UPON REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY STOP FROM 50 MPH APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES BURST. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. (NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, NO LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT, AND NO LOSS OF ABS LIGHT). I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO 1ST GEAR IN HOPES OF SLOWING DOWN BEFORE A CRASH. I MADE THE RIGHT TURN AT THE INTERSECTION, WHICH WAS UP HILL AND EVENTUALLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. FORTUNATELY, THE LIGHT JUST CHANGED SO THE INTERSECTION WAS STILL CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AFTER CONFIRMATION OF THE DAMAGED BRAKE LINE. FURTHER INSPECTION HAS REVEALED THAT ALL THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY CORRODED AND ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE SEEMS PRETTY FREQUENT WITH THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL. A WEAK OR POORLY DESIGNED BRAKE LINE SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. PROOF OF FAULT IS INDICATED IN GM'S DECISION TO CHANGE THE BRAKE LINES TO STAINLESS STEEL IN NEWER MODELS. IF NO RECALL IS ISSUED AT LEAST A WARNING SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CURRENT OWNERS!!! *TR
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 →
MY BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND BURST WHEN I USED MY BRAKES. COULD NOT KEEP MY TRUCK FROM MOVING WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. *TR
MY ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED IN WHEN I WAS GOING 5 MPH. I DRIFTED RIGHT INTO A ROAD THAT I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER. I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
RIGHT SIDE SPRING SHACKLE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION RIGHT SIDE OF REAR BUMPER CORRODED TO THE POINT THE MOUNT FAILED. *TR
SERVICE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE ABOVE REAR AXLE. PARK BRAKE FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE REAR BRAKE DUSTSHIELD BEING CORRODED TO THE POINT IS WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THE LACK OF A DUST SHIELD ALLOWED THE PARK BRAKE SHOE AND LINKAGE CORRODE AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. *TR
I WAS QUITE FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN LEAVING A PARKING SPOT AND HAD JUST LEFT "PARK" SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKE BECAUSE A PEDESTRIAN STEPPED OUT. AT THAT TIME THE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR, I STEERED THE TRUCK IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE PERSON, HEADED FOR A PART OF THE LOT WHERE THERE WERE NO CARS, APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE, IT DID'NT WORK EITHER, SO I PUT IT INTO PARK. ALL THIS AND I HADNT APPLIED THE GAS TO THE VEHICLE. ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE I PARKED, I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK, ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ON THE GROUND. UPON CLOSER INVESTIGATION, WE NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED OUT COMPLETELY. WE FEEL LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. VERY ANGRY AT CHEVROLET. *TR
THIS VEHICLE, AT 46,000 MILES HAD TO HAVE ALL THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND TWO CALIPERS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY RUSTED UP AND LOCKED UP. HAD TO DO IT AGAIN ABOUT 65,000 MILES, THEN HAD A BACK CALIPER SEIZE UP AND REPLACED BOTH ROTORS AND ONE CALIPER ALONG WITH NEW PADS. I THEN HAD TO HAVE ALL THE ROTORS REPLACED, BOTH FRONT HUBS, ONE NEW CALIPER AND PADS AGAIN AT BECK CHEVROLET A YEAR AGO. ON MY WAY DOWN TO FL THIS PAST FALL, WITH ABOUT 84,000 ON THE TRUCK, ANOTHER CALIPER SEIZED UP AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPER, BOTH BACK ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. YESTERDAY, 3/27/13, ON MY WAY HOME FROM TOWN, WITH 85,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES. INSPECTION SHOWED A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MY REPAIRMAN SAID EVERY BRAKE LINE IS SWISS CHEESE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I'VE SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS AND HAVE REPLACED BRAKES 3 TIMES, ALL ROTORS, MOST CALIPERS AND TWO FRONT HUBS BECAUSE OF RUST. THE FRAME AND EVERYTHING UNDER MY TRUCK IS RUSTED VERY BADLY. I'VE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE 2004, AND