Page 3 of 11 · complaints 101–150 of 509

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 201560,000 milesPA

MY CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP (1500 4X4) HAS EXPERIENCED THREE MAJOR BRAKE FAILURES. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER PUMPING A FEW TIMES, THE TRUCK SLOWED BUT WITH LITTLE STOPPING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS ACTIVELY DRIPPING FROM THE LINES. THE SECOND FAILURE WAS ABOUT A YEAR LATER WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS (<5 MPH) WHILE PARKING. AGAIN, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED (COMPLETELY DRY CONDITIONS) WITH ESSENTIALLY NO STOPPING POWER (ABS ACTIVATION BUT NO BRAKING POWER). THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THE TRUCK DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO EFFECTIVELY STOP (THANK GOODNESS THE CAR IN THE PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY WAS UNOCCUPIED). AFTER BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER (TWICE), THE PROBLEM JUST OCCURRED AGAIN (APPROX. 2 YEARS LATER). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2015115,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SPEED SENSOR ERRATIC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2015112,325 milesNY

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

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 201576,500 milesIL

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

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 2015150,000 milesKY

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

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 2015123,541 milesIL

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

Electrical System
Filed Jan 27, 2015NM

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

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 29, 2014126,000 milesMI

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

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2014101,630 milesDE

BRAKES STARTED TO SLIP WHEN APPLIED, TAKEN TO SHOP REPORTED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2014162,000 milesTN

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILS TO WORK, IT HAS HAD THE PADS REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CONTINUES TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 8, 2014125,000 milesOH

I HAD REPLACED ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE LAST YEAR AND HAD BRAKES WORKED ON THIS YEAR AND LAST AND REPLACED BRAKE PADS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED BEFORE, ON A TRIP TO MY DAUGHTERS MY BRAKES STARTED TO GO OUT. THEY WERE COMPLETELY OUT BY THE TIME I REACHED HER CORNER. I HAD TO HAVE ALL NEW BRAKE LINES AND ROTORS AND PADS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE ONLY 6,000 MILES ON THE PADS. I ALSO HAD RUSTPROOFED THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE UNDERBODY AND CARRIAGE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2002. IT'S A RUST BUCKET DESPITE THE EXTRA PROTECTION. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE WAS RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS OUT AND THEY FUEL LINES ARE RUSTED AS WELL. WHAT GETS ME IS I PAID SO MUCH EXTRA FOR EXTRA RUST PROOFING. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THROUGH THIS BAD AT ONLY 125000 MILES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE IS PLACED WHERE THE RUST CAN GET AT IT RIGHT UNDER THE CHASSIS PART UNPROTECTED. SO MUCH FOR SAFETY. THAT WENT OUT AT ABOUT 75000 MILES BUT JUST GOT IT REPLACED AT 100000 MILES OR SO. THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FUEL LINES ARE A JOKE ON THIS VEHICLE. I USED TO MAKE AND INSPECT AND TEST THEM AT A FACTORY AND THESE WOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED INSPECTION FOR CORROSION TEST. BUT THEY WEREN'T MADE THERE. THE FACTORY IS CLOSED. NO UNION WAGES EITHER, BUT WE DID GOOD WORK NOT THIS GARBAGE. IT COST OVER $500 FOR MODULE AND IT COST 2500 FOR THE REST OF BRAKE JOB. AND NOW THE FUEL LINES AND PUMP AND FILTER WILL COST OVER $1000. PLUS MY TRUCK BODY IS RUSTING THROUGH ON THE ROCKER P

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2014114,271 milesMO

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION. THEY FOUND THAT THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WERE LEAKING. FORTUNATELY THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED IN THE SHOP, AVOIDING A POSSIBLY CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I HAD THE FRONT LINES REPLACED BY THE SHOP AT A COST OF $581.50, AND I AM REPLACING THE REAR LINES MYSELF. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM AS IT RELATES TO PREVIOUS REQUESTS TO GM BY THE NHTSA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2014110,000 milesNH

