This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems
severe 217 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
217
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
14crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 217 brakes complaints filed for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 217 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two core brake failure patterns on the 2014 Silverado. The first is a hard brake pedal that resists depression—sometimes occurring at low speeds when parking or reversing—requiring excessive foot pressure or both feet to stop the truck. The second is loss of braking power altogether: the pedal goes soft, sinks to the floor, or fails to respond even with full force applied. Both conditions appear intermittently and often resolve after restarting the engine, though some owners report persistent issues even after recall service.
The failures cluster around low-speed maneuvers (parking, reversing on driveways, slow traffic) and some occur after extended highway driving. Owners report the brake pedal becoming "rock hard," hearing clicking or popping noises, and seeing "Service Brake Assist" warnings on the dash. Many cite brake vacuum pump failure as the root cause, with some naming specific GM Technical Service Bulletins (PIT5361B, PIT5362B) they found online. One owner documented oil contamination inside the brake booster and vacuum lines. Repair costs range from $440 to $1,638, with parts including the vacuum pump, brake booster, master cylinder, hoses, and belts. Some owners report the 2019 recall (19V645000, campaign N192268490) did not fix recurrence of the problem. Others describe being denied coverage or told parts were on backorder. Accidents and near-misses are documented—rear-ending vehicles, hitting parked cars, backing into structures—due to inability to stop.
Same Chevrolet Silverado brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Brake vacuum pump failure with hard pedal
The brake vacuum pump fails to generate sufficient vacuum, causing the brake pedal to become extremely difficult to depress. Owners report needing excessive foot pressure or both feet to brake; the condition often reverses after engine restart.
When: Intermittently, often during low-speed maneuvers or after highway driving; mileage ranges 20,000–165,000
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes rock hard or extremely firm; Requires excessive effort or both feet to depress brake pedal; Vehicle slows or stops poorly despite full pedal pressure; Problem occurs at low speeds—parking, reversing, slow traffic; Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates; Condition resolves after engine restart; Intermittent occurrences, sometimes after extended highway driving
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (instrument panel message), Brake Assist failure indicated on dash, ABS warning light (some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement; some cases also required brake booster, vacuum lines, master cylinder, belts; repair costs $440–$1,638; one owner documented oil contamination in brake booster and lines requiring pump, booster, hose, and master cylinder replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 (2019, campaign N192268490) performed brake control module recalibration/software update; multiple owners report the recall did not resolve recurrence; GM referenced Technical Service Bulletins PIT5361B and PIT5362B; some owners denied coverage after warranty expiration; parts backorders reported; special coverage warranty (not full recall) mentioned in at least one case
Brake power loss—pedal to floor or no response
Complete or near-complete loss of brake assist; pedal may go soft and sink to the floorboard, or become unresponsive regardless of force applied. Owners unable to stop vehicle and forced to use emergency brake, shift to neutral, or coast to a stop.
When: Intermittent; reported mileage ranges 20,000–147,000; multiple owners experienced multiple failures within weeks or months
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks to floorboard or fails to respond; No braking power despite foot pressure; Vehicle does not slow or stop when brake applied; Occurs at various speeds, often slow speeds and reversing; Multiple instances may occur within short time span; Forced to use emergency brake or shift to neutral to stop; No warning lights or indicators prior to failure; Resolves after engine restart
Codes mentioned: Brake Assist failure warning, Service Brakes warning message, Stabilitrac warning light (some cases), ABS warning light (some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement cited as primary fix; one case required master cylinder and vacuum/booster pump; costs $440–$1,400; some parts on backorder; one owner's repair ($1,100) included vacuum pump, vacuum pump belt, A/C belt, and pipe from pump to booster
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 performed at dealerships; multiple owners report failure recurred after recall service; GM's response: 'not enough complaints to issue safety recall' (per owner narrative #10); denials of coverage after warranty expiration; one owner received case number from GM but no resolution; Technical Service Bulletins PIT5361B and PIT5362B referenced by owners
Brake pedal hard during braking with possible booster/vacuum line contamination
Hard brake pedal accompanied by abnormal noises (popping, gurgling, squealing, grinding/whining) and discovery of oil or fluid contamination in brake booster and vacuum lines. Some owners report pedal pulsing or vibration sensation.
