NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
32 reportsClear category filter165,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Service Brakes
MY FAMILY AND I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY ROAD AT 45 MPH, WHEN WE HAD TO COME TO A STOP AND OUR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WE ALMOST SLAMMED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT WAS INFRONT OF US. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND TURN TOWARD THE GRASS SHOULDER. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. MY HUSBAND CHE…
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MY FAMILY AND I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY ROAD AT 45 MPH, WHEN WE HAD TO COME TO A STOP AND OUR BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WE ALMOST SLAMMED IN THE BACK OF THE CAR THAT WAS INFRONT OF US. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND TURN TOWARD THE GRASS SHOULDER. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. MY HUSBAND CHECKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THERE WAS BREAK FLUID RUNNING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR WARNING SOUNDS THAT OUR VEHICLE MADE UNTIL AFTER HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THEN THE VEHICLE GAVE A WARNING SOUND AND A WARNING LIGHT. WE ARE CONTACTING OUR MECHANIC TOMORROW BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED AFTER 6PM. I HAVE BEEN READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE AVALANCHE'S BREAK LINES AND MY HUSBAND SAID THAT I SHOULD ALSO FILE ONE.
NHTSA ODI #10734396
72,378 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Service Brakes
YESTERDAY,JULY 4TH 2015 MY 2004 AVALANCHE; WITH ONLY 70K MILES , THE BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED BLOWN OUT BRAKE LINE. I HAD NO BRAKES DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE IN THIS FAILURE BUT AFTER INTERNET SEARCHING I FIND THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE AND MODEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF …
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YESTERDAY,JULY 4TH 2015 MY 2004 AVALANCHE; WITH ONLY 70K MILES , THE BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS DUE TO A RUSTED BLOWN OUT BRAKE LINE. I HAD NO BRAKES DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE IN THIS FAILURE BUT AFTER INTERNET SEARCHING I FIND THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VINTAGE AND MODEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES; UNDERBODY WASHING DURING INCLEMENT WINTER CONDITIONS , I WAS APPALLED AT THE UNDERBODY RUST. HAVING OTHER VEHICLES OF SIMILIAR AGE AND MILEAGE WITH NO RUST, I FELT GM HAS USED INFERIOR MATERIALS. GM SHOULD STAND UP AND ADMIT THEIR USE OF SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS AND OFFER REMEDY. THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT AS A CONSUMER IF THEY DON'T I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.
NHTSA ODI #10732321
102,605 miles · Apr 22, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes
THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND A STATE INSPECTION. THE PART TO REPAIR THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER WITH NO DEFINITE AVAILABILITY DATE. THE TRUCK IS NOT USABLE BECAUSE OF THE FAILED STATE INSPECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712208
84,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10705912
64,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10704968
95,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes
UPON START UP OF THE TRUCK, THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AND STARTED CHIMING AT ME. EVERYTIME I START THE TRUCK THIS HAPPENS. I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED AND THEY WERE FINE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ABS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC THIS LAST WEEK AND HAD IT LOOKED INTO. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY AVALANCHE AND THEY…
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UPON START UP OF THE TRUCK, THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AND STARTED CHIMING AT ME. EVERYTIME I START THE TRUCK THIS HAPPENS. I HAD MY BRAKES INSPECTED AND THEY WERE FINE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ABS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC THIS LAST WEEK AND HAD IT LOOKED INTO. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY AVALANCHE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A PART FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS ON INDEFINITE BACKORDER. WHAT AND HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? THE ABS SYSTEM IS THROWING FAULT CODES STOPPING IT FROM WORKING PROPERLY BUT THERE IS NOT A PART TO REPLACE IT. PER CHEVY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692628
154,211 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Service Brakes
I WAS GETTING IN MY TRUCK TO GO SHOPPING AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE I NOTICE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO HEAD INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK HOME I NOTICE DRIPPING OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. FURTHER CHECKING I DISCOVER MY BRAKE LINES IS RUSTING AND CAUSE A M…
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I WAS GETTING IN MY TRUCK TO GO SHOPPING AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE I NOTICE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO HEAD INTO TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK HOME I NOTICE DRIPPING OF BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. FURTHER CHECKING I DISCOVER MY BRAKE LINES IS RUSTING AND CAUSE A MAJOR LEAKS UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681038
82,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Service Brakes
AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE THE TRUCK COASTED TO A STOP, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL METAL BRAKE LINES THAT LEFT U…
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AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. ONCE THE TRUCK COASTED TO A STOP, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL METAL BRAKE LINES THAT LEFT US WITH A BILL OF OVER $2,000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THE ENTIRE TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION AND RUST FREE EXCEPT FOR THE FAULTY BRAKE LINES! GM SHOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672600
39,245 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Service Brakes
I JUST PICKED UP SOME MULCH FOR AROUND MY HOUSE WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON AND I GOT HOME AND I WAS BACKING UP TO UNLOAD THE MULCH AND WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON, LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED OUT, THA…
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I JUST PICKED UP SOME MULCH FOR AROUND MY HOUSE WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON AND I GOT HOME AND I WAS BACKING UP TO UNLOAD THE MULCH AND WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES LIGHT CAME ON, LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED OUT, THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT.. IT ALSO HAPPENED A SECOND TIME NOT LONG AFTER THAT, I CANT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE ON THAT ONE EITHER. THERE HAS BEEN LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE : HEATING ,BRAKES SENSOR, WHEEL BEARINGS, E BRAKE PROBLEMS,FUEL PUMP ROT, WATER PUMP, RUSTED UNDER CARRIAGE, O2 SENSOR, MULTIPLE BRAKE AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS [4], NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND FRONT END, GAUGE CLUSTER REPLACEMENT, WINDSHIELD FLUID RESERVOIR LEAKS,POWER WINDOW MOTORS, DOME OVERRIDE LIGHT, DEAD BATTERY PROBLEMS, I WENT THRU 4 BATTERIES IN 5 YEARS, IT JUST KEPT GOING DEAD IF I DIDN'T USE THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. I ONLY HAVE 72,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE NOW AS OF 12/19/2014. LOTS OF PROBLEMS FOR A $ 50,000 TRUCK. ILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667235
112,400 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Service Brakes
APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT .GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SAW THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND HAD RUPTURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649058