RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
363
Latest Dec 3, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
71%
of 509 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
32
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 363 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 363, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2025

The emergency brake does not work properly. It automatically comes on while I am driving almost causing me to have a accident. Please, fix!!!!

NHTSA ID
11702855
Incident
Nov 26, 2025
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 21, 2024

ABS kicks in constantly at low speeds in dry conditions. This causes longer stopping distances. The ABS grinds or vibrates interfering with normal braking situations. Many near miss collisions at low speeds. The manufacturer should be responsible and replace all the ABS sensors. I purchased this truck brand new in 2002.

NHTSA ID
11620987
Incident
Oct 21, 2024
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2021

THE THROTTLE CABLE MAKES CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS. I SMELL GAS INSiDE CAB. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON

NHTSA ID
11444783
Incident
Dec 10, 2021
Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11319045
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 19, 2020

ABS SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WITHOUT CAUSE SUCH AS A WET SURFACE

NHTSA ID
11300331
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 2019

HARD BREAK LINES ARE FULLY CORRODED AND NEED FULL REPLACEMENT AFTER A BREAK LINE FAILURE. LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, CURRENTLY 65K, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MILD CLIMATE OF NC AND SC SINCE 2002 WHERE SNOW AND SALT IS INFREQUENT. NEVER DRIVEN IN COASTAL AREA. ONLY RECENTLY DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY, WHERE FAILURE OCCURRED. THANKFULLY AT SLOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11288948
Incident
Dec 13, 2019
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2019

BRAKE LINES STARTED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID OUT OF NOWHERE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE BRAKE PETAL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED I MAY NOT BE HERE TO COMPLAIN. RUSTED BRAKE LINES IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11234766
Incident
Jul 25, 2019
Mileage
116,060 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2019

ABS KICKS IN AT LOW SPEED

NHTSA ID
11220039
Incident
May 15, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 16, 2019
Crash reported

WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK I CHECKED VIN AND ONLY THE TAILGATE RECALL CAME UP BUT LISTED MY TRUCK BEING A CHEVY 800 MODEL, WELL COUPLE WEEKS AGO OUR TRUCK WOULDN'T BRAKE WHILE PARKING MAKING A LEFT INTO A RESTAURANT AND THE TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE RESTAURANT WINDOW!!! WHEN I CHECKED JUST OUR EXACT VEHICLE 15 PLUS RECALLS CAME UP WITH THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT LISTED, PLEASE HELP ADVISE. THANK THE PARKERD

NHTSA ID
11170293
Incident
Dec 29, 2018
Mileage
205,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 29, 2018

WHILE SLOWING DOWN COMING TO A STOP - NO BRAKES. CHECKED EVERYTHING. SUSPECT POWER BOOSTER. THIS STARTED SLOWLY ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO. TODAY IT ACTUALLY WOULD NOT STOP AND I ALMOST HIT THE FIRE HYDRANT.

NHTSA ID
11154717
Incident
Nov 29, 2018
Mileage
97,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2018

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH TO POINT OF FAILURE

NHTSA ID
11152476
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2018

MY BRAKE LINES ON MY SILVERADO HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 DIFFERENT LINES IN 4 YEARS THE TRUCK HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT AND IN THE LAST MONTH 3 TIMES IVE LOST BRAKES THE GUY WHO FIXES MY BRAKE LINES TELLS ME THE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS, HE TOLD ME HE CANT TELL BY SIGHT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL CAUSE THEY LOOK OK BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE, I'VE READ THIS IS A ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLE'S IVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR (KNOCK ON WOOD) BUT THE COST AND THE STRESS OF HAVING YOUR BRAKES FAIL IS UNACCEPTABLE SEEING THE LINES ARE NOT UP TO NORMAL STANDARDS, SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID
11152177
Incident
Oct 3, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2018

IN JULY OF 2018, MY 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HAD MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES, IT WENT TOTALLY TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, BLOWING RIGHT THROUGH RED LIGHT. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE MY BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH, AND ALL THE BRAKES LINES, AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINE IS TOTALLY RUSTED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THIS CHEVROLET / GM MODEL ERA. HE SAID IF ALL HE WERE TO DO IS REPLACE BRAKE LINES IN THIS 1999 TO 2006 ERA, IT WAS ENOUGH TO KEEP HIS BUSINESS BOOMING. WHAT SHOCKING STRUCK ME IS THAT HE TOLD ME THEY ALL FAIL UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, ALONG THE FRAME, BEFORE THE ABS MODULE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MYSELF, AS WELL AS OTHERS COULD OF BEEN KILLED WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE RED LIGHT. JOHN D. NORRISTOWN, PA.

