Brake Fluid Leak problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - part 1

Brakes failed without warning while the vehicle was at highway speed, the pedal went to the floor with no warning when attempting to slow down. I was able to run off the road to avoid a collision and stop the vehicle slowly using the emergency brake. After stopping the vehicle, I could see brake fluid pouring out of the brake lines under the drivers side door. There appeared to be significant corrosion on the brake lines where the fluid was now pouring out.

While driving my wife's 2003 chevy Silverado 1500 through the state inspection lanes total failure of the brakes. Upon inspection of the area where fluid was dripping all the brake lines to the abs were severely corroded. At least one of these lines failed while doing the brake check dumping the whole system on the floor. Thank god it was in the inspection lane and not while my wife was driving with my grandson in the vehicle or my pregnant daughter in law! the vehicle inspector said this is not the first chevy truck that has happened in his lane and I should check for any recalls. This is going to be a very expensive repair as all the lines front to back will need to be replaced and system flushed and filled.

While parked I attempted to put vehicle into gear, but foot went to floor while engaging brakes. Checked under car and didn't note fluid leak so I check reservoir which was full. Had vehicle towed to dealership that said that lines corroded and failed. They described how they wouldn't only replace corroded line since other lines would break off. Failed to mention that this is common occurrence for 1999-2003 trucks in northeast. Quoted $150. 00 for kit and $850 for labor to install. Vehicle has been inspected by bob fisher (reading, PA) dealership each yr. Since 2015 so I'm concerned that they never indicated that this was an accident waiting to happen.

Driving along and we approached a round about circle, another vehicle was coming extremely fast which forced me to brake hard, my truck started to brake and then all braking was lost. I slammed the truck into 1st gear and pulled off the road. I looked under the truck and brake fluid was leaking from brake line. I did not have enough brakes to stop the truck. It was extremely dangerous, I'm just glad I was driving and not my son or wife. The truck is stored in a garage and I feel there is no excuse for these brake lines to rust.

Driving my '03 chevy Silverado 1500 (108,850 miles on the vehicle) on my way to get my oil changed, my brakes seemed to all of a sudden loose most of their stopping ability. I first noticed it approaching a stop light after traveling on a stretch of highway at 45 mph. I had to press the brake pedal in much further than normal. No warning lights were on indicating a problem. The next set of lights, maybe a 1. 5 miles down the road, same thing, putting the pedal to the floor to stop. This time a "service brake system" light flashed for a second then went away. I have now traveled about 6 miles from the first indication of problems to where I was getting my oil changed. As I pulled into there parking lot, very slowly (less than 5 mph), I once again had to put the brake pedal to the floor to come to a stop. I looked under my truck to notice fluid dripping from the brake line under the driver side door. The mechanics there said the line was shot and recommended not driving it til it was fixed. They were not setup to work on brake lines at this shop, so I had to have it towed to another mechanic. My brake lines were severally rusted. The thing that concerned me the most was how quickly this all happened without any warning, and by the time the warning lights did come on I already had no stopping ability if I was traveling at normal speeds. Gm really needs to consider this poor design in the material they use for their brake lines, before something like this leads to some ones death. Very dangerous!!! spend the time and money to put a quality braking system on your vehicles, it should be the first thing you do.

I took my truck in for a routine oil change and tire rotation. I parked it in the parking lot outside of the shop and went in and sat down to wait. All of a sudden an employee from the shop came in and asked me if I had been having trouble with my brakes, I replied no as they had been working just fine. He told me when he went to push the brakes to take the car into their garage that the brake pedal went straight to the floor. He looked underneath the truck and he noticed that there was brake fluid spewing out one of the lines which had busted. There was no indication of any issues with the brake system prior to them completely giving out. They took me back to show me the lines and I was able to see that all of the brake lines had been completely eroded and rusted.

