FaultScore

1990 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems

12 of the 37 complaints about the 1990 Chevrolet Silverado are about the braking system — 32% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 7,300 miles.

F

12

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 5 41.7%
Foundation Components 1 8.3%
Disc 1 8.3%
Wheel Cylinders 1 8.3%
Vacuum 1 8.3%
Drum 1 8.3%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 1 8.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 8.3%

Brakes across every Chevrolet Silverado year

1990 12 0.3%
1994 17 0.5%
1995 33 0.9%
1996 32 0.9%
1997 72 2.0%
1998 106 2.9%
1999 1,073 29.6%
2000 662 18.3%
2001 452 12.5%
2002 392 10.8%
2003 280 7.7%
2004 219 6.0%
2005 89 2.5%
2006 105 2.9%
2007 36 1.0%
2008 10 0.3%
2017 33 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 7,300 miles Urbana, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP. HE STATED SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE HAD POOR BRAKE STOPPING ABILITY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 5 MPH AND UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE REAR BRAKE LINE PINCHED UNDER A HOT RIVET CAUSING A DECREASE IN BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ALSO CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE FLUID REACHING THE REAR BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE AND TWO REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. SINCE THE REPAIRS, BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE IMPROVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7300 AND THE CURRENT WAS 156,000.

NHTSA complaint #10310887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hedgesville, WV

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON.

NHTSA complaint #873772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Pedro, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE BRAKE SYSTEM EATS DRUMS AND SHOES <CONSTANTLY FALL APART> FOR BREAKFAST AS WELL AS ROTORS CRACKING. THIS TRUCK IS HIGHLY INADEQUATE FOR STOPPING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE BRAKES HAVCE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS AN ECONOMICAL AND SAFETY NIGHTMARE!! PLEASE HELP!!! THE OIL LINES TO THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER RUBBED ON THE STEERING BOX AND DRAINED THE ENGINE OF OIL AT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY! THANK GOD FOR PROLONG! THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY SON'S TRUCK GMC 1990 A FEW DAYS EARLIER. BOTH WERE WITHOUT WARNING!!! WHAT GIVES??? SHAME ON GM!!! WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM!!!

NHTSA complaint #728635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OK

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP VEHICLE HIT A BUMP AND PEDAL STARTED TO VIBRATE. PEDAL WILL HIT THE FLOOR. IT HAS TAKEN EXTENDED STOPING DISTANCE IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO HAD NO REMEDY, AND SAID "GET USED TO IT". BRAKES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO COME CLOSE TO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP AT AN APPROPIATE DISTANCE. ALSO, TRUCK DOES NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE STARTS TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO GIVE THE VEHICLE A "SETTLE IN PERIOD" UP TO 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS 15000 MILES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #867075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE LINE WHICH RUNS NEAR FUEL TANK HAD A HOLE IN IT, REPLACE FUEL LINES

NHTSA complaint #9000908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pagosa Springs, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND UNDER PANIC STOP CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #719046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENTS. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

BRAKE BOOSTER CAN FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #550832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carthage, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLYIED BRAKES, AND IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAVEN'T CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA complaint #852979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburg, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

REAR BRAKE DRUM'S GO OUT OF SHAPE DUE TO THE UNDERSIZE FOR VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE THREE SETS OF BRAKES, AND TWO SETS OF WHEEL CYLINDERS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #851244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburg, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

REAR BRAKE DRUM'S GO OUT OF SHAPE DUE TO THE UNDERSIZE FOR VEHICLE. HAD TO REPLACE THREE SETS OF BRAKES, AND TWO SETS OF WHEEL CYLINDERS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #851244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riegelwood, NC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE WAS ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 45-50 MPH. APPROACHING RAILROAD TRACKS, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. WHILE SLOWING DOWN, THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE INTO A TRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #842951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

← Full 1990 Chevrolet Silverado report