CRESTED A SMALL HILL TO SEE A RED LIGHT WITH THREE CARS IN LINE. I DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED USING THE PARKING BRAKE AFTER SWERVING INTO EMPTY LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE LINE OF CARS FROM BEHIND. UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT WAS BLOWN IN THE PIPING JUST AFT OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP A LARGE TRUCK WITH EMPTY BED USING ONLY THE REAR BRAKES AS THEY LOCK UP EASILY. THERE SEEMED TO BE NO BRAKE POWER USING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH IS WHY THE PARKING PEDAL WAS USED. EVEN WITH A FUNCTIONAL PARKING BRAKE, THE "FAILSAFE" OF HAVING ONLY ONE CIRCUIT IS NEARLY USELESS GIVEN AN EMPTY TRUCK BED (LOW REAR-WHEEL TRACTION) AND A LOSS OF PRESSURE ON THE FRONT CIRCUIT. IN MY OPINION, LOSING THE FRONT BRAKES ON A TRUCK IS CATASTROPHIC. IN ANY EVENT, IN MY CASE, THE SUPPOSED FAIL-SAFE EITHER DID NOT WORK OR WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL. ALL OF THE HARD LINES (FUEL AND BRAKE) ON THIS VEHICLE ARE EXTREMELY CORRODED AND ARE BEING REPLACED WITH STAINLESS. THIS CAR SPENT THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF ITS LIFE IN OKLAHOMA AND MISSOURI (WHERE LITTLE TO NO SALT IS USED) AND MOVED TO NH IN 2006. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE ROCKER PANEL IS ALSO RUSTED THROUGH AND THE FRAME HAS VERY SIGNIFICANT RUST, ESPECIALLY ON THE LEAF SPRING HANGERS. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT I WILL NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN 4WD UNTIL I REPLACE IT. THIS VEHICLE SEEMS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUST, ESP

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2014172,000 milesGA

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH TOWN APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR TRIED TO PUMP THEM AS FAST AS POSSIBLE TO NOT GET INTO A COLLISION WITH CAR SITTING AT THE RED LIGHT. DID AN AVOIDANCE MANEUVER INTO RIGHT TURN LANE WAS UNABLE TO STOP TRUCK AND NARROWLY MISSED ONCOMING TRAFFIC TURNING LEFT AS I APPROACHED THE CORNER, I SHIFTED TRANSMISSION INTO LOW GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP TRUCK. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND FOUND BRAKE LINE RUPTURED BELOW DRIVERS SEAT HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES DUE TO CORROSION .WAS INFORMED BY MECHANICS REPAIRING THE RUPTURED LINE COULD BREAK SURROUNDING LINES AS THEY WERE ALL CORRODED AS WELL. SO THEY REPLACED ALL BRAKELINES AND ALL PISTON CALIPERS AS WELL BECAUSE FERRUL NUTS WERE RUSTED INTO CALIPERS. $1600 DOLLAR REPAIR. LINES AND CALIPERS (4). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 2014132,000 milesOH

DRIVER SWERVED IN FRONT OF TWO CARS IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING THEM TO BRAKE HARD. WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AT 70 MPH. I SWERVED IN TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I KEPT THE PEDAL PRESSED AND ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE DOWN SHIFTING THE TRUCK FROM DRIVE TO 3, 2 THEN 1ST. I THEN PLACED THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND GOT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. UPON INSPECTION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I FOUND ONE OF THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINES HAD BURST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2014150,034 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING ON US RT 202 THE LIGHT AHEAD OF ME TURNED RED SO I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. I HAD LOST BRAKE PRESSURE. RAN THE RED LIGHT WHERE I ALMOST T-BONED ANOTHER CAR, RIGHT IN FRONT OF A POLICE OFFICE. AFTER AVOIDING THE CRASH I PARKED ON THE SIDE GOT OUT AND SAW BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AREA. THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED DUE TO RUST. I AND OTHER MOTORISTS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED FOR AN ISSUE THAT BOTH GM AND THE NHTSA KNOW ABOUT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 8, 2014100,000 milesWA

IGNITION SWITCH WON'T START ENGINE. REPLACED SWITCH AND HAD NO IMPROVEMENT. TURNING KEY SEVERAL TIMES MAY RESULT IN STARTING OR NOT. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DELAY IN IGNITION WHEN IT DOES START. AN ON-LINE REVIEW SHOWS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN I OR MY WIFE USES VEHICLE TO SHOP AND RISKS BEING SUBJECT TO PREDATORS IN PARKING LOTS WHEN TRUCK WON'T START. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2014168,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD SUDDENLY RETRACT AND PREVENT THE CONTACT FROM MOVING. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS PUMP MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 201452,500 milesOH

WHILE TRAVELING AT 25MPH AND COMING TO A SLIGHT ABRUPT STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL TO STOP. THE VEHICLE CAME SLOWLY TO A STOP WITH STEAM RISING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON PULLING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND UPON INSPECTION, IT APPEARS AS IF ONE OF THE METALLIC (ASSUMING STEEL) BRAKE LINES FEEDING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS BLOCK HAD BURST. NO INDICATION LIGHTS ON THE DASH OF A BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE OR LOW PRESSURE ALERT FOR THE SYSTEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED/RUSTED. UPON DISCUSSING WITH A REPUTABLE AUTO SHOP, THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE AND THAT A REPAIR TO REPLACE THE LINES MAY BE REQUIRED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION AND IF THE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THIS SAFETY SYSTEM WERE NON-CORROSIVE; THIS WOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 201471,758 milesPA

WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT APPROX 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMPLY "POPPED" AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE IT TO A STOP BETWEEN THE VERY LITTLE BRAKING LEFT, DOWNSHIFTING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MECHANIC DETERMINED ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 19, 201485,479 milesPA

BEGAN TO SMELL GAS AND COULD VISUAL SEE FUEL LEAKING FROM IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL TANK. MECHANIC CONFIRMED FUEL WERE LEAKING DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 2014135,000 milesWI

THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES OR DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO STOP. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TRUCK CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. PUMPING THE BRAKES DOES NOT WORK. PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL OR RAMMING IT IN PARK IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT. I ALMOST RAN SOMEONE OVER TODAY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I CAN NOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION. LOOKING AT THE FORUMS OUT THERE THIS IS A WELL REPORTED PROBLEM YET I HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL. I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY ADDRESS AND HAVE OWNED THIS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF. *TR

Trailer Hitches
Filed Oct 13, 2014120,000 milesMI

MY TOWING HITCH/RECEIVER BROKE WHILE TOWING A TRAILER AND TURNING A CORNER AT 10 MPH, 2 BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE. THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE HITCH WAS SO BADLY RUSTED, IT BROKE, THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT MY TRAILER STAYED BEHIND MY 2 WD TRUCK AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER IN TRAFFIC WHEN IT BROKE. NOW, AFTER THIS HAPPENED, I LEARNED THAT THE 2002 TRUCKS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 2014143,200 milesKY

LEAVING FROM WORK AT THE GREATER CINCINNATI AIRPORT. DRIVING DOWN THE RAMP TO THE STOP SIGN AT DONALDSON RD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE FOR THE STOP SIGN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GO THROUGH THE STOP SIGN ACROSS THE EAST BOUND LANES OF DONALDSON ROAD AND FINALLY STOP BEFORE ENTERING A DITCH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT FIRST, I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS SOME RESIDUAL BRAKING LEFT AND I, SLOWLY, DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES TO MY HOUSE. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL SHOP AND UPON INSPECTION WAS TOLD THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT "ALL" BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. TOTAL BILL WAS OVER 1200 DOLLARS. 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXTENDED CAR/LONG BED 1500. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 6, 2014160,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT WHO REMOVED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2014130,000 milesMD

2002 CHEVY SILVERADO TRUCK WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY I WAS READY TO LEAVE PUSHED ON THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR . LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE FLUID EVERWHERE. NOT ONE LEAK OR ANY SIGN BEFORE. I KNEW WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE I KNOW AT LEAST 4 OTHER PEOPLE WITH CHEVY TRUCKS AND THIER LINES WENT, 1 HAD AN ACCIDENT RUNNING IN TO THE REAR OF A CAR. I HAVE A NEW LINE SET BUT DIDN'T GET TO IN TIME. IF THAY HADN'T FAILED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN INTIERLY DIDERENT WITH MY SON HIS FRIEND AND MYSELF. ONE WOULD THINK THEY WOULD USE A MATERIAL TO WITHSTAND THE ELEMENTS ON BRAKES!!!!! MY WORK TRUCK TRUCK IS A 2001 SILVERADO SO I CHECKED IT AND THERE GONE ALSO. I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET THAT MOST PEPOLE FIX THE LINES AND DON'T REPORT. TO ME THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 25, 201448,460 milesPA

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUSTING BRAKE LINES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 2014268,927 milesMI

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM TOLEDO OHIO TO HOME IN WHITE LAKE MICHIGAN. MY EXIT WAS NORMAL WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY. I APPLIED BRAKES TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN. AS I APPROACHED THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS RED WITH OTHER VEHICLES WAITING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK TO NO AVAIL. RATHER THAN RUNNING IN TO STOPPED CARS I RAN MY TRUCK OFF THE ROAD. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY TRUCK WITHOUT HITTING THE VEHICLES WAITING FOR THE LIGHT. I WENT ONLINE TO REVIEW THIS AND FOUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. ONE COMMENT FROM GM IS THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF A LINE RUPTURES. NOT TRUE. ALSO, SINCE WHEN ARE BRAKE LINES A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. MY MANUAL DOESN'T SAY REPLACE BRAKE LINES EVERY 20,00 MILES OR 5 YEARS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 201490,767 milesIL

