63 problems related to brake hoses, lines/piping, and fittings have been reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I have read NHTSA # 05v37900 and see that addresses the brake problems with brake line that I am having problems where the brake goes to the floor with no warning that is the same as the 2002 that is included in your recall. It appears that the same brake lines were used on the 2003 model. So why was the 2003 model not included in the recall as losing the brakes not a safety hazard. I was driving down the road when the brakes went out and was lucky there was no other traffic in the area.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving 25 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and noticed that there was no brake functionality. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the nearest fuel station. The brake warning indicator illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front brake line failed due to corrosion and the rear brake line also experienced severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Lost total braking at red light at busy intersection,45 mph with the grace of god avoided a broadside hit, just missed a child on a bike, this was caused by a rusted brake line. What happen to the safety back-up in this design ? this is wrong. In so many ways. In the USA we need to hold our safety to its highest. How many will die before this problem is resolved .
Sitting at a stop light the brakes failed. Holding the brake while waiting for the light to change, the pedal all of a sudden went to the floor. When I began moving I had to keep the truck below 30 mph to allow the brakes to work with increased stopping distance factored in. After about a 5 mile drive home, checked the brakes and noticed a leak from rusted brake lines near the driver's door. Truck cannot be safely driven until rusted lines are replaced. No ability to make a regular stop much less an emergency stop in the present condition.
Driving 50mph coming up to a red light with cross traffic attempted to stop and peddle went down to the floor. Narrowly missed a possibly deadly accident. Found that the front brake line had rusted through. Very surprised since there is very little rust on the underside of this truck. It would have been nice to have known about this potential issue.
While driving my 2003 chevy Avalanche to work during rush hour traffic, another driver hit their brakes abruptly in front of me. This happens often during rush hour traffic in the morning in columbus, OH. I hit my brakes and they went to the floor! after I pumped them a few quick time, I ran the truck off the road while looking for any additional safe exit strategies. I down shifted, and had a very small amount of brake approximately 1/2" of usable pedal just above the floor board. I have read about the brake line problems, and have been fixing things on the truck since I got it. My wife's Toyota rav4 is 1 year newer (2004) and the underside of her car glistens compared to our chevy Avalanche. The kicker: she drives her rav4 every weekday even during snowy weather, and I drive the Avalanche only once a week! I own another vehicle (1997 Buick) I usually drive. The under side of the Avalanche is the epitome of rust - not just the brake lines but everywhere! when did brake lines become a wear part? I am pleading to your humane treatment of people over profit. This is exactly what this is; gm took extreme shortcuts, all parts under the truck are rusting badly more than any vehicle I have seen in my life. This isn't a northeast or snow belt problem, this is a gm problem. Will you please prevent this travesty from continuing before more people die unnecessarily? split braking systems were made a requirement, and gm is hiding behind that requirement. Was that the NHTSA intent to permit higher profits with the split braking systems? that is what gm is using it for and at the expense of peoples lives. Which is more important profit or lives? have a nice day!.
Brake line failure: I had a ruptured steel break line failure while applying normal breaking pressure on the pedal. After further inspection of break lines, I found all break lines were rusted and in danger of also rupture.
Towing a small landscape trailer, pushed brakes, pedal goes low. Got home, entire frame on drivers side soaked with brake fluid. Had my 2 girls in the car. Not happy. I have never had a car have the brake line rust out before.
2003 2500 Avalanche brake lines heavily rusted deep pits below driver seat and along left frame rail will replace.
The rear brake line burst catastrophically and my brake pedal went to the floor. I was coming up to stopped cars at an intersection and had to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid rear ending another truck. Luckily there were no cars in the lane at the time. I then had to make a sharp turn into a shopping center parking lot to avoid running through the intersection (which did have traffic). I had zero braking power whatsoever. I tried pushing down the emergency brake and it had no effect ( I later found that the emergency brake lines were frozen in a large chunk of ice near the drivers side rear wheel and would not move). The pickup bed drains down onto the lower frame in this area and that accounted for the ice buildup. I continued through the shopping center parking lot and all I could to was downshift to slow myself down. Lucky again. . . The parking lot was nearly empty and very long. After about 4-500 ft I was going slow enough that I was able to jam the transmission into park. There was no warning of this failure. The lines were not leaking. I have now read online that gm has had many complaints of rusted lines on their pickups suddenly failing. This could have been a life threatening situation. Brake lines should not suddenly fail. They should last the life of the vehicle. Non-corrosive nickle copper brake lines exist that do not rust. These should be mandatory on all vehicles.
