1992 Chevrolet Suburban: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Aug 1, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · TX · crash

When I bought the truck used (85000 mls)it had a bad front end idler link and a bad A/C clutch bearing. Not long after I bought it I had to replace the alternator. I also noticed that the brakes didn't stop the vehicle like they should and I was scared to let my wife drive it because of the spongy brakes. I took it in several times to different shops and also the dealer to have them look at the brakes and was always told that the brakes on this model were just that way. I put new rotors and pads on the front and new rear drums and shoes and repeatedly bled the system with slight improvement. It acts as though there is a restriction in the brake line to both front and rear. It acts as though they designed the thing not to stop quickly. I unplugged the motor to the ABS so that at least it would squeal a tire. The lack of sure low speed stops has caused 2 near miss accidents and 1 t bone which has raised our insurance rates. I have learned to drive the thing anticipating stops and prebraking. I went to the dealer and just like with the windshield wiper circuit board that shorted out when it gets wet they told me that for my specific model there were no recalls and they refused to look at it. To add insult to injury last week they sent us a mailer saying that they would replace my brake pedal with a different one to give me a "better feel". That won't do me much good if I'm stuck under a bus!!!!! I have a vehicle which has substandard brakes, which were designed that way and they won't do a [xxx] thing about them. I like a lot of things about the truck but the brakes suck big time.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 14, 2000 · Brakes · WI

Abs braking system is defective. However, braking system works. So when traveling in snow or ice and making a sudden stop ABS sytem takes longer.

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Brakes, Tires · FL

While driving 65mph heard & felt a bumping against vehicle. Stopped & checked vehicle. Noticed tires were blistered & tread was pulling from the casing. Both front & rear tires were showing tread problems. Not positive if original tires at time of purchase were used. Also, ABS brake light comes on and stays. When braking vehicle would pull immediately to the left. Vehicle was controllable.

Filed Jul 21, 2000 · Brakes · CA

While driving on highway ABS brakes kicked in on dry pavement unexpectedly, and extended stopping distance 50 percent. Contact dealer.

Filed Jan 31, 2000 · Brakes · OR · crash

Abs braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which resulted in a crash. The brake manufacturer is aware of the problem but has yet to fix it. *ak

Filed Jan 19, 2000 · Brakes · TX

On any slick road surfaces at speed of 10 miles per hour , when the brakes were applied to come to a complete stop at stopsign. The antilock brake system kicked in. The antilock brake light and the brake light turn on in the control panel. The antilock brake system is supposed to readjust itself automatically in a few seconds after it has been deployed. But my vehicle does not do this. This is the second incident that the antilock brake system has kicked in within a six months period since the vehicle was purchased. The first incident involved a completely different scenario. The first time the roads were slick and the vehicle was being driven on the highway at about 55 MPH. Another vehicle was entering the highway at a high rate of speed, despite the slick road conditions. This vehicle hit a slick spot on the highway and slide complete across the three lane highway, inwhich I was traveling on the farthest lane. There were about 4 other cars that had to slam on their brakes and basically come to a complete stop in order to avoid the vehicle that was skidding through the highway. My antilock brakes kicked in with a loud thug. And the antilock light and brake light came on too. But it never readjusted itself after this incident. The vehicle had to be taken into repair to reset the ABS. The first time happened in july 1999 and was repaired in early august. This second incident did not warrent the ABS to kick in. I believe that the ABS are overly sensitive and need to be reprogramed. I heard on a news report that the chevrolet suburban was being recalled for its faulty ABS brakes from 1999 through 1992. However, I have been unable to confirm that the 1992 chevrolet suburban is being recalled for this problem. The dealership that I called about repairs said the recall was for vehicles starting in 1994, not 1992. I would like to get this resolved . Please let me know the results. Thank you.

Filed Jan 12, 2000 · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Emergency stops on dry pavement at 30 MPH caused ABS to engage and caused 2 accidents. In both incidents, the vehicle seemed to "roll" into the car in front. After driving 30 years, I have a sense of how long it should take to stop as well as being very aware of how long it takes to stop this heavier vehicle and have attempted to compensate by allowing a great deal of stopping space in front of me. I do not follow as close as most semis. When the brakes are pushed all the way down in sudden stops, the ABS comes on and makes a sort of popping/roaring sound. It seems like something slipping. I have complete control of the steering as I roll/crash into the back of the vehicle in front of me! But, I feel that I have no control of the brakes, and the distance it takes to get stopped. Other people who have driven my vehicle have felt the ABS are unsafe in sudden stops. Fortunately, I have not had to make sudden stops at high speeds because who knows how many hundreds of feet would be required. So far in both low speed crashes, two people have claimed neck and back injuries, and their legal suits are still pending with the insurance company. I like the car but would not buy another suburban because of the lack of feeling safe with the ABS.

Filed Dec 7, 1999 · Brakes · FL

Failed ABS impacts braking action - increased stopping distance, soft pedal. Sets trouble code 63. Definite safety hazard. 4wd ABS installed on 2wd vehicle at factory. Understand that recall to replace correct ABS may be pending.

Filed Oct 1, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

The brakes have always been mushy. I understsand that ABS will respond differently to emergency brakeing than "normal" brakes but this thing is a real adventure to drive when you've got to make panic stops.it seems to resist your foot the harder you push the less braking you feel.the front left wheel bearing module went out which caused the disk brake to grab and both front tires to wear very badly. The electric wiper control went out becauset the control box is in the engine compartment and got wet. Dah! The drag link bushing rusted out because the grease fitting was apparently inaccessable to service and never got any grease. The radiator began leaking at 90000 mls. At which time I ran a stop leak product in it which stopped it so far. The waterpump went out at 110,000 mls and the alternator at 95000 mls. Brakes are biggest concern!!!!!

Filed Aug 28, 1999 · Brakes · FL

When brakes were applied,the brakes locked up,pulling the vehicle to the left,an inspection by my mechanic ,revealed that the ABS system was not fuctioning correctly.

Filed Aug 19, 1999 · Brakes · TX

About two years ago driving through a puddle of water my check ABS system light suddenly came on. When my brakes were serviced, not by a dealer, I was told that my brakes were working but that the antilock brakes were not. We were told that it would cost over a thousand dollars to fix the computer chip in the brake system. Since we did not have the money for that and we were told that our brakes were working properly (not the antilock), we have never taken it in to be replaced. We have not had an accident because of this problem, only "almost" accidents. We do, though, seem to have to have our brakes worked on very often because of one thing or another. I read about the recall and wanted to report this to you for your records. I hope that the manufacturer of our vehicle will repair this problem for us without charge before an accident does happen, as apparently this is a manufacturer defect. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Filed Jul 23, 1999 · Brakes · CA

Ea95026, intermittently, the ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing brake pedal to the floor, causing extended stopping distance and vibration, which may result in a crash. Dealer replaced parts in the braking system. Problem is still occurring. Please provide further information.