NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES AND OEM UNCOATED CARBON STEEL BRAKE LINES. *M THE CONSUMER STATED GM WITHHELD MATERIAL FACTS CONCERNING DURAMAX LB7 DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES IN VIOLATION OF MISSOURI MERCHANDISING PRACTICES ACT AT THE TIME OF SALE AND DELIVERY. *JS
I WAS DRIVING IN APPOMATTOX VA WHEN I STEP ON BREAK I HAD NO BREAKS. TWO OF LINES HAD BUST.
STEEL BRAKE LINES TO ABS CONTROL AND OTHER STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING, MUST BE REPLACED BEFORE BRAKES FAIL.
APPROACHED CORNER AND PRESSED BRAKES TO TURN. PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST RAN INTO A CAR TURNING AND I HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ABS KICKED IN; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION. THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A WHEEL BEARING SENSOR FAILURE. THE ENTIRE WHEEL BEARING WITH THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
MULTIPLE TIMES STOPPING ABOUT 4-5 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT, MY VEHICLES ABS SYSTEM KICKS ON AND I LOOSE BREAKING POWER.
THE FIRST TIME I LOST ALL BRAKES WAS WHEN I WAS BACKING UP TO A TRALER ON 7/13/15. THE SECOND TIME I WAS HAULING A DUMP TRAILER WITH ROCK AND LOST ALL BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO COAST TO A STOP. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS TAKEN TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACED, ONLY TO LOSE MY BRAKES AGAIN 40 DAYS LATER! THIS TIME IT WAS MY FRONT BRAKE LINE. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS? I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. I HAVE 3 YOUNG CHILDREN AND I CAN'T TRUST YOUR VEHICLE WITH THEIR LIVES OR MINE!
DRIVING TO PICK UP MY SON FROM WORK ON SIDE STREETS,TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH WHEN MY BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR.ALMOST REAR ENDED CAR AT STOP SIGN. GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND FOUND LARGE SPOT UNDER MY TRUCK,BRAKE FLUID. HAD IT TOWED TO BRAKE SHOP AND MECHANIC INFORMED ME MY BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTING THOUGH AND NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. ALSO TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS WITH 3 OR 4 OTHER CHEVY TRUCKS LATELY. FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS AFTER TELLING MY STORY. HEARD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS..I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW & HAVE HAD IT RUST PROOFED 12 TIMES. THANK YOU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. MA 10/19/2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO ROAD VENTURES A/T TIRS, SIZE 245/75 R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT DECREASED THE SPEED TO 10 MPH AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW UP. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW UP. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION AT 9PM AS I EXITED TRUCK , I SMELLED DEISEL FUEL. TOOK A FLASHLIGHT AND LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND SAW DIESEL DRIPPING OFF FRAME RAIL ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE. I SPENT THE NEXT 5 HOURS AFFECTING A TEMPORARY FIX ON THE METAL FUEL LINE TO STOP THE LEAK OVERNIGHT. AS I RAN MY THUMB ALONG THE FUEL LINE IN AN EFFORT TO ISOLATE THE EXACT SPOT OF THE LEAK, THE LEAK WENT FROM A DRIP, DRIP, ETC TO A PINHOLE STREAM. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO DENT FROM EXTERNAL CONTACT OF ANY KIND. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND WE DO NOT LIVE IN AN AREA OF MUCH WINTER WEATHER ( SALT CORROSION ). THE NEXT DAY AFTER A 3 MILE WALK TO PURCHASE SOME HOSE REPAIR CLAMPS, I IMPROVISED A STURDY PATCH WHICH ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME MORE THAN 2 HOURS AWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND WILL BE TAKING THE TRUCK TO A DEALER MONDAY 7/24. THE REP I SPOKE WITH AT CHEVY SPENT MOST OF THE CONVERSATION TELLING ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE THAT THE REPAIRS WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY. THAT'S FINE BUT I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THEM. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. IT IS A DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED PART THAT COULD EASILY RESULT IN FIRE, ACCIDENTS AND EVEN BODILY HARM OR THE LOSS OF LIFE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR A LEAKING METAL FUEL LINE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED IN ANY WAY AT ALL. FROM THE INTERNET FORUMS FOR DURAMAX OWNERS I SEE THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I ASSURE THERE ARE MANY LESS THAN SAFE IMPROVISED FIXES ON THESE LOUSY FUEL LINES ON THE ROADS AS WE SPEAK BECAUSE GM IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SHAMEFUL AND INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE METAL BRAKE LINES AS WELL. I LIKE MY TRUCK A GREAT DEAL, HOWEVER THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THERE ARE ALOT UNSUSPECTING FOLKS DRIVING AROUND DANGEROUSLY. THANKS
WHILE DRIVING ON TWO LANE COUNTRY HIGHWAY AT 55MPH LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WENT OFF. AFTER A FEW SCARY SECONDS I WAS ABLE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. I TRIED SEVERAL THINGS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. I PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION DEFECTIVE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. INTERNET TELLS ME I AM ONE OF MANY.
