general problems of the 2002 Chevrolet 1500

I am writing regarding the very poor brake life and performance failure on my 2002 Chevrolet pickup, 1500 series purchased new from a local dealer. At 19,500 miles the brakes were diagnosed (on 1-15-09) by the dealer as needing complete overhaul, a cost of $571. 00. The problem was noticeable at 12,000 miles by excessive pedal travel, the same with the emergency brake. No action was taken or notice of brake wear indicated by the dealer when notified. By 17,000 miles the brakes were noisy and when informed the dealer said my rear rotors were rusty from low use and I should consider a replacement. Unable to believe my brakes were worn out ( I'm 65 years old and have never had a vehicles' brakes wear out any where near this mileage) I decided to drive it more often to remove the rust. During this time my teenage daughter, with me as a passenger, nearly hit a semi unexpectedly blocking our lane, because the brakes worked very poorly. This was in the fall of 08. In November and December 08, I wrote to the dealer requesting cost sharing for brake repair. No response. . Then, in late December I wrote to gm , customer affairs, in detroit,mi. Requesting cost sharing due to premature wearout. They requested the cost estimate on 1-15-09 and then refused or denied any assistance based on "low use". I am well aware of a broad problem with early brake wear on 2001 to 2004 (admitted by service reps at the dealer) light duty gm trucks, mostly due to rusty rotors, especially on the rears. This is further evidenced by the dealer estimate which showed expensive replacement "ceramic" pads, which were not original equipment. The dealer also admitted that at one time they tried to add a "kit" to shield the rear rotors from salt spray. These are all evidence of defective parts, something that should be covered by warranty regardless of the vehicles age or frequency of use. Or covered by a recall. Your website shows thousands of complaints on this item. Please add mine.

Emergency brake stopped working on my 2002 Chevrolet tahoe after 34,757 miles. A properly working emergency brake is critical, as my three small children ride in and play around this vehicle.