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 2005 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Approaching a traffic light at the bottom of a steep graded highway, I noticed the brake pedal felt spungey and near the bottom the brake pedal went clear to the floor board. I was forced to leave the highway to prevent a rear end collision with the stopped vehicle in front of me resulting in no real damage to the vehicle itself. It could have been much worse. The brake lines (4 of them) have rusted out so much that they could not contain pressure of the fluid when applying the brake and bursted. My mechanic tells me this will be in excess of $600.00 to repair do to the cab having to be unbolted and lifted from the chassis to access the lines for replacing. He also tells me that many GM models, new and old have this problem with rusting brake lines. GM is aware of these problems. Why has this not been addressed? Why have these models not been recalled? …
Another driver notified us that our brake lights were not working. We stopped to check the situation and my wife applied the brakes as I checked the lights, which were not working. I then moved the truck about 50 yards and as I applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor. When I got out there was a puddle of brake fluid on the ground. The brake line had rusted out and when I applied pressure to stop, it gave out. I took the vehicle to a nearby dealer and they replaced all the brake lines due to the rust. Total cost $1050. This is a major safety issue. Luckily I was stopped when the failure occurred and no one was injured. If this had happened while moving in traffic the result could have been serious.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and depressing the brakes, the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The contact applied the emergency brake. The contact crashed and rear ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he was advised that the parts were on a national back order. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 102,000.
Dt: the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving on a steep curve he had to panic brake to avoid going over an embankment. The brakes locked and would not allow the vehicle to slow down or stop. The vehicle hit the ground and proceeded to flip over. The vehicle is equipped with driver and passenger side air bags. Upon impact the front air bags did not deploy. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine why the brakes locked up or why the air bags did not deploy. He has not contacted the manufacturer or the service dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact had to take the vehicle out of gear in order to stop. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded as a result the pressure of the brake fluid caused the lines to fracture. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was not available.
These past couple of weeks the brakes are shaking when I go to stop. I have c hanged the front calipers since this is where it is happening since the calipers went bad so did the roters an pads so those needed to be changed also...which is money I don't have .....it worked for a total of 4 days then problem began again. Please inform me of other issues and what can be done to resolve this problem especially since I drive this truck to earn a living for my family everyday.. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
While driving at 55 MPH, I applied the brakes to come to a stop. The brakes began to slow the truck then the pedal went clear to the floor and all braking action was lost. This caused me to strike the vehicle in front of me. Afterwards I observed brake fluid dripping from the lines forward of the rear axle and near the firewall area. I was very lucky to escape injury to myself and the other driver that I struck. My truck sustained extensive damage to the front end. I have not gotten estimates for repairs yet.
Sitting at burger king drive thru when brake pedal went to the floor. Brake lines had ruptured due to corrosion. Vehicle only 10 years old and 130,000 miles. Had brakes checked often at service centers, no mention of problem. Glad this didn't happen last month when I was barreling down the tennessee highway with a full load in the back of my truck. NHTSA and GM should be ashamed for allowing this to continue. I am sure people are dying due to this negligence and faulty materials being used.
Break lines corroded through to failure. The failure occurred just after exiting a highway. ABS engaged due to icy conditions the next time I depressed the break peddle it went to the floor without the breaks engaging. To the best of my knowledge no warning light was present on the dashboard. The breaks failed while driving and resulted in me running a red light. Luckily it was early in the morning and no accident occurred.
Sudden loss of braking power due to brake line rupture while on the exit ramp of the freeway. Found brake lines completely rusted and they were paper thin in multiple spots. Will have to replace all brake lines on the vehicle. Almost lost control of the vehicle. Note that vehicle has always been maintained by dealership.
Related recalls
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings May wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator May crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge.
Brake complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, 28% of the model year's 316 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-161 (parking brake, Apr 22, 2005); NHTSA recall 05V-043 (service brakes, hydraulic, Feb 8, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.