BOUGHT IT WHEN IT HAD 26,000 MILES ON IT. IT DRIVES BEAUTIFUL AND IS LIKE NEW, BUT IT'S GOING TO ROT RIGHT OUT FROM UNDER ME. PLEASE HELP! *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SILVERADO ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD WITH A FEW STEEP GRADES AND MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR ON ONE OF THE DOWN GRADES. I PUMPED THE BRAKES BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LUCKILY, I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO REACT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET STOPPED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE BEFORE RUNNING THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AT THE T INTERSECTION AND POSSIBLY OVER THE EMBANKMENT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ME. ONCE I GOT HOME I REALIZED THAT ALL THE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME TO THE ABS BOX WERE CORRODED AS WELL AS THE ONES GOING TO THE FRONT CALIPERS. ONCE I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. ALSO, ONE THAT JUST ABOUT EVERONE THAT I KNOW WITH A SILVERADO AROUND THAT SAME YEAR HAS HAD. I'M JUST GLAD THAT MY WIFE OR MY 16 YEAR OLD STEP-DAUGHTER WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED! *TR
WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, ON "OFF RAMP" REMOVED FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO START BRAKING AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. LITERALLY STOPPED TWO (2) FEET FROM REAR OF ALREADY STOPPED CAR. UPON UNDERNEATH INSPECTION FOUND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AT REAR, SEVERELY CORRODED BRAKE LINE. *TR
TWICE I HAVE HAD THE SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE BREAK ON ME,IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR HIGH SPEEDS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,AND I WAS NEVER AWARE IT WAS GONE UNTIL I NEEDED THE SPARE. *TR
I HAVE A BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT WHICH IS ALL TOO COMMON ON ALL V-8 GM ENGINES ON THE SILVERADO SIERRA SERIES TRUCKS. THERE ARE OFTEN MULTIPLE BROKEN BOLTS MOST COMMONLY THE FRONT OR REAR BOLTS. THIS SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT CREATES EXHAUST LEAKS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE WHICH ADDS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FINANCIAL BURDEN BECAUSE IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE AND LABOR INTENSIVE REPAIR. COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND YOUTUBE. AS AN ASE MASTER AUTO AND TRUCK TECH I'VE REPAIRED DOZENS AND SEEN DOZENS MORE BEING IN A GOVERNMENT FLEET OPERATION. GM SHOULD CARRY THE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES NOT PUT THE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT AND LETS GET GM TO PAY UP. *TR
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED. MECHANIC SAID IT HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THIS HAPPEN IN 2009 AND AGAIN TODAY 2/23/2013. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON CT. RTE. 8 AT APPROX 6AM AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. STATE MAINTENANCE VEHICLES HAD PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED THE ROAD AS I ROUNDED THE BEND APPROACHING THE TRUMBULL TOWN LINE THIS IN TURN CAUSED AN ABRUPT HALT OF TRAFFIC. I APPLIED MY BRAKES RATHER HARD WHICH DID SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT I STILL HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INVESTIGATION I HAD FOUND THAT THE STEEL HARD LINE RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME RAIL FOR THE REAR BRAKES WAS BADLY CORRODED AND HAD BUST. THE REST OF THE STEEL LINES WHICH ALL RUN TO AND FROM THE ABS PUMP ARE ALSO IN BAD SHAPE. IT IS MY OPINION THESE LINES BE MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY. AFTER ALL THEY MAKE MOST MODERN EXHAUST IN STAINLESS AND THAT IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS STOPPING YOUR VEHICLE!!! *TR
DURING AN UNEXPECTED STOP SITUATION, MY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING NORMALLY. THE ABS SYSTEM WAS GOING ON AND OFF. MY PICK UP WOULD NOT STOP. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE ONCOMING LANE AVOIDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THAT THE BRAKELINES WERE RUSTING OUT AND IN TWO SPOTS THE LINES HAD RUPTURED, PROBABLY DURING THE EVENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE LINES IN TWO SPOTS. *TR
