2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE Service Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was firm, and vehicle kept accelerating unintendedly. Several warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty ABS module. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not included in a recall because he was not located in a salt State. The failure mileage was unknown.

BRAKE LINES ARE MADE OUT OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS GM KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THE LINES RUST OUT PREMATURELY . THE FIRST ONE BLEW OUT I WAS BACKING IN A PARKING SPACE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE SECOND ONE BLEW AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT PUSHED ON THE BRAKE WENT THRU THE RED LIGHT DODGED TRAFFIC .THE THIRD ON THE INTERSTATE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPING SUDDENLY PUSHED ON THE PEDAL ANOTHER BRAKE LINE BROKE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I MANAGED TO HIT THE MEDIAN CROSS THE MIDDLE AND GET IT STOPPED BEFORE A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE TRAFFIC HEADING THE OTHER DIRECTION ON INTERSTATE 81 . THE REST OF THE UNDER SIDE IS RUST AND CORROSION FREE ONLY THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT ! .THAT BEING SAID GM HAS A REPAIR KIT WITH COATED LINES THEY ALWAYS HAVE IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY KNOW ITS A MAJOR PROBLEM !!! I GOT A REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP $1580.00 I AM REPLACING ALL STEEL LINES . PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE

Mileage: 7,900

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, >5MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATES AND VEHICLE CONTINUES ON TO THE POINT OF ENTERING TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT STOP SIGNS AND EVEN JUST PULLING OUT OF PRIVATE DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC. MY LOCAL MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INDICATED THAT A FRONT SPEED SENSOR WAS AT FAULT. AFTER INVESTIGATING NUMEROUS SITES, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM ON THE '02 AVALANCHE AS WELL AS OTHER SIMILAR CHASSIS TRUCKS FROM '99-'02. AND THESE WERE INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF OVER 1,353,700 TRUCKS UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 05V379000. THE REPORT STATED TO CONTACT GM AND REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR. WHEN I DID THAT, THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ACCORDING TO THE VIN. HOW DOES GM DETERMINE WHICH VIN IS AFFECTED? IS THE NHTSA MONITORING GM'S SELECTION PROCESS? I'VE OWN THE VEHICLE SINCE 6/05, AND THE ABOVE RECALL WAS INITIATED 9/05, BUT I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF NOTICE THAT MY VEHICLE MAY OR MAY NOT BE AFFECTED AND TO BRING IT TO A GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION. I'VE HAD ONE HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED YEARS AGO AT MY OWN EXPENSE, (I WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD BEARING BUT THEY HAD THE REPLACEMENT PART ONLY CAME ASSEMBLED AS THE BEARING, HUB AND SENSOR). THE DESIGNER MUST ALSO HAVE BEEN THE SUPPLIER. IT'S GOOD THAT THERE IS THE NHTSA TO TRY AND KEEP THESE MANUFACTURERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CARS THEY PRODUCE, BUT WITH MORE AUTOMATION IN THE INDUSTRY TO CUT COSTS, YOU NOW HAVE 1 WORKER OVERSEEING WHAT IT TOOK 10 TO DO. MORE AND MORE MISTAKES ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN. OUR SAFETY IS WORTH MORE THEN THEIR CORPORATE JETS AND LAVISH LIFESTYLES.

Mileage: 86,000

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK AND TOWING A TRAILER, I LOST ALMOST ALL MY BRAKING POWER. HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. FOUND THAT A BRAKE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE (WHICH IS MOUNTED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, GREAT PLACE) HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BLEW OUT. FOUND ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED IN THIS AREA AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. LOOKS LIKE GM USED INFERIOR METAL BRAKE LINES IN CONSTRUCTING THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE IN AN AREA THAT GETS SEVERE EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY RENDERED UNSAFE WITH THE RUPTURE OF ONE BRAKE LINE, WHICH INDICATES THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE IS A FAULTY DESIGN. I WAS VERY LUCK TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AND NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UPON BRAKING. HAD TO DOWNSHIFT TO LOW GEAR AND APPLY WHAT LITTLE BRAKE I HAD LEFT TAKING APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET TO STOP. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAR END COLLISION. SLOWLY RETURNED HOME ABOUT A MILE AWAY AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THE HARD BRAKE LINE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HAD BURST. NO PRIOR WARNING TO LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 67,880

APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION FOUND BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. VEHICLE REQUIRED 100% REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

THE BRAKE LINE THAT GOES THE LENGTH OF THE TRUCK FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR BRAKES CORRODED THROUGH AND RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES ON MY TRUCK. I HAD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD AND INTO SOME BRUSH AND A DRAINAGE DITCH TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND AVOID HITTING CARS IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

DRIVING IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOTIFICATION FROM DASH DISPLAY, HAD TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINE AD RUSTED, BRAKE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK AND ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS $1200.00 USD. ALL THE TIMES I TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, NOT ONCE DID THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING BRAKE LINES. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND MECHANICS AND OWNER'S OF SIMILAR VEHICLES SAID THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 140,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

GM HAD REPAIRED THE RUST BRAKE DEFECTS ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE IN MANY SALT STATES THAT ENDURE COLD WEATHER. BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OUTRAGE THEY DID NOT REPAIR THIS SAME DEFECT IN MY STATE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS WHERE RUST CAUSES THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM TO NEEDLESS ENGAGE WHEN IT SHOULD NOT DURING SLOW SPEEDS SOMETIMES MAKING BRAKING DANGEROUS IN SLOW TURNING AND PARKING SITUATIONS. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING THESE DEFECTS ON MY OWN BUT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY DESIGN IN THE SYSTEM THIS PROBLEM HAS A TENDENCY TO RE OCCUR. *TR

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE TOWING A HORSE TRAILER, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES THE BRAKE LINES BROKE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

PULLING BOAT (22 FT ) FROM THE BOAT LAUNCH TO THE MAKE READY AREA. STEPPED ON BRAKES AND PEDDLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WENT TO THE FLOOR ! UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES, THEY ARE RUSTED AND IN BAD SHAPE. THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND GOES TO THE REAR WHEELS HAD BLOWN OUT !! *TR

Mileage: 207,100

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM PARK THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENED IN JULY AND NOVEMBER 2013, AND AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. *JS

Mileage: 105,000

WAS DRIVING AROUND THE BLOCK AS I HAD JUST JUMP STARTED THE DEAD BATTERY. AS I APPROACHED A STOP THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE TRUCK KEPT ROLLING AS THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY. AS I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE THE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR. I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A CAR COMING FROM THE SIDE STREET. I COASTED THE TRUCK HOME AND THERE WAS FLUID POURING FROM THE LINES JUST BEHIND THE ABS MODULE. ALL THE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. *JS

Mileage: 114,001

AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST THE BRAKES CAUSING ME TO ROLL THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS COMING THROUGH FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION. IT WAS TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE SO CORRODED THAT THEY BURST WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LINE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT CHANGING TO RED, BRAKES WERE APPLIED MODERATELY HARD AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH SEVERELY REDUCED BRAKING RESULTING IN A STOPPING DISTANCE ABOUT 1 CAR LENGTH LONGER THAN NORMAL. NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DURING THIS INCIDENT. I CONTINUED ANOTHER MILE TO MY DESTINATION WITH REDUCED BRAKING. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED, THE LEAK IN A CORRODED LINE ON TOP OF THE FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS APPARENT. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER ABOUT 1 MORE MILE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 187,500

ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON...THERE WAS A RECALL FOR "SALT" BELT STATES, HOWEVER, AREAS THAT GET SNOW AND ROADS ARE SALTED AS WELL SUCH AS RENO, NV, TRUCKEE, CA ETC AND OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SIMILAR CONDITIONS TO THOSE THAT WERE ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS WELL.... SAME PROBLEM, SIMILAR CONDITIONS. WHY WOULD MY AREA NOT BE INCLUDED AS WELL?? *TR