When: Intermittent; reported at 27,971 miles through 147,310 miles; one belt failure at 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes extremely firm or hard to depress; Popping noise when pedal depressed; Gurgling or grinding/whining noise from brake booster area; Squealing from brake vacuum pump belt; Pulsing or vibration sensation in pedal; Service Brake Assist warning illuminates; Oil or fluid found in brake booster and/or vacuum lines; Metal shards in vacuum pump oil (one case)
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (dashboard message), ABS warning light, Brake Assist failure indication
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement; some cases required brake booster, vacuum lines, master cylinder, belt replacement; one owner found snapped vacuum pump belt and metal shards in pump oil, preventing safe engine operation; costs $440–$1,638; one case required vacuum pump, vacuum line, booster, and master cylinder replacement due to oil contamination
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletins PIT5361B and PIT5362B issued by GM; bulletin recommended inspection for oil in vacuum lines and, if found, replacement of vacuum pump, vacuum line, booster, and master cylinder; some owners denied reimbursement for out-of-warranty repairs at independent shops; special coverage warranty referenced in one case
Brake pedal hard after reversing or backing
Brake pedal becomes extremely hard or difficult to depress specifically after reversing or backing the truck, particularly on slight inclines or slopes. Often accompanied by loss of braking power. Problem resolves after engine restart or shift to neutral.
When: During and shortly after reversing; reported mileage 44,000–125,000; recurrent episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal becomes rock hard when reversing or backing; Excessive effort needed to depress pedal in reverse; Loss of braking power while in reverse; Problem occurs more prominently on inclines or slopes; Hard pedal persists briefly into forward motion after reversing; Resolves after engine restart; Multiple incidents over short timeframe
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning, Brake Assist failure message on dash, Stabilitrac warning (some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump and brake booster replacement indicated; one case required master cylinder and vacuum pump replacement; costs $1,100–$1,638
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 performed; multiple owners report recurrence after recall work; GM bulletins PIT5361B and PIT5362B address this condition; one owner's dealer said hard pedal in reverse is 'normal process for braking system'; one owner denied coverage after special coverage warranty expired
Brake failure post-recall recurrence
Brake failures (hard pedal, loss of power) recur after the vehicle has been serviced under recall 19V645000 (2019). Recall repair consisted of electronic brake control module recalibration/software update; hard pedal and loss of braking power returned months or years later.
When: Recurrence 2–4+ months to years after 2019 recall service; mileage at recurrence 81,000–166,000
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal returns after recall service; Loss of braking power returns after recall service; Service Brake Assist warning reappears; Brake pedal requires excessive effort; Pedal may go soft or become unresponsive; Intermittent failures consistent with original symptom
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning, Brake Assist failure indication
Repairs/costs cited: Vacuum pump replacement recommended by dealers after recurrence; one owner's dealer informed them that after recall work was done, vacuum pump must also be replaced (at owner expense, not covered); costs cited $1,100+
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 performed (software recalibration only per owner reports); owners informed that recall 'fixed the problem' but multiple owners report recurrence; dealers told owners vacuum pump replacement not covered under recall; GM unable or unwilling to provide information on whether recall fixed the issue or if repairs were tested; special coverage warranty has expiration limits (owners cited 6/24 or 150k miles)
Synthesized from 217 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My truck has had 3 instances of the brakes not working correctly in the last 2 months. Each time my brake pedal became very difficult to press down and my truck did not stop in the manner it should have. Each time this has happened it was after stopping and putting the truck into reverse to park it. The brake pedal became hard and wouldn't go down the way it should. After each incident and…
the brakes have a hard pedal with no brakes at low speed . In reverse have to apply lots of pressure to brake pedal, and this does not always work. I read there is a recall. I want to get repaired before an accident occurs. This is on going, not just the date below.
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 217 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 166 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 53,731 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 72,301. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,731; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.