FaultScore

1997 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems

72 of the 365 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado are about the braking system — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,500 miles.

F

72

Complaints

8

Crashes

2

Fires

10

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 37 51.4%
Disc 6 8.3%
Master Cylinder 5 6.9%
Foundation Components 5 6.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 5.6%
Vacuum 3 4.2%
Pads 1 1.4%
Drum 1 1.4%
Hydraulic 1 1.4%
Control Unit/Module 1 1.4%

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 90,000 miles Louisville, KY

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINE RUSTED INTO ON LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS REPAIRED, EVERY SINCE THIS HAPPENED BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY STOPPING POWER IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE OR SHOULD BE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS,ROTORS,PADS,MASTER CYLINDER,POWERBRAKE BOOSTER,REAR DRUMS, SHOES,CYLINDERS,EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE .CANNOT GET THE AIR OUT OF BRAKE SYSTEM VERY ANNOYING SITUATION AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP TRUCK VERY QUICKLY DUE TO SPONGY BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10504888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Prairie DU Chien, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHEN GOING 10 MPH OR LESS, APPLYING THE BRAKES EITHER PRODUCES A VERY HARD PEDAL OR ANTI-LOCKS KICK IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON DRY ROADS WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE PEDAL PRESSURE. WAS INSTRUCTED THAT ONLY 1999 AND NEWER SILVERADOS ARE INCLUDED IN A CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10255478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Canton, MI

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ENGAGED WHILE STOPPING AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH OR LESS. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10150237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Spring Valley, WI

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING PLACE OR SLOWING DOWN, AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES WILL BECOME STIFF AND WILL PULSATE.

NHTSA complaint #10144787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Bridge, MA

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

DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM ON DECEMBER 1, 2004 WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, THERE IS A RECALL BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE. CAN HEAR A MOANING SOUND WHEN IT ACTIVATES. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES NO MATTER WHAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE. THERE IS NO FOREWARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED IT WAS INTERMITTENT, AND NOW IT DOES THIS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #10139574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whitesboro, NY

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

DT: 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36, 000 MILES. HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THERE NEEDED TO BE A RECALL ON OLDER VEHICLES REGARDING ANTI LOCK BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10138525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,263 miles Monroe TWP, NJ

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

THE REAR BRAKE LINE (STEEL) ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET SILVERADO FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY. THE BRAKE LINE, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME RAIL ALONGSIDE THE FUEL TANK, WAS REPLACED AT A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND IS NOW IN MY POSSESSION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE TWO (2) INSTANCES RECENTLY AT THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE SAME BRAKE LINE ON 1997 CHEVROLET PICKUPS FAILED DUE TO RUST. I NOTED THAT MY FAILED BRAKE LINE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RUSTED IN THE AREA OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10135880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Monticello, MN

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

THE ISSUE THAT HAS JUST CAUSED THE 800,000 VEHICLE RECALL FOR GM, THE ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, IS ON VEHICLES OLDER THAN THE 1999. I HAVE A 1997 SILVERADO AND WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGING AT LOW SPEEDS, IT STARTED HAPPENING IN 1999 AND GOT WORSE OVER TIME. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR THAT TRIGGERS THE ANTI- LOCK BRAKES, AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THEY SAID THIS SENSOR GETS DIRTY AND THEN FAILS. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHY THE RECALL IS ONLY GOING BACK TO THE 1999 MODELS WHEN IN FACT THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN OLDER MODELS AS WELL, AS I SAID MINE IS A 1997 SILVERADO.

NHTSA complaint #10134776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kewaskum, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AND PULSES HEAVY. THIS HAPPENS AT EVEN SLOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10121142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Onaway, MI

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

DT: WHILE GOING AT A SLOW SPEED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AND THE BRAKES DON'T WORK. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND DO A COMPUTER CODE CHECK, BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. HAD TO DEACTIVATE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. *NM

NHTSA complaint #10120626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conesville, IA

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

DT: THE ABS IS KICKING IN WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE WORKING. THE ABS ONLY KICKS ON ON LOW SPEEDS LIKE 5-15 MPH, PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT OR STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS. THE ABS IS WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. IT STARTS MAKING A ANTI-LOCK BRAKING NOISE WHEN THE ABS KICKS ON. TOOK TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND HE TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS THE ABS RIGHT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10120486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Auburn, NY

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

CONSUMER STATES: ABS BRAKES ACTIVATED WHILE STOPPING AT LOW SPEED AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. ABS SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *SB

NHTSA complaint #10119558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,800 miles Salado, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATED TAILGATE CABLES CORRODED. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL FAIL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10102028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Collegeville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE PEDAL SURGE ON MY 1997 SILVERADO EXT-CAB K-1500 Z71. UNDER LIGHT BRAKING CONDITIONS THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY ENGAGE FOLLOWED BY SHORT INTERVALS OF PRESSURE/LOSS OF PRESSURE UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPS. I HAVE NEVER LOST (AT LEAST UNTIL THIS POINT IN TIME) COMPLETE BRAKE PRESSURE. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE BRAKE SURGE IS NOT PRESENT. IN THIS CASE, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES. THE BRAKE PROBLEMS OCCUR EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN (DRY AND WET CONDITIONS). I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK SERVICED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH, AND MY DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS TO START REPLACING BRAKE COMPONENT BY COMPONENT UNTIL IT IS SOLVED ($$$). THEIR COMMENT TO ME IS THAT THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM (THAT'S THE AREA THAT MY DEALER IS FOCUSING ON) IS A POOR DESIGN BY GM.