ABS STOPPED BRAKE PEDAL FROM GOING DOWN. BY THE TIME I LIFTED AND PUMPED AGAIN VEHICLE STRUCK YOUNG GIRL. TRAVEL WAS ABOUT SIX FEET. THERE IS A RECALL IN OTHER STATES BUT NOT KY.
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:20 PM NATCHEZ RAILWAY EMPLOYEES [XXX] WERE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE #1828 WHICH WAS BEING STORED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE NATCHEZ DEPOT. VEHICLE #1828 IS A 2002 CHEVROLET 2500 PICKUP TRUCK WITH VIN #[XXX] AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN FROM THE GRENADA RAILWAY APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS PRIOR. [XXX] WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE DEAD. WHEN HE PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE LATCH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ACTIVATED WITH A LARGE BANG AND THE CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS FILLED WITH A WHITE POWDER. [XXX] SUFFERED A SLIGHT RINGING IN THE EARS FROM THE NOISE. A CHECK WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS WEBSITE INDICATES THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY RECALLS, ESPECIALLY FOR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95⁰ F WITH 60% HUMIDITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR OVER TWO WEEKS WITH THE DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED. DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURES DURING THIS PERIOD HAVE BEEN IN THE 95⁰ TO 100⁰ RANGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS STARTING OUT OF DRIVEWAY ON SLIGHT SLOPE. APPLIED BRAKES AND ANTILOCK SYSTEM KICKED IN. UNDER 5MPH. ROLLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A TRUCK HAD TO VEER TO AVOID COLLISION WITH US. BECAME AWARE THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS IN KENTUCKY. #05V379000 RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO KY BECAUSE OF SALT FOR SNOW AND GRAVEL ROADS.
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I ATTEMPTED TO STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC TRAVELING ALONG THE ROUTE I WAS ENTERING. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE THE PEDDLE WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN TIME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WITH A TRASH TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING ALONG THAT ROUTE. USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY SAFELY AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING JUST UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. MY VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAIN AND I AM OFTEN COMPLEMENTED FOR THE CARE I TAKE OF BOTH IT'S APPEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE. THE IS NO OTHER AREA OF THIS VEHICLE THAT IS RUSTED AND THE UNDERNEATH OF THIS VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO ANY TYPE OF EXCESS WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE IS NO REASON THESE LINES SHOULD HAVE FAILED LIKE THIS. I HAVE BEEN AN ASE CERTIFIED AUTO TECH FOR BRAKES AND CAN TELL YOU THAT IS IS NOT COMMON TO CHECK THE LINES OVER THE TOP OF THE FRAME DURING ROUTINE BRAKE INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE, ONLY TO CHECK FOR SIGNS OF LEAKS IN NORMAL LINE LOCATIONS AND SOFT LINES, CALIPERS AND OTHER HARDWARE RELATED TO THE WHEEL AREA.
