2001 Chevrolet Blazer: brake failure

Filed Nov 14, 2007 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · TX

In three different occasions, 2 in 06 and 2 in 07 the brakes failed to stop it's an intermittent incident. In 06 after incident, master cylinder brake was changed (not keep old part). After third incident, I took it to dealer. Their response was nothing wrong. But on my interview with head technician, mentioned that could be the ABS activating, like reading false instructions. What could be done, he said to change the sensors but there were three on the car and those were expensive and then there are more other components to the ABS that could also be the cause of failure. I started to investigate on the internet to understand the ABS and then to see if I was the only one, and then looking for recalls. I came to an article that described the failure exactly as it has happened to me all these past events and reads:...sidebar: what are the most common failures with ABS that you have detected from your vehicle inspections? Folck: well, in the general motors trucks and vans, the 4-wheel kelsey-hayes antilock brake system. The brake pedal is supposed to just pulsate a little bit and stay in position, but sometimes it goes to the floor. Sidebar: what does that indicate when it goes to the floor? Folck: that there is a failure in the ABS. They have a problem with their algorithm, and it won?t set a failure code in the kelsey-hayes 4-wheel. In laymen?s terms, an algorithm is a sequence of functions the computer is supposed to take. There are glitches in the algorithm, and gm has acknowledged the algorithm failures. (eds. Note: see the article in the money section of USA today, "gm: computer glitch could affect brakes", 05/22/98.)" ... First of all, my safety is first and the manufacturer has to fix this problem right away. I am not in the position of selling the car since I am still paying dearly for it and second, I would not like to pass this problem to someone else.

Filed Apr 11, 2003 · Brakes · 18,914 miles · NY

Brake pedal went all the way to the floor while stopping, my wife was almost hit by a bus. The dealer has been trying to identify the problem, an has thus far replaced the master cylinder. The problem still exists intermittently, and causing the anti-lock brake pump to cycle (locking the brakes) alleviates the low or fading pedal for a short period of time. This problem seems to be related to the ABS pump and/or the computer controlling it. I am very experienced in diagnostics and rebuilding automobiles, and have seen this occur on other makes and models (usually a failure of the ABS pump). My car will be back at the dealer again on tuesday april 14th for this on going failure of this poorly designed ABS. Maybe my government will do something about this when the brakes on this vehicle kill some innocent citizen or government employee driving one of these cars.

Filed Feb 20, 2003 · Brakes · IN

The ABS light illuminated, which caused loss of braking.

Filed Nov 26, 2001 · Brakes · VA · crash

On 11/20/01 I pressed brake pedal to floor but my brakes failed causing my vehicle to bump a vehicle in front of me (bumped vehicle at very slow speed due to heavy stop and go traffic). I initially thought that my foot merely slipped off the brake pedal as after the incident my brakes worked properly. However, on the following day (11/21/01) my brakes failed a second time. I had to swerve onto the shoulder of the road in order to avoid an accident and was finally able to get my vehicle stopped. After a short period of time, my brakes were operational again. At that point, the vehicle was taken to the closest chevy dealership (heritage auto plaza in alexandria, va) where it remains as of 10:05 a.m. On 11/26/01.

Filed Oct 31, 2001 · Brakes · IN

When applying brakes pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.