Dealer says uneven rear pad wear is “common on all new GM trucks” — 2024 HD under warranty

Jared Fillion · February 2

I’m posting this because the explanation I received from my dealership was honestly pathetic.

The truck in question is a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax. It currently has 49,000 km (~30,000 miles) and is still under the 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

When I inspected the rear brakes, I found severe uneven pad wear:

Inner pad (piston side): ~2 mm
Outer pad: ~8 mm

That does not look like normal wear.

For context, my previous truck (2020 3500) was used under significantly more severe conditions and went well over 100,000 km (~62,000+ miles) before brake replacement, with roughly 25–35% pad life still remaining. That truck did not exhibit uneven pad wear.

When I raised this with the dealership, I wasn’t told it was “normal” or that something had failed. Instead, I was told this wear pattern is “very common on all the new trucks,” with traction control and Auto 4WD cited as possible contributors — and that this is simply something owners should expect going forward.

That response is unacceptable.

If traction control logic, Auto 4WD behavior, EPB design, calliper hardware, or software is causing rear brakes to drag or wear unevenly at 49,000 km / ~30k miles, that’s not an owner issue — that’s a design or quality problem. Especially when the previous generation performed far better under harsher conditions.

What adds to the frustration is reduced serviceability at the same time:

Rear brakes are tied to an EPB system that requires a high-end scan tool just to retract the callipers.
Manual EPB release methods that worked on earlier models do NOT work on this year.

So owners are dealing with shorter brake life, uneven wear, and higher barriers to basic maintenance.

I’m looking for input — particularly from GM techs or engineers:

Have you seen this inner-pad-only rear wear pattern on 2024 HD trucks?
Is this truly considered acceptable, or is it a known design or software issue?
Has any root cause been identified (EPB logic, calliper design, slide hardware, software updates)?
What scan tools are confirmed to work for EPB service mode on this generation?

A 49,000 km / ~30k mile HD truck under bumper-to-bumper warranty should not be consuming rear brakes unevenly — and owners shouldn’t be told to simply get used to it.

Appreciate any insight.

MG386 · February 2

I have a 2024 3500 AT4 SRW. I've changed all the pads two times already in 25k miles. I tried power stop pads to see if they were better and cleaner being a ceramic, after a couple weeks I switched back to OEM semi metallic because they stop much better than the power stops. I had no problem changing all the pads both times. I did disconnect the batteries just to make sure there were no issues with the new wear sensors, but that's it. no scan tool required. the only thing that i didn't get done was reset the brake pad life display. It still shows 80% even though brand new pads and wear sensors.

There is a parking brake inside the hub of the rear rotors, but they should last forever unless there is a problem. There is no need to mess with that if your just changing pads.

My original OEMs had around 25k miles on them and they did wear unevenly, not horrible, but noticeably different thicknesses.

Jared Fillion · February 3

You're right, I changed the pads last night with no Scan Tool and had no issue, other than my brake percentage still reads "Service System".

It's the same as my 2020. A couple people at the dealer had me scared that there was something different from 2020-24, and that if I didn't put the truck in "Brake Service Mode" that I would damage the system. I guess it's worth mentioning that a person should pump the brake pedal a few times once everything is back together before turning the truck on. I was told that pumping the brakes back up, with the truck on or running afterward could throw a code?

Pretty sad that this is the new norm for brake wear! or at least that's what they want us to accept?

Also pads looked basically the same on passenger and drivers side, this was my rear axel fronts were still at 65%

Thanks for the info Mike!

Chuck FB · February 4

A GM tech that frequents this forum ( Newdude ), I had asked him some questions in a recent thread that pertained to servicing the brakes on a newer HD truck and he said for replacing brake pads there is nothing required of a scanner. However if replacing the park brake shoes then there is a recalibration function that the GM scan tool is required to use after the replacement is performed ( as to how critical that recalibration is, I don't know ). I am guessing at your dealership it was a service writer etc that was putting the scare into you about the complexity of working on the system ( so that you would give in and have them do the work on your dime ? ).

