2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, and the dominant theme in the complaints is corroded steel brake lines that leak or burst and leave the pedal on the floor, frequently on trucks used in salt-belt or winter conditions. A smaller group describes unwanted ABS engagement at low speed and a mushy or self-applying pedal, and another set reports loss of power steering and brake assist from the hydro-boost system. Reports are spread across a very wide mileage range, from under 30,000 miles to well past 200,000.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rusted-through brake lines causing pedal to the floor

   • 36 complaints (27%)
   • median 90,212 mi at 11.3 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2016

   Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly sinking to the floor while braking, sometimes with no warning light beforehand, and then finding brake fluid dripping under the driver's side or along the frame. On inspection, repair shops report the steel lines corroded through, often along the frame rail, near the ABS unit, above the rear axle or behind a wheel, and owners commonly have all of the metal lines replaced. Several say the failure came with no reduced-pedal warning and that they had to use the parking brake or downshift to stop; some dealers replaced the lines while others told owners the lines were simply rusted and out of warranty. Reported from roughly 25,000 miles up to over 200,000 miles, with many complaints in the 70,000 to 140,000 mile range, and several owners link it to road salt, snow and icy conditions.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the steel brake lines along the frame, above the rear axle and around the ABS unit for rust and seepage, especially on a truck from a snowy or coastal area. Ask whether any hard lines have been replaced and whether the fluid has been flushed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake pedal went to the floor, due to a hole in the brake line caused by external corrosion. Luckily it was not at a stop street, or there would have been an accident. It occurred on the highway, so my wife was able to slowly drive home. I had to have all of the steel lines replaced for the vehicle to be safely driven again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10566311, filed 2014-02, 69,000 miles

   “I was parking my truck and lost my brakes. Found that the brake lines rusted out and I had to replace them. Also I noticed that the transmission and fuel lines are rusted badly. I repaired the fuel line 6 months ago because it rusted threw. There should be a recall to replace all lines do to poor quality lines were used.”

   NHTSA complaint #10316634, filed 2010-03, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engaging at low speed, long stops, mushy pedal

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 102,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2010

   Complaints describe the ABS kicking in during ordinary low-speed stopping, sometimes with a grinding or squeaking noise, and the truck taking longer to stop than expected. Some owners had wheel speed sensors cleaned or an ABS recall performed and report the behaviour returning later; a few describe the pedal dropping or the truck lurching forward at the end of a stop. According to the complaints, dealers were often unable to reproduce the condition, and some owners were told the repair was no longer covered. Reported from about 45,000 miles upward, mostly at low-speed braking such as parking-lot and stop-sign stops.

   What to check: Drive the truck at walking pace and brake firmly a few times to see whether the ABS chatters or the pedal feels soft, and ask whether any ABS-related recall or sensor work was done. A scan tool check for stored ABS codes is worth the cost before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We are experiencing unwanted ABS activation at low speeds giving us no braking when activated. This vehicle has been serviced on !0/28/05 for ABS recall #05068 at 75,484 miles this problem is re occurring for the last 18months. The vehicle now has 115,000 miles. I,ve noticed a new recall out #05v379000 for this issue. This braking issue was once in a while now to be every day and almost every complete stop. Could the manufacturer be required to fix this issue again at no cost to us? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10252201, filed 2008-12, 115,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated t when applying brake pressure at low speeds the ABS activated followed by a squeaking noise. He took the vehicle to a dealer, who cleaned the wheel speed sensors. There was a recall on the anti lock brakes, but the contact did not live in a salt belt state. However, the vehicle experienced the same problem as indicated in the recall. No further repairs or corrections have been made. 11/29/2005 -”

   NHTSA complaint #10140923, filed 2005-10, 41,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Loss of power steering and brake assist (hydro-boost)

   • 8 complaints (6%)
   • median 62,305 mi at 5.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2013

   Owners describe the power steering and power brakes going away together, sometimes as a broken pump shaft and sometimes as a hydro-boost unit leaking power steering fluid onto the firewall and master cylinder. Complaints mention hard steering and a hard or low pedal at the same time, fluid stains under the hood, and a dry power steering reservoir. Repairs reported include replacing the pump or the hydro-boost assembly; one owner said the manufacturer declined recall coverage for their vehicle. Reports fall between roughly 40,000 and 140,000 miles, with no clear weather or use pattern in the sample.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for fluid trails on the firewall and around the hydro-boost unit behind the master cylinder. With the engine running, confirm the steering is light and the pedal firm before and during a slow full-lock turn.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was backing up truck when power stering failed , causing truck to strike parked car. Powerstering pump driveshaft broke off inside of pump . I had to have the pump replaced . .”

   NHTSA complaint #10090425, filed 2004-09, 45,000 miles

   “Hydroboost leaking power steering fluid affecting steering and braking performance. Dipstick for measuring p/s fluid level was dry, and fluid stains all over the firewall and master cylinder resulting from the p/s fluid leaking.”

   NHTSA complaint #10513912, filed 2013-05, 79,000 miles

Buying note. The main thing to budget for on this model year is brake plumbing: a pre-purchase inspection of the hard lines and the hydro-boost system matters more than cosmetics on a truck this age. Records showing recent line replacement, brake fluid service and any ABS work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.