Just leaving home to go look at some parts for a pole barn and left driveway went to stop sigh , I proceeding to go down mitchell hill rd and on the second turn no brakes , luckily I have some experience in this area and instantly applied my emergency brake and put truck into lower gear . This was enough to slow me down so I didn't go over the guard rail but did hit it roughly . I made it to the bottom and coasted to a stop . Got out and looked under hood and truck to find brake fluid was pouring on to the ground. I had it towed home . Upon further inspection I located the cause of brake failure was due to brake lines broke due to heavy rust all over them . . Now I do a little research online for replacement parts and find out that this is a serious issue with many owners of Chevrolet silverado's . Why hasn't their been a recall . Why is because of the amount of money involved and gm doesn't want to pay . So someone else will be paid , but not the owners . Or a fatality will have to occure for someone to make a decision . That's the world we live in now ! sad but true .

Brake lines went out with no warning - no light showing compression or fluid leaking. Still no lights have come on. If we had been going faster, we could have hit something. Luckily my husband was driving and he knew how to react by down shifting to save us. The brake lines are all rusted. The truck only has 80,000 miles on it and has been well taken care of. We feel that gm used cheap metal for these lines and could have compromised our lives.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, it traveled abnormally to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed that the brake line fractured due to rust corrosion causing the brake fluid to leak. The mechanic declared the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Brake lines rusted severaly. No fluid leaks or failures yet, but I went ahead and bought new brake lines from gm delaership to replace before the lines fail. Severe rust, approximately half of the thickness of the lines is gone due to rust.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the brake pedal sank into the floorboard. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the driver side rear brake line corroded and leaked brake fluid. The failure occurred twice before. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 27,000.

I was pulling into my circle coming down the hill and my brakes started to feel very soft. I was able to stop at the bottom of the hill just below the curb. I was just grateful that there were no cars at the bottom of the hill this time. When I got out I saw a trail of fluid on the street coming down the hill under my truck. I got down and looked under and there was a huge puddle of brake fluid. I towed it to the mechanic and he said all my brake lines looked like they were from a 40 yr. Old car, all rusted out. Cost me a boat load to replace, that is after they tracked down replacement lines (took them over a week). Thanks chevy, this is obviously a flaw in the lines on this truck. I appreciate you taking my life into consideration and recalling these brake lines. O wait, you didn't? that's right.

Driving up to red light. Began to brake. Pedal went all the way to the floor. Ended up going through the red light. Luckily oncoming traffic saw me and stopped. Under further inspection the brake lines were rusted through and brake fluid was leaking out. Same thing happened to my fathers 2003 silverado 3 weeks earlier.

During commute to work on 22 April 2014, as I was approaching a stoplight and pressed the brakes to slow down, the main console chimed, showed a message to check brakes, and I was able to press the brake lever to the floor. I was still able to stop prior to reaching the stoplight. I slowly returned home (about a mile) and was able to stop the truck nearby, though the brakes were no longer able to stop the vehicle while in drive. When placed on the flatbed tow truck, the driver noticed that the brake fluid was leaking onto the bed. At the dealership, the mechanics stated the brake lines were corroded and the entire system needed to be replaced behind the master cylinder. Additionally, I had asked them to inspect why I sometimes had difficulty starting the vehicle which was diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump. This could not be removed from the fuel tank (due to corrosion), and I was forced to replace the entire tank system to replace the pump.

Abs light came on at start up did not go out, got back home noticed spongy pedal parked noticed brake fluid leak on ground appears to be leaking from line around abs unit under truck, almost all brake lines are suffering from severe corrosion and need replaced, safety sensitive items such as brake lines need to be better protected from corrosion.

My wife was driving our 2003 Chevrolet silverado 4x4 pickup on secondary state route. While descending an approximate 6% grade into a right hand turn at bottom she depressed the brake pedal to slow for the grade and turn and it went to the floor, the service brake message came up in the dic and the door chime sounded. She pulled over as soon as possible as she was shaken from riding out that hill and turn with minimal brakes and called me. I went out and drove the truck back to our home and put in the garage to inspect the problem. Once under the truck I found brake fluid dripping from the side of the fuel tank and frame area under the cab and bed of the truck. The service brake line from the abs block to the rear frame point where the brake hose to the rear axle mounts was corroded through and leaking. Further inspection showed all brake hard line plumbing to be in poor condition and also the fuel lines showing high corrosion. A call to a local gm parts counter revealed that gm does not make a replacement set for these lines and that a technician would need to field bend and make up each line. Later research proved this to be wrong as gm offers a deeply discounted unadvertised line set from ac delco. In researching finding parts to repair, I have found this to be a common problem with Chevrolet/GMC trucks from about 1999 up according to the various truck owner forums online. Driving the vehicle home at slow speed, braking was very minimal with the rear brake circuit out,and the knowledge of poor brake operation, so therefore it is my opinion that this is a safety issue with these vehicles with the potential of injury or even death when all the factors combine poorly, and at the least, gm should be required to notify owners of this potential problem with their vehicle, if not recall and repair those effected vehicles.