Vehicle experienced complete brake failure upon slowing for a traffic light. This was compounded by the downhill orientation of the road surface. Left roadway to avoid collision with tractor-trailer. There was no warning or indication of an impending brake failure. No indication that any part of the braking system was still functioning. It was discovered upon inspection that the brake lines were excessively corroded compared with other body and engine components. Metal composition of brake tubing seems very prone to corrosion. Complete brake line replacement of the entire system is now necessary.
I have a 2003 truck that is regularly serviced at gm dealerships and another professional shop. I alternate shops to make sure I am getting the best service and making sure any problems are caught before they are serious. I wash my truck on a regular basis always getting the underbody/chassis washed off. So, the vehicle is taken care of and kept up. The incident above luckily happened when I was backing up my truck to connect to a trailer. The brake lines burst under the driver side leaking oil all over when the brakes were applied lightly. . Glad it didn't happen fully loaded driving through a school zone on a weekday. Since there are several schools and bus stops near me. When attempting to repair professionaly the lines kept developing leaks affecting several lines and different areas. Not once did either of the shops including gm dealership ever tell me there was a problem with my brake lines. If you are supposed to check this as a regular maintenance issue than why don't gm shops do it. There is no excuse why these lines are failing this soon, other than inferior materials being used. It seems gm used inferior steel material in the early 2000s as can be seen by the corrosion that is seen on trucks of this era. I have never seen so much corrosion on vehicles of similar age from other years. The scarey part is these trucks usually have several tons of weight behind them, let alone the trucks own weight of over 3 tons. Everyday these vehicles are on our highways and streets driving through residential and school zones. When you lose brakes you are not going to regain control until something stops it and the tons on back of it.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph attempting to applied the brakes, the front drivers side brake line fractured. The contact repaired the brake line independently. However, the failure recurred on the rear drivers side brake line. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
It started with the airbag light, but nobody will own up to fixing it, as we moved from PA to FL. Then the brake lines went, all of them, now with the airbag issue the pcm is sending all kinds of stupid codes like the airbag issue is affecting the whole electrical system in the truck.
My brake line split open while I was trying to stop at a light. They are very rusted and have to be replaced.
While pulling my boat on a long decline at 55 mph, a car in front of me signaled to turn left. I put on my brakes and the pedal eased to the floor board. I told my wife that the brakes are failing. The check brake system alarm did sound, but that does not comfort you when you realize that you are not going to stop before plowing a car in front of you. I was able to swerve to the right to avoid the collision, only due to light traffic and the fact that I was a good distance behind the turning vehicle when the brakes failed. I didn't measure my stopping distance, but it was well over 100 yards. I got out of my Avalanche and saw the fluid trail. There is a cluster of 5 brake lines running together by the frame, right at the driver side door and one of those lines broke. They were all severely corroded. I had the truck and boat towed to a local repair shop and they were not surprised. The mechanic told me that he had repaired 5 chevy trucks with the same issue in the past week. We were very fortunate to avoid a serious accident.
I was driving my 03 Avalanche like any other day and as I was pulling into the gas station to fill up, the brakes went to the floor. Instinctively I put it into 1st gear and engaged the emergency brake. Come to find out, the brake lines were rusted out on the passenger side front. I examined all lines and they seem to all be rusty. Only a matter of time before they break too.