TOOK TRUCK IN FOR STATE INSPECTION, TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING , DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1228.43 TO $1420.99 TO JUST FIXED THE BRAKE LINES ALL LINES NEEDED REPLACED AND CALIPERS SCREWS. POWER STEERING PUMP COST 535.00 TO REPLACE. POOR QUALITY ,HIGH COST TO FIX AND LACK OF SAFETY ON GM PART FOR NOT COVERING RUBBER COATING OR USING STAINLESS STEEL LINES TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY VERY DISCOURAGED WITH SERVICE TECH SAID THESE ARE THE PRICES. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SAFETY. BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF STEEL THAT CAN CORRODE AND RUST OUT AND BREAK. POWER STEERING PUMP WITH THESE FEW MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT. MY 1988 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR
WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH. *TR
TRUCK FAILED ANNUAL MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF MAJOR CORROSION ON ALL BRAKE LINES RUN ALONG FRAME UNDERNEATH. (THE LINES ARE NOT YET LEAKING, BUT FAILURE IS IMMINENT AND VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.) COST OF REPAIRS IS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1400.00 BY SULLIVAN TIRE OF SCARBOROUGH MAINE. *TR
AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. I HAD TO VIGOROUSLY PUMP IT SEVERAL TIME TO COME TO A STOP AND WAS LUCKY I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND THERE WERE NO STOPPED CARS AHEAD OF ME. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH AND STILL DO NOT IF YOU START THE TRUCK. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND CAREFULLY MANAGED TO GET TO MY DRIVEWAY. A LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BENEATH THE DOOR. WHEN I INSPECTED IT FROM BELOW, I FOUND THE BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED WHERE CLIPPED TO THE FRAME AND ONE HAD BURST THROUGH, CAUSING THE LEAK AND LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY. *TR
BRAKE LINES UNDER HOOD AT DRIVERS SIDE RUSTED HOLE IN LINE CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE AUTOPARTS STORE FOR AN OIL FILTER FOR MY OTHER VEHICLE WHEN I CAME UPON A LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. AS THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS DOING NO MORE THAN 30 AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD STOP, I DRIFTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SAFETY. I WAS LUCKY - ANOTHER CAR WAS ALSO ABOUT TO TURN LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS DRIFTING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, HE STOPPED SO AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND HAD TO HAVE ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED. ALL WERE RUSTED AND PITTED. PAID NEARLY $900.00 TO HAVE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES INSTALLED. THESE (STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES) SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BY GM AT THE FACTORY. MANUFACTURERS ALL USE STAINLESS STEEL FOR EXHAUST, WHY NOT FOR BRAKE LINES - SEEMS A BIT MORE IMPORTANT TO USE STAINLESS BRAKE LINES. WHAT IS THE COST DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN CHEAP STEEL AND STAINLESS - A FEW EXTRA DOLLARS SPENT IN MANUFACTURING COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE. *TR
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO BURST LINE TO REAR AXLE; LITTLE OR NO STOPPING POWER FROM FRONT BRAKES; EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT NO LONGER AFTER COUPLE OF MILES TO MY DRIVEWAY. DISASSEMBLY REVEALED E-BRAKE PADS HAD CRUMBLED AWAY INSIDE REAR ROTORS; AND ALL 5 BRAKE LINES COMING OUT OF ABS UNIT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, NOT JUST REAR. FYI I HAVE OWNED IN EXCESS OF 20 G.M. TRUCKS, BUT NONE EVER AS BAD AS THIS ON BRAKE LINES. DAUGHTER IN TRUCK WITH ME- THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY BADLY. TRUCK UNUSABLE UNTIL ALL LINES ARE FIXED- VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO POSITIONING OF LINES ( I HAVE DONE MANY BRAKE LINES- ON MUCH OLDER TRUCKS). THANKS... *TR
