Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving home from work, while braking for a stoplight, the brake pedal suddenly went soft. Using an abundance of caution, i drove slowly home, though pumping brakes was required even when driving 5 mph. When i made it home, it was obvious there had been a catastrophic brake line failure, as fluid trailed across my driveway and pooled under my truck. On closer inspection, it's amazing how corroded all visible brake lines were. This failure could have happened at speed and would likely have resulted in a crash. I am appalled these have not been recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While making a left turn into a driveway at approximately 10-15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
This truck has had issues since I first purchased it. Brakes would not stop the truck in a safe distance which ended up with me having an accident with it. The brake line rusted out after less than 100,000 miles and needed to replace them all. Now with 173,000 miles the gas lines are leaking and the frame is rusted so bad that it cannot be put up on a lift to fix the brake lines.
On 9/18/12 I was traveling in rush hour traffic on rt 29n in columbia md when traffic slowed and then stopped. I stepped on the brakes of my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500. The vehicle slowed somewhat but then the brake pedal went to the floor and I couldn't stop. I rear ended an unmarked police vehicle at approx 20-25mph. My truck suffered frt bumper damage as well as the back window blowing out. The police car suffered rear bumper damage. The officer stated that he was OK from the crash. I also suffered not injuries. I was able to get the truck out of the traffic lanes and opened the hood to check the brake fluid. The master cylinder was empty. I had the truck towed to my local Chevy dealer for inspection. My insurance company came out to inspect the damages. The auto adjuster stated that the brake lines had rusted through causing all the brake fluid to leave the system. …
I was leaving a bank parking lot and went to stop before turning onto the highway. When I applied the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. Luckily, I was on a slight incline and was able to stop the vehicle. There was a puddle of brake fluid under the front of the truck, which was coming from a corroded line between the master cylinder and ABS module. I had the truck towed to my local shop and they replaced two brake lines between the master cylinder and ABS. Fast forward to April 22, 2012 and around 37K miles later. I was backing out of my driveway and went to stop. Pedal went to the floor, brake fluid on the ground. The brake line going to the right front wheel had rusted through enough that it could not hold the pressure. This line I replaced myself. And finally, today, January 4, 2015, same thing. I start my truck, let it run for a few minutes. …
As I was making a turn after a stop (which felt somewhat sluggish of a stop) I went to tap the brakes and experienced complete loss of brakes. I was on a descent and immediately threw the truck into park to cut the power to wheels and pressed emergency brake which went all the way to the floor. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor and I had a split second to decide what to do as the road was causing rapid acceleration. I saw one chance to drive over a ditch and into a yard by a house. I did so, flying over the ditch. It took the length of the entire yard (about an acre of property) for the truck to eventually stop on its own. I had to have it towed where upon quick assessment mechanic said I had corroded brake lines and ruptured brake hose. …
I own a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 4wd, yesterday afternoon I pulled into my driveway and when I hit the brakes I heard a "pop" noise and my brake pedal went to the floor and a cloud of smoke came from under the hood . I got the truck stopped by putting the transmission in park. I inspected all 4 wheels looking for a leak and found none , then I saw a puddle on the ground under the drivers door , upon inspection I saw the brake lines heavily rusted and fluid leaking from them . I pushed the brake pedal with my hand and saw the fluid squirt out and splash on the exhaust pipe . I have read on - line that this is happening to many many Chevy truck owners across the nation . I do not use my truck in mud or on the beach and I do not live in a state with harsh winter salt issues . …
Had to disconnect the anti lock brake so I could stop. When driving slow and pressing on the brake pedal, the pedal is solid and does not move. Very dangerous. Cannot stop the vehicle at all. Brake lines rotted out. Has to replace. Transmission lines rotted out. Had to replace. Transmission oil cooler rotted out. Had to replace. Fuel lines are rotting out. Not replaced yet. Drive shaft is questionable. Severely rusted. Rear backing plates rotted off, no more parking - emergency brake. Check engine light will not go out. Replaced catalytic converter many times with no results. Engine leaks oil. Loosing coolant, possible burning it. Fuel mileage is terrible. Body rusted out. Rocker panels are gone. Cab corners are gone. Rear bumper is gone. Putting the spare tire underneath is a stupid idea. The cost to replace these parts is too expensive. …
Driving on the freeway going 60 MPH, the car ahead of us made a sudden, drastic slow down. As we pressed the brakes, they went to the floor and we continued to keep moving forward and stopped inches before hitting the car ahead of us. Thankfully we had at least 5 car lengths between us. Had break line repaired. Mechanic said it had rusted through. February 28, 2015 pulling into a parking lot with cars ahead of us, moving 4-5 MPH. Car in front of us suddenly stops, we go to brake and heard a noise, brakes went to the floor and we hit the car in front of us.( we were a 1/2 car length behind the car.) due to moving at a slow speed, there was no damage other than the occupants of both cars being jerked. Took to a mechanic and ABS sensors were rusted out as well as the hubs etc... He then told us he cannot believe the amount of rust and corrosion we have on the entire underside. …
On December 12, 2009, my 2000 Chevy Silverado was involved in a two vehicle collision as a result of my ABS sensors activating at low speeds. I was unable to stop the vehicle which in normal hard braking would have stopped with out problem. There was damage to my front bumper as well as the vehicle in front of me. Apparently recall service work was performed on November 11, 2005 to fix the exact same problem that plaques nearly 1.3 million GM trucks from 1999 to 2002. The ABS sensors become corroded and activate at low speeds, greatly increasing the stopping distance of a low speed breaking situation. The recall May have replaced the sensors but it did not solve the problem as I am now a victim of the same failing sensors nearly 4 years later. …
NHTSA investigations
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake…
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
Brake complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 422 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 69% of the model year's 614 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 42 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.