2002 CHEV. 1500 SILV. PURCH. 2001 TX.ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON ST UNDER 5MPH,BROUGHT TO MECHANIC.,BRAKE PADS, AND TIRES.SOUTHEAST TEXAS HOT AND VERY HUMID, LAWS OF NATURE, AIRBAGS ARE NO GOOD IN EITHER VEHICLE.(SHE HAS A SON AGE 14, AND 3YR OLD GRL).AXIL IS RUSTY WORRIED THAT IT MIGHT BREAK.GOD IS WITH ALL OF US ,HIS INTENTIONS ARE ALWAYS GOOD. GOD PROTECTED HER AND HER CHIILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE THUS SO FAR..\& WE DESIRE TO PROTECT THIER CHILDREN AND YOU KNOW THIS, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GO THROUGH UNFORTUNATE TRAGEDYS SUCH AS DIVORCE, HEALTH, ETC.A SINGLE, NO MONEY THAT WANTS SAFETY FOR THER CHILDREN AND WORK .CHEVY SILVERADO BROUGHT NEW PAID OFF LESS THAN 3YR. HER 1994 FORD MUSTANG (WAS INSURED FARMERS)PURCHASED IN 1997.ABS BRAKES FAILED, TRANSMISION PROB.& ENGINE REPLACED. TRUCK( GEICO INS) UNDRIVABLE BECAUSE OFELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ABS,RUSTY BRAKE LINES, RUSTY AXILS,LEAK IN THE LINE,NO HORN, DOORS DO NOT SEAL WATER LEAK, PAINT FADED,EVEN TOOLS CAN NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS.SHE HAS A COLLEGE DEGREE AND LIVING IN A HOME SHE BOUGHT (BEFORE THE TRAGEDY )WHEN SHE WORKED.(HELPING OTHERS AT HERMAN MEMORIAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL BEAUMONT BEHAVIOR CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS, MEHAFFY WEBER LAW FIRM, CHRISTUS ST.MARYS HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT CENTER, PORT ARTHUR ANIMAL CLINIC,PORT ARTHUR NEWS PAPER, PNG ISD AS A SUB-TEACHER,SPINDLETOP MHMR AND FAMILY SERVICES WOMANS AND CHILDRENS SHELTER. SHE HAS VOLUNTEERED AT 3 RIVERS COUNCIL FOR BOYSCOUTS OF AMERICA AND EVEN GRADULATED WITH THE WO HE LO MEDALION IN BOYS AND GIRLS CAMPFIRE SCOUTS WHEN SHE WAS 15.)SHE HAS REACHED OUT FOR HELP, AND NO ONE LISTENS....LIKE SHE DOES. EVEN THOUGH SHE IS DOWN FOR THE SEASON, SHE CONTINUES TO HELPS OTHERS BY SHOWING OTHERS THAT GOD IS GOOD HE IS REAL & ALIVE.WE R ALL GODS CHILDREN.PLEASE NHTSA, WHAT CAN BE DONE? -K
ABOUT 165,000 MILES BRAKE PEDAL STARTED TO PULSATE AT LOW SPEED WHEN STOPPING.STARTED OUT ONLY WHEN I WOULD BE TURNING LEFT,NOW DOES IT GOING STAIGHT,ABOUT 170,000 MILES NOW.HAD NEW CALIPER ON DRIVER SIDE,NEW HUB ASSEMBLIE AND SENSOR ON PASSENGER SIDE,BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSHED,STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING,DOES NOT MATTER WHAT KIND OF ROAD I'M ON.
I LOST THE BRAKES. THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY PULLING OFF THE ROAD. AFTER RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR CHEVY SUBURBANS.
