Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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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 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 132 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.
The 25 most recent of 132, in the owner's own words
I have had brakes fail twice because of corroded brake lines now one of my fuel lines ruptured because of corrosion I have been told by mechanics that corroded failing lines is a common issue on Silverado's
Design flaw - Brake light switch- the end section of the internal spring is placed in a position that allows it to potentially slide down and block the space needed for when the plunger is depressed, jamming up the switches ability to properly function. I have not determined what happened to the switch on my truck, but noticed that this scenario was a possibility and felt obligated to report my opinion.
As I approached an intersection to make a left-hand turn, I stepped on my trucks brake pedal. I experienced a complete loss of braking power, with the trucks brake pedal going straight to the floor, after an instant of a firm, solid pedal. Pumped the pedal to try to regain brake operation to no avail. No hydraulic pressure was present. No warning lights or other indications of brake system failure occurred. Truck was driven home a very short distance using e-brake. Brake fluid was seen dripping from the rear axle area in large amounts. Truck was towed to my local garage which found a burst steel brake line at the junction with the rear hydraulic flex hose. Other brake lines were heavily rusted. Rest of the undercarriage was not similarly rust like the brake lines. The garage stated this was not the first Silverado they saw with this problem. All steel lines were replaced with stainless steel lines, and as a precaution we replaced all brake hoses as well. The bleeder screws on the front disk brake calipers, and on the rear wheel cylinders were also found heavily rusted and frozen, so those components were replaced as well. The shop stated this issue of severe corrosion of brake lines and bleeders is very common on this generation of Silverado’s . They have repaired quite a few like mine after similar brake failures. If you research the issue on-line, there certainly is a problem with these trucks. In my 45 years as a mechanic and practicing mechanical engineer, I have never seen brake system components so severely corroded as the ones removed from my truck. I was lucky I wasn’t towing anything, or was at highway speed when the failure occurred. The next owner may not be that lucky if it happens to them.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to leak fuel and the brake line would leak causing the brakes to lose power whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that the fuel tank strap fractured due to rust causing the fuel tank to detach from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear leaf spring fractured due to rust as well. The contact also stated that the entire sub-frame of the vehicle was rusted causing pieces of metal to fall off from the frame while driving. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines, fuel lines, the rear leaf shackle, and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
SON WAS DRIVING TRUCK AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK HOME, I FOUND A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THAT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO RUST.
THIS IS 3RD TIME MY BRAKES BLOW A LINE IN 2 YEARS AND THE FIRST 2 TIMES ONE TIME I WAS HOLDING MY BRAKES WHILE BACKING UP A HILL ON MY PROPERTY WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, THE SECOND COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND THIS LAST TIME GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL COMING TO AN INTERSECTION. I JUST CHANGED THE LINE THAT WAS BROKEN THE FIRST TWO TIMES. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU LAST YEAR BUT I CANNOT FIND THE INFO. THIS TIME I CHANGED ALL OF THE LINES AS IT SCARED ME BAD THIS TIME AS I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND DID NOT WISH TO PUSH MY LUCK ANY FURTHER. CHEVROLET WANTED OVER $1,200 TO CHANGE THEM OUT USING THE SAME MATERIALS THAT FAILED IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAD THEM CHANGED AT NAPA FOR $680 USING COPPER/NICKEL WHICH IS A SUPERIOR PRODUCT. GM'S EXCUSE FOR THE LINES RUSTING OUT WAS THE CUSTOMER DID NOT WASH THE LINES OFF WHEN SALT GOT ON THEM. YOU CANNOT GET TO MOST OF THE LINES TO WASH THEM OFF. THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE LINE FAILURES IS OVERWHELMING AND TO SAY THE LEAST DANGEROUS AS HELL. I AM SENDING SOME PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE LINES AND WILL MAIL PIECES OF THE LINE TO YOU IF IT WILL DO ANY GOOD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I SHOULD SEND THE PIECES OF LINE. THANKS [XXX] PS: IT SEEMS THAT I CAN ONLY SEND ONE PHOTO PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO SEND MORE... ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AT LESS THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES THE ABS CAME ON IMMEDIATELY SHORTENING MY SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE ENOUGH SO THE END RESULT WAS A COLLISION.
