Chevrolet Suburban 1500 fire or smoke problems

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · IL

On XXX As I was driving after picking my kids up from school the vehicle started jerking and different lights came on in the dash.When I got home I told my husband and he called the dealership we bought it from and he was told for us to take them the truck so they can take a look at it. We are almost an hour away from the dealership.As we was driving in the highway about 40-45 mins into driving the truck started loosing power and a loud boom noise happened after the truck just cut off and my husband was able to safely pull over on the side of highway.When he opened the hood smoke was coming out and a weird smell started, he called [XXX] and fighter fighters checked it to disregard a fire.After we contacted the dealer again and they sent a tow truck to get the truck. They took the truck to the dealer but it was their closing time already by the time the tow truck was able to get to us. The truck is at the dealership Phillips Chevrolet at [XXX], at the moment we are still waiting. And now I have my [XXX] really scared of getting in vehicles and she’s scared of that truck because she says the truck almost caught on fire and she keeps saying she’s scared of us driving that truck again. That we are not safe anymore in the truck. And we as parent are concerned of her feelings and the way she doesn’t want to go in the truck again if it gets fixed. We are having a hard time trying to change her thoughts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

1/10/25 Complete braking system failure, could no brake, could not use emergency brake. Almost crashed into my garage -Chevy Service Dept. replaced Electronic Braking Control Module 1/24/25 Complete braking system failure, could no brake, could not use emergency brake -Chevy Service Dept. replaced battery 2/1/25 Car shaking terribly, my kids screaming we were going to “explode” , car smoking, white smoke coming from exhaust -Chevy Service Dept. states there is an engine issue, they will need to break down and replace parts / repair

Filed Sep 30, 2024 · Fuel system · SC

The fitting on the fuel pressure regulator on the engine began to separate from the housing and started spraying fuel all over the firewall and the fuel ran down the firewall onto the exhaust pipes. No check engine light signaled. The only way I knew that it was spraying, was I started to smell raw fuel through the air conditioning vents. Luckily I was able to get it to a dealer before any fuel caught fire. The dealer repaired it but GM stuck me with half of the bill for the repair. I have pictures of the failed part if necessary. This is extremely dangerous to anyone that may not pay attention to car issues unless a check engine light comes on.

Filed Apr 9, 2018 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 chevrolet suburban 1500. After the vehicle was driven and parked, it caught on fire. The fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a personal storage lot. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer inspected the cause of the fire twice and requested to inspect it a third time. The investigator checked the fuse box and the HVAC electrical system; however, a determination had not been made. The contact was concerned that the manufacturer would not be forthcoming with the cause of the fire. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Brakes · 135,000 miles · VA · fire

Brake modulating system spontaneously caught on fire while parked in my driveway. Once the fire was put out, the car would no longer start.

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 110,000 miles · MT · fire

While commuting to work on interstate 15, northbound on february 1, 2017, with my two sons in the vehicle, I smelled smoke. I pulled over to investigate and realized the front passenger seat was on fire (pictures attached). I noticed the switch for the heated seat was on, so I turned it off. I then proceeded to the chevrolet dealership in butte, mt (approx. 15 miles) and had them disconnect the electrical to the seat and ensure it was not still burning. This disabled the power seat, seat heater and passenger front airbags. I contacted gm product services to inform them and they started a service request, number 8-2712194856. They instructed me to take it to the chevrolet dealership in dillon, mt where I live for inspection. After the dealership finished the inspection and sent their findings to gm product services I was informed by the customer relationship specialist at gm that they had completed their investigation and closed the case on my "product allegation", concluding it was "normal wear and tear" that caused the seat to catch fire and that gm would not pay for any repair or damages. When I asked how to proceed with appeal of their decision, I was informed their decision was final and non-appealable. I requested written record of their findings to which they sent the attached letter stating they would not assume responsibility and suggested I resolve the matter with my insurance carrier. Their letter stated nothing specific of their findings during the inspection. I requested info from the dealership that did the inspection and they said they could not release that information without consent from gm. My insurance carrier inspected the vehicle and documented the cause of the fire as an electrical short.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · MA

Had serviced the transfer case and had taken it back twice now besides a noise like that of a power steering pump going bad ( whining ) , had a turning clunk noise coming and at a stop light I saw smoke coming from passenger side, got to park it and smelled like something is burning .bring it back to see if the mechanic will work on it since it hasn't been 30 days. Please notify me of anything do to the transfer case.

Filed Oct 12, 2012 · Brakes · 118,000 miles · MI

On 10-5-12 I was driving my 2002 chevy suburban in eaton rapids michigan. I went to apply the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to coast and slow enough to get off the roadway and into a parking lot. I noted smoke coming from under the hood. I checked and noted the right front brake line had blown and sprayed brake fluid onto the engine. I noted fluid on the ground under the truck and the reservoir was low on fluid. There was no warning and no warning light on the in dash computer. The brakes went from working just fine to nothing! I had the vehicle serviced at andrews automotive in mason, mi. They advised that two of the lines had blown and the other two were so rusty that they could go at anytime and recommended they be replaced as well. I had them replace all the brake lines. After doing some research I found that this is a known problem. This is very scary because my wife and I traveled to south dakota from michigan over the july 4th holiday. 1100 miles each way. If this would have happened hauling the motorcycle trailer, or the camper over the summer, a crash would have been inevitable. I hope chevy steps up and recalls the vehicles before someone is killed in one of these vehicles. If you own one, have the lines replaced immediately. I was very lucky. Someone is bound not to be. The bill to replace the brake lines was $818.50.

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Brakes · 132,000 miles · FL

Brake failure due to rusted brake lines on 2 separate occasions. Around march 2008 I was traveling on the southern state parkway in long island, ny when I depressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out of the engine compartment which was caused by brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. The brake line had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. Only that particular line was replaced due to the high cost of replacing all lines from front to back. Today august 6, 2012 I was leaving my house when I depressed the brake pedal and once again it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out due to the brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. Upon inspection I found another brake line that had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. At the time of the second incident the truck had 141,000 miles on it.

Filed Mar 17, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

"reduced engine power" light comes on and truck slows to less than 10 MPH and the power steering stop working. This has happened six times in the last year. 1st incident I took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong with it. Diagnostics performed and nothing came back wrong. I think the wiring to the throttle is possibly to blame. If I hit a bump in the road or cross railroad tracks, the reduced engine power can come on. I have a hunch after researching online & finding that several other people have the same problem, that leads me to believe that chevy knows about it & is doing nothing about it. "typical"!! I am very displeased, especially because I love my suburban. I suggest an investigation & recall of this problem.I ask that chevy takes responsibility for poor quality & repairs the problem pronto! Oh, and the power seating fuse caught fire and exploded the little fuse in the fuse box, now the seats won't work & neither does the passenger side windows. The wiring done on this truck is cheap! The parts are cheap! Not a happy customer!