Brake Master Cylinder Problems of Chevrolet Avalanche

Chevrolet Avalanche owners have reported 14 problems related to brake master cylinder (under the service brakes category). The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 09/30/2017

Brake failure - loss of pressure/fluid. Brake lines from master cylinder to abs distribution block corroded and ruptured. Luckily, failure occurred just after returning home, maneuvering in the driveway. I have contacted gm to open a case and seek diagnosis/repair. Vehicle is in TN; not a high snow/corrosion area.

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2 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 11/04/2015

My son had borrowed the truck and was returning it with his 4 and 5 year old sons in the vehicle. He was in a traffic circle and had to brake to avoid an accident. Immediately afterwards the brake failure warning came on and the truck had no brakes. Fortunately he was only going about 25 mph and was able to park it on the shoulder and no one was injured. I was able to get it to a local dealer for repair to the tune of $1,952. They diagnosed the problem as a rusted brake line that ruptured and damaged the left caliper. We got no prior warning of the brake failure. In 2012 I also had a sudden brake failure while leaving a parking garage. There was no prior warning or indication that the brakes were not functioning. Again I took it to a local dealer and was told that there was a leak in the master cylinder and I had to have that replaced. No one mentioned anything at that time about rusting brake lines. Although the truck is 11 years old it only has 67,871 miles.

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3 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 08/29/2015

Primary master cylinder brake line burst lost brakes.

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4 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 01/02/2015

While driving my truck and towing a trailer, I lost almost all my braking power. Had to down shift and use the emergency brake to stop. Found that a brake line from the master cylinder to the anti-lock brake module (which is mounted under the drivers seat, great place) had rusted through and blew out. Found all the brake lines are severly corroded in this area and need to be replaced. Looks like gm used inferior metal brake lines in constructing the vehicle and located the anti-lock brake module in an area that gets severe exposure to the elements. The vehicle was totally rendered unsafe with the rupture of one brake line, which indicates the system as a whole is a faulty design. I was very luck to have been able to stop and not hit another vehicle.

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5 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 10/01/2013

I was driving home around 9:30 pm. As I was going down a hill I stepped on my brakes and the pedal went to the floor. No brakes at all, no saftey features kicked in, no warning lights. Just a catastrophic brake failure. Luckily for me it was a small hill and I was able to stop by going into low gear and using the emergency brake. I turns out that the brakelines from the master cylinder to the abs control box were rotted and finally gave out. This is a 2002 truck with 62,000 miles on it. I know from previous experience with older cars that if a brake line fails, there is a valve that is supposed to cut off the open line so there is some brakes left. I repeat, no saftey features worked, no warning lights, no valve kicking in,nothing. This is a known issue with gm. A quick search on the web brought up thousands of hits on this problem. Just 20 minutes earlier I was on the nys thruway doing 65 mph. If I lost brakes at that speed and with the other traffic, there most certainly wood have been a crash and possible loss of life.

6 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 05/24/2013

I was traveling at 55 mph when I came to a stop light and while slowing down for the light my brake pedal went to the floor and ended up going through the light. It was a good thing no one was in front of me or I would have collided with their rear end of their car at 55 mph after looking into what happened I noticed my brake like has corroded enough to cause a leak which upon inspection all 4 brake lines running from the master cylinder to the brake management/ equalazation system was rusted beyond repair.

7 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 02/11/2013

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the contact attempted to decelerate but the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact downshifted and applied the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was a certified mechanic and upon inspection, it was noticed that the brake line that leads to the master cylinder had rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 61,000. The VIN was not available. Mah.

8 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 08/01/2011

Brake line explosive failure before the firewall. 95% loss of stopping power. Inspection of lines indicates corrosion. Also heavy corrosion on frame members noted. This vehicle has been in the chevy dealership several times for corrosion of the brake rotors. At 25000 mi. Replaced all rotors and pads with non chevy parts. No more rotor issues. Now all brake lines changed due to corrosion and burst line has caused a master cylinder failure. There are serious safety issues here and it's time for NHTSA to step in.

9 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 03/02/2011

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The contact stated that when braking, the rear brake would seize and began to smoke. The brake pads were replced by a local mechanic and the brake booster and master cylinder was replaced three times. The repair did not correct the failure and the rear brake continued to seize and smoke. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufactured was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.

10 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 02/26/2011

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact was driving 15 mph when the brakes were applied and the brake pedal went to the floor abnormally followed by the illumination of the brake warning lamp. She mentioned that the driver was able to stop the vehicle by using the emergency brake. The vehicle was taken to a local shop who stated that the master cylinder and the brake lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 230,000.

11 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 08/10/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that when the vehicle was driven between 25-30 mph, there was an increase in stopping distance and time when the brakes were applied. The contact stated that the front and rear brake pads, rotors and the master cylinder were replaced but the failure persisted. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected. The dealer suggested that the brake pads, rotors and master cylinder be replaced a second time. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current was 118,000.

12 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 08/26/2009

Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) brake failure Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 VIN [xxx] , model year 2004 due to corrosion as described by grossman Chevrolet service manager brent turchi ( rotted and leaking brake line ) - owner [xxx] brake pedal went all the way to the floor - mr. Turchi advised that brake line from master cylinder to abs module rotted and leaking - event happened at under 50,000 miles since line is bundled with all other front lines it was necessary to replace 2 lines from master to bas, line from front abs to left front and from abs to right front , bleed and replace fluid $608. 28 charge.

13 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 06/18/2006

: the contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, a braking situation occured, and extra effort was needed to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic shop, where the mechanic stated that the master cylinder is at fault. There were no repairs made. There is a NHTSA recall # 04v045000. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

14 Brake Master Cylinder problem of the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Failure Date: 08/16/2005

Brakes work sometimes, half brakes,( were you have to pull the emergency brake to stop), or brakes go on by themselves were you have to pull over and stop and wait or cool your breaks until they cool down. ( because the breaks are smoking. )problem has been going on for 7 months. 2002 Avalanche. The vehicle has been in the dealers 7 times and the last time on 05/08/06 because I almost hit a child. They replaced my brake lines but brakes still lock up and go on by themselves, when you stop quickly. Gave the dealer the paper work on salt affecting the anti- lock sensors recall since I live in florida on 05/08/06 and told me in did not apply. My wife's 05 equinox went in for the exact same problems on 05/12/06 with no brakes at all except for the emergency brake and they want to replace her master cylinder. I told the dealer about the recall in the northern states and provided them with the recall paperwork and was blown off!. My truck came back today 05-12-06 with the exact same problems after being fix by the dealer.


Other Common Service Brakes related problems of Chevrolet Avalanche


Safety Ratings of Avalanche Cars
Fuel Economy of Avalanche Vehicles
Avalanche Service Bulletins
Avalanche Safety Recalls
Avalanche Defect Investigations