I've watched some videos of the half ton brake system to get an idea of what they are about and why they require this service mode to be performed with a scan tool before they are touched. They use the caliper itself to apply the foundation brakes ( the brake pads ) in a mechanical way with a motor and a screw system mounted to the backside of the caliper that applies the brake pads by pushing on the same brake piston that the hydraulics use when pressing with your foot. Putting that system into service mode would retract the screw assembly fully so that the piston can be compressed and swap in new pads and I believe after that it has to be reset to take it OUT of service brake mode ... its a whole lot of bs. Its easy to see why do it yourselfers that don't understand that system have royally screwed up their caliper by damaging the screw/motor assembly by attempting to force the piston back into the caliper. But alas, you don't have to worry about that on your truck, only issues that the park brake shoes may encounter if they go rusty on you and needing replacement.

In that other thread that I mentioned, I believe his truck is also a 2024 model HD and his brake shoes fell to pieces as in the brake linings fell off of the shoe assemblies and the GM tech on here said that is a problem in the rust belt, yet that truck owner rarely put his truck on the winter roads. So he had that problem with the park brake but he also had much the same thing as your having happen with the inboard rear axle pads wearing out much faster than the outboard pads. He determined that one of his brake calipers was not retracting properly with the pistons and the dealer replaced that caliper on warranty. Having said that both left and right wheel ends on the rear axle had more wear on the inner pads and so did that mean the other caliper is somewhat suspect too, that is a good question. In his case he replaced the park brake shoes, the rotors and the pads himself, then realized there was something not right about one wheel end dragging ( using a heat gun to compare brake temps ) and took it to the dealer where they confirmed a caliper issue and replaced it and on his dime they flushed the brake fluid as that brake had dragged before he had dove into the mess to begin with to sort it out and that can boil the fluid if bad enough. He did say that nothing looked off with the caliper pins so that appeared to be moving as it should as issues with the pins rusting up will certainly cause uneven pad wear. That other thread is somewhere within this 2020+ HD truck section and from some time in Jan I believe.

I have few miles on my truck yet so I haven't a clue what things will pan out like, I can only say to date that the pad wear shows 97 on the front and 99 on the rear but I only have 7000 km on the truck and have not been towing, nor have I been using the adaptive cruise as that can cause brakes to apply when you may not otherwise as well as I realized that even on regular cruise going down a hill that its applying the brakes so I try to remember to hit the cruise off when going down a steeper hill. Now are the brakes doing some other funky things I am unaware of when behind the wheel with traction control on the winter roads by applying the brakes, very good question. My truck has the auto 4 high on it but had been warned by a local transmission shop to try and avoid its use if possible due to the extra wear it puts on the clutches in the transfer case.

Technology, isn't it just great and most of its way over my head as I am anything but computer savvy.

carkhz316 · February 9

On 2/3/2026 at 1:35 PM, Jared Fillion said:

A couple people at the dealer had me scared that there was something different from 2020-24, and that if I didn't put the truck in "Brake Service Mode" that I would damage the system. I guess it's worth mentioning that a person should pump the brake pedal a few times once everything is back together before turning the truck on. I was told that pumping the brakes back up, with the truck on or running afterward could throw a code?

They're confusing the half tons, which have the integrated service/ parking brake assembly (the actuator engages the disc brake pads) with the HDs that have a separate drum-in-hat style parking brake. Mechanically, its the same as its always been. Its just the foot pedal and cable has been replaced with an electronic actuator like everything else.

AbzDad · February 9

the other thread was mine. My 2024 with 22k miles showed the exact same symptoms. Inner pads worn down and outer pads normal. Dealership replaced the caliper under warranty. I replaced the pads/rotors and E-brake shoes.

No scan tool needed to change the pads/rotors and E-brake shoes.

newdude · February 9

22-NA-092 1..2 Its an older version of this TSB, but the current revision has up to 2026 included.

When I had my 2015 HD, I tore everything down once a year, cleaned and lubricated everything. Slide pins, pad clips, etc. Never had uneven wear. If things don't move freely, they get stuck and wear uneven. The 1500s on the 19-26 generation do this as well.

PBNB · February 9

On 2/2/2026 at 11:19 AM, Jared Fillion said:

I’m posting this because the explanation I received from my dealership was honestly pathetic.

The truck in question is a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax. It currently has 49,000 km (~30,000 miles) and is still under the 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

When I inspected the rear brakes, I found severe uneven pad wear:

Inner pad (piston side): ~2 mm

Outer pad: ~8 mm

That does not look like normal wear.

For context, my previous truck (2020 3500) was used under significantly more severe conditions and went well over 100,000 km (~62,000+ miles) before brake replacement, with roughly 25–35% pad life still remaining. That truck did not exhibit uneven pad wear.