HI MY NAME IS [XXX] MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. I'VE HAD MY 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO SS TRUCK WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE FOR FIVE YEARS. IN THOSE 5 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY'S AND THE FRONT ROTORS 7 TIMES. I'M PRETTY SICK OF THIS RECURRING ISSUE I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REGULAR SILVERADOS FOR MY YEAR BUT NOT ON THE 6.0 ENGINE I'M NOT SURE WHAT GIVES BUT I NEED THIS PROBLEM TO BE RECTIFIED. THIS IS A NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK NOTHING SPECTACULAR AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE THAT MUCH WEAR AND TEAR ON THOSE PARTS IN THAT LITTLE BIT OF TIME I'VE OWNED TONS OF OTHER VEHICLES FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TIME AND LONGER AND I'VE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THAT PART ONCE I'VE HAD TO CHANGE IT 7 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE I REALLY LOVE MY VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT TO SELL IT SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS A PERMANENT FIX FOR IT OR A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING APPROX 50MPH ON 2-LANE HIGHWAY A BRAKE LINE BURST UNDER HARD BRAKING (VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY) DUE TO RUST. PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST SIGNIFICANT BRAKING POWER. THIS RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE I DENTED THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK THAT WAS TURNING AND SIGNIFICANTLY BENT THE RIGHT END OF MY FRONT BUMPER. WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THE TRIP THE LAST 50 MILES TO MY DESTINATION BUT BRAKING DISTANCES WERE CONSIDERABLY LONGER THAN NORMAL. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FEATURE ENGAGES BECAUSE OF SLICK CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND REMAIN THAT WAY EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO GO INTO A SLIDE. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS BUT ONLY WHEN THE ABS IS ENGAGING.
WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 5 MPH, I EXPERIENCE A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE PETAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS A LAW THAT VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR HAD A DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM TO AVOID THIS SITUATION. IF THIS VEHICLE DOES HAVE SUCH A SYSTEM IT DID NOT FUNCTION.THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM THE SCENE SINCE IT HAD NO BRAKES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THE BRAKES WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,349.
BRAKES FAILED. LEAK FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINE
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A RUPTURED METAL BRAKE LINE/PIPE. FAILURE OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE TRUCK FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE WAS DENIED FOR GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS UP TO THE 2003 MODEL YEAR BUT MY TRUCK IS A 2005 MODEL, AND BASED ON WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, THIS FAILURE CONTINUES WITH NEWER MODELS. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE RE-OPENED AND RE-INVESTIGATED BY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS. I'VE WORKED ON MOTOR VEHICLES ALL MY ADULT LIFE, FOR A TIME AS A CERTIFIED NEW YORK STATE INSPECTOR EVEN, AND NEVER SAW A CORROSION RELATED BRAKE FAILURE OF THIS NATURE. MY TRUCK IS NOT A WORK TRUCK. THIS TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE CAN, AND LIKELY HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF FATAL ACCIDENTS. THERE ARE NOW WELL OVER 3.5K COMPLAINTS AND HUNDREDS OF ACCIDENTS RELATING TO THIS SPECIFIC BRAKE FAILURE ON GM TRUCKS.
COMPLETE AND SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW VEHICLE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH VEHICLE AHEAD -VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION _OPERATOR PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL -BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELLED TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BURST BRAKE LINE
ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED . BRAKE LINES LEAKING FLUID . LOW BRAKE FLUID. WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HAD PAY LOAD400 POUNDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY STOP WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO STOP FUNCTIONING WHEN THE BRAKES EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT SPEAK WITH A LIVE REPRESENTATIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL ABOUT 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN A WARNING NOTICE APPEARED " SERVICE STEERING SYSTEM" AND " SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I COULD NOT STEER OR BRAKE. I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN TRYING TO STEER AND STOP. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TURN A CORNER AND STOPPED. I SLOWLY DROVE TWO BLOCKS TO MY HOUSE AT ABOUT 5 MPH. I AM A STRONG MAN AND IF MY WIFE OR A LESS STRONG INDIVIDUAL HAD BEEN DRIVING, OR IF I HAD BEEN GOING MORE THAN THE 25 MPH OR IF I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT, I AM SURE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID HITTING THE PEDESTRIAN AND / OR GOING OFF THE ROAD AND WRECKING. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE GMC REPAIR SHOP IN BEAVERTON, OREGON AWAITING DIAGNOSIS.