I TOOK MY 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 IN TO GET INSPECTED. IT FAILED DUE TO NO PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER USED MY PARKING BRAKE, NEVER BEEN IN THE WHERE IT WAS NEEDED. I FIRST NOTICED AFTER REMOVING WHEEL THAT EVERYTHING IS RUSTED BEYOND WHAT I THINK IT SHOULD BE AT THIS POINT, THE SPLASH SHIELDS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. I REMOVED THE DRUM AND BRAKE SHOES AND NOTICED THAT ON BOTH SETS OF SHOES, LEFT AND RIGHT, THE PADS OF THE SHOES WERE NOT REALLY WORN, BUT THE ACTUAL LINING THAT THE SHOES ARE ATTACHED TO WERE WORN AT THE VERY BOTTOM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE VERY TOP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BOTH WHERE THERE ARE NO PADS. I FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS THAT CAME WITH THE NEW SHOES, REPLACED EVERYTHING, AND STILL NO BRAKES. I THEN BOUGHT A NEW CABLE AND SWAPPED IT OUT, THINKING THE CABLE MAY BE STRETCHED. STILL NO BRAKES. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND DRUM ONCE AGAIN AND HAD SOMEONE DEPRESS THE PARKING BRAKE. I NOTICED THE ACTUATOR WORKING, SO I REASSEMBLED EVERYTHING, AND STILL NO BRAKES. I THEN CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT. I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN TAKE MY TRUCK TO A CERTIFIED CHEVY DEALER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AT MY EXPENSE, BEING THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN OVER 3 1/2 YEARS, I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME. I HAVE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS FOR MY TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION, IF NOT, THEN I MUST PAY FINES AND COS
THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE GAS TANK AND CONNECTS TO THE SHOCK HAS ROTTED AWAY. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES DO TO RUST AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE. THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AWAY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, THERE IS A KNOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT I HAVE HAD FIXED ONCE ALREADY, THE ENGINE HAS TICKING SOUND WHEN IDLING, AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN. *TR
STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AT REAR OF TRUCK NEAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL. ALL OTHER STEEL BRAKE AND FUEL LINES IN TRUCK HEAVILY RUSTED AND ALSO NEAR BLOW OUT POINT. *TR WHEN REAR LINE FAILED, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STOPPING DISTANCE DOUBLED. I WAS PULLING A 3,000LBS BOAT AT THE TIME. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP DID NOT ILLUMINATE. BRAKE WARNING LAMP CAME ON ONLY AFTER APPROX 10 MILES OF NO REAR BRAKE AVAILABILITY. I AM CURRENTLY TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND REPLACING ALL STEEL LINES IN TRUCK. OLD LINES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF YOU ACT QUICKLY.
MOST RECENT(9/15/12),BRAKE LINE RUPTURES DO TO TONS OF RUST... . BODY MOUNTS TOTALLY RUSTED OFF , REAR BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELDS RUSTED OFF, LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED THRU AND FELL OFF..REAR BUMPER RUSTED THRU,TOTAL UNDER CARRIAGE RUSTED THRU, RAILSUNDER DOORS TOTALLY RUSTED THRU AND HAVE BIG HOLES IN THEM.. *TR *JS
THE BRAKE LINES ON THE TRUCK, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS OLD ARE COMPLETELY CORRODED. I HAPPENED TO BE PULLING INTO A SERVICE STATION WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT LINE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT, SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I WAS LUCKY. THE BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY NONFUNCTIONAL. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE IF I HAD BEEN ANYWHERE ELSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, AND THE ABS WAS GOING ON AND OFF AND I ENDED UP GOING THRU THE INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE INTERSECTION, I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT IN 2005 AND THE WORK WAS DONE ON 1/23/2007, I CALLED CHEVROLET TO FIND OUT THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE THEY "CLEANED" IT AND HEY LOOK 5 YEARS LATER IT DOES THE SAME THING AND GM WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. LOOKS LIKE CLEANING REALLY DIDN'T DO THE JOB. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE WAS FORCED TO SHIFT GEARS IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
