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Lots of luck dealing with GM customer service. I had the same brake line problem last year in a 2004 Silverado, with 48,000 miles. Had to replace all brake lines due to rust-induced failure. Cost me over $1,300 at Chevy dealership to repair. When I talked with GM customer service they told me that it was a problem due to me being in a northern climate (Cincinnati), rather than them using crappy material in such a safety-sensitive area. So GM's message to us living north of the Mason-Dixon Line is to beware, because we are driving potential death traps. NHTSA has an ongoing investigation, but they neither return phone calls or answer e-mails. Seems to me that a class-action lawsuit may be the only way to address this problem.
Terribill
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
Kevin
If anyone can help get a CLASS ACTION SUIT started, SOMEBODY PLEASE LET ME KNOW- I'll be HAPPY to be in the first 5 to sign on.
REMEMBER- DO NOT TAILGATE, YOUR DRIVING A CHEVROLET, IT MAY JUST COST YOU YOUR LIFE!! GREAT DAY, HATEFUL JIM.
I just emailed a CLASS ACTION attorney in California, and maybe, just maybe he'll be interested in representing all the folks on this site, that have had near crashes, or even crashes, along with all of us that have had to fix our trucks ourselves at ENORMOUS expense, when they should have been fixed by GM at THEIR expense.
When/IF i get a response from the attorney, i'll post a note to let you ALL know about the reply, and if they are interested, ALL will have a chance to sign on and get restitution.
Remember- DRIVE SLOW, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP- IT MAY JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE- REMEMBER YOU DRIVE A CHEVY!! JIM
FYI to others, I have all the posts to this forum sent to my regular emails so I don't miss anything. That way if someone gets somewhere with GM or a class action lawyer, we will know as soon as it's posted. Thanks Jim.
I have not had a lot of problems with the truck but the ones I have had have been major ones. Transmission just past warranty time, radiator, and the cross member that holds the gas tank rusted out earlier this year. This truck has been well kept.
Count me in on a class action. Steve
I formed and attached 3" angle iron across the front bed supports and supported the gas tank to it. You have to remove the bed to do this and use a little creativity. I also went to the dealer thinking I could order it. They do not have a listing for it. I did find some hits on the net for it but I didn't have time to wait so I made my own and hit the road. It is a good time to replace the fuel pump when you do this. My pump went out about 1 yr. before I found the crossmember. I did see the rust on the crossmember at the time I rebuilt the transmission but it didn't look to bad then. I couldn't get it off my mind so I checked it this summer before going on vacation to find it rusted through within about only 2" from being all the way around.
Hello, I am Christina a GM Customer Service Representative on Edmunds as well as other forums. You can find my email by clicking on my user name. Please feel free to email me with your VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and a brief description of your concerns and experience. I look forward to hearing from you.
Christina
GM Customer Service
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
REMEMBER, IF YOUR DRIVING A CHEVY, DRIVE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT- IT REALLY DOES!!
Just thought you'd like to know that their trucks arent the only thing they mess up. Jim.
Dear Christina,
Two weeks ago, my husband was driving his 1999 GMC Sierra, when suddenly and without any warning, the brakes went out completely. He came very close to getting into a vary bad accident. After being towed to a GMC service center, he was told the brake lines had rusted out. We had to have the entire brake line done, at a cost of over $1,600.00. Then while the truck is being worked on we get the news that the crossmemeber of the frame that holds up the gas tank is also severely
rusted out.Obviously this is a huge danger to be driving around in a truck that the gas tank can fall out of. The GMC service center said there was nothing they could do as this is part of the frame.
First, I would like to say that my husband has babied this truck from day one. It has never been off road, never been even near water, mostly used to drive back and forth to work, and an occasional trip to Home Depot. My husband is a HUGE believer that we should all buy american cars, he has also always been a big proponent of GM. He is absolutely floored that this has happened.
Second I would like to point out that this rusting issue is not something that you can really see from just going under the truck. It is not until the bed is off the truck that you can see the severity of the rusting. This is a very scarry issue, as the gas tank could just give way without any warning as did the brakes. Luckily my husband is an experienced driver that was able to avoid a potentional fatal accident, but I can't even imagine a younger less experienced driver having this happen to him/her. I have never seen a vehicle rust this badly at any age.
I would greatly appreciate you looking into this matter. Also please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require any additional information.