I was leaving the fish and game club in londonderry nh when I went to stop the pedal went to the floor I pushed harder it finally stopped. I pumped the pedal a few times some pressure built up I continued to the corner where a stop sign was hit the brake again and this time the pedal went to the floor again but would not stop I put on the emergency brake the truck started to slow but I was on a hill as I aproaced the next stop sign going about 15 mph with the emergency brake on I had to put the truck in reverse to stop from traveling in to through traffic. I towed the vehicle and found 3 brake lines had burst one in the front and two in the rear. I have taken good care of this truck and has no rust except for the brake lines. I feel this is a major safety issue and should be looked in to. I hope this will be sent to warn other owners of this issue. I have over 2 million miles driving and have lost brakes before but never this bad. I feel that gm should at least warn owner of this potential problem. I just had my truck inspected in may and this was not warned to me. I looked in to this issue online and found many complaints gm should acknowledge this problem and warn customers and compensate them as well. I understand the truck is 11 years old but I had a 1987 sabb until 2006 and never had this issue. My friends Ford from 2000 we take to northern maine and has 160000 miles does not have rusted lines. I think gm used inferior material. Thanks eric vaughan.
Shifted from park to drive. Brake went to the floor, and brake fluid gushed from brake line under driver's seat. Also leaked on driver's rear passenger side. Total loss of braking power.
Brakes went all the way to the floor and was getting no braking at all unless emergency brake was applied. . . Luckily was at a stop in a parking lot when this happened and not trying to stop on at am intersection or on the highway. . . Was able to limp home using emergency brake to stop. . . Aren't these supposed to have a split system so you cannot lose all brakes at once. . . Pads are not worn low. . . And fluid is spraying from brake line directly under drivers side door. . .
Loss of brakes occurred when applying brake peddle. Inspection by local mechanic showed both front brake lines had rusted through. Further mechanic inspection revealed that the remaining rear lines were also corroded to the point where failure was imminent. Local Chevrolet dealer service department indicated cost of repair would be thousands of dollars and that there were no oem pre-shaped lines produced by any manufacturer for such repairs. Hence, this would require custom brake line bending and substantially increased repair costs. Second occurrence resulted in a complete lost of all braking ability. This vehicle is often used to haul horses with a horse trailer. We are extremely lucky we were not hauling horses at the time of the brake lines ruptured and failed. Research on various chevy and Avalanche internet sites / boards as of this date shows this has become an increasingly common problem for chevy trucks of this vintage. The true incidence of this problem is likely hidden by fact that people are forced to seek repair alternatives other than at chevy dealers as the dealer quoted repair costs are outrageous. It is incredible that with all the press about recent recalls on large numbers of chevy vehicles, and the government and taxpayer money that went into bailing out chevy, that something as serious as increasingly frequent chevy truck brake failures, which could put people's lives at risk, have been ignored.
While exiting hwy 75 the breaks failed on my 2003 chevy Avalanche. The first application of the breaks the pedal went 3/4 of the way to the floor, the second time the pedal went the the floor I pumped the pedal several times until the pressure built up enough to finally grab. I was half way thru the intersection when the truck stopped, with oncoming traffic approaching I made a left turn to continue under the overpass and the stoplight was red I couldn't stop and went thru that as well. I used my emergency break to finally stop the truck and was able to pull into a gas station and park the truck. This happened so fast and without any warning I never had any indication that I was having any break issues. This could have gone so wrong. The truck is in the shop and so far they have found all four brake lines severely corroded.
Brakes suddenly gave out. Pedal fell to floor and when I took it to be repaired I was told all the brake lines rotted out. I don't understand this because by vehicle was garage kept. My total bill was $875. 00.
While driving home at roughly 35 mph I attempted to stop and when I pressed on the brake pedal the pedal went to the floor and the on board computer system came on and set check brake system. I was able to pump the brake and get some pressure but I could here a hissing sound anytime I pressed the pedal. I was within two miles of the house and was able to get home. My husband looked at the brake system and there was a hole from a rusty section of the brake line over the top of the chassis in the drivers side rear area. Every time you step on the pedal it would spray a steady stream of break fluid.
Ruptured rear brake line under driver side door due to extreme rust of lines. Inspection reveals all the brake lines are showing signs of extreme rust, which should not happen for an 11 year old truck. By the grace of god, I was in my driveway when the brake pedal went to the floor and not driving on the roads at any speed. Why the risk of using substandard materials for brake lines? why not use stainless steel brake lines?.
