ProblemsByVin CHEVROLET / BRAKES

213 model-year entries · 2005–2025

Chevrolet brakes problems

5,190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Chevrolet vehicles for brakes issues. 14 active recall campaigns. See brakes across all makes →

Complaints

5,190

Recalls

Year-models

213

Avg fix

$450

424crashes

21fires

165injuries

2fatalities

Editorial perspective by Mark Driver · Founder, ProblemsByVin

I've had plenty of Chevrolet in the bay over the years, and the brake complaints on these don't surprise me. 5,190 on the NHTSA record across 213 model-year entries (2005–2025) is not a fluke. The complaints are spread across the lineup — no single model is doing all the work. That tells you it's an engineering or supplier pattern, not a one-off bad year. 2 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Chevrolet vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Repair cost runs around $450 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Across the 3,046 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 53,994 miles. Pulsing, grinding, soft pedal — none of those should sit more than a week. Brake problems compound fast on a vehicle already on the list.

Worst-affected Chevrolet model-years for brakes Top 25 by complaint volume

2015 Chevrolet Silverado

332 complaints · ~$450 severe

2006 Chevrolet Silverado

313 complaints · ~$450 severe

2005 Chevrolet Silverado

270 complaints · ~$450 severe

2016 Chevrolet Silverado

225 complaints · ~$450 critical

2014 Chevrolet Silverado

217 complaints · ~$450 severe

2017 Chevrolet Silverado

172 complaints · ~$450 severe

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

162 complaints · ~$450 severe

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

155 complaints · ~$450 severe

2012 Chevrolet Cruze

115 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

90 complaints · ~$450 severe

2007 Chevrolet Silverado

88 complaints · ~$450 moderate

2019 Chevrolet Silverado

86 complaints · ~$450 severe

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

85 complaints · ~$450 moderate

2005 Chevrolet Colorado

83 complaints · ~$450 severe

2025 Chevrolet Traverse

77 complaints · ~$450 moderate

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

73 complaints · ~$450 severe

2020 Chevrolet Equinox

63 complaints · 1 recall · ~$450 severe

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

63 complaints · ~$450 severe

2005 Chevrolet Equinox

63 complaints · ~$450 severe

2006 Chevrolet Equinox

60 complaints · ~$450 moderate

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

56 complaints · ~$450 severe

2018 Chevrolet Silverado

55 complaints · ~$450 moderate

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

54 complaints · ~$450 severe

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

53 complaints · ~$450 severe

2020 Chevrolet Silverado

51 complaints · ~$450 severe

Active recalls — Chevrolet brakes 12 on file

severe NHTSA 18V576000 August 30, 2018 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

severe NHTSA 21V579000 July 29, 2021 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles

Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.

severe NHTSA 14V460000 July 29, 2014 2010 Chevrolet Aveo

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles

If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac). GM's number for this recall is 14505.

severe NHTSA 11V599000 December 28, 2011 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet sonic vehicles manufactured from june 2, 2011, through november 21, 2011

A missing pad could result in reduced brake system performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brakes for a missing inner or outer pad. If a brake pad is missing, dealers will install new inner and outer pads, a new brake caliper, and a new rotor. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 14, 2012

severe NHTSA 19V761000 October 24, 2019 2020 Chevrolet Suburban

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5

Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

severe NHTSA 20V588000 September 24, 2020 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles

If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.

severe NHTSA 20V808000 December 22, 2020 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles

If a brake caliper fractures and brake fluid is lost, the vehicle may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the casting lot number on the front left brake caliper and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202321400.

severe NHTSA 05V103000 March 18, 2005 2005 Chevrolet Suburban

On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing

This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

severe NHTSA 06V311000 August 16, 2006 2006 Chevrolet T-Series

Certain trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

If stopping distance was limited, a vehicle crash could result.

Fix: Dealers will replace the air brake application valve assembly on c-series or reroute the air brake lines on t-series free of charge. The recall began on september 20, 2006. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

severe NHTSA 13V360000 August 15, 2013 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with 1

A loss of braking assistance will require extra pedal force and/or distance to bring the vehicle to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace a microswitch in the power brake vacuum pipe assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's recall number is 12213.

severe NHTSA 14V247000 May 14, 2014 2014 Chevrolet Malibu

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2

If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020. General Motors number for this recall is 14201.

severe NHTSA 23V266000 April 13, 2023 2023 Chevrolet 5500HD

General Motors

An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the master cylinder pressure sensor and inspect the wire harness, replacing it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222375270.

Common questions

How many Chevrolet brakes complaints are on file with NHTSA?

5,190 complaints across 213 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 14 active recall campaigns cover brakes issues across the Chevrolet lineup.

Which Chevrolet model has the most brakes complaints?

The 2015 Chevrolet Silverado leads with 332 complaints in this category. Next: 2006 Silverado (313) and 2005 Silverado (270).

What does it cost to fix Chevrolet brakes problems?

Independent shops average $450 for brakes repairs across the Chevrolet lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.

Are there Chevrolet brakes recalls?

Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover brakes on Chevrolet vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin and not affiliated with Chevrolet. Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record. Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.