Chevrolet Silverado Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 13, 2025 · 706 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 706 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Silverado across 21 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (124). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (48% of reports).

What owners describe

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

  • Brake lines: mentioned in 338 of 706 complaints (48%)
  • Pedal went: mentioned in 193 of 706 complaints (27%)
  • Brakes failed: mentioned in 59 of 706 complaints (8%)
  • Line rusted: mentioned in 51 of 706 complaints (7%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the Chevrolet Silverado at $1,600, and half of them between $1,050 and $2,400.

Based on 57 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2020), 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 problems happen?

Based on 680 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles22 · 3%
10k–25k miles31 · 5%
25k–50k miles73 · 11%
50k–75k miles134 · 20%
75k–100k miles144 · 21%
100k–150k miles172 · 25%
150k+ miles104 · 15%

How serious are the reports?

Of 706 complaints, 54 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 14 an injury.

Chevrolet Silverado service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2003, with 124 complaints
1995: 219951997: 11998: 119981999: 522000: 5820002001: 402002: 7020022003: 1241242004: 12220042005: 612006: 8320062007: 212008: 420082009: 42010: 220102011: 52012: 920122013: 22014: 820142015: 62017: 312017

n = 706 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 Silverado3125%41,000
2015 Silverado68%12,366
2014 Silverado86%12,206
2013 Silverado23%14,947
2012 Silverado913%7,299
2011 Silverado57%34,500
2010 Silverado23%10,000
2009 Silverado45%53,691
2008 Silverado42%31,940
2007 Silverado2111%65,500
2006 Silverado8346%64,888
2005 Silverado6119%93,500
2004 Silverado12220%91,850
2003 Silverado12418%92,900
2002 Silverado7010%103,000
2001 Silverado405%99,000
2000 Silverado584%132,013
1999 Silverado523%131,000
1998 Silverado10%—
1997 Silverado10%90,000
1995 Silverado21%250,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 251 complaints
2012: 11420121142013: 18220131822014: 25120142512015: 10920151092016: 182016182018: 2201822019: 172019172020: 112020112023: 220232

n = 706 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 2012 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated he purchased the vehicle at a used dealer on March 13, 2023, and the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), the traction control sensor, and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used dealer on 3…

Received Jun 9, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11526178

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the brake pedal was…

Received Mar 16, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11512176

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clunking sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the oil level was always low. There was no warning. The vehicle was taken to the midway chevrolet…

Received Mar 9, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11317032

My 2017 chevy 2500hd silverado shakes hard when the brakes are applied.

Received Mar 7, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11316750

Abs activates at slow speeds creating an inability to stop properly.

Received Apr 10, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10854646
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 problems?

No. NHTSA has 706 owner complaints about service brakes 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?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes. 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 problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,600 (half paid between $1,050 and $2,400), from 57 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

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

The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 338 of 706 complaints, followed by “pedal went” (193).

Other Chevrolet Silverado problems

See all Chevrolet Silverado problems.