1999 Chevrolet Suburban: brake failure

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Brakes · 182,000 miles · MD

I pulled into my driveway and the brakes didn`t work, pedal went to the floor. I opened the hood and saw brake fluid all over the left side of the engine.I then noticed several rusted brake lines one of which had a large hole in it. I had my wife step on the pedal and brake fluid came streaming out of the hole.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Brakes · 235,000 miles · WI · crash

Brakes failed due to corroded brake lines. Appears that rear lines failed but neither front or rear brakes worked during incident. Brake lines are very rusty whereas there is almost no rust on other components.

Filed Aug 9, 2015 · Brakes · 182,000 miles · TN

The first issue I had was while on vacation in 2012 - I was driving approx. 25 MPH and stepped on the brake to stop at a traffic signal. The pedal went to the floor and the brake light came on, and the vehicle lost what I estimate to be 80% of stopping power. This issue occurred intermittently for the next few months, always at low speeds, with a repair shop being unable to locate the problem. After several close calls, it was eventually traced to a corroded brake line in the front driver area of the vehicle only after the line ruptured completely and I missed going through the fence separating my yard from the neighbors by just inches. That line was replaced, but with a used part because the local dealer refused to sell an exact fit brake line and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the original part by hand. The brake fluid was always within the acceptable range, and the brake warning light came on only while the brakes were actively failing. It would turn off as soon as I took my foot off of the brake. Fast forward to august 2015 - I'm coming to a stop in a driveway, and the pedal suddenly sinks completely to the floor, the brake light comes on, and the vehicle does not stop. The vehicle stopped after stepping on the emergency brake, and I checked the brake fluid. It was full. The problem this time was traced to a metal brake line in the drivers side rear section of the vehicle. This line is also heavily corroded and will need to be replaced. It was noted that the frame of the vehicle has very little to no rust and there is no rust to be found on the body or the rest of the vehicle. However, there are multiple places where all of the metal brake lines running through certain areas are heavily corroded. It has been determined that all of the brake lines in this vehicle will have to be replaced in the future to make it safe to drive again.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · NC · crash

Upon applying brakes loss of braking occurred on the rear brakes. Upon inspection the rear brake lines were very rusty while the fuel vapor lines below them had no rust what soever .

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Brakes · 142,000 miles · MI

I was driving my suburban and the pedal went to the floor. The brake warning light came on. I took it into an independent mechanic and he said all of the brake lines were corroded and that one of them had burst.

Filed Sep 27, 2011 · Brakes · 134,750 miles · NY

When putting my foot on the brake pedal after starting the car and before shifting into reverse, the pedal went to the floor suddenly. I pumped the brakes and no improvement was felt, I then checked under the hood and found that the steel brake line between the left front rubber brake line and the ABS unit had rusted out and was squirting brake fluid when the pedal was depressed.

Filed Aug 24, 2011 · Brakes · 108,256 miles · VA

When I was moving my suburban in my driveway, I noticed that I had no brakes, and I looked under my front bumper and saw a large brake fluid leak, I would not like to think what would have happen if this would accured when I needed my brakes. Because of this leak and the result of losing my breaks I almost hit my little kid who was outside because our driveway was on a slight grade. And I had no breaks.

Filed Jan 8, 2009 · CA · 5 injuries

1999 chevy tahoe with very bad brakes. Purchased vehicle 1/6/08. 1 prior owner which lived in texas. When purchased veh. Had a history rpt that showed all routine maintenance was done. We had vehicle for a couple of days noticed brakes didn't work well. Took back. Dealer replaced m/c and fluid.. Brakes weren't better. 2-3 months later took to another shop. They were amazed at the rusty brake fluid they said that doesn't happen even when fluid isn't chgd or flushed in two yrs. Cldnt find any probs pads etc. Was fine. They cgd fluid of coarse. 2-3 mo later same thing. Recently read about recall 05068 the federal safety agency 05v379000. I have been in two accidents. Not sure why gm hasn't incl. Texas as covered state. The most commercial salt producing states are texas michigan w. Virg. Kansas. States that do salt mining today are texas kansas louisiana ohio new york canada. All states are mentioned in recall except texas??? Aren't they saying salt on the roads in extreme weather states is part of what caused the problem to the speed sensor/ABS. What do I need to do to get the state of texas to be incl. In the recall so I can get my brakes fixed by gm accidents were on 9/26/08 and 12/24/08. No deaths. Some injuries.

Filed Feb 2, 2006 · Brakes · 58,370 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated while coming to a stop at 20 MPH the anti-lock brakes failed without warning. This occurred on dry roads during normal braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealership repaired the vehicle which remedied the problem. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 02/28/06.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Brakes · 98,342 miles · WI

I was driving on a two-lane road at about 30 MPH when a sudden vibration occurred from the right front of the vehicle. I found that when I tapped the brakes the vibration would stop for a short time before recurring. I then noticed a severe decrease of braking efficiency. After I took the vehicle to the repair shop I was told that the right front brake disk had broken--and the "hat" part of the casting had separated from the disk part--resulting in the vibration and loss of braking power.

Filed Sep 27, 2005 · Brakes · 158,000 miles · NY

I have experienced numerous ABS brake failures while driving at a low rate of speed. My car is unable to stop under this condition. I brought my car in for service yesterday. The front wheel sensor was diagnosed as a failed part. It was replaced at my cost. I brought to the attention to the dealer directly and to general motors on their phone hotline, the gm recall # 05068 and the nhts campaign#05v379000. I was told my VIN # has not been included in the recall, therefore I would have to pay for the repair which I did. Obviously my car should fall within the recall, per the data that is available paired with the problem/defect and repair that was performed on my car. Does one need to crash or be killed to be included in a recall?! I am requesting immediate reimbursement of the repair bill for this item from general motors or from the dealership. I am very unhappy how I was treated at the dealership, where I have been servicing my car for many years. I am equally unhappy with gm's failure to take accountability for this problem.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · IN · crash

Brake failure. No pattern to this. Pushed brakes and they went down and seemed a little loose. Car did not stopped. Never felt the brake grab or even slow down, causing a wreck.