WENT TO START TRUCK. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL. TRUCK STARTED, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TOOK FOOT OFF PEDAL. LET TRUCK RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES TO SEE IF BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. IT DID NOT. TURNED OFF TRUCK. CHECKED AROUND TRUCK. FOUND BRAKE FLUID UNDER TRUCK BY RIGHT REAR TIRE. CHECK BRAKE LINE NEAR LEFT REAR TIRE. IT IS IN BAD SHAPE AND WILL LIKELY FAIL SOON. TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, HAD FRONT LINE FAIL BELOW DRIVER'S SEAT. REPLACED FRONT LINES. REAR LINES DID NOT LOOK TOO BAD AT THE TIME. WITH ALL NEW TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, CHEVY IS NOW USING INFERIOR MATERIAL. DUST GUARDS AROUND REAR BRAKES OF THIS TRUCK ARE COMPLETELY GONE ON BOTH SIDES. EVERYTHING IS RUSTING. HAD 1975 BUICK ESTATE WAGON FOR 22 YRS. IT WAS IN BETTER SHAPE WHEN I SOLD IT THAN THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. CHEVY COULD DO ALL THE CORPORATE DOUBLE SPEAK THEY WANT. FACT IS THIS RUST ISSUE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE A LITTLE OLDER AND NEWER 1500 AND ALL HAVE BRAKE LINE ISSUES AND VARYING DEGREES OF RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I SEE WHERE OTHERS HAVE REGISTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT NOTHING WILL GET DONE UNTIL THERE ARE SERIOUS INJURIES. (I SEE WHERE YOU WANT A DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER. IF YOU CALL FROM A PHONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A NHTSA ID, YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE A VOICEMAIL.) UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ UPDATED 10/27/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,610.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL. UNABLE TO STOP, THE SILVERADO CRASHED DIRECTLY INTO AN ADVERTISING SIGN. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE SILVERADO, MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE ADVERTISING SIGN, AND NO INJURIES TO THE DRIVER OR TWO CHILDREN. FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT ACTIVATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND PART OF A GM RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000).
I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALER, WITH 230,000 MILES ON SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AS I BRAKED TO STOP THE PEDDLE WOULD STIFFEN AND PURR... AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RUNNING INTERSECTIONS AND PARKING SPOTS. CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. II LEARNED THIS WAS RELATED TO BRAKE ANTILOCK SYSTEM. DEALER SAID THEY DONE THE RECALL PROCEDURE TO CLEAN SENSORS AND AVOIDED ANY FURTHER CONCERNE EXPRESSED. I CHECKED WITH OTHER DEALERS WHO HAD THE SAME DENIAL REACTION, THE INITIAL DEALER HAD DONE CHECKS TO ALL CHASIS AND COMPONANT CHECKS, I NOTICED A MILD GROWL WHEN IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BUT DROVE WELL OTHERWISE. I INSPECTED THE WHEEL SENSORS AND THEY WERE CLEAN I LEARNED THE RELUCTOR RING WHICH TRIGGERS THE SENSORS ARE WITHIN THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS I HAD ONE OIL SERVICE DONE BY ANOTHER GARAGE WHO DID A 21 POINT CHECK BUT NEGLECTED TO TELL ME OF THE APPARENT WEAR. AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN MONTHS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A EXTREME GROWL, I THEN HAD IT CHECKED BY A SERVICE GARAGE WHO CLEARLY IDENIFIED THE EVIDENT WEAR ON BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, I HAD THE BEARINGS BOTH CHANGED ALONG WITH A LOWER BALL JOINT ALONG WITH BOTH FRONT AXLE SHAFTS, DUE TO MILD LEAKING BOOTS. THIS THEM STOPPED THE HARD PEDDLE AND BRAKE FAILURE WHEN STOPPING. THE DEALER KNEW OF THE WEAR AND IGNORED THE DANGER. THE DEALER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION . THE TRUCK DOES DRIVE WELL NOW. BUT I STILL HAVE A VERY MILD GROWL IN THE LEFT FRONT,BUT WITH THE AXLES NEW THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DRIVE CASE, ONLY WHEN IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. ( WHILE THE BRAKE PROBLEM EXISTED I ADJUSTED MY DRIVING PRACTICE AND LIMITED MY USE OF VEHICLE.)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED DISPLAYED AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE FLAMES WERE INSIDE THE CABIN, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BUT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY UNLOCK. THE SEAT BELT FINALLY UNLOCKED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DOOR EVENTUALLY UNLOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,433.
AS I WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE INDICATOR LIGHT SAID, ENGINE OVERHEATED. I THEN NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE WHITE SMOKE TURNED BLACK. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BEFORE I COULD SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. FIRE BEGAN COMING UP WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE LOCATED AND PROCEEDED THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. I TRIED TO UNLATCH MY SEAT BELT BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT RELEASED. I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR; HOWEVER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN. AFTER BUMPING THE DOOR FORCIBLY MANY TIMES, IT ALSO CAME OPEN. MIND YOU, ALL THE WHILE THE FLAMES ARE COMING INSIDE THE CAB. I CALLED 911 AND THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED, BUT NOT BEFORE IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE TO PREVENT THIS FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN?
