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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light, low fuel warning light, and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The gm/gmc trucks with abs are unsafe and dangerous to the drivers and other pedestrians and vehicles on all roads. The Abs module light comes on and the brake warning light after driving normally and occasionally on its own and after a bump in the road. The abs system is unavailable/disabled when the light is on, the abs system has stopped and the light turned on when applying the brakes hard to avoid other vehicles and other actions such as steering away to avoid an accident arenecessary. While doing research on this problem I discovered that many gm/gmc pickup trucks have this problem with abs failure and the only sure repair being to replace the abs/ebcm module, there are codes stored for the abs system showing it has failed and stopped working. This problem is so large that an aftermarket industry has grown to address this issue providing rebuilt modules. …
The parking brake will fail without warning. The only way that it will work is with continuous adjustment. It has been repaired by a mechanic only to fail again. This has been a recurring problem since I purchased the vehicle in 2011.
Break line and break system has been giving issues and failure has occur. To the point of almost causing an accident. Steering issues several times. Pick-up truck suspension since newer truck has had big issues. Please remediate.
I've had multiple extremely dangerous situation with this vehicle over 2 years. One of the first concern was my headlight daytime bulbs melted to the harness and the one on the passenger side melted thru the number so I started carrying a fire extinguisher behind the driver seat. But one of the most dangerous indecent happened while driving down the highway when my wheel bearing hub gave out n there is nothing else to support the tire onto the truck so my front driver tire went flying off n my truck coming to a complete stop into the ground causing damage to my self, my finder, the wheel sensor, n the driver door. After getting all that fixed I'm afraid of the other hubs giving out. Also when I hit my brakes it seems like there is air in the pedal n the truck will not stop. …
While driving my truck on highway 70, the traffic slowed, I attempted to slow down, but my brake pedal went to the floor (rusted brake lines ruptured causing total brake failure) and I was unable to stop. I whipped the steering wheel to the left to avoid rear ending up coming cars. I managed to slow the truck down by pulling down to 1st and was able to get to an off ramp, but was unable to stop, before hitting another car and a sign pole. I have owned many cars that had far more miles than my truck and were not taken care of like this truck. Never have I had a total brake failure on any other car. This should not ever happen, no matter where you live, snow removal methods, etc. I was lucky, I could have killed or seriously injured someone. I would bet there has already been many fatal accidents due to these poor brake line being installed on trucks.
Tranny, ABS, cooling system, tailgate, etc. I bought the truck 2003 didn't exchange title until later recall when I first bought it under 50,000 mile warranty. I file an complain recall repair still having same problem. Sad thing my father is an retired employee in dallas location. Researched the recalls from previously and present same results. They have until 2 days to contact me @ [redacted] in going to the warehouse and return the vehicle to the owner, cfo, ceo whomever and ask for a full refund or I'm filing an complaint and small clams for 30 yrs worth. [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. The vehicle stopped after crashing into a curb. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake line was rusted and fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,523. Updated 1/15/16
The rear brake line on my 2001 chevt 1500 Silverado rusted into. Is was not a salt corrison. Many trucks have this issue. I work in a parts store and a man came in last week with the same problem. It is know these checy trucks in this year do this. I hope u can take this serious and have GM to correct it before someone gets killed if they haven't already. I ran off the road due to it breaking and slide upon a fence. When I pushed on the brake . I had nothing no brakes at all. Please help. Thank you
At speeds lower than 5 MPH, ABS braking system engages on dry or wet pavement resulting in failure to stop the vehicle. Example - pulling into a parking spot the vehicle would not stop and resulted in bumping into next vehicle. Also at a stop sign/lighted intersection, the vehicle would not stop resulting in vehicle going into the intersection and oncoming traffic.
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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 307 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 66% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 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 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 35 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries and 1 death 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.