When I raised this with the dealership, I wasn’t told it was “normal” or that something had failed. Instead, I was told this wear pattern is “very common on all the new trucks,” with traction control and Auto 4WD cited as possible contributors — and that this is simply something owners should expect going forward.

That response is unacceptable.

If traction control logic, Auto 4WD behavior, EPB design, calliper hardware, or software is causing rear brakes to drag or wear unevenly at 49,000 km / ~30k miles, that’s not an owner issue — that’s a design or quality problem. Especially when the previous generation performed far better under harsher conditions.

What adds to the frustration is reduced serviceability at the same time:

Rear brakes are tied to an EPB system that requires a high-end scan tool just to retract the callipers.

Manual EPB release methods that worked on earlier models do NOT work on this year.

So owners are dealing with shorter brake life, uneven wear, and higher barriers to basic maintenance.

I’m looking for input — particularly from GM techs or engineers:

Have you seen this inner-pad-only rear wear pattern on 2024 HD trucks?

Is this truly considered acceptable, or is it a known design or software issue?

Has any root cause been identified (EPB logic, calliper design, slide hardware, software updates)?

What scan tools are confirmed to work for EPB service mode on this generation?

A 49,000 km / ~30k mile HD truck under bumper-to-bumper warranty should not be consuming rear brakes unevenly — and owners shouldn’t be told to simply get used to it.

Appreciate any insight.

I am getting ready to have mine serviced and wondering which dealership you are working with?

I am at 52k kms and my app tells me that the brake life is 78% Front and 89% Rear.

Jared Fillion · February 9

Wood Wheaton in Prince George

PBNB · February 9

1 hour ago, Jared Fillion said:

Wood Wheaton in Prince George

Thanks, I am in the lower mainland and got my truck from Dueck. I will ask them about the brakes and see what sort of response I get.

Chuck FB · February 10

On 2/9/2026 at 7:40 AM, AbzDad said:

the other thread was mine. My 2024 with 22k miles showed the exact same symptoms. Inner pads worn down and outer pads normal. Dealership replaced the caliper under warranty. I replaced the pads/rotors and E-brake shoes.

No scan tool needed to change the pads/rotors and E-brake shoes.

I was wondering what brand of parts you went with when you replaced the park brake shoes and due to it being such a rusty mess I had assumed you also had to source spring kits as well as the screw adjusters ?. The reason I ask is that I see aftermarket park brake parts listed in the states but here where I am in Canada when I look up available parts through third party suppliers, the only park brake parts I see listed are the genuine GM shoes and just for two shoes for one wheel end is over 200.00 . The theme is really bad for the rotors and brake pads as well, just pisses me off when I look at a site like Rock Auto and being converted to Canadian dollars on their site and a lot of the very same parts by part number are far far less then they are up here, half as much or sometimes 1/3 of the price.

Mind you the prices you paid are in US dollars but do you recall what the total tally was for example with the replacement of the pads/rotors/park brake shoes ?

davester · February 10

I would suggest hitting up rockauto for both. In general, I find them significantly cheaper than the same brand parts, if they are even commonly available in Canada), and it doesn't take much to overcome the extra cost of shipping. Hell, I even got name brand coated brake rotors for my '04, which had expensive shipping because they are just big lumps of steel, and they wound up being the same overall price as the no-name stuff Canadian Tire sells.

From looking at RA for a '25 3500 gas truck, they do have aftermarket brake shoes, not "hardware kit" available, but they have a drum brake return spring kit and adjuster.

and google for their 5% off code, they always have one.

Chuck FB · February 10

1 hour ago, davester said:

I would suggest hitting up rockauto for both. In general, I find them significantly cheaper than the same brand parts, if they are even commonly available in Canada), and it doesn't take much to overcome the extra cost of shipping. Hell, I even got name brand coated brake rotors for my '04, which had expensive shipping because they are just big lumps of steel, and they wound up being the same overall price as the no-name stuff Canadian Tire sells.

From looking at RA for a '25 3500 gas truck, they do have aftermarket brake shoes, not "hardware kit" available, but they have a drum brake return spring kit and adjuster.

and google for their 5% off code, they always have one.