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE LINES THE HAVE RUSTED, BRAKES HOSES THAT HAVE GONE BAD AND THIS VEHICLE IS WELL KEPT AND INSIDE. LOW MILES FOR A 2002 AND YET ALL AT ONCE EVERYTHING WENT BAD INCLUDING MY FUEL SENSOR FOR THE GAS GUAGE.
UNLOADING MY BOAT, BRAKE PEDDLE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR,DIDNNT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, NO LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH, SECONDARY BREAKS DIDNT WORK EITHER, HELD WITH PARKING BRAKE.
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO HITCH UP MY TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN SINKING TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED AWAY FROM THE CAMPER AND TRIED TO PARK AWAY FROM IT AND LOST ALL BRAKE PRESSURE AND COLLIDED WITH MY GARAGE. *TR
RUSTY BRAKE LINE BROKE. LOST BRAKE CONTROL FOR ENTIRE VEHICLE. *TR
4 BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS
WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND FORTUNATELY AT LOW SPEED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE DEVELOPED A MAJOR LEAK. DESPITE GM'S CLAIM THAT AN INCIDENT SUCH AS THIS DOES NOT RESULT IN INADEQUATE BRAKING, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE TRUCK. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES YIELDED CONSIDERABLE CORROSION IN OTHER AREAS. CONTACTING THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK REVEALED THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRUCK. THE DEALER ALSO MADE NOTE THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER REPLACING THE FUEL LINES. CONTACTING GENERAL MOTORS YIELDED THE RESPONSE THAT THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST ME. I DO CONSIDER OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO BE MAINTENANCE ITEMS, NOT THE BRAKE LINES. BRAKE LINE FAILURE CAN RESULT IN IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. MY EXHAUST SYSTEM IS THE SAME AGE AS MY BRAKE LINES AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION DESPITE THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE AS MY BRAKE LINES. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LS HD2500, ORIGINAL OWNER PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2002, CURRENTLY HAVE 71,000 MILE, BEAUTIFUL TRUCK VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT BEING FILED ON THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING MY BRAKES. MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS FILED IN MARCH OF 2014, WHEN MY BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND I WAS LEFT WITH NO BRAKES. AFTER SEARCHING ON-LINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THERE IS A RECALL ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. MY COMPLAINT TODAY ALSO HAS TO DO WITH MY BRAKES. ONCE AGAIN, I FOUND THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES HAVE A RECALL, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM . THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO NOT WORK. IF I WANTED TO STOP, I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN TO STOP, I WOULD HAVE TO BRAKE HARD TO STOP MY VEHICLE, IF I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP, MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE, CAUSING MY BRAKES TO NOT WORK. I DID CONTACT GM, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE BECAUSE MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH SOME OF MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAD A RECALL NOTICE. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A BULLETIN OUT INFORMING THE DEALER HOW TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS THE BRAKE SYSTEM, VERY DANGEROUS, COULD BE FATAL. NOT SURE WHY THIS ISN'T A PRIORITY TO RESOLVE.
WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING REAL SLOW OR PARKING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN MAKING I DIFFICULT TO STOP. I TALKED TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME. ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME DESIGN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE RECALLED ON RECALL #05V37900, THE SAY MY TRUCK IS NOT COVERED. *TR
ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO WHEN I PUSHED MY BRAKES THEY FELT SPONGY AND WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I COULD SMELL BRAKE FLUID.TODAY I WENT TO MOVE THE TRUCK TO CHECK IT OUT. THE BRAKES WERE EVEN MORE SPONGY,SO I PUSHED THEM HARD AND THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK.THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, SO I HAD TO USE THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP THE TRUCK. IT MUST HAVE SPRUNG A SMALL LEAK TWO DAYS AGO WHEN I NOTICED THE FLUID SMELL AND SPONGY FEEL.GOOD THING I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN IT BURST TODAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED. *TR
RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES ALONG FRAME RAIL ON MY 2002 SILVERADO 4 X 4. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED. THIS TRUCK I PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAS NEVER SEEN ANY WINTER WEATHER UNTIL 2013. I WAS INVOLVED IN A UNRELATED ACCIDENT IN JAN. 2013 AND THE TRUCK SAT AT A BODY SHOP UNTIL THE END OF MAY 2013. THIS YEAR I HAD TO USE MY TRUCK. SHOULD A BRAKE LINE HAVE RUSTED THRU PREMATURELY? I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK GM SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAILURE AND REIMBURSE ALL PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS SUBSTANDARD PART FAILURE. *TR
WENT TO GET SAFETY CHECK, MECHANIC NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERCARRIAGE AND NOTICED LEAK IN BRAKE LINE. BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND RUSTY WITH PUNCTURE. *TR
BRAKE LINE UNDER DRIVER SIDE FRAME ARE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND ONE RUPTURED AND MY BRAKES TO FAIL ABOUT 90 % COULD BARELY COME TO A STOP. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND APPLIED MY BRAKES. I COULD FEEL THE ABS SYSTEM FUNCTIONING AS I WAS ON A SNOW-COVERED ROAD. AFTER ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS OF ABS ACTIVATION, THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST ALL PRESSURE AND CONTINUED TO THE FLOORBOARD. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND COULD SEE THE BRAKE LINE LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT, SQUIRTING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE GROUND EACH TIME I ENGAGED THE BRAKE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING , HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, APPLED THE BRAKE PEDDLE HARD, BRAKES APPLED THEN WENT DOWN TO TO FLOOR. BRAKE LINES BEHINE THE CAB RUPTURD, DO TO BADLY RUSTED LINES. *TR
WENT TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO SWERVE NOT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND SWERVE AGAIN NOT TO KILL THE GUY WALKING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE I HAVE DRIVEN LOTS OF CAR INTO THE GROUND NEVER HAS THIS EVEN BEEN A THOUGHT. ALL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 1100 DOLLARS LATER! *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT O'HARE AIRPORT TERMINAL 5 I WENT TO STOP FOR THE LIGHT AND THERE WAS A BRIEF SECOND WHERE THE BRAKES ACTED NORMALLY AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD MAYBE 10% BRAKING POWER. I HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THROUGH THE RED LIGHT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THE BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE GAS TANK RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. *TR
3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF MANIFOLD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE BRAKES PULSATED WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET WHEEL BEARING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WORKED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS NOT OFFERED A REMEDY. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN
AS I WAS DRIVING I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. AS I APPLIED THEM, THE PEDAL NEVER OFFERED MUCH RESISTANCE AND EVENTUALLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SUSPECTED THAT A FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED SO I GOT OFF THE STREET AS QUICKLY AS I COULD. I EXAMINED THE INSIDE OF ALL OF THE WHEELS WHERE I THOUGHT THAT BRAKE FLUID MIGHT BE EVIDENT. THERE WAS NONE TO BE SEEN. I LIMPED HOME WITH THE VEHICLE AND EXAMINED IT MORE CLOSELY. THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK UNDER THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE IN A RIGID BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT GM HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR RUSTED BRAKE LINES. IN MY OPINION THESE LINES SHOULD BE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIAL TO BE FOUND. GM, HOWEVER, MUST NOT THINK THAT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS WARRANTS ANY BETTER MATERIALS THAN THE RUST PRONE METAL THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE MANUFACTURED FROM. *TR
