Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 33% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 33% | 62,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 50% | 92,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 14% | 9,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 15% | 33,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 17% | 92,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 18% | 37,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 17% | 38,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2000 | 21 | 43% | 57,000 miles |
| 1999 | 13 | 27% | 25,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 27% | 53,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 20% | — |
| 1996 | 6 | 17% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 GMC Savana. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver attempted to stop, but the brakes failed. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 GMC savanna. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to deceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the brake booster and brake booster lines were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Savana. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal malfunctioned and did not properly operate. While depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel would jerk and the brake pedal was hard to depress, which affected the vehicle stopping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake hydro pump was faulty. The pump was replaced, but the failures continued. The contact indicated that the hydro pump had been replaced three times within the past eight months. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Savana. The contact stated that when applying the brakes at speeds of at least 50 MPH, the anti-lock brake would engage, forcing the petal back into the idle position and causing reduced braking response. The contact confirmed that the anti-lock braking light would illuminate on the instrument panel moments before the failure would occur. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 05/19/10.
Dt: the consumer stated while driving the 2000 GMC savanna vehicle experienced d the same problems as mentioned in recall 05v00500. While parking the van, coming back, and then putting it I into the reverse the power steering assist failed. Also, had brake problems. Had to allow extra space in between cars for the van to stop. Consumer called GM, and checked on the recalls , and was informed this vehicle was not included in the recall. Consumer only put on 1,500 miles on the van since purchasing it. The van was preowned and was equipped with handicap accessibility. The dealership was called, they found recalls, and t referred consumer to GM. The owner has not has this repaired. The brakes has also had problems. The brakes operated poorly, and could not get vehicle to stop. The mechanic determined that there was nothing wrong with the brakes.
Consumer had vehicle serviced 8 times. Each time rotors/brakes, and drums were repaired. Mechanic stated the shoes did not fit the drums. GM has technical reference dated 09/01/1999 tha thas them putting some part on. Every time they take it in to the shop it comes out with the same resukts. Consumer's deduction was the same as the mechanic, that the part is not sized rightly.
I had to make a "panic stop". I pushed the brake pedal as hard as possible. Felt the vehicle shudder several times and felt what I assumed was the ABS brakes cycling, then the vehicle just rolled forward...no braking at all was felt, resulting in a rear-end collision. I know that if I had properly functioning brakes, I would have stopped in a safe distance. When I felt the deceleration stop, I pushed even harder on the pedal, with absolutely no change in velocity and no more room for the pedal to move. There was at least 15 between vehiclesat this point,&..I could /should have stopped safely, with no collision if the brakes had worked properly!
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engages at low speeds of 5mph and below. This primarily happens while stopping the vehicle. There is a NHTSA recall # 05V379000 concerning the ABS. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN and the year of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, but no repairs were made.
Related recalls (3)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
NHTSA investigations
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 GMC Savana years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (21), 1999 (13), 1997 (9), 1998 (9) and 1996 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for GMC Savana brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 05V-043 (service brakes, hydraulic, Feb 8, 2005); 04V-045 (service brakes, hydraulic, Feb 4, 2004); 98V-033 (rotor, Feb 17, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Savana brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (43 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc (10).
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.