NHTSA Complaint #10554419 — 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT DUE TO RUSTED STEEL LINE AND LOOSE (STRETCHED) PARKING BRAKE CABLE. RESIDENTIAL DRIVING UNDER 25 MILES AN HOUR I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE WITH ABOUT 100 FEET FROM LIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. IMMEDIATELY I APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO BOTH ACTIONS. THE TRUCK ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MAIN LINE FEEDING REAR BRAKES ABRUPTLY FAILED CAUSING PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGES. AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES SERVICED AND FIXED, AND THINKING THAT THE TRUCK WAS SAFE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING WERE NON RESPONSIVE. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE HIGHWAY GAVE ME AMPLE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND GET MY FAMILY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND DIAGNOSED. A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUT IN. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK WITH MY FAMILY IN IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BRAKE NEXT. *TR