WAS LEAVING A PAINTBALL FIELD PARKING LOT. WAS MOVING AT IDLE SPEED OF 5MPH AND WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO HEAR SOMEONE YELLING SOMETHING. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I CONTINUED TO THE STOP SIGN AND THE PEDAL ONCE AGAIN WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO DRIVE 23.5 MILES TO GET BACK HOME USING THE OLD SCHOOL METHOD OF DOWN SHIFTING AND APPLYING THE LITTLE BIT OF BRAKES I HAD LEFT. ****VERY DANGEROUS**** ONCE I GOT HOME I CHECKED MY BRAKE RESERVOIR AND IT WAS HALF FULL. UNDER THE TRUCK INSPECTION SHOWED FLUID FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR ALL THE BACK TO THE REAR END. I COULD NOT SEE WHERE THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM. WILL HAVE TO TAKE TO A MECHANIC AND PAY. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Sep 20, 2014222,000 milesTX

WHERE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTS IN CLUTCH PEDAL ASSY BROKE. WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF GEAR CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE. DAMAGING BUMPER HOOD FENDER HEADLIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND GRILL. CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT CLUTCH BRAKING ISSUES WHILE DRIVING IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE BUT BECAUSE GM SAYS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEY JUST WANT TO SELL US PARTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 201453,000 milesIN

ISSUE WITH THE ABS BRAKES. SOMETIMES THE ABS KICKS IN AND DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO STOP. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 201458,457 milesOH

AT UNDER 60,000 MILES BOTH BRAKE LINES FROM MASTER CYLINDER WERE BADLY RUSTED. ONE LINE FAILED AND THE OTHER WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF FAILURE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND CHEVROLET HAS BEEN RESISTING A RECALL FOR YEARS. THIS TRUCK WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY IN A NON-SALTED ROADS STATE. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH IN UNDER 60,000 MILES. CHEVY TRIES TO CUT COSTS AND SAVE A FEW PENNIES ON A COMPONENT THAT IS CRITICAL TO LIFE SAFETY AND THEY REFUSE TO MAKE IT RIGHT WHEN THEIR COST-CUTTING SCHEME FAILS. MY SECOND AND LAST CHEVY. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 31, 2014183,476 milesPA

HERCULES TIRES 26575R 116 OWL HERCULES TERRA TRAC A/T 11 WORE OUT WITH ONLY 3800 MILES NOT ONLY ONCE BUT TWICE DEALER SAID I IT WAS BAD DRIVING NEVE IN MY 56 YRS DID I HAVE A TIRE WEAR THIS FAST THEY ARE DEATH TRAPS KOST TIRE CHARGE ROAD HAZARD WHEN IT ALL READY CAME WITH THE TIRE AND DID NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM CAN YOU HELP ME ON THIS PLEASE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 201493,000 milesCA

PULLED OUT OF PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED AND STOPPED TO WAIT FOR A RED LIGHT. WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. WHEN LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED SLOWLY AND TESTED THE BRAKES TO FIND THE STOPPING POWER OF THE VEHICLE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO. PULLED OVER IN A SAFE AREA AFTER A FEW BLOCKS AND INSPECTED VEHICLE TO FIND FLUID SPRAYED AROUND FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND DRIPPING FROM BRAKE LINE. SUSPECT SUDDEN BRAKE LINE RUPTURE HAD OCCURRED. DECIDED VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND PARKED IT AWAITING TOW. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 13, 2014138,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 13, 2014NJ

I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A 35MPH ZONE. THE BRAKES INITIALLY WORKED AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD FEEL THE ABS ENGAGE BUT NOT STOP HITTING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE I COULD SMELL THE BRAKE FLUID AND OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING FROM MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURES DEALER. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 5, 2014100,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 22, 2014131,000 milesKY

PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RUSTED BRAKE LINE, GOT TO REPLACE 3 OF THE LINES... *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 21, 2014200,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 344,000. UPDATED 0/8/14*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2014131,800 milesOH

RUSTED BRAKE LINES CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN THE LINE BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITIES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2014124,600 milesMI

BRAKE LINES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED AND FAILED. NO WARNING SIGNS TO MAKE THIS PROBLEM IDENTIFIABLE OR EXPECTED. THE TRUCK WAS IMMEDIATELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR LINES BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS MODULE FAILED, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO HAVE NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 201494,100 milesMO

I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK TOOK A LONG TIME TO STOP. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUSTED BRAKE LINES WHICH ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. ONE LINE WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND SEVERAL OTHER WERE BADLY RUSTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2014105,000 milesCT

PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION ..BREAK LINES RUPTURED AND I DRIFTED OUT INTO THE ROAD BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP. CAR WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH A LOT OF BREAKING FORCE. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2014128,549 milesPA

BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE ALMOST STRIKING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. REMAINING BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTED AND WILL NEED REPLACED. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jun 18, 201484,500 milesMO

ON DECEMBER 19TH 2013 WAS AT A CLASS FOR WORK ABOUT 65 MILES FROM HOME, WHEN CAME OUT OF CLASS AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START KEEP GETTING SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INFORMATION WINDOW. LATER FOUND OUT THIS CUT THE GAS OF FROM SOMEONE STEALING THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAD THE ORIGINAL KEY TO THE TRUCK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY HOME 65 MILES AWAY. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE TRUCK FOR ME AND SAID HE BELIEVED HE HAD FIXED IT BY REPLACING THE IGNITION WIRING HARNESS. TRUCK WORKED GREAT UNTIL RECENT I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION ONTO THE FLOOR, LUCKY FOR ME THE VEHICLE STAYED RUNNING. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN LOOKING AT THE IGNITION AND HAVE FOUND THAT ANY POSITION THAT THE KEY IS IN RATHER IT BE RUNNING OR AUXILIARY THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. ALSO THE TRUCK IS BACK TO SHOWING THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING IN THE INFORMATION CENTER AND TRUCK WILL NOT START. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRUCK WILL START. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH CHEVY!!!!!!! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2014104,685 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,685. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ UPDATED 07/06/2017 *CT

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 2014114,287 milesCT

ON THE EVENING OF DECEMBER 23, 2013, WHILE TRAVELLING ON A CONNECTICUT STATE ROAD, I APPLIED MY BRAKES, AS A VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFT AHEAD OF ME. THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. I REALIZED A BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY THAT I UTILIZE. I WAS ABLE TO NURSE THE VEHICLE THERE, WHERE IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED (BRAKE LINE REPLACED). IN THE PAST, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT THAT DEALERSHIP WAS ONE OF MANY CLOSED DOWN BY GM. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, IN ANY DIRECTION IS ABOUT 20 MILES. FORTUNATELY I HAVE FOUND AN OUTSTANDING LOCAL INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 2014100,000 milesTX

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HAVE BEEN OUT TIME & EXPENSE OF INSTALLING NEW PARK BRAKE PADS NOT NEEDED, TURNING DRUMS, TRIED REPLACING LONG BRAKE CABLE UNDER FLOOR, PULLED REAR ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES & RE ADJUSTED PARK BRAKE... 1 WEEK LATER DON'T WORK AGAIN.. I HAVE TO PUT BLOCKS UNDER WHEELS FOR 3 YEARS TO KEEP TRUCK FROM ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY.. LIVE ON A HILL..CHEVY DON'T NEED THE TENSION ON LITTLE BITTY PARK GEAR IN TRANSMISSION....ALSO HAVE HAD TO FIX EVERY DEC BECAUSE SAFETY INSPECTION ENDS DEC,,,NEIGHBORS HAVE FORD & DODGE & THEIRS WILL STAY IN DRIVEWAY..HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY & TIME SPENT ON A GM BLUNDER... WHY HAS THEIR NOT BEEN A RECALL ? ANOTHER COVER UP BY GM EXECUTIVES ? *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jun 2, 201467,000 milesVA

AFTER EXITING THE OFF RAMP OF I264 IN PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA I SPED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHED THE NEXT STOP LIGHT. UPON APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL NO RESISTANCE WAS NOTED AND THE SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND NEGLIGIBLE. I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. BOTH CARS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE PULLED INTO THE MEDIAN OUT OF TRAFFIC. AS I EXITED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE TRUCK FRAME AT THE FORWARD HINGE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE DRIPPING FLUID WAS BRAKE FLUID. I SUSPECT A RUPTURED BRAKE FLUID LINE OR TUBE HAD RUPTURED WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING GIVEN BY THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER TO WARN OF LOW BRAKE FLUID BECAUSE THE RESERVOIR WAS STILL AT THE NORMAL LEVEL. I BELIEVE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS ACCELERATED DUE TO THE USE OF SALT TREATMENTS ON THE ROADS DURING THE WINTER SNOW STORMS THAT HAVE FALLEN IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AND LUCKILY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. ALSO THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THESE ARE TWO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INCURRED IN ONCE INCIDENT TO A TRUCK WHICH HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES AND 12 YEARS OLD. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 1, 2014146,000 milesTX

BRAKE PROBLEM WITH ABS. VEHICLE DID NOT STOP CORRECTLY ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. AFTER RESEARCHING FOUND RECALL FOR ABS WHEEL ISSUE FOR OTHER STATES BUT NOT TEXAS. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 → · Every Silverado 1500 year → · How the figures are calculated →