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S STATE WAS NOT MENTIONED AS ONE OF THE SALT BELT STATES THAT WERE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

SLOWED RAPIDLY FOR A VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. BRAKES WORKED FINE UNTIL SPEED DROPPED TO 15 MPH. THEN BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. LIMPED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT CLOSING TIME. AWAITING ESTIMATE AND CAUSE. *TR

Mileage: 189,567

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ABS ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 100,000

WAS DRIVING ON STREET FROM STORE TO HOME WHEN I NOTICED BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND THEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. MY SON WENT TO USE THE TRUCK THE NEXT DAY AND WHEN HE PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY TO STREET, COULD BARELY STOP. SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID ON DRIVEWAY. CHECKED BRAKELINE AND IT WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY WITH A HOLE IN IT. CAR HAS BEEN LAID UP AND NOT DRIVE-ABLE. RUSTING THROUGH THE BRAKELINE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 168,000

WAS DRIVING ON NY STATE THRUWAY WITH WIFE AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN. WOMEN CUT IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED ON BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED NEAR A CLEARING OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AND/OR KILLED. TURNS OUT ALL OF MY BRAKE LINE ARE RUSTED OUT AND NEED REPLACEMENT. TURNS OUT GM USED CHEAPER BRAKE LINES AND NOT STAINLESS STEEL ONES. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

1. FIRST INCIDENT: 10/14/12. CATASTROPHIC BRAKELINE RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION NEAR REAR LEFT TIRE RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES 2. SECOND INCIDENT: 10/19/13. CATASTROPHIC BRAKELINE RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION ON SIDE OF FRAME NEAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 97,930

WHEN LEAVING THE HIGHWAY I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALMOST REAR ENDING THE TRUCK AHEAD OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE HOME USING LOW GEAR AND WHAT I FOUND OUT WERE THE REAR BRAKES. AFTER GETTING HOME I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK. THE BRAKE LINES WERE HORRIBLY RUSTED. I CAN'T BELIEVE IN TODAY'S AGE THAT STEEL LINES WOULD BE USED WHEN STAINLESS LINES ARE AVAILABLE. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM WILL NEED REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

COMING UP TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 45MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED ,I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKE AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK BUT NOT IT DID NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION . LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS BLOWN DO TO CORROSION . AFTER INSPECTING ALL THE BRAKE LINES ALL WERE HEAVILY CORRODED . I REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES. AFTER BEING UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS I CAN SEE THE FUEL LINES WILL BE THE NEXT TO CHANGE PLUS THE FRAME AND DRIVE SHAFTS LOOK LIKE THEY CAME UP WITH THE TITANIC. I REALLY DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING TO COME OF THIS , AS THIS MY WAY OF TELLING GM HOW DISGUSTING I FIND THERE BUSINESS MODEL OF MAXIMUM PROFIT OVER SAFETY. FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE FOR BETTER MATERIAL THIS COULD ALL HAVE BEEN AVOIDED . IF THIS WAS TOYOTA OR HONDA THE NEWS MEDIA WOULD BE ALL OVER IT BUT BECAUSE IT'S GM WE HERE CRICKETS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

WHILE BACKING UP TO CONNECT TO A TRAVEL TRAILER BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND FLUID LEAK DEVELOPED FROM UNDERSIDE TRUCK. LIMPED TRUCK TO REPAIR STATION AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,300 TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. ACCORDING TO SHOP OWNER, ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE COMPROMISED DUE TO PREMATURE RUST AND WERE UNSAFE. *LN UPDATED 1/15/2014 *JS

Mileage: 85,000

SITTING AT RED LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN BRAKES SEEMED TO LET GO CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACK A BIT HAD TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