THIS IS THE REPLY .......
Patti,
I don't see any information on a recall or anything for your concerns. I have documented your experience, thank you for taking your time out to explain your concerns and situation to me.
Christina
GM Customer Service
THANKS GM !!!!!!!
I also sent an e-mail to Christina concerning the complete rust-induced brake failure in my 2004 Silverado at 48,000 miles. I just got off the phone with John, a GM customer service representative, who informed that GM intends to do nothing in my case. He said brake maintenance was customer responsibility, and since my truck was out of warranty they would offer no assistance. I pointed out to him that brake pads and rotors were customer maintenance issues, but certainly rusted brake lines at less than 50K miles were not. I also said that brake line failure represented the failure of a critical component that should last well more than 100K miles. Needless to say he was not swayed by my arguments. Therefore, it appears that GM values a few million dollars more than the lives of its customers. If the NHTSA investigation does not result in a recall, our only option appears to be legal. In any event, we should be active in ensuring the public is aware of this issue.
terribill
Perhaps the NHTSA investigation was dismissed because of government ownership of GM. A massive recall of all these vehicles would certainly have cost many millions.
terribill
I drive a Ford now. Haven't had to fix or repair daily. No problems after 125k.
Jim I am still working on a website, but this one that someone else did is great ... you just can't add to it, which is what I am trying to do. I did however open a facebook group called: GM rust buckets that I am adding all the info. and links I have gotten so far.
I tried to reply to your email off this forum, but it did not go through, so I hope you can get onto the facebook group.
This is a serious and dangerous issue. I have been researching this as much as I can and I have created a blog that I will list all information that I collect. I also hope people will post their issues and / or information they come across.
the link to my blog is http://gmrustbuckets.blogspot.com/ ...........
The NHTSA did open a recall case on March 30, 2010 and ended it on January 5, 2011 NO RECALL. This is the same time Toyota was having the same issue with their 2000-2003 Tundra truck. Those trucks were in fact recalled.
I know our government bailed out GM and there is a lot at stake here financially if a recall was issued, but quite honestly I think SAFETY MUST COME FIRST !!!!
I will continue to research this issue and post anything I find, and I hope that others will do the same. if we can not get a recall then I would hope we could all file a class action lawsuit.
Thanks for the HELP!!!
I'll be replacing them after taking many pictures, but I won't take it to the dealer in fear that they might put new lines of the same material on it. I certainly can't trust my families safety to that kind of practice. I think this will be the last GM vehicle I own.
The only good thing I can say, is that I wasn't on the freeway, or I might not be typing this. Even at 30mph, pedal to the floor took at least 3x longer to stop.
I've already called my friends with GM-made vehicles, and I'll say the same thing here. If your car/truck is made by GM, take a minute and look under your vehicle at the brake lines. If they're showing signs of rust, for your own sake, don't ignore it.
This is a well known problem with GM trucks in those years. From what I have seen, not all are affected, but if you are, it can be bad. I had 2 early failures on an 03 after about 4 and 6 years. NHTSA does have an open case on it, so report it. Save your lines as they need samples and definitely take pictures. There are SS lines available, that work out well. Save your receipts as well for NHTSA. Someday GM may come clean on this defect. If you have hydroboost on your PS system, it boosts your brakes and you should check your PS lines. Lose that, and you lose power steering and power brakes at the same time ( a real thrill if you are towing) You are lucky, as the lines tend to suddenly fail during a panic stop. I am speaking from experience, as well as hearing other stories. Keep on getting the word out to your friends.
As for GM, president Osama bailed them out, so i guess that they are above reproof, so all the only recourse i have is to drive this flower pot til it dies, and then buy another truck made by a "REPUTABLE" automotive manufacturer, like maybe 'FORD' or maybe HONDA, or TOYOTA. Hell, at least Toyota admits it and recalls their OOPS.
EVENTUALLY, ENOUGH OF THESE DANGEROUS TRUCKS WILL FALL APART, HOPEFULLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, and EVERYONE will know that GM just builds C-R-A-P. And to think they get paid about 30.00 an hour to sit around and make JUNK!! We should have just let GM dissappear!!