I WAS COMING HOME ON A STATE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 45 MPH I TURNED ONTO MY HOME STREET AND I HAD NO BRAKES. LUCKILY I WAS 200 FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND I COASTED AND TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GM DEALER AND FOUND OUT ALL MY BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED OUT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT GET THE BLEEDER SCREWS OFF THE CALLIPHERS BECAUSE THE SCREWS WERE ALSO RUSTED OUT. WE ALWAYS UNDERCOAT OUR VEHICLES WHEN WE BUY THEM BRAND NEW SO NOTHING WOULD RUST OUT UNDER THERE. IN 2005 WE WERE TOLD BY OUR DEALER THAT IF WE UNDERCOAT WE WOULD LOSE OUR WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD US THAT THE NEW BRAKE LINES ARE ALL POLY COATED NOW, SO THEY WON'T RUST OUT ANYMORE. WHY WEREN'T THEY POLY COATED TO BEGIN WITH . THE EXPENSE WAS 1200.00 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES PLUS THE TOWING FEE. THE MECHANIC TOLD US HE SEEN THIS IN 2002,2003,2004,2005 AND 2006 TRUCKS. 2007 HASN'T COME IN YET.
BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR.REPAIR SHOP SAID BRAKE LINES ALL RUSTED.
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 55MPH, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW MY SPEED AS I WAS ENTERING A CONGESTED AREA NEARING A TOWN. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I GEARED IT DOWN MANUALLY WITH MY GEARSHIFT AND TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A SELF-CAR WASH. AFTER LOOKING UNDER VEHICLE, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ALL AROUND DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL. AFTER FURTHER DETAILED INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE MASTER CYL TO REAR OF VEHICLE TO A UNION MOUNTED ON FRAME THAT CONVERTS SOLID LINE TO FLEX HOSE TYPE HAD CORRODED AND CRACKED. TRUCK WAS JUST INSPECTED 6 MONTHS PRIOR AT DEALER. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING PROFESSIONALLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE LINE FAIL FOR NO REASON, AS IT WAS UNTOUCHED AND SECURED JUST AS IT WAS WHEN IT LEFT FACTORY. ITS OBVIOUS TO ME AND EVERYONE I TALK TO THAT THE BREAK LINE IS MADE OF A LOWER QUALITY STEEL OR NOT AS THICK AS ONES PRODUCED IN THE PAST BY GM. I HAVE HEARD THAT THRU THE GRAPEVINE THAT A CERTAIN SOMEONE WHO DECIDES FAULTS IN THESE CASES SUGGESTED THAT SALT PUT ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS IF THE TRUCKS UNDERSIDE WERE NOT WASHED OFF AFTER WINTER DRIVING TO REMOVE THE CORROSIVE SALT. WHILE I WOULD AGREE TO THAT TO SOME EXTENT, BECAUSE I AM ONE WHO DOES TAKE PRIDE IN MY $ 32,000 VEHICLE, I NOT ONLY POWER WASH THE UNDERSIDE SEVERAL TIMES A WINTER, BUT ALSO UNDERCOAT IT AS WELL. WHAT MAKES THIS SO DANGEROUS, IS THAT BRAKE FLUID THAT LEAKS CAUSES MAJOR DAMAGE TO EVERYTHING IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. MY FUEL TANK, WIRING, INSULATION AROUND WIRE, PAINT THAT PEELS OFF EVERYTHING WHICH MEANS FRAME RUST NOW. THE WORST AND MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL IS THAT THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID TURNS PAVEMENT MADE WITH ASPHALT INTO A OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD THAT IS NOT NOTICED BY THE EVERYDAY DRIVER. AND THERE IS NO STOPPING WHATSOEVER WHEN YOU START TO SLIDE. I WANT GM TO FIX AND INSTALL THE SAFE AND CORRECT ONES, STAINLESS STEEL. THANK YOU *TR
I WAS GOING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, PULLING A 16 FT STOCK TRAILER AND THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL RUPTURED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, BUT COULD NOT HAVE IF I'D BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ELECTRIC BRAKES ON THE TRAILER HELPED. TOOK TO CHEVY SERVICE AND ALL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND EATEN THROUGH. PISTONS CORRODED AND STUCK ON BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. ALL LINES WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CALIPERS. TOTAL COST WAS $1647.94 PARTS WERE $484, THE REST WAS LABOR. TRUCK HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THEY WANTED TO REPLACE REAR PADS AND DRUMS BECAUSE THEY WERE EXPOSED TO BRAKE FLUID, BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT A BRAKE LINE MAY HAVE PREMATURELY FRACTURED AND THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ..UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
ON JULY 23RD I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK FOR A TURN THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. A RUSTY BREAK LINE BLEW OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I AM LUCKY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON THE ROAD WITH ME.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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