Mileage: 85,562

10/2009: AS I WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST GOING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER AROUND TRAFFIC UNTIL I CAME TO A STOP. 8/2013: AS I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY BRAKE LINES ARE SO BADLY CORRODED AND RUSTED AS WELL AS MY FUEL LINE. TOTAL COST TO FIX EVERYTHING IS $1500, WHICH WITH THE VALUE OF THE TRUCK SEEMS ABSURD TO FIX, BUT WITH THE ECONOMY I CAN'T AFFORD TO TRADE IN AND HAVE CAR PAYMENTS. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING MULTIPLE TIMES AS IT IS COSTLY AND DANGEROUS, I WAS FORTUNATE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. I FEEL THAT THESE LINES SHOULD HAVE MORE LIFE TO THEM AND SHOULDN'T BE SO CHEAP BUT YET SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH HOW "CHEAPLY" VEHICLES ARE BEING MADE AND ESPECIALLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT CAN CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 110,000

A GUY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALMOST T BONED HIM IF HE DIDN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY, SINCE I DIDN'T GET IT STOPPED FOR ANOTHER 40 YARDS PAST WERE THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION THE BRAKELINE EXPLODED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKEPEDDLE PRESSURE. ALL OF THE BREAK LINES, ESPECIALLY IN THE BACK, ARE ROTTED AND SCALING, AND ROTOR SPLASH GUARDS HAVE ROTTED AWAY COMPLETELY. I'M SURE GM WILL POINT TO MILEAGE AS A EXCUSE, BUT THERE REALLY ISN'T ANY RUST ON OR UNDER THE EXCEPT ON THE BRAKELINES AND MY NONE EXISTENT SPLASH GUARDS. I DRIVE 600 HIGH WAY MILES A WEEK AND EXPECT NORMAL PAD/ROTOR/BEARING WEAR AND TEAR BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY PART. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

DURING A RECENT BRAKE JOB DONE BY A DEALER, ON MY FRONT AXLE, A BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE LEFT TO RIGHT WAS FOUND TO BE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, OTHER LINES WERE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING RUST ON THEM. THE TWO LINES COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY SHOWED HEAVY RUSTING WHERE THEY BEND TO GO BACK UNDER THE CHASSIS. IF ONE OF THESE WOULD HAVE RUSTED THROUGH, HALF OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD BE INOPERABLE. WITH BOTH OF THESE LINES, BEING INSTALLED DURING MANUFACTURE AND BEING IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF BOTH FAILING AT THE SAME TIME OR SHORTLY AFTER THE OTHER ONE. IF THAT WOULD HAPPEN, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE NO WAY TO BRAKE AND STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I WAS PARKING AND WHEN I STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT THE WHOLEWAY TO FLOOR. LUCKILY THERE WAS A CURB IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULDHAVE CRASHED INTO A STORED LOADED WITH PEOPLE. AFTER INVESTIGATION FOUND OUT BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. FOUND OUT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING. HOW MANY YEARS IS IT GONNA TAKE OR HOW MANY MUST DIE BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 204,000

DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY.. WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO STOP.. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WON'T STOP... THEN WENT TO APPLY E-BRAKE AND THAT FAILED AS WELL... (I UP KEEP THE TRUCK VERY WELL SO THIS WAS NOT ISSUE)... I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID A SERIOUS WRECK... UPON INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT.. I ALSO HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AS A MAJOR ISSUE... WITH THESE TRUCKS.... ARE WE REALLY GONNA WAIT TILL SOMEBODY IS KILLED? *TR

Mileage: 129,000

BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH. HAD TWO BRAKE LINES REPLACED. THEN THREE WEEKS LATER ANOTHER BRAKE LINE POPPED. HAD TWO MORE BRAKE LINES REPLACED. TOTAL COST $900. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

