1997 Chevrolet Suburban: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Dt: the consumer states 1997 chevrolet suburban has brake problems. This resulted in a crash, and there were only minor injuries. The brakes just started having problems for a couple of weeks. Before the consumer could get a chance to have the brakes checked, had an accident. The brakes were checked and fixed after the accident, and the mechanic at the dealership told the consumer that this was very common with corrosion build up. The consumer had to pay $1300.00 to fix the braking system. Prior to the accident the brakes were losing power, and it was difficult to stop. This was an intermittent problem. The consumer contacted gm about the problem with an e-mail, with no response. The consumer lives in a salt-belt state. The mechanic stated that there was a corrosion build up on the ABS sensor. A police report and an insurance report were taken. The speed was around 20 MPH.*ak updated 1/4/2006 -

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Fuel system · 128,300 miles · CA

The fuel injection pump has failed again on my 1997 chevy suburban, 6.5 liter diesel engine. I have owned this car for two years. The vehicle history from my dealership shows this will be the 6th fuel injection pump to be installed on this vehicle, all of which are covered by gm's 120,000 factory warranty & a 12 month 12,000 mile service guarantee after the 5th pump was installed. August of 2003, the pump failed while driving in my neighborhood & was replaced when the mileage was at 116,503, under factory warranty. June 27, 2004, and mileage of 128,300 (11,800 miles later) the pump has failed again. The pump failed on a very busy & dark street at nighttime on a bend in the road as I was driving home with my wife & two kids in the car. When it failed the engine died and we were stuck in traffic. The car is black and it was dark, unable to move, we were almost rear ended by several cars coming up the hill and rounding the bend in the road. Eventually I was able to get the car started and it ran just enough to allow me to get the car out of harm's way before dying again. I then had it towed to the dealership that had performed the last fuel injection pump. At this point, it is still in the shop and the service writer told me that injection pump had gone bad and that he is currently waiting for warranty approval for replacement as well as the new pump itself to arrive. I have spoken to many owners of chevy and gmc trucks and suburbans with the 6.5 liter diesel, years 1994-1999, via the following website http://thedieselpage.com. Apparently, this is a very common problem that gm should resolve. To date, gm has only increased the factory warranty from 100,000 miles to 120,000 in an attempt to make good. This is still a serious safety issue when you lose power and become a serious safety hazard in traffic. Gm needs to come up with a permanent fix that prevents this from happening again, not just one that lasts for a few miles and then happen all over again.

Filed Feb 24, 2004 · Steering · 75,000 miles · CA

While making a left turn vehicle lost power steering. The vehicle began to wander and jerked to the left. There was recall 03v527000 for the steering gear bearing, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. *ak this occurred due to the sensor controlling power assist (evo sensor/exhaust valve opening).

Filed Apr 9, 2003 · Steering · 66,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

While driving at 60/70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering, which caused an accident.

Filed Apr 20, 2001 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

Truck stalls, causing loss of power steering and brakes. Dealer has attempted to remedy defect on three separate occassions without success. Accidents avoided thus far, but next time, I may not be so fortunate. Please post these comments, to warn other consumers. Gmc is denying responsibility, has flatly refused to repurchase the vehicle, and continues to attempt to repair the problem. I'm scared to death to drive this thing...me and my passengers(very often a troop of girl scouts) are in danger, and so is anyone who might be in front of me when this happens. I hope that no one dies as a result of this defect. Please help me.

Filed Aug 15, 2000 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle stopped/lost all power during normal driving conditions. Once stopped and in "park" could restart. This happened several times a day with no warning. Upon dealer investigation, battery acid leak which destroyed cables was reported. Vehicle was in shop 1 1/2 months prior for same problem, alternator defect stated at that time. Battery 2 1/2 yrs old/ previously replaced at 11,000 miles for similar problems.

Filed Jun 22, 2000 · Electrical · CA

Ea00 013/battery leaks acid: battery leakage from positive post resulted in loss of power. Manufacturer contacted. *ak the battery failed again and was replaced by a new one.

Filed Sep 20, 1999 · Engine · VT

While driving down the road at approximately 35mph all of a sudden vehicle lost power. No prior warning. This has happened three times.

Filed Jul 24, 1999 · Brakes, Fuel system · GA

Although their were no fatalities or injuries involved in reference to the master cylinder/ fuel pump, the lost of power brakes caused me to almost veer into a brick building. I hope the info provided will draw attention to the problems I've had since purchasing this vehicle.

Filed Feb 8, 1999 · Fuel system · FL

Fuel injection pump failed on two occasions causing loss of power brake and steering.

Filed Sep 30, 1997 · Steering · AR

While driving at approx 55 MPH steering lost power for about 3 seconds to 10 seconds. During this time consumer cannot control vehicle, it begins to wander from side to side, in order to gain control, needs to apply brakes. Eventually power comes back. Took vehicle to dealership 2nd time, dealer changed steering sensor. 1st time, dealer claimed could not find problem.