With all the posts listed here about rusted out brake lines, and brake failures on the GM trucks- that GM denies ANY knowledge of, or any knowledge of any problems with brake failures, Assuming that the fellows at GM can READ these posts:
My question is this- Has GM made any changes to their NEW trucks, in the way of different materials used to produce the brake lines, or are they still using the same brake lines and material used in the trucks from 2000 and up? I'm really interested in knowing if they have made any changes, or can we expect the 2011/2012 model trucks to be built with the same brake lines, and same expected brake failures built right into the truck?
I am assuming that the other FAITHFUL Chevy truck owners, much like myself, would be really interested in hearing your reply, since Christine can only say that GM has NO KNOWLEDGE of these problems, since SHE has been replying to some of the posts, as long as i have been watching and waiting on this posting site, ( which is a pretty looooonnnnngggg time now).
Thanks for any information you can give me about the brake lines on the new trucks, I really do like Chevy trucks, but BRAKES ARE NOT, I REPEAT, NOT AN OPTION I PLAN ON DOING WITHOUT!! JIM..
http://gmrustbuckets.blogspot.com/
Patti
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
AMEN X2. FYI, I did look at the new GM trucks and yes they NOW do coat their brake lines (hmm, seems engineering does realize they had a problem) . But on trade, when the dealer said he needed to deduct $ from the trade due to a rusted out bumper ( which they undercoated under warranty and replaced the rusty rear after ONE month of ownership), and a bad Stainless Steel Exhaust ( rusted inside, $1,000 to replace since it is welded to the catalytic and they refused to fix under warranty). Their response was, well it is not all SS, but I showed them the window sticker and got a blank stare. So I said, what else will they cover up and not stand behind? Why put myself through this pain again? I walked out and drove to Ford.
So now I hear the NHTSA closed their case and GM continues to ignore this issue till it goes away.Well GM, here is what you lost in the past 6 months due to just one lost loyal customer after 33 years:
1.) 2 Months ago - One lost $50,000 sale on crew cab diesel, not a GM.
2.) Wife needs a new car, kiss that $35,000 sale goodbye. Oh yeah, no service or parts sales from us for 10 years.
3.) Sister needs a car, wants a Buick. She trusts me, since I've worked on cars for 33 years. She knows of my experiences and trusts my recommendation.
4.) Neighbor looking to buy another Buick. He knows my story.
5.) His son has a GM truck with brake problems, he knows my problems. yep, you will lose that sale too as he said GM blew him off as well. Hmm..pattern
6.) Co worker lost his brakes on his GM pickup (again rusty brake lines, go figure!), and his wife hit a tree in the front yard. Yep they drive a Honda pickup now.
And my recommendations will continue, because GM trucks with suddenly failing brakes will hit other innocent vehicles.
Can you provide more info on the facebook group? I searched for it, but it did not come up in a Facebook search. These posts did come up in a search though!
TOLD YA MY NEXT PURCHASE WOULDNT BE A GM PRODUCT. HAVE A GREAT DAY, HATEFUL JIM SAID THAT!!
Unless your vehicle is still under warranty, Gm won't even talk to you. A few of us tried this approach and GM says they won't fix. Mine did have a recall , but all GM did was blow the dust off the sensors. I personally don't drive my truck much unless absolutely need to. When I do get rid of it, it will be at auction or give it away and make sure the new owner knows the brake problem.
2002 silverado.
good luck !
I had a 2003 GMC 2500 and it too never had good braking, from day one. Replacing the rear rusty rotors in the warranty period helped, only slightly. These trucks had hydroboost, meaning the power steering pump boosted the brakes. You need to bleed this system. Check a service manual, but you lift the front end and turn the steering wheel end to end like 20 times. I think with the engine not running. Sounds goofy but it works. My brakes got better ( never great) and that lasted for a few months or so.
If yours is like mine was, also check for corrosion on the power steering brake lines ( there are like 5 of them) and the power steering pump nipple. These are areas or corrosion where mine let go. Unfortunately, could not find SS lines like I did for the brake lines. The extra nice feature when you lose you power steering line, your steering gets real tough and and you lose power brakes.
Good luck, check those lines for your safety and others! I now drive a Ford Crew, and can tell you for sure, after running that GMC for 8 years and replacing brake lines, flex lines, rotors, and calipers and numerous trips to the dealer, that the brakes on those trucks just flat out sucks. Don't expect miracles, just a slightly better pedal.
Do not ignore the brake lines, they blow when you really need them without warning.