Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 1,525 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 across 31 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (237). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (20% of reports).
- 1,525service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 118mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 12%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake lines: mentioned in 300 of 1,525 complaints (20%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 144 of 1,525 complaints (9%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 135 of 1,525 complaints (9%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 102 of 1,525 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at $1,350, and half of them between $710 and $1,900.
Based on 94 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 1,202 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,525 complaints, 118 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 17 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Silverado 1500 | 2 | 2% | 4,555 |
| 2025 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 1% | 21,800 |
| 2024 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 4,000 |
| 2023 Silverado 1500 | 7 | 2% | 17,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 0% | 6,000 |
| 2021 Silverado 1500 | 4 | 0% | 96,000 |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | 11 | 1% | 73,350 |
| 2019 Silverado 1500 | 16 | 1% | 58,750 |
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 2% | 70,750 |
| 2017 Silverado 1500 | 15 | 2% | 75,000 |
| 2016 Silverado 1500 | 11 | 1% | 138,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 1500 | 23 | 2% | 81,000 |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 1% | 105,994 |
| 2012 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 0% | 42,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 1500 | 3 | 1% | 114 |
| 2010 Silverado 1500 | 2 | 1% | 57,050 |
| 2009 Silverado 1500 | 6 | 1% | 10,422 |
| 2008 Silverado 1500 | 14 | 2% | 10,995 |
| 2007 Silverado 1500 | 26 | 3% | 18,000 |
| 2006 Silverado 1500 | 53 | 15% | 47,000 |
| 2005 Silverado 1500 | 46 | 9% | 36,500 |
| 2004 Silverado 1500 | 100 | 13% | 50,000 |
| 2003 Silverado 1500 | 151 | 19% | 57,840 |
| 2002 Silverado 1500 | 164 | 32% | 70,000 |
| 2001 Silverado 1500 | 147 | 31% | 75,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 1500 | 237 | 39% | 93,311 |
| 1999 Silverado 1500 | 222 | 38% | 92,000 |
| 1998 Silverado 1500 | 109 | 30% | 68,500 |
| 1997 Silverado 1500 | 123 | 22% | 82,500 |
| 1996 Silverado 1500 | 2 | 29% | 77,524 |
| 1995 Silverado 1500 | 1 | 33% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (9)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software; service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp
Model years: 2023
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
Risk: Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268091.
Service brakes; electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced various intermittent electrical failures while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the power locks and windows either failed to operate as needed or independently operated while driving…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact placed both feet on the brake pedal for the vehicle to come to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. A…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming up to a stop sign, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The contact stated that the âService Brake Assistâ warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The…
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was alerted by OnStar of a failure with the stability system. While the contactâs husband was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was jerking; the brakes were sticking while the brake pedal was depressed. The failure persisted while driving 50…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the rear seats were occupied and that the windows were rolled down was displayed, which required the contact to press the OK button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 1500s have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,525 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 9 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $710 and $1,900), from 94 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 300 of 1,525 complaints, followed by “anti lock” (144).
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
- Service Brakes problems (2,959)
- Electrical System problems (2,694)
- Engine problems (2,656)
- Power Train problems (2,508)
- Air Bags problems (2,409)
- Steering problems (1,526)
- Structure problems (933)
- Suspension problems (520)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems.