Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 across 21 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (16). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (31% of reports).
- 128service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 40%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 40 of 128 complaints (31%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 19 of 128 complaints (15%)
- Trailer brakes: mentioned in 16 of 128 complaints (13%)
- Line ruptured: mentioned in 10 of 128 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 85 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 128 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Silverado 3500 | 3 | 25% | — |
| 2024 Silverado 3500 | 12 | 24% | — |
| 2022 Silverado 3500 | 4 | 15% | — |
| 2021 Silverado 3500 | 5 | 12% | 35,000 |
| 2020 Silverado 3500 | 7 | 17% | 13,750 |
| 2019 Silverado 3500 | 3 | 14% | — |
| 2018 Silverado 3500 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2016 Silverado 3500 | 10 | 20% | 10,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 3500 | 10 | 19% | 7,891 |
| 2013 Silverado 3500 | 1 | 4% | 70,000 |
| 2012 Silverado 3500 | 1 | 4% | 119,705 |
| 2011 Silverado 3500 | 1 | 3% | 116,080 |
| 2007 Silverado 3500 | 3 | 8% | 82,000 |
| 2006 Silverado 3500 | 11 | 21% | 99,000 |
| 2005 Silverado 3500 | 8 | 17% | 95,000 |
| 2004 Silverado 3500 | 10 | 24% | 99,500 |
| 2003 Silverado 3500 | 10 | 24% | 107,562 |
| 2002 Silverado 3500 | 7 | 14% | 63,500 |
| 2001 Silverado 3500 | 16 | 22% | 97,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 3500 | 4 | 5% | 95,062 |
| 1999 Silverado 3500 | 1 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control modulePark outside
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. 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 N212349181.
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.
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…
This truck was parked on a job site, on a flat parking lot over blacktop, doing a regen for the 5th time in just a few days. The truck had 4,000 miles on it. When it completed the regen, we shut the truck off. Within 15 minutes the truck was fully engulfed in flames. A fire investigator looked at…
Leaking break fluid on my feet with sponge breaks dealer absolutely no help
Trailer brakes and lights come and go. I start with having everything then loose brakes and lights when Iâm driving. This is apparently a known issue that they have a fix for but I have never received anything about a recall.
I was driving down the highway at speed limit when the dash lights came on and the truck started jerking went to a mechanic and he stated it was a fuel ejector after getting it replaced the issue still occurs often check engine light comes on and off and this the only transportation I have for work
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 3500s have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 128 owner complaints about service brakes for the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. 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 3500 service brakes?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 40 of 128 complaints, followed by “pedal went” (19).
Other Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems
See all Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems.