# Chevrolet Silverado brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 383 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (97) - **Related recalls:** 9 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 383 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Chevrolet Silverado (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (97). There are **9 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Chevrolet Silverado brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 39 | 1193 | 3% | | 2016 | 31 | 801 | 4% | | 2017 | 46 | 839 | 5% | | 2018 | 38 | 522 | 7% | | 2019 | 97 | 1097 | 9% | | 2020 | 57 | 749 | 8% | | 2021 | 23 | 855 | 3% | | 2022 | 24 | 656 | 4% | | 2023 | 9 | 391 | 2% | | 2024 | 8 | 320 | 3% | | 2025 | 3 | 108 | 3% | | 2026 | 8 | 127 | 6% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Chevrolet Silverado recalls related to the brake warning light **[24V674000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V674000)** (2023 models, reported 2024-09-12): Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac... **[20V603000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V603000)** (2018 models, reported 2020-10-01): A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. **[20V116000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V116000)** (2020 models, reported 2020-02-27): Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. **[20V055000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V055000)** (2019 models, reported 2020-01-30): A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. **[19V889000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V889000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-12-12): If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. **[19V761000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V761000)** (2015-2018 models, reported 2019-10-24): 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. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. **[19V645000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V645000)** (2015-2018 models, reported 2019-09-06): As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. **[18V578000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V578000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2018-08-30): If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. **[16V069000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V069000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2016-02-05): If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Chevrolet Silverado owners report - "Service brake assist warning came on the day before a severe audible engine knock started. Drove to nearest dealer and they immediately diagnosed as a probable engine failure/engine bearing/connecting rod. 6.2 liter engine 9500 miles" -- owner of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2026 - "On 3/30/2026, I was driving down the road & suddenly my dash filled with warning lights about brakes, abs etc. Steering the vehicle became almost impossible because power steering was gone. When I attempted to brake, I also found that I had very little braking. The vehicle has 11,036 miles. Got the vehicle to the..." -- owner of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2026 - "I notice that check engine light went on with TC, parking brake service , some pad lock ( dont know what the ped lock is). 2nd time this happen the parking light service light went on and the brakes locked up again in traffic. 0" -- owner of a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Chevrolet Silverado brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 9 related recalls (24V674000, 20V603000, 20V116000, 20V055000, 19V889000, 19V761000, 19V645000, 18V578000, 16V069000) covering 2015-2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Chevrolet Silverado years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2017, 2019 and 2020 Silverado model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 97 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Chevrolet Silverado with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Chevrolet dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Chevrolet Silverado warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-silverado): 50 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/chevrolet-silverado): 5 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/chevrolet-silverado): 100 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/chevrolet-silverado): 58 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints - [Chevrolet Tahoe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-tahoe): 136 complaints ## Chevrolet Silverado - [Chevrolet Silverado specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/chevrolet-silverado) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.