2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Brakes Problems

I was driving down the highway at 65 mph and went to slow down and I had no brakes. Resulting in me having to go into the ditch to avoid a collision. After I was able to get the truck to slow down and to a stop I inspected my braking system to find all of my brake lines were rusted out and I had ruptured my brake lines. Since the incident I have had to replace all my brake lines and both of my brake cylinders on the rear of my truck. Now I have minimal brakes after bleeding them and they are slowly coming back. The truck has almost 400,000 miles on the chassis but a new motor. During this event I was getting a grinding coming from the rear differential, after inspection, I found that my gov lock was bad and needed new spider gears which I have since replaced the rear differential with a posi differential and have had minimal problems since.

NHTSA ID

11702927

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon a vehicle inspection performed by an independent mechanic, it was discovered that the brake line and the fuel line were severely corroded. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that the brake lines had blown out. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that the lines needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11581206

Incident

Mar 28, 2024

Mileage

187,000 mi

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE GAUGES ALL TURN OFF MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE SPEED LIMITS. BRAKES SOUND AS IF GRINDING BUT CANT TELL IF ITS BRAKES OR DIFFERENTIAL AND U JOINTS. NOISE GETS LOUDER IN THE CABIN OF THE TRUCK AS I DRIVE ON THE ROAD. 3. SIGNAL LIGHTS TURN ON BRIGHT WHILE ON LEFT HAND TURN SIGNAL. AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND OTHER COMPONENTS WONT WORK

NHTSA ID

11385029

Incident

Dec 24, 2020

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END EXPERIENCED SEVERE DAMAGE BUT THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A PARKING LOT AND A TOWING COMPANY WAS CALLED. THE COSMETIC DAMAGES WERE BEING REPAIRED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AS OF YET. A LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WAS CALLED AND INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER THEN CALLED THE CONTACT AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11299520

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

AT 45,000 MI, HAD TO REPLACE ABS HUB SENSOR ASSY DUE TO FALSE ACTIVATION. I HAVE SINCE REPLACE 3 MORE ASSYS COSTING OVER $400 EACH OCCURANCE. AT 100,000 MI, HAD TO REPLACE A LEAKING BRAKE LINE WHICH HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND AT 120,000 MI LOST ALL HYD PRESSURE WHILE BRAKING TO AVOID SEVERAL DEER ENTERING THE ROADWAY. REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES AT A COST OF $1200. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON BOTH ISSUES, BUT GM WILL NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR EITHER.THIS IS THE 9TH SILVERADO I HAVE OWNED OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS. NEXT ONE WILL BE A FORD.

NHTSA ID

11297284

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

BRAKE LINES HAVE ROTTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ID

11283089

Incident

Nov 28, 2019

Mileage

254,000 mi

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING AT LOW SPEED.

NHTSA ID

11283087

Incident

Dec 28, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME, BODY, AND BRAKE LINES WERE ALL RUSTED OUT. BEST CHEVROLET (128 DERBY ST, HINGHAM, MA 02043, (781) 347-1886) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID

11246737

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

212,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, SEVERAL DEER RAN IN THE PAT( OF OUR VEHICLE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, SND THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. WE SLOWED DOWN BUT WERE UNABLE TO STOP. LUCKILY THEREVWAS NO ONE BESIDE US AND WE WERE ABLE TO AVOID THE LAST DEER BY SWERVING INTO THE LEFT LANE. I COULD ELL THERE WAS NO PRESSURE IN MY BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THAT. WE WERE ABOUT 20 MILES FROM HOME BUT I ONLY HAD 2 MORE STOP SIGNS UNTIL OUR RESIDENCE. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH DIDNT COME ON UNTIL LESS THAN 1/4 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. THERE WAS ALSO AN AUDIBLE ALARM AT THAT TIME. WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND GET STOPPED FROM THERE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND ONE HAD BURST. THE ADDITIONAL STRESS CAUSE BY THE RUPTURING OF THE LINE THEN AFFECTED THE OTHER LINES. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES BEFORE IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11209608

Incident

May 4, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. ONE MINUTE BRAKES WORKED, BUT PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ON SUBSEQUENT USE. INSPECTION REVEALED THIS WAS DUE TO RUST-THROUGH OF THE RIGID BRAKE LINES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME

