Five problems related to brake light on have been reported for the 2003 Chevrolet 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Noticed brake fluid on the floor of my garage as a result of brake line rust thru. Upon inspection I found that all of the steel lines in the brake system were corroded and required replacing. Even though the brake fluid level has leaked down significantly and the brake pedal is nearly on the floor, no brake warning light has activated indicating a brake system failure. Because I have prior experience working on vehicles, I knew enough not to continue driving the truck. I am in the process of replacing all of the brake lines on the truck because the defective steel brake line material has failed or is near failure throughout the brake system.
Brake lines failed in 2 places on the drivers side due to corrosion. Rusted through under the drivers door and at the drivers side rear caliper. Travelling 40mph applied brake to make turn, initial brake resistance, then pedal went to floor. Removed foot and reapplied pedal. Able to make turn, tested upon stopping with two additional hard stops when going less that 5mph. Both instances pedal had resistance. Backed into driveway to attached trailer, pressed pedal to test trailer lights, pedal went to floor and brake light warning illuminated. Loss of fluid was observed on the street where 2 additional tests took place, main loss of fluid appeared in driveway during light test.
Total brake failure as a result of corroded and rusted brake lines on a ten year old silverado that has been well maintained and taken through car washes including undercarriage washes at least six times a year here in new jersey. As I slowed for a light the brake pedal traveled further than normal and as I the pressed the pedal it went to the floor. Only quick reflexes and jumping a curb into a empty parking lot prevented an accident, the check brake service light was now on. I checked the brake fluid and not a drop remained. I broke down near a brake repair business and got the truck to them the next day. One week later 36 feet of new stainless steel brake line was added at a cost of $1113. 87. I retained the old rusted out lines in case needed down the road. Apparently no sensor to indicate brake fluid was low. Research after incident reveals this to be a common problem with that model year. At the very least warnings should have been issued on these defective brake lines.
I was driving my 2003 chevy silverado on a rural but residential road with a steep decline at about 35 mph. I attempted to slow down but when I stepped on the brake pedal it went to the floor and the service brakes light came on. It felt like there was air in the brake lines so I attempted pumping the brakes hoping to prevent any more acceleration down the hill and that is about all I got. I could not stop and had no choice but to ride it out until I crossed the bridge at the bottom of the hill and started up the other side. When my truck finaly came to a stop I quikly put it in park to prevent it from rolling backwards down the hill. I popped the hood and got out. I checked the brake fluid and it was almost full so I didn't know how air could get in the brake lines. Unfortunately it was snowing out so I couldn't tell if I had a leak. I was only a mile from my house so I decided I would drive it home on a different "flat" road at very low speed, about 10mph. Once home I was able to have my wife press on the brakes while lying under the truck and I found that the brake line supplying the rear brakes was rusted out and had a severe leak. If this had happened a few minutes later I would have been on a state highway doing 45 to 50 mph with other vehicles. Why isn't chevy/gm being made to fix these problems ?.
Slowing at a traffic light I noticed the pedal depressing more than normal. At light the pedal depressed to the floor of the car, brake light came on. Unsafe ride home with almost zero braking. Left front brake line was rusted out.