Chevrolet Silverado Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 13, 2025 · 2,302 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 2,302 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Silverado across 19 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (815). The words owners use most often: “anti lock” (13% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Anti lock: mentioned in 295 of 2,302 complaints (13%)
  • Stopping distance: mentioned in 210 of 2,302 complaints (9%)
  • Brake lines: mentioned in 140 of 2,302 complaints (6%)
  • Applying brakes: mentioned in 119 of 2,302 complaints (5%)

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 at $1,700, and half of them between $1,250 and $1,850.

Based on 173 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2015), 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 1,314 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles77 · 6%
10k–25k miles132 · 10%
25k–50k miles431 · 33%
50k–75k miles339 · 26%
75k–100k miles179 · 14%
100k–150k miles117 · 9%
150k+ miles39 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 2,302 complaints, 212 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 52 an injury.

Chevrolet Silverado service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year

Peak: 1999, with 815 complaints
1995: 271995271996: 31311997: 571997571998: 84841999: 81519998152000: 4504502001: 30620013062002: 2452452003: 13020031302004: 84842005: 262005262006: 19192007: 132007132008: 442009: 3200932011: 442014: 1201412015: 222017: 120171

n = 2,302 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes, Hydraulic complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 Silverado11%118,000
2015 Silverado23%95,000
2014 Silverado11%—
2011 Silverado45%4,105
2009 Silverado34%19,250
2008 Silverado42%71,500
2007 Silverado137%53,500
2006 Silverado1910%24,000
2005 Silverado268%25,072
2004 Silverado8414%19,750
2003 Silverado13019%39,000
2002 Silverado24535%42,638
2001 Silverado30635%49,850
2000 Silverado45034%54,000
1999 Silverado81549%60,000
1998 Silverado8430%66,500
1997 Silverado5721%70,000
1996 Silverado3117%78,000
1995 Silverado2710%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2005, with 653 complaints
1997: 1019971998: 121999: 7619992000: 1122001: 23020012002: 2342003: 23420032004: 2372005: 65320056532006: 1722007: 3920072008: 232009: 2520092010: 582011: 10020112012: 432013: 1120132014: 202015: 1020152021: 12023: 120232024: 1

n = 2,302 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V379000 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

Problem: Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.

Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 8, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · 77,411 vehicles

Model years: 2004, 2005

Problem: Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.

Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · 68,875 vehicles

Model years: 2003, 2004

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.

Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.

Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 30, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V345000 · 1,383,922 vehicles

Model years: 1999, 2000

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle. If contact occurs and the brake pipe becomes damaged, in half of the brake system there can be a loss of brake fluid and pressure. The brake warning lamp will be activated when the brake fluid level reaches the indicator limit.

Risk: During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not signs of wear on the brake pipe, the dealer will install a spacer clip to ensure sufficient clearance between the brake pipe and the body cross sill.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipFeb 28, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V055000 · 10,674 vehicles

Model years: 2000

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (abs) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the abs would be non-functional.

Risk: The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle momentarily lost control, however, the contact's son depressed the brakes and…

Received Apr 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11582632

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the braking system suddenly failed causing the brake pedal to become extremely hard to press and the vehicle would not immediately stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a utility pole…

Received Aug 9, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11537451

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, he would have to increase the braking distance when depressing the brake pedal. The contact also stated that he would have to depress the brake pedal harder when driving at 45 mph as the vehicle failed to stop…

Received Jun 24, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11422165

2011 chevrolet silverado. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle brakes issue. Consumer has another vehicle complaint listed in artemis. *smd the consumer stated the rear brake shoes would stick to the drums after getting wet when the parking brake was applied. The brake shoes would release with a…

Received Sep 14, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10758461

Contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado. Contacted stated while driving at approximately 55 mph, the brake pedal was depressed in a panic situation and the pedal went straight to the floor board. *bf

Received Jun 15, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10726043
Chevrolet Silverado
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD photographed in Montréal , Québec , Canada at the 2023 Montréal International Auto Show .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Chevrolet Silverados have service brakes, hydraulic problems?

No. NHTSA has 2,302 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Chevrolet Silverado. 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 service brakes, hydraulic?

Yes: 5 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?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,700 (half paid between $1,250 and $1,850), from 173 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?

The most frequent phrase is “anti lock”, in 295 of 2,302 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (210).

Other Chevrolet Silverado problems

See all Chevrolet Silverado problems.