Trailer Brake Controller, yes available for inspection Randomly deactivates Trailer brake controller, Causing hard stopping when needed. Yes problem can be reproduced - has been confirmed by GM, they say they have no fix. Yes unit has been inspected by certified GM dealer, They say there is not a fix. Warning lamp came on same time, it quit working.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 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 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main categories of brake failure in 2022 Silverados. First, the primary braking system suddenly loses power assist, forcing drivers to stomp the pedal hard to stop. Dash displays "Brake System Failure" with speed-limit warnings (42–43 mph) and all warning lights flash on. This hits as early as 1,400 miles and recurs even after dealer repairs—one owner had the brake module replaced, only to lose brakes again eight days later on the drive home. Dealerships sometimes cannot replicate the fault or find a cause.
Second, the integrated trailer brake controller disables without warning, cutting electric trailer brakes mid-tow. Owners report this happens within minutes of hooking up a trailer, sometimes after one minute of braking. The truck's service bulletin confirms GM is aware but has stated no fix exists. Several owners tested multiple trailers to confirm the fault lies with the truck, not the trailer. One owner with a $60,000 truck bought specifically to tow a camper cannot safely use it. A few owners report rear brake hardware corrosion and broken pad clips despite low rust environments, along with one case of a wire box falling from the dash and jamming the brake pedal. GM has issued technical service bulletins for trailer brake issues (PIT5948A) and parking brake actuator testing (PIT 5662G) but has not issued recalls.
Same Chevrolet Silverado brakes reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Primary Brake System Failure (Non-Towing)
Complete loss of power-assisted braking with hard pedal feel, forcing pedal to the floor to stop vehicle. Dashboard displays 'Brake System Failure' warning with speed restriction messages (42-43 mph). All warning lights illuminate: brake, ABS, ESC, check engine. Occurs without trailer attached. Dealership diagnostics sometimes find no fault.
When: Early use (1,400–13,000 miles); one incident at 6,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor; Hard pedal with pulsating on application; Loss of power-assisted braking; Multiple warning lights (brake, ABS, ESC, check engine); 'Brake System Failure' message on dash; Speed-limiting limp mode (42–43 mph); Spongy brakes with reduced stopping power; Alerts via Chevy app for ABS service; Warnings clear after power cycle or parking/restart
Codes mentioned: C159C (noted in towing-related cases but also context for brake module issues)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake module replacement, master cylinder replacement, battery disconnect/reconnect temporary fix. One owner reports brake module replaced but issue recurred 8 days later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware of issue; dealership reports no known correction in some cases. Case filed with GM (sr:9-8884642509); $300 Chevrolet parts credit offered.
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Failure
Integrated electric trailer brake controller disables mid-tow or immediately upon trailer hookup. Dashboard message 'Trailer Brakes Disabled Service Required' appears; trailer electric brakes cease function while truck brakes alone must handle trailer weight. Occurs with multiple trailers, confirming truck-side fault, not trailer issue. Extremely dangerous when towing 4,000–6,000 lbs, especially on wet pavement or at highway speeds.
When: First use with trailer (as early as 237 miles, 1,400 miles); recurs during towing
Symptoms owners cite: 'Trailer Brakes Disabled Service Required' message; Trailer electric brakes cease function mid-tow or after 1 minute of function; Stopping distance dramatically increased; Hard braking required to maintain control; Occurs with multiple different trailers; Can be reproduced reliably when towing
Codes mentioned: C159C
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership installed aftermarket trailer brake controller as temporary workaround. No OEM parts replacement offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin PIT5948A issued; GM states 'aware of issue and working on resolution' but no fix available as of complaint dates. Case filed with GM (sr:9-8884642509); 3-month-old status update indicates no resolution.
Brake Pedal Obstruction (Wire Box)
Wire box fell from behind dash and lodged behind brake pedal, preventing pedal depression. Created emergency situation at traffic light. Dealership acknowledged seeing this problem before but no current recall in place.
When: Timing not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal cannot be depressed; Hazard at traffic light due to inability to apply brakes; Physical obstruction visible behind pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Removal of obstructing wire box (parts cost/labor not specified)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for this defect despite dealership awareness of recurring pattern
Rear Brake Hardware Corrosion and Pad Clip Failure
Rear brake pad mounting clips broken on both sides; rotors show heavy rust and lack of contact with pads, suggesting design or assembly issue. Brakes operate with significantly reduced effectiveness before repairs. Low brake pad wear despite warning indicates pads not making consistent contact.
When: Identified after brake monitor warning (no mileage specified); truck is 2022 model in NC
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive force required to stop truck; Brake pad wear indicator warning; Broken pad clips both sides; Rusted rotors despite low rust environment (NC); Pads worn less than expected given warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced rear brakes and rotors; braking improved significantly. Rotor rust and pad clip design questioned.
Emergency/Parking Brake Actuator Failure
Electric parking brake actuators fail, rendering emergency braking inoperable and creating roll-away risk. TSB PIT 5662G (March 25, 2022) exists to test for defective actuators, indicating GM knowledge of defect.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency brake unable to function; Roll-away risk; Parking brake system inoperable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB PIT 5662G issued March 25, 2022 for testing/confirmation of defective actuators; no broader recall noted
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
My truck randomly stops activating the trailer brakes! This is a major safety problem! They are not doing anything to fix it!
The integrated trailer braking system will function momentarily and then disable entirely while towing a trailer. This is extremely dangerous as it will not allow the vehicle to come safely to a stop if needed. Emergency braking would be greatly hindered without functioning trailer brakes. GM knows of this problem and "Does not have a fix". See attached dealer description. This is not an…
Trailer brake system is not working. Vehicle is reporting trouble code C159C and is subject to service bulletin PIT5948A per the dealership. The latest update states “GM is aware of the issue and is working on a resolution”. The latest update is almost 3 months ago. I have an active case with GM on this. Case sr:9-8884642509. They gave me a $300 credit to my Chevrolet account to purchase chevy…
Had brakes trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 25 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 14,133 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2022/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.