Mechanical Vacuum Pump-Special Coverage Program

Katie989 · May 4, 2019

Got my letter in the mail today. I’m pretty bummed. Was hoping for a recall. Had the issue last October. The problem is that the dealership replaced the brake booster and not the pump. Tech notes said vaccume pulling below what it should (don’t remember number). After replacing the booster the pedal is back to normal and hasn’t happened since (doesn’t mean it won’t happen again tho). I read on this forum somewhere that someone was out of town when their pedal went hard and the local mechanic replaced the booster. It worked properly again to get them home but when the person brought it to their mechanic back home they said it was the pump. I’m fine driving it around town but I have a boat in cottage and the ramp is fairly steep. Truck was hard to stop on flat ground. I don’t want to go swimming.

Im going to bring the bill and the letter in and see what they say. I don’t have high hopes tho. Might just end up paying for the newer pump.

Anyone know who I’d contact once the dealership brushes me off. An email would be great so I can prove vaccume was low. Plus I like paper trails.

There is also a chance that the problem could actually have been the booster. I braked fairly hard twice about an hour before backing into a parking spot where I lost the power brake assist.

Also, just a note for anyone who thinks the loss of power brake assist simply makes the pedal have a different “feel”. Sit in your truck with the engine off and pump your brakes until they become hard. Once the pedal is hard and high, try (with the truck off) to push the pedal in. That’s what loss of power brake assist feels like. (I don’t think this could do damage but I’m just a person on the internet).

I am glad Chevy is at least fixing the issue for free. But there is still those people who it’s going to happen to.

Ralph jr · May 4, 2019

Did it include 2017 GMC 1500 I had to pay out of pocket on mine.

Blackedoutraven · May 5, 2019

I replaced my brakes a month ago because i was having this issue. They were barely halfway down. I'll be setting up an appointment very soon.

wforrest08 · May 5, 2019

4 hours ago, Ralph jr said:

Did it include 2017 GMC 1500 I had to pay out of pocket on mine.

Look on page two of this thread I posted the GM bulletin with the years and mileage. If yours falls into that category you’ll be eligible for a refund...

Ed S · May 9, 2019

Receive a notice letter from GM as well on failing vacuum pumps causing low speed hard brake pedal that could cause a problem in low speed braking. Their only offer in the letter is they will extend the warranty on them for 6 years from in service date the of truck or 72,000 miles in the interest of "customer satisfaction". NO recall however. They said for make sure and follow oil change intervals for this might be a contributing factor in the pumps premature failing. My thoughts on this is they should recall known safety issue parts period. Looks like GM is trying to save themselves some money on a due to fail early, weak link in their brake, vacuum system. No mention of the word "accident" in the letter anywhere of course. My truck went into service in December of 2013 and has just turned 50,000 miles so my extended warranty will be up in just 8 months or so on this obvious poorly designed pump. Let us know if anyone gets this fixed under warranty by claiming hard pedal incidents to the dealer. Whether it actually happened or not, this should be recalled and fixed for free in my opinion.

lapoolboy · May 9, 2019

7 minutes ago, Ed S said:

Let us know if anyone gets this fixed under warranty by claiming hard pedal incidents to the dealer.

Yep, I just got it done last week under warranty. Told the dealer what was happening and they replaced the pump. No issues.

Grumpy Bear · May 10, 2019

On ‎5‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 1:39 PM, Sierra Dan said:

S.O.L. if you are beyond 6 years or 72K miles unless you can get a dealer to Goodwill it.

Just got my letter. 90K on the clock. To late. LOL

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

11 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Just got my letter. 90K on the clock. To late. LOL

"Marty, Back to the DeLorean ! " LOL

Just rewind time by about 19K miles

Grumpy Bear · May 10, 2019

2 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

"Marty, Back to the DeLorean ! " LOL

Just rewind time by about 19K miles

Hey Danny boy....you need a Flux Capacitor? I have a spare!

Anyone notice the line that letter that indicates that you might not have this issue if you CHANGE YOUR OIL often enough?

NCPGMC · May 10, 2019

I haven't gotten a letter yet but I did notice if you login to the Owners section on gmc.com (chevy.com) and go to the warranty section, this has now appeared...

Jacoby · May 10, 2019

Still no letter for me

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

Some of you may already have the updated pump.

Sierra Dan · May 10, 2019

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Hey Danny boy....you need a Flux Capacitor? I have a spare!

Anyone notice the line that letter that indicates that you might not have this issue if you CHANGE YOUR OIL often enough?

I will take it Marty!

Yes, changing the oil in the letter.....which goes without saying.

I would love to know what exactly fails in the pump and why.

Something to do with metal, as shavings can enter the oil stream causing the engine to possible grenade.

mcdavis · May 10, 2019

17 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Just got my letter. 90K on the clock. To late. LOL

Same here, only just under 90.

Grumpy Bear · May 11, 2019

8 hours ago, Sierra Dan said:

I will take it Marty!

Yes, changing the oil in the letter.....which goes without saying.

I would love to know what exactly fails in the pump and why.

Something to do with metal, as shavings can enter the oil stream causing the engine to possible grenade.

Me 2. Flux Capacitor is in the mail.