DRIVING 45 MPH. NEEDED TO APPLY BRAKES. NO BRAKE AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT AND THANK GOD I WAS GOIN UP A SLIGHT GRADE AND NO ONE WAS INFRONT OR CLOSE BEHIND. I WAS ABLE TO VEER OFF ROAD AND GET IT SLOWED IN TIME TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE DEALER WHEWRE I HAD PURCHASED MY TRUCK 10+ YEARS AGO. THEY SAID ALL BRAKES LINES MUST BE REPLACED. EXCESSIVE RUST ON ALL. I LOOKED AT THE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AFTER THEY REMOVED IT. IT FELL APART IN THE MECHANICS HAND. HOW IT HAD STOPPED ME IS UNKNOWN. BRAKE LINES DO NOT DO THIS. I'VE WORKED ON VEHICLES FOR 40 YEARS. HARD BRAKES LINES DO NOT RUST LIKE THIS. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE IS CORRODED. NOT JUST THE TOP SAY, FROM SALT. THE ENTIRE LINE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH ANY REMAINING BRAKE. PHYSICS STOPPED MY TRUCK. FEET BEFORE PLOWING INTO A MAJOR INTERSECTION. I'D LOVE TO BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. NOT SURE I HAVE THE FAITH THAT GM WANTS ME TO. THANKS GM. HOW CAN YOU BAILOUT OF THIS MESS? RECALL IT. I SPENT GOOD MONEY ON A CHEVY BECAUSE A CHEVY WILL LAST AS LONG AS YOUR WILLING TO CARE FOR IT PROPERLY. NOW I'M SPENDING IN EXCESS OF $800 TO FIX YOUR "LOW BIDDER" VENDORS MISTAKE. WHOMEVER MADE THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE BAILING ME OUT. MAKE IT RIGHT GM. JUST MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD, I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH INITIALLY SLOWED THE TRUCK BUT THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY TRUCK AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED ONLY MINOR COSMETIC DAMAGE. AFTER MAKING SURE THE OTHER PARTY WAS UNINJURED AND WAITING FOR THE POLICE TO ARRIVE I NOTICED FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO FIND BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE BRAKE LINES THAT RUN ALONG THE FRAME RAIL AT THE DRIVERS DOOR. ALL THE BRAKE LINES WHERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR CENTER TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND GM'S LOGIC OF USING A STAINLESS STEEL DRIVE SHAFT AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS, BUT USE LESSER MATERIAL FOR SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THE BRAKELINES. A RECALL IS CLEARLY IN ORDER. *TR
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I WENT TO STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS SOFT. THE TRUCK STILL STOPPED BUT THE PEDAL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY IN-LAWS HOUSE,ABOUT 2 MILES. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THEY ARE THE LINES THAT GO TO THE ABS MODULE. WHEN I INSPECTED FURTHER, ALL 4 LINES WERE EITHER LEAKING OR ABOUT TO. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED BOTH ROCKER PANELS, JUST UNDER THE DOORS, WERE RUSTED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH. THE DOORS ARE NOT RUSTED AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ON THE TRUCK EVEN WHERE THE PAINT HAS FLAKED OFF. *TR
WITH ENGINE ON AND GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN 'ABS SYSTEM' WARNING LIGHT CAME OFF ALONG WITH A CONTINUOUS MOTOR TYPE SOUND. I PARKED THE CAR ON SIDE ROAD AND LOUD 'MOTOR' TYPE NOISE CONTINUED COMING UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME AND ABS SYSTEM LIGHT ON WITH CONTINUOUS SOUND DID NOT STOP. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND THE SOUND DID NOT STOP. AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS, THE SOUND DID NOT STOP AND HAD TO DISCONNECT CAR BATTERY. TOOK CAR INTO CAR DEALERSHIP AND RIGHT AWAY BEFORE CAR WAS FORMALLY TESTED/DIAGNOSED, THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AND SERVICE ADVISOR CONFIRMED THE CAR HAD A 'KNOWN' PROBLEM RELATED TO ABCM (ABS CONTROL MODULE). ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I AM SUBMITTING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR, DAMAGED ABCM COMPUTER CAN SEND AN INCORRECT SIGNAL AND THE BREAKS CAN CLOSE WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CORPORATE AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION (SERVICE REQ # 71-1092953268). I WAS INFORMED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS. I DID A QUICK SEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY CONSUMERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED ONLY TO 2002 CHEVY TRUCKS, BUT OTHER CAR MODELS AND YEARS. IF THE CARDEALER SERVICE MANAGER IS CORRECT AND THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM, THEN THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INCIDENTS. CAN NHTSA P
WHILE BACKING MY TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE I LOST MY BRAKES DUE TO PEDAL GOING TO FLOOR AND LOOSING BRAKE FLUID. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO STOP WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED ALL BRAKE LINES THAT ROUTE ON OUTSIDE OF FRAME BETWEEN MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS MODULE WERE RUSTED BADLY AND WERE WET WITH BRAKE FLUID. *TR
