1996 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Brakes · 185,000 miles · MI

November 2010, I went to stop, the brake pedal went to the floor. I was able to stop using the parking brake, but was very close to rear-ending a carload of people. I had the truck towed to a repair shop. The mechanic told me that the front brake line had rusted out because it was mounted at the factory to the front axle on this 4-wheel drive truck causing it to vibrate and collect debris on it leading to a premature failure due to rust. In december 2012, again when I went to stop from about 55 MPH on the freeway, the brake pedal again went almost completely to the floor, but again I was able to stop before hitting another vehicle by using the parking brake and running up on the shoulder of the freeway. The mechanic told me that this time the rear brake line had rusted out at the "t - intersection" where the brake line runs from the front master cylinder to the rear axle and splits into 2 lines at the t intersection. The mechanic told me that this was a very common problem on these trucks as it was a bad design, because the t lays in a recessed holder attached to the rear axle, allowing dirt, salt and wetness to accumulate in this area and cause premature rust and failure of the brake lines. Third, last week, while driving, I noticed a raw gas smell and stopped the vehicle. Again I had to have it towed as gas was pouring out of the fuel line by the gas filter on the driver's side rear wheel. This was towed to a different mechanic's repair shop who again showed me that the metal fuel line had rusted out due to its being mounted to the frame rail, causing salt, dirt and debris to accumulate there also. He warned me that these trucks frequently catch fire when these high pressure fuel injection lines rust out. He said he had seen 5 of these trucks burned in just the last 2 years at his small shop.please help. These trucks are inherently dangerously designed to fail.

Filed Sep 11, 2011 · Brakes · 174,231 miles · PA

While driving through the neighborhood at 35 MPH, the posted speed, we lost brake control of the vehicle when the service brake was applied approaching an intersection with a stop sign. We were unable to stop the vehicle which entered the intersection and passed all of the way through it. The brake pedal was to the floor and not working properly. Fortunately for all there were no other vehicles ( or pedestrians) in this intersection as we would have certainly hit them. It appears the brake line(s) on the k2500 suburban have rusted through in an area that is difficult to see where they go through the frame and blew out at this critical moment. The dealer is unwilling to take any responsibility for the repair as the vehicle is out of factory warranty. When we purchased the vehicle they did not tell us the brakes could only be relied upon for the time the truck is under warranty. This could have been a serious, possibly deadly outcome since we tow a trailer with the truck on the highway. I understand this is actually a common occurrence with these chevrolet and gmc trucks. Why is there no recall given the potential deadly possibilities? Toyota was in the news about their unexpected acceleration issue but we have heard nothing about this unexpected loss of braking issue? Why is that? Is not being able to stop not a problem for the federal safety agency?

Filed Feb 12, 2008 · Brakes · 190,000 miles · NH · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet suburban. While driving 20 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the contact crashed into another vehicle. Both vehicles were damaged, but there were no injuries. A police report was filed. The mechanic stated that the ABS sensors were corroded and advised the contact to disable the ABS. There were no warning lights present. The contact does not plan to have the vehicle repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000 and current mileage was 191,700. Updated 4/2/08 *cn the consumer stated can provide a list of with other consumers with similar defects. Updated 04/02/08

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Brakes · 64,635 miles · TX

Dt: 1996 gmc suburban , while pulling out from the post office consumer applied the brakes and the brake pedal would not go down. Consumer pushed down very hard, did not pump the brakes. Finally, the brakes started working, the brake pedal jerked/ went down to the floor, and vehicle stopped. The brake indicator light came on . Heard a real strange noise, and brakes malfunctioned again. Took vehicle to the dealer, and they could not find any problem with the brake pedal. The dealer had never heard of this happening. This only happened this time and has not happened again. There were no accidents or injuries.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · WI

1996 chevrolet suburban developed problems with the brakes, intake manifold, engine cooling, transmission, tires, fuel injectors, fuel consumption and wipers.*mr consumer stated that the dealer did not do anything but take the battery cable off to reset the computer and the brakes were never looked at.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Brakes · OK

Abs failure. While applying the brakes coming to a stop, the ABS starts engaging making the vehicle pull to one side and making it almost impossible to get vehicle stopped in time because of the ABS engaging. This is happening sporadically. And has happened many times with my wife driving. Very unsafe. I have heard of this happening to a lot of other suburbans.

Filed Jan 20, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 174,000 miles · MO · fire

Driving from work-snowy/icy conditions. Smelled a strange odor in vehicle going from I-270s to I-370w ~ 1/4 mile from ramp. Traffic moderate. Traveling 45 MPH I tapped brakes, they went all way to floor. Turned off electrical equipment. Used engine braking selecting 3-2-1 to slow vehicle. Vehicle slowed, applied emergency brake - drove to brake down lane. Vehicle stopped-white smoke coming around edges of hood. Lower portion of windshield had couple of heat discoloration marks about 1/4 size of a penny in the middle lower portion. Air bag light came on. Dash did not feel hot, nor the instrument panel - no smoke inside vehicle. Hood would not open by hood release. Power windows worked. Egressed vehicle and driver sdie air bag inflated. Called 911 awaited fire/polcie dept. Opened driver's and passenger doors. Flames coming from steering column where it enters fire wall. Flames underneath vehicle from engine near skid plate/transfer case. Used small fire extinguisher on flames in cabin and under vehicle to no avail. Front driver's side from center console to driver's side door melted away at about 45 deg angle from top to bottom of console. Inside engine the thydraulic drive unit and barke master cyclinder had melted. Significant burn damage from fire in engine. Vehicle-total loss. Very fortunate to recognize bad smell, id brake malfunction, use engine braking to control vehicle; use emergency braking to stop - moderate traffic. Minimized potential hazard to single vehicle-no injuries or fatalities.

Filed May 8, 2004 · Brakes, Tires · OH

Anti locks system kicks in at almost every stop. Starts to vibrate at 4 to 5 MPH. At diagnostic before we couldn't get a reading period, it was on lift standing still. *ak ABS was readind moving at 3mph.

Filed Oct 29, 2002 · Brakes · UT

Don't believe the ABS system works and the front disc pads need replacement every 3k miles. Chevy didn't want to address problem. Dt

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Brakes · MA

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