2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Since repair work was performed on this vehicle in late 2025, it has intermittently experienced sudden, complete brake lockup on all four wheels without any pedal input. This has occurred during sharp turns and during straight, steady highway driving, both suddenly and after gradual buildup; regardless of the pattern leading up to it, the lockup itself is abrupt and unexpected. On March 25, 2026, driving approximately 70 mph on the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) between Mountain Ave and Foothill Blvd, at approximately 39,900 miles, all four brakes suddenly applied with no pedal input, causing the truck to skid toward a stop while traffic continued to pass at highway speed. Smoke was visible from the front wheels and in my mirrors. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred, but the vehicle poses an ongoing risk of sudden, uncommanded loss of control, especially hazardous at highway speed with surrounding traffic. The dealership's inspection found blue thermal discoloration on all four brake rotors, consistent with extreme, sustained overheating, and recommended full brake system replacement estimated at $23,875.25. I am retired, on a fixed income, and cannot readily absorb a repair of this magnitude for an intermittent but serious safety defect. This vehicle uses a Hydro-Boost brake system. GM has published service information (Bulletin PIT3665J) describing a known condition on this platform where the brake pedal can move or self-apply, caused by the internal dump valve failing to seat due to steering system contamination. This bulletin covers Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks across model years 1998-2020, among other GM platforms. Given the severity of this failure and the number of vehicles affected across more than two decades, I believe this warrants review as a potential safety defect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE INTENDED TURN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WANDERED OFF THE ROAD UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308,000.

IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING FROM OUR HOME, WHILE TOWING A LARGE BOAT, A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RELEASING THE BRAKE FLUID AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I INSPECTED THE RUPTURED AREA AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND READY TO FAIL AT ANY TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST IS $950. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED ONE MINUTE LATER THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP PULLING 30FT 5TH WHEEL , PUSHED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN & PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR , PULLED OVER & FOUND BRAKE LINE LEAKING UNDER MASTER CYLINDER ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL , REPAIRED LINE TO GET HOME , UPON INSPECTION OF BRAKE LINES, THEY ARE VERY WEAK, SINCE THEN I'VE HAD TO FIX 2 MORE BRAKE LINES, LUCKILY NOT PULLING ANYTHING ,I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THESE SAME TRUCKS & INSPECTED THERE'S & ALSO LOOK THE SAME,1 FRIEND TOOK HIS TO DEALERSHIP & THEY TOLD HIM THAT THIS IS NORMAL? I FEEL THEY DID NOT USE THE CORRECT KIND OF METAL WHEN PRODUCING THESE VEHICLES BRAKE LINES .I WORK IN THE SERVICE FIELD & HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES ROT THE WAY THESE TRUCKS DO , THESE TRUCKS ARE BOUGHT FOR PULLING & A LOT OF THEM ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS HOPING YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR SAFETY REASONS. THANK YOU *TR

PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO HOLD TRUCK STATIONARY DURING INSPECTION. WE TRIED TO ADJUST PEDAL FOLLOWING THE GM SERVICE MANUAL AND BRAKE STILL WOULD NOT HOLD. REMOVED REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND FOUND LINING ON SHOES WORN OFF. REPLACED SHOES, HARDWARE, AND ROTOR. CHECKED CABLES AND ACTUATORS FOR SHOES. ASSEMBLED, ADJUSTED AND BURNISHED SHOES AS PER SERVICE MANUAL, BRAKE STILL WOULD NOT HOLD TRUCK ON GRADE INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON. ADJUSTED SHOES UNTIL THEY WERE DRAGGING ON DRUMS AND COULD FINALLY GET BRAKES TO HOLD TRUCK. THE DRAGGING SHOES WILL BE WORN OFF IN A MATTER OF DAYS AND THE BRAKE WILL NOT WORK. OUR COMPANY HAS SEVEN TRUCKS WITH THIS SAME STYLE PARKING BRAKE AND THEY WILL NOT HOLD EVEN AN EMPTY TRUCK DAYS AFTER LEAVING OUR SHOP. I KNOW OF THE RECALL FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS AND IT SHOULD BE CARRIED OVER TO ALL SILVERADO TRUCKS. *TR