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 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving on US60 East of Lexington Kentucky I was preparing to turn left using the left turn lane. There was another car in front of mine and as I approached it I began to lightly apply the brakes. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no decrease in speed. Fortunately I was able to switch back to the through lane and avoid an accident. While I was able to avoid an accident there was definitely a risk of injury to myself and the occupants of the other vehicle. When I was able to inspect the vehicle I found that the brakeline adjacent to the fuel tank was rusted through which caused a complete brake failure. I do the vehicle maintenance personally and have since made necessary repairs to the brake system. I was aware of problems with the brakelines on this vintage truck being prone to failure due to rusting. …
I pulled the truck out of the garage in working condition, left it running while parked in the driveway. It emptied the entire brake fluid reservoir through a leak in the distribution junction on the rear axle, leaving the truck with no brake function whatsoever. Had I not parked the truck in the driveway, I would have been involved in a serious collision due to sudden complete brake failure.
Driving up to city intersection was appling brakes, car in front applied his quicker causing his rear to raise up, indicating panic stop, I followed and applied hard pressure to my brakes, pedal then went to the floor and lost all brake action, this lead to my truck rear end of other cars
I was attempting to hitch up my travel trailer when I noticed that the brake pedal began sinking to the floor. I pulled away from the camper and tried to park away from it and lost all brake pressure and collided with my garage.
Dear NHTSA, I was reading this article (I.e. Link http://trucks.about.com/b/2010/04/08/brake-line-corrosion-suspected-in-GM-trucks.htm) and this prompted me to contact you. I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500 pickup truck. Due to corroded and excessive rusted-out brake lines, I experienced total brake line failure causing me to get into an accident. This happened in November of 2008 and; I only had 50,825 miles on my vehicle at the time. Luckily for me, I was (for the most part) in stop and go traffic. If I wasn't, I truly believe things could have been much worse resulting in severe injury or death. This happened on route 495 north, a three-lane highway near lowell massachusetts. As it was, I rear-ended a pickup truck in front of me that subsequently hit the vehicle in front of her. Fortunately... No one was seriously hurt. …
I own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado ls hd2500, original owner purchased in June of 2002, currently have 71,000 mile, beautiful truck very well maintained. This is my second complaint being filed on this vehicle concerning my brakes. My first complaint was filed in March of 2014, when my brake lines rusted through and I was left with no brakes. After searching on-line, I found that this is a known problem for these vehicles and there is a recall on some of these vehicles, but not all of them. My complaint today also has to do with my brakes. Once again, I found that some of the vehicles have a recall, but not all of them . The anti-lock brake system would activate, causing my brakes to not work. …
While backing out of my driveway I attempted to stop due to traffic traveling along the route I was entering. When I applied the brake the peddle went completely to the floor. Luckily I was able to stop with the emergency brake in time to avoid an accident with a trash truck that was traveling along that route. Using the emergency brake I was able to pull the vehicle back into my driveway safely and found that the brake line was corroded and was leaking just under the drivers side door. My vehicle is well maintain and I am often complemented for the care I take of both it's appearance and maintenance. The is no other area of this vehicle that is rusted and the underneath of this vehicle is in very good shape. I am the original owner of this vehicle and it has not been subject to any type of excess weather conditions. There is no reason these lines should have failed like this. …
My ABS speed sensor got sheared by back of my front drivers side tire in which I have seen on multiple sights a defect that was deemed a recall for being poorly set up on the assembly line. Secondly, ive spent thousands and looking online for a vary serious issue ive been having with my vehicle due to intermediate stalling, backfiring, and vehicle dieing due to what has finally been found to be the infamous crankshaft sensor. Replaced my computer, all 02 sensors, EGR valve exc... Than upon looking and researching, I find it was a major one on recall as well for failing all the time. I just feel if these are factory errors and been on the recall, and my woman who travels with me that is paralyzed due to an accident, I should be entitiled to the recalls giving they were known flaws on the asssembly line and a danger to others. …
Brake failure resulting in accident due to rusted steel line and loose (stretched) parking brake cable. Residential driving under 25 miles an hour I approached a stop light with my family in the car. Applied pressure to brake with about 100 feet from light. Brake pedal dropped to the floor. Immediately I applied parking brake. Vehicle failed to respond to both actions. The truck rolled through the stop light causing an accident. Main line feeding rear brakes abruptly failed causing personal and property damages. After having the brakes serviced and fixed, and thinking that the truck was safe, the power steering pump failed while driving on the highway at approximately 65 MPH. Both steering and braking were non responsive. Had I have been driving on a residential road this could have caused a serious accident. …
While driving on city streets , I went to stop behind a car at a stop light and the brakes went to the floor with no warning. I hit the car from behind and luckily no one war injured but minor damage to the rear of the car was observed. After the incident, oil continued to leak from the line under driver side door, the warning light did come on but after the accident had already occurred. This was the first failure. Brake line was repaired and a year later, the second brake line failed on May 23, 2014. While pulling boat out of boat ramp, I went to stop the truck and the brake pedal went to the floor again , luckily not going fast or down an interstate. Again the leak was from under the driver side door, but was the other parallel line going to the ABS block. This is a serious safety issue and I was very lucky twice. All brake lines will be replaced with stainless steel lines. …
NHTSA investigations
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury…
Hydraulic pump failres
GM is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between May 1999 and October 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early October 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes.
Brake complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 212 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 60% of the model year's 351 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 8 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.