Conventional Parking Brake Problems of GMC Sierra

I own a 1999 GMC Sierra 3 door truck. I was driving home when my brakes for some reason failed. I tried to use the emergency brake to stop the truck but it also failed. After pushing the truck home, I checked all the brakes and looked okay except for the rear right emergency brake lining. It was completely worn out to the metal. This was my first time using the emergency brake. Im not sure why the emergency brake gtt worn out if this was my first time using it.

See all problems of the 1999 GMC Sierra 🔎.

Purchased from dealership with a 2-yr inspection sticker. After sticker expired, went to have vehicle inspected. Failed due to vehicle will move forward even though emergency brake is engaged. Inspector commented that many GMC Sierras are failing due to this reason. Contacted dealership service advisor who also agreed with statement. He said GMC was repairing at no cost those vehicles that had 36,000 miles or less. Since ours has 55,000 miles recommended contacting GMC. Contacted GMC who said they have no evidence of this being a common problem, but are repairing vehichles if less than 23. 000 miles with this problem at no charge. In addition GMC said problem is due to the wearing of emergency brake pads. Complaint #8006225 is similar to ours.

See all problems of the 2001 GMC Sierra 🔎.

While parking on a hill and without automatic transmission. Applied parking brake, and it didn't hold. Contacted dealer.

I have a 1999 new body style GMC Sierra 3 door truck. I am the only owner and driver of the vehicle. I attempted to use the emergency brake in 02/2002 and it did not prevent the truck from rolling. I have never used the emergency brake before to either stop the truck or hold it in place against a load. I took the truck in for other unrelated factory recall notices. I had the emergency brake checked. Both rear brake shoe where worn completely out and the drum on one side was beyond recovery. I had to buy new shoes and replace one rotor (approximately $450). Again, I have never used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle or hold it in place against a load. It has not been used. This is a serious safety problem. I talked to a GMC mechanic and several truck owners and they have had the same problem. The mechanic said he has replaced several emergency brake systems with the owner stating the same thing I have concerning usage. Some of these vehicles had less than 30k miles on them. My brother has a 2000 chev. Truck and the same problem. A brake specialty repair center told him the same thing the GMC mechanic told me. The emergency brake system has a serious design flaw. It wears out without warning to the owner. I wrote GMC customer service and they dismissed my concern without firm explanation after several letters. Please investigate this concern. I do not think this is an isolated occurance.

When parking brake is applied on a slight incline, the vehicle will roll. Dealer examined vehicle and found no problem with the parking brake. The brakes have been serviced and they still do not hold.

The parking brake has never operated properly. It goes all the way to the floor. Owner has had the parking brake changed and it still did not work. Owner thought the cable assembly was the problem. He found this information in the consumer reports in July 2005 issue. The owner contacted gm and the dealership, and they have not done anything to help him. When the truck was unloading a boat on a ramp, the parking brake was not holding the truck. It has worked for the past 4 years. Owner complained to the dealership, but the dealership said they would not fix the problem. Phone interview update (April 4, 2006): the complainant (driver) was behind the wheel when he found that the parking brakes alone would not immobilize the vehicle. The vehicle did not roll back into the water.

Emergency parking brake is inoperative. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.