NHTSA ID

11194481

Incident

Apr 7, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

YET ANOTHER FAILURE OF INADEQUATELY SPECCED BRAKE LINES. I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE TWO BRAKE LINES (FROM THE BPMV TO THE FRONT-RIGHT CALIPER AND BPMV TO THE REAR-LEFT DRUM) DUE TO BLOW-OUTS ORIGINATING FROM HEAVY CORROSION - BOTH OF WHICH OCCURRED IN HEAVY-TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. ON EVERY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED, BRAKE LINES WERE AN ITEM THAT COULD MORE-OR-LESS BE PRESUMED A LIFETIME PART; THEY RARELY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNLESS DAMAGED. HOWEVER, ON MY TRUCK (AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS JUST ON THE NHTSA'S COMPLAINTS PAGE FOR THE 06 SILVERADO ALONE), THE HARD BRAKE LINES ARE ABOUT AS FAR FROM A LONG-LASTING, HIGH-QUALITY PART AS YOU CAN GET. THERE IS AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF DOCUMENTATION SCATTERED ACROSS THE INTERNET ON THIS MATTER, YET THE NHTSA SEEMS AVERSE TO HOLDING GM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR PRODUCT. IT MAY WELL BE TOO LATE AT THIS POINT FOR THE NHTSA TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT WHY DIDN'T THEY DO ANYTHING SOONER? THE OLDEST RECORDED COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IS FROM 5-22-2012 (ID# 10459283), THERE ARE HUNDREDS ON THE EXACT SAME MATTER, AND YET THE NHTSA HAS PUBLICLY OPENED 0 INVESTIGATIONS ON THE TOPIC. TO THE NHTSA, PLEASE HOLD GM ACCOUNTABLE FOR SPECCING LINES THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR A SERVICE ENVIRONMENT, AND QUIT MAKING CONSUMERS RESPONSIBLE FOR GM'S CHOICES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11183597

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

Mileage

144,000 mi

REPLACED BRAKE LINES ON A REGULAR BASIS - UNDERCARRIAGE ROTTING OUT

NHTSA ID

11142529

Incident

Sep 9, 2006

EXPERIENCING UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION ON FRONT BRAKES AT LOW SPEED. BELOW 10 MPH. CAUSING INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE DURING LOW SPEED APPLICATIONS. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. I HAVE HEARD OF A SIMILAR ABS RECALL ON EARLY MODEL SILVERADO TRUCKS. RECALL N050068.

NHTSA ID

11123773

Incident

Aug 5, 2018

Mileage

117,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK, THE BRAKES MADE A SCRAPING NOISE, AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND TURN THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE HUB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11089080

Incident

Apr 18, 2018

Mileage

145,000 mi

NEPHEW BORROWED MY TRUCK. HE WAS IN MOTION AND TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A CITY STREET AND REALIZED BRAKES HAD FAILED. HE WISELY CONTINUED STRAIGHT TILL IT SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH AND HE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN ONTO A ROAD AND PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT BEHIND A HOUSING PROJECT. HE USED A SNOW BANK/BOULDER TO STOP THE TRUCK. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. TRUCK WAS TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. I DO MY OWN REPAIRS. AFTER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE SUPPLY LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE ABS MODULE HAD RUPTURED. THERE WAS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER A SINGLE PUSH ON THE BRAKES. THE TRUCK IS 11 YEARS OLD. HOW CAN THE BRAKE LINES BE RUSTING OUT. THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND A SERIOUS FLAW WITH THIS DESIGN. I'M ATTACHING 2 PICTURES FOR YOUR OBSERVATION. GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THESE BAD DESIGNS. IS THIS ANOTHER CHEAP SOLUTION LIKE THE IGNITION KEY PROBLEM THAT COST COUNTLESS LIVES? THERE SHOULD BE THE UTMOST ACTION BY THIS AGENCY TO HOLD GM ACCOUNTABLE. THIS ABS MODULE SHOULD BE UP IN THE FRONT HOOD LIKE OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO. NOT UNDER THE CAB IN A WET ENVIRONMENT. SHAME ON GM.