NHTSA complaint #10069825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sanford, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1997 SILVERADO EXT CAB FLEET SIDE. I'VE HAD MY BRAKES SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN I'M BRAKING. ALSO IT'S VERY HESITANT IN PICKING UP SPEED WHEN PASSING EVEN WITH MAJOR TUNE-UPS AT CHEVY DEALERSHIPS ONLY TO BE SERVICED. I'M CONSTANTLY PURCHASING FRONT TIRES FOR MY TRUCK, WITH FRONT END ALIGNMENTS BEING DONE OFTEN WITH THE PURCHASE OF THESE TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10058675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,500 miles ST. Cloud, CT Crash

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

CONSUMER STATES AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A MOTOR RUNNING THAT WAS VIBRATIING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW ABS BURNING RED CHERRY HOT.

NHTSA complaint #10029404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN

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

CONSUMER STATES ABS BRAKE MODULE STILL RUN AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO GO UNDER HOOD AND PULL FUSE. DEALER HAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

NHTSA complaint #8023955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flushing, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY DON'T HOLD. THEN THEIRS A KNOCKING NOISE AND BRAKES WILL ENGAGE. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hephzi, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT VEHICLE WAS CREEPING FOWARD, CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKE A LITTLE HARDER AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER COULD HEAR VACUUM HISSING WHEN PRESSING BRAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8018949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Trabuco Canyon, CA

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

THE A/T HESITATES COMING OUT OF A TURN AT 15 MPH WHEN ACCELERATING AND IS SLOW TO SHIFT UP IN GEARS. ON WET PAVEMENT THE TRANSMISSION CATCHES AND SPINS THE REAR WHEEELS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO SIDE WAYS. THIS HAS BEEN ANNON GOING PROBLEM. THE DEALER PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE SERVICED. I WAS CHARGED $2,600.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS IT DOES THE SAME THING AND NOW LEAKS FLUID. THE HOTTER THE TRANSMISSION GETS, THE WORSE IT PERFORMS. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE EVENLY ON THE BRAKES. THIS IS EVIDENT ON THE UNUSUAL WEAR TO THE REAR BRAKES. ON AN EMERGENCY STOP THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP. IN THE PAST THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WEIGHT IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. I HAVE BATTLED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE SYSTEM SINCE PURCHASING THE TRUCK. FINALLY EVERTHING MENTIONED GAVE OUT, THE ONLY RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER WAS THAT THE TRUCK HAS TO MANY MILES. ADDITIONALLY I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTOMOTIVE CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR THE CONCERNS, FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS, WRITINGS BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS SOMEWHAT OK ON DRY PAVEMENT, BUT LOSS OF CONTROL ON WET PAVEMENT. I DID CONTACT CHEVROLET ASSISTANCE IN WRITING. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED MY RESPONSE, BUT DECLINED TO DISCUSS THE DEFECTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #767029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Universal City, TX

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

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE BRAKES WILL LOCK UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8018597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lupton, MI

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

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED, AS A RESULT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. NLM

NHTSA complaint #567299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upper Lake, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER STATED THE BRAKES WERE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #786430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Evansville, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP THERE'S A GRINDING NOISE, BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN FURTHER THAN NORMAL, BUT WILL STOP. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.

NHTSA complaint #8017328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Germantown, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8017377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Caledonia, OH

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

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGE WITH NO PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. (FRONT AND RIGHT) THERE IS A SLIGHT PULSATING AT 35 MPH THAT GETS SHARP AND ACUTE AT 55 MPH. UPON INSPECTION RIGHT OUTER DISC PAD WAS MISSING THE LOWER 1 1/2 INCH OF PAD. ALL BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE SLIGHT INTERMITTENT PULL HAS HAPPENED ONCE AFTER THE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALER CAN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8012195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Caledonia, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGE WITH NO PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. (FRONT AND RIGHT) THERE IS A SLIGHT PULSATING AT 35 MPH THAT GETS SHARP AND ACUTE AT 55 MPH. UPON INSPECTION RIGHT OUTER DISC PAD WAS MISSING THE LOWER 1 1/2 INCH OF PAD. ALL BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE SLIGHT INTERMITTENT PULL HAS HAPPENED ONCE AFTER THE PADS WERE REPLACED. DEALER CAN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8012195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lamar, MO Crash 2 injured

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

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR, NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. PLEASE ADD VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8010229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Blanc, MI

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

ABS PREMATURELY ENGAGES ON ANY SURFACE. ONCE ABS IS RELEASED MAIN BRAKES KICK IN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FEEL AS THOUGH IT WILL NOT STOP IN TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND CANNOT FIND A REMEDY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER CHANGED BOTH HUBS AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ABS PROBLEM BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE IT.

NHTSA complaint #8003212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wandotte, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BRAKES PULSATE AT 10 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #899329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Chevrolet Silverado problems

← Full 1997 Chevrolet Silverado report