2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500: brake failure

Filed Aug 23, 2018 · Brakes · 235,000 miles · MA

I had a major brake failure the other day while driving. I had no brakes, but I was able to stop with the emergency brake. I had the truck towed to the mechanic and they reported that the brake failure was due to rusted brake lines.

Filed Jan 28, 2015 · Brakes · 139,000 miles · NH · crash

I pulled into a parking lot and proceeded to park my suburban. I hit the brake pedal and the brakes did not work. They pulsate and gave out completely. No service lights or warning light came on previous to the incident. When the brakes didn't work I tried to pump them to get them to work but nothing worked and my suburban smashed into a bush and over the curb. I just had my brake lines replaces which was quoted $1700 at my local chevrolet dealership. I am no looking into the issues with the ABS system.

Filed Sep 7, 2013 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · MD

The brakes failed and the pedal last all pressure and went to the floor. Was successful in stopping the vehicle from 35 MPH without incident. Upon inspection, the rear driver's side brake line was severely corroded and failed. Further inspection showed that other brake line are in the similar condition.

Filed May 5, 2013 · Brakes · 109,636 miles · MA

While making a sudden stop, a hydraulic line serving the front brakes ruptured causing complete loss of front brakes. This is the third hydraulic brake line failure on this vehicle. The first two lines to fail were on the rear axle. All of the remaining hydraulic brake lines are heavily rusted and pitted, they all are at risk of failure at any time. This problem is widespread on this year and model vehicle. It poses a serious risk to the drivers and to the persons and property of others. Every one of the owners should be notified that their vehicle may require replacement brake lines. Whose responsibility it shall be is up to the federal safety agency, but the need for information is great. This is a heavy weight vehicle for ordinary consumer use. Most such users are unprepared for a brake failure of this kind. Interestingly, gm does not offer replacement parts. Precision formed lines are available on the aftermarket. The local chevy dealer uses non-corroding copper-nickel replacement line, and fabricates the lines locally. The same brake line metallurgy was used in high end european cars (volvo and porsche) beginning in the 1980s.

Filed Mar 31, 2013 · Brakes · 132,000 miles · PA

While driving on the highway at 55mph I was near my exit and activated the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I was fortunate to have the room to change lanes and pass my exit and downshifted to slow and eventually stop. I had tried to apply the parking brake and the cable snapped on the spot. After getting the car to a mechanic I was told that every brake line was corroded and most were failing. The mechanic also said it isn't recommended to replace just the leaking lines because once the pressure is restored, the remaining lines would then likely fail. The vehicle is currently in the shop and I am waiting for what I am sure will be a sizable repair bill.

Filed Sep 26, 2012 · Brakes · 115,700 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, he attempted to engage the parking brake but the vehicle continued to move. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was confirmed that the emergency brake failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 115,700 and the current mileage was 115,736.

Filed Oct 12, 2011 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · MA

I was driving my 2001 suburban and when I stepped on the brakes, the pedal went to the floor. No warning or brake light came on. I was able to limp the truck home and I saw the rear axle was wet with brakefluid. The left rear brake line had rotted and broke. The truck is very well kept up and I always pressure wash the undercarriage after the snow & winter.

Filed Jun 5, 2010 · Brakes · 86,924 miles · PA

2001 chevrolet suburban brake failure due to corrosion on left rear brake line. I verified the corrosion by climbing under the truck to see what happened. This failure is not due to an accident with the truck nor has the brake line been crushed due to running over a large obstruction. The brake line is located above the vehicle frame rail. No accident occurred due to this failure as it happened while exiting my driveway. I managed to stop the truck using my emergency brake. I understand there is a current investigation concerning this problem on chevy and gm trucks and suvs. I went to my local chevrolet dealers service department but was informed that as there is no recall the expense would not be covered by gm.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Brakes · 104,786 miles · OH

I have a 2001 chevrolet suburban 1500. I had rear brakes and rotors replaced at 87813 miles in 02/08. At approximately 78713 miles the front brake pads were replaced. The vehicle now has approximately 104783 miles on it and the rear pads are gone and the rear rotors are warped. The front pads curiously still have 2/3 of the pad left. When going online I found a recall effecting the brake system of the vehicle the federal safety agency # 05v379000. Doing my due diligence I called gm customer service about the problem and they stated that this particular recall is not open for the VIN # of my vehicle. After reading the actual recall on your website it would appear my vehicle which is in fact registered in the state of ohio a "salt-belt" state which was one of the primary considerations for the recall. I am curious as to why the recall would not be in effect on my vehicle. Does my vehicle first have to be involved in an accident causing injuries because of a brake failure before this will be addressed? No common car owner would suspect that after 15k miles rear brakes would need to be replaced and would more than likely continue driving the vehicle until there was a catastrophic brake failure that could lead to serious injury. I would like someone to get an explanation from general motors as to why this is not being addressed in these vehicles not supposedly affected by this recall.

Filed Sep 11, 2007 · Brakes · KY

Emergency brake went out for no reason. We have never used emergency brake since owning the car in 2001.