR ROUND CONTACT TO THE BRAKE LINES. IS ANYONE READING OR INVESTIGATING HERE? THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS HERE REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE POST THAT LIST THE CORROSION IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT AS MY TRUCK. THESE LINES RUST NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR BUT BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE CLIP DESIGN. REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM CHEVROLET DEALER IS $1250 TO REPLACE ALL LINES. WHEN WILL GM CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT OR WRITE A SERVICE BULLETIN?
NHTSA complaint #10920113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,340 milesHarrisburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT HESITATED TO RESPOND BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,340.
NHTSA complaint #10916416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesMilton, WVCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD PRIOR TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/08/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10905780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesSouth Newfane, VT
SERVICE BRAKES
STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE PRONE TO CORROSION. REPLACED 2 ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES IN THE LAST 24 MONTHS. 1ST FAILURE THE BRAKE LINE SUDDENLY BURST WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE. SECOND INCIDENT THE BRAKE LINE SLOWLY LEAKED. UPON INSPECTION THE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10903152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON 2 OCCASIONS, BOTH WITH TRAILER ATTACHED - BADLY RUSTED BRAKE LINES TO BOTH FRONT WHEELS BURST UNDER THE ADDED PRESSURE OF STOPPING WHILE TRAILERING. OTHER LINES TO THE REAR ARE ALSO BADLY RUSTED, BUT HAVE NOT YET FAILED. FRONT LINES (PROVIDING THE MAJORITY OF BRAKING) ARE HELD IN HORIZONTAL PLASTIC CLIPS THAT DO NOT READILY DRAIN, AND ACCELERATE CORROSION DAMAGE. BOTH INCIDENTS INVOLVED NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE INJURIES. ONE, WHILE BACKING THE TRAILER INTO PARKING SPOT WITH SOMEONE BEHIND PROVIDING DIRECTIONS, AND THE OTHER JUST AFTER HOOKING UP THE TRAILER AND PROCEEDING INTO TRAFFIC (IF THAT FAILURE HAD BEEN ONE STOP LATER, IT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE STOPPING TO TURN ONTO A HIGHWAY). DUE TO A FEAR OF ADMITTING GUILT, GM HAS NOT OFFERED REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR PURCHASE, AND ALL NEW LINES MUST BE CUSTOM BUILT, WITH A COST ESTIMATE OF OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE BUNDLE OF ALL 5 LINES. FINALLY, THIS TRUCK (1 OWNER) IS OTHERWISE TOTALLY RUST FREE - THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRST 2 THINGS TO RUST OUT ON AN OTHERWISE RUST-FREE TRUCK TO BE BRAKE LINES. WITHOUT TRAILERS OR HIGH LOADS, THE HALF SYSTEM FAILURE LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITH LIMITED RESERVE STOPPING CAPABILITY, BUT UNDER THE HIGHER LOAD CONDITIONS (EXACTLY WHEN THE COMPROMISED BRAKE LINES FAIL) THE RESERVE CAPABILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED. ONE OF THE REASONS THERE LIKELY HAVE NOT BEEN MORE INJURIES AND FATALITIES, IS THAT ONCE THE OWNER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, THERE IS LITTLE OR NO TRUST IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. WHY MUST THERE BE A DEATH COUNT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT A PROBLEM REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES OVER MANY YEARS ON BOTH GM AND CHRYSLER TRUCK (BOTH USING THE SAME LINES)? AT LEAST ORDER THE OEMS TO PROVIDE KITS OF ALL BRAKE LINES AT REASONABLE COST TO OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10897345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.