I WENT TO STOP AT STREET LIGHT AND THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR NO BRAKES AT ALL. LATER FOUND BRAKES LINES RUSTED THREW. ALL TRANSMISSION LINES ALSO RUST THREW. PRICE TO HAVE FIXED OVER $2000.00 *TR
HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH....NOT A FULL BRAKING PANIC STOP BUT A MINOR PANIC STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DROVE 3 MILES TO HOME (VERY CAREFULLY) ......SERVICE GARAGE SAID I HAD BLOWN A BRAKE LINE DUE TO RUST, AND ALL LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. COST TO REPLACE ALL LINES, $950.00. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN LOCAL ROAD, WHEN THERE WAS A THREE CAR ACCIDENT WAY AHEAD. I SOWED RIGHT DOWN, MAY 25-30 MPH AS WE CAME UP ON IT, REALIZING AS I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MORE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED. MY BOYFRIEND LOOKED AT IT NEXT MORNING, I HAD NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT, ONE OF THE LINES WAS SO CORRODED THE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD RECENTLY HAD MY BRAKES DONE AND INSPECTION WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW, AND HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH IT. INCLUDING ABS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, AND NEVER WORKED AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, WHICH I DID COMPLAIN ABOUT, HE INTERIOR SET MATERIAL NEEDED REPLACING, THE TAIL GATE CABLES AND HINGES ARE BROKE, THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THEM. A SENSOR WENT IN GAS TANK, THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF, THE WINDOW CABLE ON DRIVERS SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PASSENGER SIDE ONCE, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LIKE I SAID, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, TRADED IN OLDER CHEVY SILVERADO, PAID CASH WITH GM DISCOUNT. I LOVE MY TRUCK, BUT THINK IT HAS HAD WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE DEFINITELY READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CORRODED GAS LINES AMONG OTHER ISSUES AND WOULD HOPE CHEVY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR
I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING , BRAKE LINE IS RUSTED. AND HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP.WAS A NIGHTMARE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR STATE INSPECTION WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
THE VEHICLES BRAKES FAILED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN (I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES (RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID). *JS
THANK GOODNESS I JUST GOT OFF A MAJOR ROADWAY IN TOWN. MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WE GOT HOME AND I HAD TO RUN BACK OUT. I WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME. PULLED OUT OF MY CUL-DE-SAC AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT THE STOP SIGN AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKY NO CARS OR CHILDREN WERE IN MY PATH. ALL LINES ARE RUSTED OUT. HAD TWO SECTIONS (FRONT) WITH MAJOR ROT THAT WERE LEAKING. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR SIGNS PRIOR TO MALFUNCTION. BOUGHT NEW LINES FROM LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LITTLE AT A TIME. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK LOOKS LIKE ITS 50 YEARS OLD!!!! WILL SEE WHAT ROTS OUT NEXT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING 60MPH WHEN CONSTRUCTION CONES BROUGHT TRAFFIC TO ONE LANE. AS I BEGAN TO APPLY MY BRAKES, I COULD FEEL MY FOOT GOING TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS NOT SLOWING AT ALL. I TRIED THE EMERGNCY BRAKE, AND ALSO NO BRAKING OCCURED. I MANAGED TO DRIVE ONTO THE MEDIUM, AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO AVOID ALL THE "CONSTRUCTION JUNK" THAT LITTERED THAT AREA. AFTER A VERY LONG TIME, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO A SAFE STOP. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME THERE WERE NO BRAKE LINES. *TT
