Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The truck, with only 77,700 miles on it, suddenly started popping the error "Service Trailer Brake System" and no trailer was even attached at the time. It happened three times over the last day when starting the truck and initially driving for about the first 10 minutes. Other times it does not ding or show an error. Something in the integrated trailer brake system is faulty and appears to be a EXTREMELY COMMON issue on the Chevrolet trucks. When this error happens, there is no power to the electric trailer brakes. I tow a 33' 12,000 lbs fifth-wheel with this truck. Randomly not having trailer brakes is a HUGE SAFETY ISSUE! This is an EXTREMELY COMMON issue with the integrated brake controllers in the Chevrolet trucks and it needs to be a RECALL and repaired by Chevrolet. …
I purchased this truck from a private seller due to its capacity to tow. After driving it for one day, an alert came up on the dashboard display saying "Service: Trailer Brake System". So I hit "Dismiss", but the alert keeps coming on and it is very intermittent and very distracting. Sometimes the alarm chime will continue for several seconds causing the driver to take their eyes off the road which is dangerous, but also, who knows what will happen when towing a trailer. I've looked it up online and this is an issue with many owners of the truck so Chevrolet should do a recall and provide a fix for this.
I was driving my 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and towing my thirty foot travel trailer I suddenly received a banner on the center of my dash to "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEM" at which time I lost power to my trailer brakes. Not only did I lose power to my trailer brakes for the remainder of my trip but I also had to listen to a dinging noise for over 2 hours while driving. Between the brakes not working and the non stop distraction from the dinging, I did not feel safe at all along with worrying about my wife and kids who were also in the vehicle.
Brake pedal gets hard no brakes pops back up all brakes lock up and throws u forward and then works fine for a day or 2 then same thing changed hydro pump 2 brake booster one and the last time it was changed good for two days then issues with my brakes again haven't even made first payment yet and check engine light because a glow plugs out
My 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is now throwing a SERVICE TRAILER WIRING SYSTEM on the dash with nothing plugged into the 7way. Brakes do work on trailer and a dinging is present when hooked up but now the issue is on the truck without trailer being hooked up.
Trailer brake system quit working while towing a Trailer. No warning until service Trailer brake system appeared and all Trailer braking was gone. When a failure like this occurs it makes stopping a vehicle very dangerous.
The brake pedal got extremely hard while backing up and hooking up to a trailer. The truck wouldn't stop and I ran into the trailer and almost ran over my wife. The vacuum pump ticks like it is about to destroy itself. The truck has 70K miles.
2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 hd VIN # ([redacted]) purchase my truck new in 2015. The truck now has 14,400 miles on it. I notice a few weeks ago that the brakes didn't feel right. I pulled the wheels and noticed that the rotors were grooved and excessive rust build up. Two of the brake pads were worn down to the metal (one in the front and one in the rear). I pulled the rotors and took them over to be turned down. The mechanic at the garage told me that they could not be turned. Reason being that some outer metal was worn down to a softer metal and could not be turned down. I replaced 4 rotors and pads and the two front calipers, the rear calipers seem to be OK. Then I went over to the local cevy dealer to see if there was a recall on the brakes for this problem. They said no the reason given is that they don't guarantee against rust. …
When towing a 15,000 pound 5th wheel camper at highway speeds, the truck's trailer brake system and stabilitrac system will (without any warning) shut off, leaving the driver without any way to activate the trailer brakes. Neither system will re-activate without first stopping truck, shutting it off, unplugging the camper 7 pin, and then driving about a 1/2 mile. This issue first occurred at approximately 24,000 miles and continues to this day. The truck now has 44,000 miles. Chevrolet has looked at the truck twice, but was unable to determine what the issue is. I have isolated the problem to occurring when I pass under certain low hanging high voltage power lines. There are two locations where the problem consistently occurs when I pass under the power lines in either direction. Replicating the problem shouldn't be an issue.
A warning message comes on the dash telling the driver there is a issue with the trailer brakes, or wiring system. The trailer brakes become inoperable when this comes on. We have contacted GM with the issue, both at the dealer level and at the corporate level; and they insist it is a problem with our trailers. The same trailers are used with older Chevrolet trucks without incident. We have also been informed by GM that the 2015 Silverado 2500's are equipped with a more sensitive trailering system. When the connection becomes wet during inclement weather, or the truck hits a bump; and the connector loses contact momentarily the message will illuminate. Resulting in the loss of trailer brakes. This is a serious safety issue.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016.
Brake complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 21% of the model year's 179 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-578 (pedals and linkages, Aug 30, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-069 (pedals and linkages, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 85% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.