I was driving my 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 late at night when a deer entered my lane of travel. I depressed the brake pedal but nothing happened. I luckily avoided the deer by swerving. I was able to get the vehicle back to my residence by driving in first gear and using the emergency brake. When home I looked under the vehicle and noticed brake fluid leaking from one of the corroded brake lines on the outside of the frame (driver's side) where it bends to go into the abs module. Further inspection revealed that the lines are completely corroded clear up along the frame and where they enter into the brake reservoir. Noticing this, I am now going to have to replace all of the lines so that I don't have this happen again. These lines are a danger and should be replaced by gm. If this would have happened in traffic, especially slowing down for a light or stop sign, an accident would have most likely happened. I would recommend to anyone that is reading this to visually inspect your brake lines. A large portion of the lines can be seen by simply laying down in the area of the driver's side door to the front wheel, and looking at the frame to where they are attached.

While stopped at an intersection at a red light, the vehicle started to creep forward toward people in the crosswalk. Depressing the brake pedal further resulted in it fading, ending in a fully depressed position with no more pedal travel available. The vehicle continued to roll forward into the crosswalk. Placing the transmission in neutral stopped vehicle movement. After stopping and inspecting under the hood and under the front end of vehicle showed leaking brake fluid from one of the metallic brake lines serving the right front brake. After taking the vehicle to my local gm dealer and placing it on the service rack, inspection showed that all the metallic brake lines are severely rusted over the majority of the line surface. The right front line disintegrated to the point where the line separated while checking the condition of the line. The other brakes lines are rusted to the point where failure is imminent. All the metallic brake lines from the master cylinder, down to the abs control module and then out to each brake caliper must be replaced. The failure of the braking system created a serious situation that could have resulted in bodily injury to the pedestrians in the crosswalk. Without placing the transmission in neutral it would have eventually struck a pedestrian. In addition to the brake lines, the fuel lines show excessive rust as well. The dealer does not recommend replacement of the fuel lines at this time, but replacement will be required in the near future.

As I was driving and using the brakes I noticed that the brake pedal was going further and further to the floor. When I got home I noticed that fluid was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The leak was from a rear brake line that had completely rusted through. I looked at the other brake lines and noticed that they were all severely corroded. Took the truck to Chevrolet dealership and was told that all the brake lines needed to be replaced due to the corrosion. They were concerned that the other brake lines could leak at any time. I had the lines replaced at the dealership at a cost of $2600. 00. This is a very serious defect that could have been catastrophic.

Noticed that brakes were "spongy" the night before. In the morning I started the car, and started to drive out the driveway when I applied the brakes , the pedal went to the floor. The dash board information center indicated "service brakes". I got out and lifted the hood to detect the issue. I saw fluid leaking from a rusted brake line. Upon closer inspection I noted that it ruptured. The real issue is that this could have happened while in traffic or when exiting my driveway which is 100 feet elevation from the road. Either way it could have been a very dangerous situation. After this happened I researched similar incidences with the silverado. This seems to be a design default that should have a safety recall. I have owned many vehicles, some years older than this 2003 and this is the first time a brake line ruptured.

On the listed date, while in traffic, I applied my brakes and warning sensors chimed notifying me my brakes are failing. I pulled over and inspected my brake fluid reservoir and found it ¾ empty. I inspected the lines and found brake fluid leaking behind my driver's side rear wheel. I filled the reservoir and brought the truck to my mechanic. Upon inspection, the line attached to the abs was leaking and completely rusted. The other lines were inspected and my mechanic noted that the lines looked as though they were on a 30 year old vehicle. This is a huge safety concern which is going to cost me a great deal of money fix. Thankfully I was the one driving and not my wife or kids.

Brake lines failed due to rusting out. Brake fluid leaked out all over the ground. Fortunately I was in my driveway at the time. I lost brakes without warning.

I loss all my brakes and almost hit someone. Looked under truck found fluid leaking from back drivers side wheel. After climbing under truck found all my brake lines are extremely corroded. I looked at cars that are way older and had a lot more miles in my area and they have no corrosion. I expect Chevrolet to fix all my lines at their cost because this is not normal to see with a vehicle with 55000 miles and to fix one line will not fix all the lines on the truck.

Truck experienced catastrophic brake failure when a corroded right front brake line ruptured during an attempted hard stop at a traffic light. The brake pedal went straight to the floor and the truck continued through the intersection. Pumping the brake pedal had no effect. Shifting the transmission down and applying the emergency brake eventually stopped the truck. Fluid leaking from the rupture drained the master cylinder reservoir within five minutes. Subsequent inspection of all the brake lines revealed severe corrosion and pitting at many locations along the length of the truck. Despite having the front and rear brakes on separate hydraulic circuits, there was not enough braking capability remaining to safely drive the truck, even at low speeds. This was a very close call and it is evident that the corrosion resistance of the brake lines is substandard, posing a huge safety concern.

Coasting to a stop sign. Pressed brakes and pedal went to floor. Engaged emergency brake just before rear end collision with vehicle at stop. A puddle of brake fluid remained after a tow home.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet silverado c1500. The contact stated that he tried to stop the vehicle and the brake went all the way to floor. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the failure and stated that the entire brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 69,974. Updated 05/10/lj the consumer stated the brake lines rusted causing brake fluids to leak out. Updated 05/28/2013.

2003 chevy silverado, purchased new with 92k miles on the clock now. While starting out from my driveway, I stopped for oncoming traffic and the brake pedal went to the floor with no pressure resistance. I returned to the garage and saw brake fluid dripping from the left front. A quick examination showed that a steel brake line burst obviously due to massive rust. This is a serious, unexpected and a critical design failure. This truck has never seen snow/salt and the steel brake lines along the underbody are like-new (even though this would be the area that corrosion would be expected!). I am no longer young and have driven many vehicles with over a hundred thousand miles on most of them. I have never had a steel brake line burst. To see hundreds of similar complaints just on this database is clear evidence of a safety issue that has --- to date --- been ignored. If not a recall, at least provide notice to owners that there exists a potentially fatal flaw in the materials used in the brake systems of these vehicles. Since I'm still on the original front brake pads, I think it's safe to say I am a gentle driver and have not abused the brakes. Thanks.

Brake line from master cylinder to abs unit blewout causing spongey brake and brake fluid leak. Line rusted out. Rest are very rusty.

Application of brakes upon slow down of getting off of exit ramp was soft and farther then normal. 3 or 4 applications for turns seemed ok. Final application to turn into property had brake fail appear and brake go to floor and vehicle not slow quickly enough and truck running into my fence scrapping the side of my truck down fence. Upon inspection found reservoir empty and fluid leaking from ruptured rusted line on left side of vehicle at drivers door. Inspection found many areas of the lines badly rusted.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while parked, brake fluid leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 39,882 and the current mileage was 39,892.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the brake was depressed, the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake fluid was leaking due to corroded and broken brake lines. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 103,823.

On a down hill road , a car pulled out in front of my truck and I went to apply brake and pedal went all the way to floor. No pressure felt and I immieadatly pushed emergercy brake and avoided collison. I had 50% of brake fluid in master cycl. And fluid driping on ground under truck at brake distibution . Antilock controller w/flash lite on. Rear line dripping also. Jhad car towed to mechanic. Had all newbrake lines installed. This is a major problem.

My brake pedal went to the floor as I was backing my truck up to hook up my boat. When I got out of my truck there was a puddle of brake fluid under the truck on the drivers side. When I inspected where the leak was coming from it was from severely rusted brake line that burst. The other brake lines are rusted as well. I have no brakes what so ever. I would not have been able to stop if this had happened while driving especially towing my boat.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 hd. The contact was driving 25 mph when he applied the brakes and the brake line ruptured, causing all of the braking fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet silverado. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at a low speed in the driveway, the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test that confirmed that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 18,200.