Brake Fluid Leak problems of the 2006 GMC Sierra

Brake pedal went to floor almost causing an accident before the vehicle came to a stop. Before the service light came on. The service light did come eventually at which time we checked the master cylinder which was extremely low so we filled it thinking that was the problem. The next day we noticed brake fluid dripping and after checking realized that at least one of the brake lines were were rusted through in several places and all of the other lines are terribly rusted and probably on the verge of leaking also. This is a truck that we usually pull our camper with. Luckily we were not pulling it at the time this occurred.

Brakes failed while coming to a stop in light traffic. Braking action reduced to approx 10 to 20 percent of normal. Driver felt a "pop" and the brake pedal went to the floor, followed by a 'service brake system' warning message. A large puddle of fluid formed under the truck when parked and a quick look under the truck showed lots of fluid from the front of the bed to the rear of the truck. Further investigation showed heavy corrosion on all rigid brake lines. All brakes lines will be replaced. The failed line powered the rear brakes. This truck is only eight (8) years old. This could have been lots worse if the brakes failed one week earlier when I was pulling a camper through the tennessee mountains.

I was approaching the stoplight fletcher drive and lee highway at approximately 25 mph heading east on lee highway around 1600 edt in warrenton, va. There were four (4) cars waiting to turn left onto fletcher drive in front of me. The car in front of me came to a sudden stop. I applied the brake with approximately 2 car lengths in front of me. The brakes started to grab but then the brake pedal went all the way to the floorboard. I pumped the brakes and my truck continued to roll and then hit mr. Kilkenny's vehicle at approximately 5-7 mph. I was unable to come to a complete stop until making contact with mr. Kilkenn¿s car. I asked if he was ok or hurt and he replied ¿yes, I am ok. Why didn¿t you stop?� I explained that I tried. I then suggested that both of us pull into the fauquier bank parking lot and exchange insurance information. At this time, I noticed my brakes had completely failed and the truck was leaking a significant amount of brake fluid onto the parking lot (coffee can or more in 10 mins). I stated that since it was a mechanical failure on my vehicle, I would feel better submitting it through insurance. I also showed him the leaking brake fluid. Mr. Kilkenny asked why I was driving with failed brakes and I explained that the brakes had failed at the intersection, that my brakes were working properly prior to the accident and that my truck had just been picked-up from service at the dealership (country Chevrolet) on Monday with no problems. The dealership just informed me that all the brake lines need to be replaced and that they have corroded through and basically "exploded". A similar issue occurred with my 2003 GMC Sierra in 2009, but with no accident. All brake lines had to be replaced due to corrosion.

The brake lines are rusted through allowing all of the brake fluid to leak from the vehicle resulting in no brakes.