On November 11, 2013 I was backing my 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche out of my driveway in maryland when the brakes failed. As I was stopping, the brake pedal suddenly lost all resistance. I tried pumping the brakes but could not produce any braking action. I shifted to neutral and used the parking brake to stop. I towed the vehicle to a gm dealer, who said the metal brake lines had corroded and ruptured. I was charged $1150 to repair the brakes. Ten months (sept 5, 2014) and less than 500 miles later I again lost all braking power, this time while traveling at 5 mph leaving a parking lot near a carwash. I returned to the same dealer who said the steel brake lines have corroded. His estimate is $2200 for repairs.
Approaching stop light, hit brakes, and pedal went all the way to the floor, there was no brake at all. No one was in front of me at light , so I turned right and coasted into parking lot. Had truck towed home, found rusted and split brake line under drivers door, the other 3 lines in the bundle were almost gone too, just moving another one caused it to break open, so . As of today , I replaced the front4 lines. And plan on doing the rear this week. . . The entire under- carriage is rusty, way more than normal, I restore ars and have a 1951 chevy, that's original frame and looks new. . I compare trucks every time I get a chance,,,and this chevy is baddd. Love the truck, just hate replacing, brakes, rotors, lines all the time. . . Rear backing plates have been. Rusted away, since 2005.
Experienced loss of braking power due to a leak in one of the front metal brake lines. Took vehicle to a repair shop who informed me all the metal brake lines were highly corroded and needed to be replaced. I contacted jim mckay dealership and was informed these brake lines are on back order with no indication of when parts would be available. Repair shop has to custom make all brake lines with an estimate of $1,500 - $1,600. Brake lines should not corrode, this is defective material. Lines should be stainless steel, if not, coated at a minimum.
The contact 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. While driving 35 mph, the brakes failed. The contact stated the vehicle coasted until it eventually stopped. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who confirmed that the brake lines were covered with rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 76000.
Lost brakes ,line from front of truck to back brakes ruptured. Had to use emergency brake to stop. All brake lines are in rusted condition and need replacement.
Brakes went out while pulling a trailer. Went through an intersection. Thank god it was early on a Sunday morning. Brake line had a completed rusted and burst. When looking to repair, the entire brake line was rusted and blistered. All other lines were about to burst. Had to replace all brake lines on this vehicle. I have owned many vehicles and much older and higher mileage vehicles and never had to replace brake lines. This is ridiculous how bad the lines were. I am the original owner of this vehicle and I know it was well taken care of.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed as corrosion of the brake line. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident and he was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Update to complaint 10538262 after reviewing other complaints with similar issues I forgot to put in key data. I had a brake line failure on the drivers side left front and forgot to list that in my original complaint and also lines up with the current open item: NHTSA action number ea11001 all the brakes lines need to replaced since they are rusty, falling apart and very brittle. Lucky this issue to not occur when I using the truck earlier in the day when my daughter was in the truck. While attempting to move an unloaded trailer in my yard, I began to backup to the trailer applying the brakes since I was lined up to the trailer, applied the brakes to stop and the brakes went to the floor and the message flashed stating brake issue and lots of bells going off. Incident occurred 8/23/13, had truck towed to garage since it took 10x the distance to try to stop the truck and was not safe to drive. Since the truck is at the garage waiting on parts I do not have actual mileage but has approximately 91k miles. I did not have any other warnings and had new brake pads and rotors installed in the last two months.
I was driving northbound on old us 23 in brighton, mi and stepped on the brake. The pedal went all the way to the floor and barely got the truck stopped. One of the brake lines had ruptured. Polarchios auto repair (brighton, mi) identified the problem as a ruptured brake line due to corrosion. I had never heard of brake lines corroding and while not happy about the approx. $350 repair did not think too much of the incident thinking this was not a common problem. Polarchios told me this was not an isolated problem and had repaired several other trucks for this problem. I saw that this agency was investigating the problem and was encouraging gm to recall and repair these vehicles and wanted to provide my experience. I would think a recall is in order as I only had one line fail, there are 3 more. . . . . . When will those fail? as serious as the gm ignition key issues are, I would think the ability to stop would be at least as important. Please call me at if you have any questions - thank you for the good work that you do!.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph he depressed the brake pedal and noticed the brake pedal fell to the floor board. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the brake lines were corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Da.