NHTSA ID
11132892
Incident
Jul 28, 2018
Mileage
158,722 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 2018

THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY DESIGN FLAW IN THE 1999-2002 BRAKE SYSTEM. THE FRONT TIRES THROUGH THE SALT AND GRIME FROM THE ROADS ONTO THE BRAKE LINES WHERE CHEVROLET HAS LOCATED THEM IN THE DESIGN. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LINES TO CORRODE AND BURST DURING DRIVING. MINE HAVE NOW BURST FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST 5 YEARS. THE FIRST TIME IN 2013 I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RH TURN AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS TIME I HAD WENT TO A LOCAL GAS STATION AND WAS ON THE WAY HOME WHEN I STOPPED TO TALK TO A NEIGHBOR AND ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I DRIVE THE TRUCK VERY LITTLE SO I HAVE ONLY PUT JUST OVER 17,000 MILES ON THE NEW SET OF BRAKE LINES THAT I HAD INSTALLED BY A CHEVROLET DEALER IN 2013. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, JUST NORTH OF LOUISVILLE, KY SO OUR WINTERS ARE NOT THAT HARSH, SO THE AMOUNT OF SALT FROM ROADS IS PRETTY LIMITED. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER CHEVROLET SILVERADO, YUKON AND SUBURBAN OWNERS AND THEY ALL SHARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR BRAKE LINES. I HAVE WENT TO YOUTUBE TO SEE HOW TO MAKE THE REPAIRS MYSELF AND HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS VIDEOS ON INDIVIDUALS REPAIRING THEIR BRAKES BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION AND THE BRAKE LINES BURSTING. COME ON NHTSB WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON BEFORE YOU ISSUE A RECALL, SOMEONE TO DIE OR BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED! DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE BRAKES WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES, ROTORS, CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS THAT WILL NOT RUST AFTER A FEW YEARS!

NHTSA ID
11123147
Incident
Jul 10, 2018
Mileage
1 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 5, 2018

I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED ON A STREET THAT IS 25MH AS I BREAK TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN MY ABS ACTIVATED. ALMOST CAUSED ME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T STOP SO I HAD TO BREAK SO HARD MY BUT WAS ACTUALLY OFF OF THE SEAT. AND THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN SO NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE ABS FUSE OUT TO DEACTIVATE MY ABS.

NHTSA ID
11083401
Incident
Jan 13, 2018
Mileage
173,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Mar 22, 2018

TAKATA RECALL - HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES AS IT HAS APPEARED TO BE THE FUEL PUMP NOT GETTING GAS TO START THE CAR. SOMETIME CAN HEAR PUMP RUNNING AS I HAVE REPLACE 3-4 PUMPS SINCE 2012 OR 13. SOME TIME BEATING UNDER TANK HELPS. THERE SEEM TO BE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING AND START SOMETIME WHEN IT IS RESET. SOUNDS WONDERFUL WHEN IT RUNS. CAN IT BE THE COMPUTER? TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION AFTER NOT STARTING AND DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIAN SHOW 10% FUEL PRESSURE. I PARKED WENT IN TO MAKE A PAYMENT AT A BUSINESS AND WOULD NOT START FOR 4 DAYS

NHTSA ID
11080957
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE DRIVER HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD STILL GONE THROUGH THE STOP SIGN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL. THERE WERE MORE THAN 20 TSBS ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11066054
Incident
Jan 29, 2018
Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11064120
Incident
Jan 19, 2018
Mileage
168,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 2017

EXPERIENCING UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS ON DRY ROADS WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND/OR STOPPING, WITH OR WITH OUT PRESSING ON THE BREAKS.

NHTSA ID
11056852
Incident
Dec 15, 2017
Mileage
101,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEWART CHEVROLET (780 SERRAMONTE BLVD, COLMA, CA 94014) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,475. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WITH THE BRAKES. HAD ONE ACCIDENT WHERE THEY FAILED TO DO THEIR JOBS. UPDATED 8/7/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11041306
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
133,475 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED TO DRIVE TO PARK THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AGAIN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE UTILIZED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS HARD TO DETERMINE WHICH OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (KENDRED CHEVROLET IN SMITHFIELD, MISSOURI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID
11035131
Incident
Oct 5, 2017
Mileage
63,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND PULSATED UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO AND HAS BECOME WORSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11031601
Incident
Oct 3, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 2, 2017
Crash reported

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGES AT SLOW SPEEDS CAUSING INABILITY TO STOP. THE ROAD SURFACE DOES NOT MATTER, WET, DRY, DIRT OR PAVED, IT IS A FAILING SYSTEM. THIS WAS A RANDOM PROBLEM, NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE SYSTEM WILL MAKE A RATCHETING SOUND THEN A GRINDING BEFORE AS YOU COME TO A STOP. YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO LET OFF THE BRAKE AND REAPPLY PRESSURE HOPING IT WORKS. I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH SMALL CHILDREN RUNNING AROUND EVERYWHERE. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THESE BRAKES FAILED ME WHEN I REALLY NEEDED THEM.

NHTSA ID
11030820
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 2017

ALL BRAKE LINE FOR ENTIRE TRUCK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST ISSUES, AS WELL AS REAR BACKING PLATES WHICH HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY. ABS SENSORS ARE ACTIVATING AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT CAUSING TRUCK TO TAKE LONGER SPACE TO STOP

NHTSA ID
11021260
Incident
Aug 29, 2017
Mileage
172,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2017

BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. CAUSING PIN HOLE LEAKS. LINES ARE SO SEVERELY CORRODED THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX EXCEPT TO REPLACE ALL BAKE LINES. THIS IS A EXTERME COSTLY REPAIR. DEALER SHIP QUOTED A MINIMUM $1700.00 BUT COULD BE HIGHER. LEAKS OCCURR WHILE DRIVING THEN APPLYING BRAKES DUE TO CORROSION CAUSE WEAK SPOTS IN LINES. LEAKS ONLY OCCURR WHILE DRIVING THEN APPLYING BRAKES THAT CAUSE INCREASE IN PRESSURE IN LINES. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11012458
Incident
Jun 8, 2017
Mileage
134,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .