89 of the 361 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado are about the braking system — 25% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,500 miles.
89
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE VEHICLES BRAKES ARE CORRODING AND FAILED ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ON 2/09/2016 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION (AT THE INTERSECTION OF IL ROUTE 34 AND WOLFS CROSSING)
NHTSA complaint #10825082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
PEDAL GOES ON DOWN WHEN PRESSED -- SEEMS LIKE ABS ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY
NHTSA complaint #10816342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BREAK LINES CORRODED THROUGH TO FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED JUST AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY. ABS ENGAGED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS THE NEXT TIME I DEPRESSED THE BREAK PEDDLE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT THE BREAKS ENGAGING. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NO WARNING LIGHT WAS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BREAKS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN ME RUNNING A RED LIGHT. LUCKILY IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10807596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SITTING AT BURGER KING DRIVE THRU WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINES HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND 130,000 MILES. HAD BRAKES CHECKED OFTEN AT SERVICE CENTERS, NO MENTION OF PROBLEM. GLAD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST MONTH WHEN I WAS BARRELING DOWN THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY WITH A FULL LOAD IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK. NHTSA AND GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR ALLOWING THIS TO CONTINUE. I AM SURE PEOPLE ARE DYING DUE TO THIS NEGLIGENCE AND FAULTY MATERIALS BEING USED.
NHTSA complaint #10790118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP OF THE FREEWAY. FOUND BRAKE LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THEY WERE PAPER THIN IN MULTIPLE SPOTS. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOTE THAT VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10785511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WHEN OUR FRIEND TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A BRAKE LINE RUNNING ON TOP OF THE FRAME BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU, ALLOWING ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO PUMP OUT OF THE SYSTEM. ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND PROBABLY NEAR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10782875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THE BRAKES ARE SHAKING WHEN I GO TO STOP. I HAVE C HANGED THE FRONT CALIPERS SINCE THIS IS WHERE IT IS HAPPENING SINCE THE CALIPERS WENT BAD SO DID THE ROTERS AN PADS SO THOSE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED ALSO...WHICH IS MONEY I DON'T HAVE .....IT WORKED FOR A TOTAL OF 4 DAYS THEN PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. PLEASE INFORM ME OF OTHER ISSUES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY SINCE I DRIVE THIS TRUCK TO EARN A LIVING FOR MY FAMILY EVERYDAY.. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10747254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AS A RESULT THE PRESSURE OF THE BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE LINES TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10724230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ANOTHER DRIVER NOTIFIED US THAT OUR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WE STOPPED TO CHECK THE SITUATION AND MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I CHECKED THE LIGHTS, WHICH WERE NOT WORKING. I THEN MOVED THE TRUCK ABOUT 50 YARDS AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I GOT OUT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO STOP, IT GAVE OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO THE RUST. TOTAL COST $1050. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. LUCKILY I WAS STOPPED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #10723860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE BROKE. BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10713086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
FRAME IS ROTTED,WONT PASS INSPECTION,BRAKE LINES ARE ALSO ROTTED HAD TO REPLACE TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10683617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10680840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BACKING-UP INTO MY GARAGE IN REVERSE MODE, PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10671521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTED AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY FOR MYSELF OR OTHERS. I KNOW OF MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR MODEL TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY REAL SAFETY THREAT AND GM SHOULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AS THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10671238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
SEVERE CORROSION AFFECTED BRAKE LINE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION. USING MY E-BRAKE I WAS FORTUNATE TO STOP AND NOT HIT ANYTHING. I FEAR IF MY 16 YEAR OLD SON, OR MY WIFE WOULD NOT OF FARED SO WELL IN THIS SITUATION. NOW I HAD TO ABSORB A 800.00 REPAIR FOR NEW BRAKE LINES. NOW 1.5 YEARS LATER I NEED TO REPLACE FUEL LINES AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION LINES DUE TO CORROSION. MY 16 YEAR OLD DRIVES THIS PIECE OF JUNK, AND NOW THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH FUEL LINES. FIRE!!! NOW NEED TO INCUR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. WHY NO RECALL? THIS IS A LAWSUIT IN THE MAKING IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO GM'S IRRESPONSIBILITY. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN. NEED A RECALL... [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10668119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLEY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E036000 (SERVICE BRAKE, AIR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10668047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,187.
NHTSA complaint #10660912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TRAVELING THROUGH INTERSECTION AND MAKING LEFT HAND TURN TO GO IN EAST DIRECTION. MY VEHICLE'S BRAKES CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL(!) THE BRAKES LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT MY BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT. AND NOW ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. NOT ONE, NOT TWO - ALL! THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AND NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN A GM PRODUCT WITH A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH WOULD SEEM TO BE A GM TRUCK THAT CAN'T STOP!
NHTSA complaint #10655305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DURING SHOWING THE VEHICLE FOR RESALE, THE BRAKE LINES BROKE AND LEAKED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER TO STOP VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS TOOK PLACE IN A PARKING LOT THEREFORE WE WERE ABLE TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. HOWEVER WE WERE ABOUT TO ENTER A MAJOR ROADWAY AT 5PM RUSH WEEKDAY RUSH HOUR WHERE A POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10652324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,737.
NHTSA complaint #10650877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE ROTORS ARE DEEPLY PITTED--NOT FROM RUST--WAS UNAWARE OF THE CONDITION UNTIL I REPLACED BRAKE PADS @84000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10641078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED THAT I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM ROLLING FORWARD. WHEN I GOT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM SOME RUSTED BRAKE LINES LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUCK. AS I PRESSED THE BRAKES FLUID WAS RUNNING OUT AT AN ACCELERATED PACE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON FULL SIZE GM TRUCKS. I CONTACTED GM BUT THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $1800. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW IN 2005 AND ITS A LITTLE DISTURBING THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD FAIL THAT WAY WHERE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED ONLY AFTER 9.5 YEARS. IF THEY WOULD HAVE BROKE SUDDENLY THEY COULD HAVE CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10638511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SLOW THE TRUCK THEN THE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR AND ALL BRAKING ACTION WAS LOST. THIS CAUSED ME TO STRIKE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTERWARDS I OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE LINES FORWARD OF THE REAR AXLE AND NEAR THE FIREWALL AREA. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO ESCAPE INJURY TO MYSELF AND THE OTHER DRIVER THAT I STRUCK. MY TRUCK SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ESTIMATES FOR REPAIRS YET.
NHTSA complaint #10631711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING TO WORK , CAR STOPS IN FRT OF ME AN BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR , DROVE AROUND ON SHOULDER BARELY MISSED HITTING CAR . BRAKE LINES RUSTED SO BAD THEY FAILED , IVE HAD TRUCKS AN CARS ALL MY LIFE AN HAVE NEVER SEEN LINES ON A VEHICLE THIS BAD . SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL CHEVYS OF THIS YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10628451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY AND BEGAN TO BRAKE GOING DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDEN "WENT TO THE FLOOR" (BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION). AFTER TAKING TRUCK TO MECHANIC, I LEARNED ALL MY BRAKE LINES WERE SERVERELY CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED - FUEL LINES AS WELL. REPAIRS TOTALED $2185. I OWNED SEVERAL OTHER MAKE PICKUPS, DRIVEN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM WITH EITHER BRAKE OR FUEL LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10627607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES LINES POPPED A LEAK BELOW THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,WHICH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD BRAKES FAIL AFTER ONLY 9 YEARS AND ONLY 31,942 MILES. WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW ON 8-4-2005. I HAVE A FORD CAR THAT IS A 2000 MODEL YEAR,AND THE LINES STILL LOOK GOOD. WE HAD 2 OTHER FORD CARS IN THE PAST THAT HAD NEARLY 200,000 MILES WHEN WE GOT RID OF THEM,AND THEY STILL HAD THE SAME BRAKES LINES,WHICH LOOKED GOOD FOR BEING NEARLY 15 YEARS OLD EACH. I KNOW THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT GM APPARENTLY PUT POOR QUALITY LINES ON VARIOUS VEHICLES. WE RARELY DRIVE IT ON SALTY ROADS IN THE WINTER,AND WHEN WE DO,WE REGULARLY DO A UNDERCARRIAGE WASH,WHICH WASN'T AVAILABLE WHEN WE HAD THE 2 PREVIOUS FORD CARS. IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THE LINES PUT ON THESE VEHICLES ARE JUNK. THEY PUT ON A EXHAUST THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE,BUT PUT ON INFERIOR BRAKE LINES WHICH ARE A SAFETY ISSUE,GO FIGURE. AFTER SEEING HOW GM STONEWALLED AND BRUSHED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE,AND NOW THIS BRAKE LINE ISSUE,ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M GOING BACK TO A FORD. I ALWAYS DO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE,BUT THESE BRAKE LINES CAUGHT ME WAY OFF GUARD. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF BRAKE LINES OVER THE YEARS BUT NONE THIS SOON. I AM GOING TO ADVERTISE THIS TO ANY GM OWNER TO CHECK SEE IF THEY HAVE CRAPPY BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10625704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. ALL BRAKE HARD LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10621495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX 30 MPH, BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN ANTICIPATION OF A RED LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL HESITATED, THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE BRAKES RUPTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUST. CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10621572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AS I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE.. SO AS I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT IT WAS, 1 BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION AN SPLIT. ANOTHER LINE CLOSE TO SPLITTING. ALL 4 RUSTED BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10616851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT STOP SIGN AND BAKE LINE BETWEEN MASTER CYLINDER AND PROP VALVE RUPTURED INSTANTLY DRAINING BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN NO BRAKING. STOPPED VEHICLE WITH PARKING BRAKE. UPON INSPECTION, DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AS A RESULT OF BEING MOUNTED ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL WHERE DIRT, SALT AND MOISTURE COLLECT FROM FRONT WHEEL SPRAY.
NHTSA complaint #10609165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.