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE--VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER AND IS NOW AWAITING "NEW " BRAKE LINE INSTALLATION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS CORRODED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH AND AS I STARTED BRAKING THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ONCE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THE TRUCK STARTED TO BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY MAKE IT HOME AS I WAS ONLY A HALF MILE AWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME I INSPECTED THE UNDER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE MAIN REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND WAS SPILLING BRAKE FLUID NEAR THE DRIVER REAR SHOCK. AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE STEEL TUBE BRAKE LINES THEY ALL WILL NEED REPLACING AS ALL ARE RUSTED VERY BADLY. *TR
STEERING SHAFT MAKES NOISES ON TURNS AND BUMPY ROADS. *TR
DURING BRAKING FROM 35MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK DID NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN, I DROVE DOWN A BLOCK TO THE NEXT INTERSECTION AND USED MY PARKING BRAKE TO COMPLETE MY STOP. I PARKED THE TRUCK AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLUID FROM THE BRAKE LINE LEAKING OUT ON GROUND IN THE AREA JUST BELOW WHERE THE DRIVERS FEET ARE. THE LINE IS A RIGID STEEL LINE IN A GROUP WITH 3 OTHERS THAT RUN FROM THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FORWARD AND ALL OF THESE STEEL LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME WHERE THE LINE HAS RUPTURED. MY TRUCK IS A CHEVROLET 1500 Z71 WITH 126,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH RUSTED AND RUPTURED BRAKES ON THEIR CHEVY TRUCKS. OTHER PEOPLE WERE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS ME BECAUSE MY SON AND I MADE IT HOME AND WE WERE UNHARMED. I FEEL THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE EVERYONE WHO OWNS A CHEVY TRUCK OF SIMILAR MODEL YEAR BE ALERTED AND WARNED OF THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY AND DANGEROUS BRAKE PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN I TURN OR HIT A BUMP IT MAKES A CLUNK, AND YOU CAN HEAR IT AND FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOW HAVE 119000 MILES ON IT. I AM CONSURNED IT MY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED HAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,00.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF LEAVING STUDS IN THE HEADS (4) MY LATE 2002 CHEVY Z71 DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED BANGING AT IDLE OR AFTER PARKED. ENGINE HAS BLACK EXHAUST ON THE HEAD WHERE WE FOUND THE MAIN LEAK. SO, CARBON MONOXIDE HAS BEEN COMING INTO THE CAB AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEEMS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CHECKING INTO THE ISSUE, I FOUND EVERY TRUCK IN OUR COMPANY FLEET HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AND OUR ASSOCIATES THAT HAVE PERSONAL TRUCKS DRIVING TO WORK CHECKED THEIRS AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FROM 1999 THRU 2008 YEARS. WHEN CONTACTING OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, THEY ADVISED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. EVERY PERSON I MENTION THIS TO, CHECKS THEIR TRUCK AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BROKEN BOLTS. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CONTRACTING AND EXPANDING TOO MUCH- CHEAP STEEL ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM HEADS APPEAR ON ALL OF THE V-8 TRUCK ENGINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE AS WELL AS THE COSTS TO REPAIR. *TR
HELP PLEASE. ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCK UP OR GO TO FLOOR AT LOW SPEED. RECALL 05V379000 COVERS VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT REGISTERED IN COLD WEATHER STATES EXTENDING TO MARYLAND AND D.C. I LIVE IN VIRGINIA, BUT HAVE DRIVEN IN COVERED AREAS, INCLUDING MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND D.C. MY VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS REQUIRED A RECALL. IT SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS REGISTERED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A STATE LINE. *TR
SEVERE BRAKE FLUID LEAK ON MAIN STEEL LINE(S) UNDER DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT 1/2 WAY TOWARD THE REAR WHEELS. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AS I WAS TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. PUMPED BRAKES WITH NO INCREASE IN PEDAL. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND BRAKE FLUID ON CEMENT. *KB
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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 →