Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 25% | 24,000 miles |
| 2024 | 39 | 27% | 2,000 miles |
| 2023 | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 12% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 12 | 14% | 15,000 miles |
| 2020 | 19 | 18% | 25,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% | 11,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | 84,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 9% | 52,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 11% | 52,000 miles |
| 2015 | 37 | 21% | 1,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 18% | 68,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% | 110,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% | 163,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% | 148,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% | 22,000 miles |
| 2007 | 23 | 11% | 61,000 miles |
| 2006 | 71 | 40% | 56,000 miles |
| 2005 | 72 | 27% | 72,000 miles |
| 2004 | 168 | 46% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 247 | 55% | 86,000 miles |
| 2002 | 212 | 60% | 84,000 miles |
| 2001 | 181 | 47% | 91,000 miles |
| 2000 | 78 | 59% | 94,000 miles |
| 1999 | 47 | 58% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 32 | 44% | 43,000 miles |
| 1997 | 24 | 38% | 48,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am reporting a serious and extremely concerning brake failure involving my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Diesel. Traffic ahead of me began to slow down. I saw the traffic slowing and immediately began applying the brakes to slow my vehicle. Although I was pressing the brake pedal, the truck was not slowing or stopping as it should have. When I realized the vehicle was not going to stop, I pressed the brake pedal as hard as I possibly could. The brake pedal went completely down to the floor, yet the vehicle still failed to stop, resulting in a collision. I want to be very clear: I saw traffic slowing, I applied the brakes, and when the truck failed to respond properly, I applied maximum pressure to the brake pedal. Despite this, the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floor and the vehicle did not stop. …
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, there was a grinding sound coming from the front passenger's side wheel. Later, while driving slowly toward a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and traveled through a four-lane intersection. The vehicle was driven to a local service center where the failure recurred while reversing into a parking space, and the vehicle struck a curb. Upon removing the front passenger's side wheel, an independent mechanic discovered that the inner brake pad was missing and the brake caliper was lodged against the brake rotor. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the front brake pads and calipers had failed and needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. …
I was towing a dump trailer with gravel in it down a gravel road grade (downhill around 5-7mph) and received a warning on the DTC about the trailer brake being disconnected. All of the lights on the trailer were still working, however the trailer brakes no longer functioned and all of the braking was transferred to the truck. The trailer slowly pushed the rear end of the truck around causing the vehicle to jackknife and causing significant damage to the bumper and bed. After researching this post incident, there appears to be numerous complaints and TSB from chevy regarding a faulty brake controller when towing a trailer where the voltage can backfeed into the vehicle causing the vehicle brake controller to disable. Currently working with insurance to come up with a damage quote. Bulletin # 23-NA-149
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving with a travel trailer attached to the vehicle, the braking system intermittently failed to operate while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the "Check Trailer Wiring" message was displayed on the instrument panel and then followed by the "Trailer Brakes Connected," message. The vehicle had been taken to a dealer; however, no defect was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 1,700.
Vehicle was towing Horse Trailer. Gave an indication message to check trailer break wiring. I did so and all was working fine. I loaded my horses and pulled out onto the road. Traveling 10 mph the truck completely shut off, no brakes, No warning, I helplessly rolled to a stop. The truck then turned on electrically, but did not start the engine completely by itself. Two minutes later, the truck turned itself off electrically. The motor was never running. I had it towed to a dealership in which it took them five days to repair. The truck has 17,000 miles on it. If I would've been traveling on the expressway or going any faster, I could've killed people.. I personally have PTSD from ever driving this truck hooked to a trailer again. There should have been some kind of warning system. I should have never lost my brakes. …
I am filing this complaint regarding my 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, which has approximately 20,000 miles and has been babied since new. The truck is maintained meticulously and the undercarriage is washed weekly. The brake failures I have experienced are completely unacceptable for a truck with this mileage and maintenance history. Both the FRONT and REAR brake friction material has completely DELAMINATED from the brake components. This is not normal brake wear. The material has separated from the underlying metal, which I believe is a serious material/manufacturing-quality issue. The dealer is now reporting that the rear emergency/parking brake shoes are also defective and require replacement. These components are inside the rear rotor and are not visible during a normal inspection. I strongly dispute any suggestion that this is simply corrosion or abuse. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked, and he was in the rear of the truck bed releasing the boat from the trailer hitch, the vehicle inadvertently rolled into the lake. The contact stated that when the vehicle was pulled from the lake, the parking brake malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This truck has had ongoing issues with the braking system. From the point of purchase Ive noted and informed the dealer of a very soft brake pedal pressure, and its gotten to the point where the brakes have to be pumped to get enough braking power to stop the vehicle at lower speeds, at highway speeds the vehicle is not able to stop in an emergency braking situation without pumping the brake pedal to build pressure, and especially when loaded or towing a load under the recommended gvwr. This problem is magnified by the fact that since day one the rear brakes have been wearing at a much greater rate than the front brakes. As indicated by the vehicles on board diagnostics display. This has gotten to the point where the rear rotors are warped and the rear brakes stick at a stop and you can feel the release when you apply the throttle. …
Related recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (247), 2002 (212), 2001 (181), 2004 (168) and 2000 (78) model years. Brake complaints make up 55% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 21V-758 (control module, Sep 29, 2021); 18V-578 (pedals and linkages, Aug 30, 2018); 16V-069 (pedals and linkages, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 2500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (119 mentions), followed by the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (47).
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.