NHTSA ID

11079446

Incident

Mar 10, 2018

Mileage

126,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" ON 11/04/2016 ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SUDDENLY VEHICLE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE BEGIN TO SIDESWIPED MY VEHICLE, MY PASSING WAS DELAY AND HINDER; ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND SIDESWIPED CONTINUALLY FORCE ME OF THE LEFT SIDE PAVEMENT ONTO THE GRAVEL ON THE LEFT AND INTO A RESIDENT DOGWOOD TREES, NO DEPLOY FROM AIRBAGS VEHICLE WAS CONSIDER A TOTAL LOST BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND REPAIR SHOP

NHTSA ID

11066521

Incident

Nov 4, 2016

Mileage

148,000 mi

FAILURE OF BRAKE LINE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. GOING OUT OF DRIVEWAY TURN INTO A DTE POLE TO STOP

NHTSA ID

11052287

Incident

Dec 3, 2017

Mileage

85,000 mi

ONE MORNING WHEN TRY TO GO THE WORK, I START MY TRUCK BUT SEE THE BRAKE LIGHT SHOW UP, WHEN PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN, I LOOK BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK DROOPING FLUID BY THE GAS TANK AREA. THANKS TO GOD NOT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AND JUST USED THE TRUCK NIGHT BEFORE, IF NOT COULD BE SOMETHING VERY BAD AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11034162

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

BRAKE LINE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON FRONT, LEFT SIDE NEAR WHEEL. INSPECTION OF LINES REVEALED SIGNIFICANT RUST ON ALL BRAKE LINES. NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL WHEN I TRIED TO STOP, BRAKE FLUID POURED OUT AND I HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY GARAGE. IF I HAD BEEN ON HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. THIS VEHICLE SAW ONLY LIMITED USE DURING WINTER MONTHS BUT LINES ARE VERY RUSTED.

NHTSA ID

11016450

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

Mileage

57,000 mi

DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC 3 -5 MPH BRAKE LINE BROKE, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. CHEVY DEALERSHIP STATES THEY WERE AWARE OF RUSTING BRAKE LINES FAILING ON THIS MODEL. NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. $1,800.00 TO HAVE DEALERSHIP REPLACE.

NHTSA ID

11010875

Incident

Jul 6, 2017

Mileage

97,500 mi

STEEL BRAKE LINES (BRAKELINES) RUSTED THROUGH BY FRAME OF TRUCK. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. VERY DANGEROUS AS USUALLY OCCURS (AND DID IN MY CASE) WHILE DRIVING SINCE PUMPS WILL PUSH BRAKE FLUID OUT OF LEAKING RUSTED LINES WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11010651

Incident

Jul 25, 2017

Mileage

15 mi

SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES

NHTSA ID

11006256

Incident

Jul 15, 2012

WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGING AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP WHERE YOU INTENDED TO STOP. IT GOES SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING INCREASING THE RISK OF ACCIDENT BY REAR ENDING SOMEONE OR ENDING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ID

11005003

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS EXCESSIVE RUSTING TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. LEAF SPRING SHACKLE FAILED LAST YEAR, CAUSING LEAF SPRING TO PUT A HOLE IN TRUCK BED WHILE DRIVING. BRAKES LINES RUSTED TO FAILURE LAST WEEK AND CAUSED NEAR BRAKE LOSS WHILE OPERATING. HAD TO USE E-BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING MY GARAGE. CROSS MEMBERS SUPPORTING SHOCK FAILED. GAS TANK ABOUT TO FALL OFF DUE TO RUST FAILURE. CANNOT DRIVE TRUCK. BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTION AND TRUCK IS UNSAFE DUE TO FRAME BEING COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ID

11002931

Incident

Jun 7, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

DRIVING MY CHEVY SILVERADO DOWN THE ROAD. HIT THE BRAKES FOR A DEER AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ON THE ROAD. FOUND THAT THE METAL BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT. TALKED TO 3 COMPANIES ABOUT REPAIRS. ALL THE LINES ARE ROTTEN. MINIMUM COST IS $500. ALL PLACES SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM TRUCKS-EVEN THE DEALER SAID OH BRAKE LINES GO BAD ALL THE TIME ON VEHICLES OVER 10 YEARS OLD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS; OWNED AT LEAST 20 VEHICLES AND NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW IT-BRAKES ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT! I WAS LUCKY. NO ONE WAS HURT. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD. I READ THAT GM USED LOW QUALITY MATERIAL FOR THEIR LINES. IF SO, IT SHOULD BE EASY TO BREAK IT DOWN AND VERIFY. WAS THIS METAL SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION? THEY KNOW ALL THE CONDITIONS THAT THEIR TRUCKS WILL BE IN. HOW MANY MORE OF UNREPORTED ISSUES ARE THERE? SOONER OR LATER IT WILL BE PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT WILL BE LOST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID

11000374

Incident

Apr 11, 2017

Mileage

103,000 mi