WIFE DRIVING HOME WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN SHE APPLIED BRAKES. VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH STOP SIGN EXPOSING MY WIFE AND 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO POSSIBLE INJURY FROM CROSS TRAFFIC. WIFE HAD TO PULL VEHICLE ONTO GRASSY MEDIAN TO GET IT TO STOP COMPLETELY SINCE (BY HER ESTIMATE) BRAKES BARELY WORKED AT ALL (MAYBE 20%). THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ONLY CAME ON AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE ALMOST TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. THERE WAS NO OTHER WARNING OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE THEY FAILED. I MANAGED TO GET THE TRUCK TO A REPAIR FACILITY AFTER NOTING SEVERE LEAKAGE FROM ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND TOPPING OFF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. WAITING ON CONFIRMATION FROM REPAIR SHOP BUT IT APPEARS THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED TO A GREAT AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO ENSURE SAFETY OF VEHICLE OPERATORS. I AM SHOCKED AND DISMAYED THAT THE NHTSA HAS ALLOWED THIS ISSUE TO GO ON WITHOUT SOME TYPE OF NOTIFICATION FROM CHEVY OR THE NHTSA REGARDING THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHY WOULD CHEVROLET BUILD THIS TRUCK WITH A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM YET USE INFERIOR MEATL ON THE BRAKE LINES? *TR

Mileage: 93,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WAS ACTIVE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST AROUND THE ABS AND BRAKE DRUM. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ABS SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE BRAKE DRUMS AND MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE STATE THE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED IN, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Mileage: 93,000

AT 95,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, REPLACED. 1 YEAR LATER, BRAKE LINE EXPLODED, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID, ALL 4 BRAKE LINES REPLACED AS THEY WERE NOT MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL AND HAD RUSTED. 6 MONTHS LATER, DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS ALL WORN, AFFECTING STEERING, DIFFERENTIAL AND RELATED PARTS ALL REPLACED. ALL EXPLOSIONS TOOK PLACE WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, THANK GOD! MECHANIC (FRIEND OF MINE) SAYS HE NEVER SAW ANY CAR WITH AS MANY BAD PARTS AS MY AVALANCHE! I ALSO THANK GOD I BOUGHT IT USED. AMERICAN ENGINEERED CARS HAVE SUCH BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN THAT I NEVER BUY THEM NEW. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT GM LIGHT TRUCKS EMERGENCY BRAKES DO NOT HOLD, EVEN ON BRAND-NEW VEHICLES, ENCOMPASSING MANY YEAR AND MODEL NUMBERS. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH. GM HAS ISSUED SEVERAL BULLETINS BUT NO RECALLS. WHAT GIVES AND HOW MANY INJURIES/DEATHS HAVE TO OCCUR FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT TO ACT???? *TR

Mileage: 5,000

MY BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND LEAKED. I NOW LOOKED ONLINE A SAW ALL OF THE GM VEHICLES THAT IS AFFECTED BY THIS. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING, BUT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE KILLED. I HAD NO WARNING AND NO BRAKE LIGHT, THE LINE JUST STARTED LEAKING, IT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR

Mileage: 92,529

WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES WERE AVAILABLE. LUCKILY I WAS TOWING ATRAILER WITH BRAKES AT THE TIME WHICH STOPPED THE TRUCK PREVENTING A CRASH. A BRIEF LOOK TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE REVEALED A FAILED BRAKE LINE. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE THAT LEADS TO THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 61,000

I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON THE HWY IN GEORGIA, THE STEERING WAS HARD TO CONTROL/LOCK, THE TIRE SLED, WAS RUST AND CORRODE ON STRUCTURE, BRAKE AREA, WHEEL AREA, FRAME, TIRE BROKE OFF, ALMOST FLIPPED AND WAS HIT FROM THE BACK, AND TWICE IN THE FRONT AFTER SLAMMING INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL, I INJURED MY LEFT SIDE, NECK, BACK, AND HIP. BLESSED THAT MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER IN HER 8TH MONTH WASN'T IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. I HAD DONE MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON THE FUEL TANK, TIRE ROD, KNOCK SENSOR, ABS BRAKES, RUNNING BOARD,BRAKES,ROTORS, ETC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RUST ON THE FRAME WON'T EFFECT THE TRUCKS PERFORMANCE AND IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME GOOD. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE AND TWO OF US GOT INJURED. IF THESE TRUCKS ARE HAVING AND BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES- WHY DO THEY JUST PULL ALL OF THEM AND GIVE PEOPLE OTHER OPTIONS. *TR

PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES COMPLETELY WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 5 MPH. WAS ABLE TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW TRUCK DOWN NEXT TO THE CURB. *TR

Mileage: 113,976

BRAKE LINES SEVERELY RUSTED, CAUSING A BURST. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AS IT WAS TOO BADLY RUSTED TO WORK. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

I'VE NOTICED A NEED FOR INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS THEN MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS LOW SO I FILLED IT UP. TWO WEEKS LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE BRAKE PUMP TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS BLOWN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE OTHER BRAKE LINES AND THEY APPEAR TO BE FAIRLY WELL RUSTED AND I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THEY ARE THE NEXT TO FAIL. AFTER READING REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF BRAKE LINE FAILURES, MY WIFE AND I ARE GROWING EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF OUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY OUR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, AS THIS VEHICLE IS OUR PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR

Mileage: 87,500

THIS IS SECOND FAILURE OF BRAKE LINE. NO INDICATION OTHER THAN SEVERE RUST UNDER VEHICLE. LOSS OF STIFFNESS IN PEDAL WHEN ATTEMPT TO BRAKE DOWN HILL IN SNOW/ICE. BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON , NEEDED TO USE TRANSMISSION TO CONTROL SPEED. VEHICLE DID SUSTAIN DAMAGE WHEN UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED ENOUGH IT CRASHED INTO A STRUCTURE. THIS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE. NO INJURIES BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE IN VEHICLE WERE ABLE TO GET OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD BOTH WHEEL SENSORS FAIL AND ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY FAIL. THE BRAKE LINE HAS FAILED AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES BUT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BY MANUFACTURE. NO INJURIES AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF EXPERIENCED DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL AS WELL AS THIS INCIDENT AS REPORTED. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION BEFORE APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 143,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 120,000

APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, I WAS PLANNING ON STOPPING SO I WAS COASTING AT A SLOW SPEED, HOWEVER AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BEGIN BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND APPLIED VERY LITTLE BRAKING. I DID STOP IN TIME HOWEVER IF THERE WERE A CAR IN FRONT ON ME I AM CERTAIN THAT I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED THAT VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE AND DEPLETED THE SYSTEM. THE BREAK WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION TO THE BRAKE LINE. ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. THE REPAIR COST $1400 BECAUSE ALL THE BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT I AM VERY LUCKY THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHERE IT DID. I ALSO FEEL THAT GM HAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS AND SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE. I DID CALL CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. I HAVE TO HOPE THAT THERE IS A RECALL TO GET ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO HURT OR EVEN KILL PEOPLE. I HOPE THE NHTSA IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION AND CAN SOMEHOW TAKE ACTION SOONER THAN LATTER. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PREVENTING INJURIES THAN GETTING MY $1400 BACK. *TR

Mileage: 127,000

WAS GOING TO DINNER AND WHEN WE WERE COMING UP TO THE ENTRANCE, I HIT THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED IN TIME AND NO ONE WAS IN THE WAY. THE 2ND TIME WAS COMING BACK FROM THE OUTER BANKS. I HAVEN'T SEEN A TRUCK RUST OUT SO BAD BEFORE IN MY LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINE RUPTURE NEAR REAR LEFT TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 97,065

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, I HIT BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT MY DUMPSTER. FOUND THAT A RUSTED BRAKE LINE BURST. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE CONTACT ADDED MORE BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED LATER THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME AFTER THE ADDING THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

REAR BRAKE LINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CAUSED BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. CAUSING NO BRAKES AND HAD TO PUT TRUCK IN DITCH TO STOP VEHICLE. RUSTED LINE WAS ABOVE FRAME RAIL JUST ABOVE LEFT REAR TIRE. FOUND OTHER AREA WHERE LINE WAS RUSTED SEVERELY. *TR

Mileage: 154,200

ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKES WERE WORKING UNTIL I HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD ALREADY STARTED MOVING FORWARD SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. RESULTED IN CRASHING INTO CAR STOPPED AHEAD. *TR

Mileage: 210,500