I was towing a dump trailer with gravel in it down a gravel road grade (downhill around 5-7mph) and received a warning on the DTC about the trailer brake being disconnected. All of the lights on the trailer were still working, however the trailer brakes no longer functioned and all of the braking was transferred to the truck. The trailer slowly pushed the rear end of the truck around causing the…
2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Chevrolet Silverado HD we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report the trailer brake controller connects and disconnects repeatedly while towing, sometimes several times per minute. The truck's dash cycles between "Trailer Brakes Connected" and "Trailer Brakes Disconnected" warning messages. Most concerning: the brakes periodically lose all function during active towing. Dealers have inspected the trucks and found nothing wrong on the truck side, yet the problem repeats every time a trailer is connected.
Chevrolet released service bulletin 6379278 addressing this issue, but the recommended fix—disabling the trailer's solar charge controller through the trailer manufacturer—doesn't work because trailer makers say it's Chevrolet's problem. One owner was told by both dealers and manufacturer that there's no resolution available.
The real danger emerges when trailer brakes disconnect while towing downhill or in rain. One driver experienced violent skidding when the trailer brakes suddenly re-engaged after disconnecting, nearly causing a multi-vehicle accident on I-77. Another had his truck jackknifed pulling a dump trailer, resulting in significant bumper and bed damage.
A handful of owners also report premature brake pad wear at 22,000 miles with excessive dust, causing rotor warping. Dealers refuse warranty coverage, claiming it's normal wear and not a safety issue.
Same Chevrolet Silverado HD brakes reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Trailer brake controller connects and disconnects intermittently
The integrated trailer brake controller in the 2024 Silverado HD repeatedly connects and disconnects while a trailer is tethered, often multiple times per minute. This causes the 'Trailer Brakes Connected' and 'Trailer Brakes Disconnected' warning messages to display on the dash.
When: Occurs immediately upon connecting a trailer and throughout towing sessions; one owner reported first occurrence May 30, 2023 on initial trailer connection; failures reported at 1,700 miles and 15 miles in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning lamp cycles between 'Trailer Brakes Connected' and 'Trailer Brakes Disconnected' as frequently as several times per minute; Trailer brakes periodically lose function during towing; Cycle repeats every time the trailer is connected, consistently across multiple towing sessions; 'Check Trailer Wiring' message appears on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have found no defect on the truck side after inspection. Chevrolet dealers have provided service bulletin 6379278 but the recommended manufacturer solution—contacting the trailer manufacturer to disable a solar charge controller—does not resolve the issue because trailer manufacturers deny responsibility. Some owners have been told the problem cannot be fixed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 6379278 (applicable to 2024 Silverado 2500 and 3500 models); TSB 23-NA-149 references voltage backfeed causing brake controller to disable; recall N232414840 mentioned by one owner but not all affected VINs were notified; GM acknowledged awareness of the issue and filed cases but has provided no resolution timeline or permanent fix
Trailer brake failure causing loss of vehicle control
When the trailer brake controller disconnects during towing on downhill grades or in wet conditions, the trailer brakes cease operation unexpectedly. This transfers all braking responsibility to the truck brakes and causes the towed combination (truck plus trailer) to skid, jackknife, or lose control.
When: Occurs during active towing on grades and in adverse weather; one incident occurred on I-77 in West Virginia on a downhill slope in rain
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brakes suddenly disconnect mid-drive; Truck brakes applied by driver produce heavier braking force than trailer brakes can apply (since they were disconnected), causing sudden re-engagement and violent jolting; Vehicle and trailer combination skids on wet pavement; Trailer jackknifes on gravel road grades, pushing rear end of truck; Loss of steering control; near-miss accidents
Repairs/costs cited: One owner incurred significant damage to bumper and bed from a jackknife incident; currently working with insurance on damage quote
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 23-NA-149 addresses voltage backfeed into the vehicle causing brake controller to disable; no permanent repair solution documented in complaints
Brake pad and rotor premature wear
Brake pads wear excessively fast and produce abnormal amounts of brake dust. As pads wear beyond acceptable service life, rotors become warped from heat and uneven contact.
When: Brake dust issue present from 500 miles; pads nearly worn out at 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Extreme amounts of brake dust accumulation on wheels; Steering wheel shakes when brakes are applied; Vehicle vibrates and jumps when pulling a load and braking; Rotors warped due to faulty pads wearing out prematurely
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed the wear to cheaper pads used by the manufacturer and stated it is normal; dealer and GM refused to repair, claiming it is not a safety issue and not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM rejected warranty claim; no recall or TSB referenced by owner
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD?
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 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 1,700 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/2024/Chevrolet/Silverado HD.
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.