MY CAR IS OLD BUT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, AND I KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENTS. I CAME OUT OF WALMART AFTER BUYING GROCERIES AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY START. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF SITTING IN THE CAR TRYING TO GET IT TO START IT FINALLY STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CLEANED THE BATTERY CABLES IN HOPES OF RELIEVING THE PROBLEM. NOW A WEEK LATER IT DID IT AGAIN 2 TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. *TR
I T-BONED A MINI VAN THAT FAILED TO TO YIELD ON A TURN AT 35 MPH, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. ...UPDATED 03/31/15 *BF UPDATED 6/22/2015*JS
I OWN A 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO, AND I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES FAIL ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES THE FIRST TIME I ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE WAS IN EARLY JANUARY WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN I HAD NO BRAKES AND MY VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE STREET LUCKILY I WASN'T GO VERY FAST AND THERE WERE NO CARS COMING SO I DIDN'T GET HIT. THE REPAIRS COST ME 175$, THAT WAS REPAIRING THE PROBLEM TO BARE MINIMUM (SINGLE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT). AFTER I FIXED THAT ISSUE I RAN INTO ANOTHER PROBLEM, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WILL NOW SPONTANEOUSLY TURN ON WHEN I COME TO A STOP, IT RESULTED IN A THREE CAR CRASH, I WAS GOING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I PULLED MY TRUCK FORWARD I TRIED TO STOP AND THE ABS LOCKED UP MY TRUCKS BRAKES (NOT SLIPPERY OUT) AND FORCED ME TO HIT TWO OTHER VEHICLES, ONE WAS MAJORLY DAMAGED AND ANOTHER WITH MINOR YET STILL SEVERE DAMAGE, THIS ACCIDENT ENDED WITH ME PAYING MORE IN INSURANCE AND HAVING TO FIX THE DAMAGES ON MY OWN VEHICLE OUT OF POCKET. I WILL ALSO IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE NEED TO REPLACE ALL MY BRAKE LINES BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OF FAILING AND I AM BEING PRICED NEAR 900$ FOR THE REPAIRS, I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH THE ABS PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT, THE BRAKES ARE COSTING ME A LOT OF MONEY AND HARDSHIP. *TR
DROVE TO MILAN, MI FROM YPSILANTI, MI. TO LOOK IN ON SISTER IN LAW WHO IS INCAPACITATED DUE TO BROKEN FEMUR FROM FALL. BRAKES FELT MUSHY AS I SLOWED TO ENTER HER DRIVEWAY. AFTER ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED I APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TRIED PUMPING BRAKES WITH NO RESULT. THREW SHIFTER INTO REVERSE TO KEEP FROM PLOWING INTO SISTER IN LAWS VEHICLE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED EARLIER ON THE BUSY ROAD LEADING INTO TOWN I WOULD HAVE SURELY HAD AN ACCIDENT. FOUND BRAKE LINES BADLY RUSTED AND BOTH LINES LEAKING THAT RUN FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ANTILOCK MODULE MOUNTED TO FRAME UNDER DRIVERS AREA. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THESE TWO SAFETY SENSITIVE LINES ARE MADE OF UN PROTECTED STEEL AS OPPOSED TO COPPER NICKEL AND ARE RUN OUT OF THE PROTECTED UNDER HOOD AREA TO THE HIGH CORROSION PRONE UNDERBODY TO MEET THE INAPPROPRIATELY PLACED ANTILOCK MODULE. TWO YEARS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF THIS TRUCK GM HEAVILY ADVERTISED THE RUST RESISTANT GALVANIZED PANELS THEY WERE USING IN THEIR TRUCKS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THEY QUIETLY REMOVED THIS RUST PROTECTION. I HAVE ORDERED NEW BREAK LINES TO TOTALLY REPLACE ALL METAL LINES ON THIS, MY LAST CHEVY TRUCK. I CAN ONLY WONDER HOW MANY FATALITIES HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS OFTEN REFERENCED CONDITION. THE DIFFICULTY WILL BE IN EVER PROVING THE CAUSE AND AFFECT (EFFECT) OF THESE ACCIDENTS SINCE THEY WILL BE SO DEVASTATING IN NATURE, THE DRIVER WILL PROBABLY BE KILLED AND NOT BE ABLE TO TESTIFY ABOUT THE TRUE CAUSE AND ALMOST ALL GM TRUCKS OF THIS VINTAGE (ESPECIALLY IN THE RUST BELT STATES) WILL HAVE BREAK LINES SO RUSTED THAT THEY WILL CRUMBLE IN ALMOST ANY ACCIDENT. MY EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVER WON'T ALWAYS HAVE "SOME" BRAKING ABILITY LEFT ON A LINE FAILURE. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026