I had not gone through the motions of choosing heavy brake parts though RA to see what the final tally was but a while ago had tried to choose some various lighter parts such as filters and electrical and by the time duty and shopping were added on it would have cost just as much as bending over at the GM dealer here in Alberta, the duty and shipping were insane. So typically trying to ship anything heavy even here within Canada is a loosing proposition, perhaps its because of where I live within Canada. The other problem and this is always a battle and where to ship to that will even accept shipping as s drop point as certainly no shipping company ships to a rural area such as where I am.

Your right on those aftermarket set of four park brake shoes, that's partly what got me wondering why isn't anyone around here handling an item like that vs hosing a person on reselling GM parts for the same price the dealer marks them up to. Then take the GM rotors or the GM pads, pretty much right on at 3 times the price locally through a parts supplier vs the same Canadian dollar price through RA. It goes to show partly what they are able to get away with selling parts up here but also the cost of shipping and tax tax tax on every move that is made.

I thought Crappy Tire sold nothing but the best .... crap ? LOL ( honestly that was one outlet I did not look up much of anything for parts ), and not sure what to make of some of the items Napa is handling as its Napa branded and what really is that ?.

I should add that for items that have a core charge such as brake calipers and so on as well as if the part is wrong, that is when dealing with a local supplier or even the local branded dealer is not only fast or possibly so in correcting the issue as well as getting parts into my hands period vs months when doing anything across the border.

Edited February 10 by Chuck FB

AbzDad · February 11

22 hours ago, Chuck FB said:

I was wondering what brand of parts you went with when you replaced the park brake shoes and due to it being such a rusty mess I had assumed you also had to source spring kits as well as the screw adjusters ?. The reason I ask is that I see aftermarket park brake parts listed in the states but here where I am in Canada when I look up available parts through third party suppliers, the only park brake parts I see listed are the genuine GM shoes and just for two shoes for one wheel end is over 200.00 . The theme is really bad for the rotors and brake pads as well, just pisses me off when I look at a site like Rock Auto and being converted to Canadian dollars on their site and a lot of the very same parts by part number are far far less then they are up here, half as much or sometimes 1/3 of the price.

Mind you the prices you paid are in US dollars but do you recall what the total tally was for example with the replacement of the pads/rotors/park brake shoes ?

The only option I had was the GM shoes and rebuild kit. They were $100 USD for the shoes and $18 for the kit at Advanced Auto. GM dealer didn't have them in stock. Caliper wasn't in stock either. They had to drive down to Mass to get one.

The pads/rotors I got were Powerstop extreme towing from Rockauto. It was a kit with pads, rotors and sensor. It was slightly under $400 total.

I haven't put many miles on the truck since the new caliper. Hoping these new rotors aren't junk or warp due to the heat from the bad caliper.

Chuck FB · February 11

40 minutes ago, AbzDad said:

The only option I had was the GM shoes and rebuild kit. They were $100 USD for the shoes and $18 for the kit at Advanced Auto. GM dealer didn't have them in stock. Caliper wasn't in stock either. They had to drive down to Mass to get one.

The pads/rotors I got were Powerstop extreme towing from Rockauto. It was a kit with pads, rotors and sensor. It was slightly under $400 total.

I haven't put many miles on the truck since the new caliper. Hoping these new rotors aren't junk or warp due to the heat from the bad caliper.

While not an inexpensive repair for you although far less than what prices I see up here, still the fact comes down to a very low mileage truck and in my mind all the parts should have lasted far longer. The park brake shoes fell to pieces on a truck that has in your hands seen little winter roads and you found nothing wrong with the slide pins to account for the uneven wear but the caliper itself was an issue. My only question is, will the other caliper become an issue at some point or if its a rare issue.

I've not used powerstop brake parts myself because the supplier I tend to have bought parts from has been a lot more into Raybestos parts so I get what is available pretty much. The weird thing about this particular local chain stores website is that they don't show much for options pad or rotor wise on the 2025 model but if I go back to a 2022 model then Powerstop parts show up and some other even cheaper ( I suspect real econo hokey parts then ). As far as I had thought most the brake parts were the same from 2020 up, maybe they are just hiding some options to force higher priced items. However only the GM park brake shoes show up. Oh and as to the park brake actuator, for the GM unit which is all they list they want 750.00 for one of those. I see on Rock Auto that one can buy the whole cast bolt on axle mounted brake housing with the actuator and comes loaded with the park brake shoes for a fraction of that if one wants the whole assembly, crazy.