I took my 2001 suburban for the annual inspection. The shop called to say it did not pass due to the parking brake not holding. There is never a need to use the parking brake in houston, therefore I have never used it. There are 4 people in my office that have had the exact problem and had to pay to repair this problem because it is considered normal wear. I called chevrolet zone to report this, but of course they claim to know nothing about any problems with the emergency brake. The shop removed the tires and found that the brake pads were ripped to shreads and the rotor was so badly etched that it had to be replaced. Total cost to repair the problem on a vehicle with 37,000 miles was 350.00 per side. Please investigate this problem so hopefully chevrolet will have to announce the clear defect in the new suburban/tahoe design. The mechanic told me he sees this problem on a regular basis.
2001 Chevrolet Suburban brakes complaints
Page 6 of 7: complaints 131 to 160 of 178, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle - 2001 chevy suburban, ` 46000 miles. The component failure involved an ABS (antilock brake) module and pump. A relay or some other electrical component fails and the pumps runs continuously, even without the key in the ignition. Apparently this damages the pump and the whole unit must be replaced at a cost of approximatley $ 1000. It seems that this should be considered a safety defect because it involves the critical component of the braking system. These must be failing at a significant rate due to a comment from the service provider that the chevy dealer had 6 units in stock indicating fairly active inventory. I felt it was important to notify a regulatory agency regarding this matter.
Consumer took vehicle to have a state inspection done and found that the parking brake was not holding the vehicle. It was taken to the chevrolet dealer, and they found that the parking brake shoes were worn out, and both brake rotors needed to be replaced.
The electronic brake control module (ebcm) has failed on my 2001 suburban. Without manipulation of the ABS relay, the ABS motor runs continuously. This failure leave my vehicle without usable anti-lock brakes (ABS). This is a heavy vehicle, and I consider ABS to be a critical safety system. No unusual events or conditions preceeded this failure. This vehicle has around 47,000 miles on it, and has been in service since april of 2001. Repair requires a part that costs $809.28. With dealer shop time and a replacement vehicle, I expect the repair to cost almost $1000.00.
Abs module failed for no reason at 37000 miles, dealer suggest replace @ cost of 1198.00 very expensive for vehicle barely out of original warranty.
Parking brake failure - 2001 chevrolet suburban during state inspection (texas) apparent cause of parking brake failure is due to misalignment of parking brake shoe. Chevrolet has redesigned their the retaining clip which holds the parking brake shoe in place. The redesigned clip does not allow the parking brake shoe to float or move inside the rotor of the rear parking brake assembly. In this case there was abnormal wear to the inside of the parking brake rotor on the driver's side as well as abnormal wear on the parking brake shoe. There was no noticeable wear on the passenger's side rear brake rotor of parking brake shoe. Chevrolet has issued a technical bulletin to its dealers which addresses the parking brake shoe coming into contact with the rotor when the parking brake is not engaged or set. The fix is the redesigned clip which replaces the old clip. In our case, we do not use the parking brake on a regular basis (if at all) and the problem was found during a normal routine state inspection (texas) - as it failed to pass the test due to the parking brake not holding.
I recently tokk my 2001 chev suburban to the dealership for misc repairs. One of which was that the emergency/parking brake no longer held the vehicle at all. Either in forward or reverse. One day I went to use it and it didn't work at all. How long had it been this way? I rarely, if ever, use the parking brake so I assumed it was broken and would be covered under warranty since the vehicle is only 2.5 years old and only has 18,900 mi. The diagnosis was that the parking brake needed "adjustment" and this was a normal wear condition and would cost me $65. I felt I had no choice to not have my brakes work, so I complied. It was suggested by the service advisor to use it more often and that would keep it in adjustment? I feel there is something wrong with this brake or vehicle design, especially after reading others complaints on this website. I had my previous vehicle for 11 years and 90k miles and never had an issue with a parking brake. This is not something that you can afford to go to use and find out it doesn't work! Based on the number of complaints I urge you to look into this dangerous situation - not to mention costly to the consumer for no reason at all.
While attempting to depart from picking up out travel trailer, both the power steering and brakes went out on our 2500 4 wheel drive suburban. The only thing that stopped the suburban was the trailer's brakes. Luckly we were still in the parking lot and therefore going slow. Upon exaimination, I pulled the surpinetine belt off and the power steering pully and shaft came off. From what I understand the steering and the brakes are connected. This can also happen when the brake booster goes out. The good thing is that this not only happened in town but not on the freeway going down a grade pulling a 9,000 lbs trailer. I have replaced the power steering pump and am in the process of having the brakes bleed as they don't "feel" right.
2001 chevrolet suburban 2wd.
@2001 chevy suburan ABS module went out at 33,000 miles. Fixed under extended warranty. Went out again after 35,000 additional miles dealer says notice it happens on this model car but not recalled yet. Cost about 1200 to fix. Abs light comes on and stays. Can hear motor running even when car turned off. Drains battery and car willnot start.module had to be replaced both times. Should not be happening.
After taking my truck in for a complete fuel system cleaning service, I started to hear a rattling sound every time I turned on the AC. I took it back to the dealership (capital chevrolet in montgomery, alabama) thinking that they forgot to tighten up something -- only to find out I need a new AC compressor. I overheard the service technician say that there is a bulletin out on this. I called the 800# but have not gotten a response in over a week. I was told by 2 independent service mechanics that this is a major problem with that the suburban and tahoe!!! December 2002. Attempted to stop suddenly. Brakes locked and the car went into a terrible skid. Was unable to control the brakes by pumping. The car eventually skidded off the road into a ditch causing tremendous front-end damage. Air bags never deployed. Car was going about 25 miles/hour when brakes were applied.
The ABS ebcm module on my 2001 suburban went out. Chevy dealer will not warranty. A very expensive fix $1100.00 for the module alone.
Complaint regarding manufacturing defect- parking brake.*mr (nar)
I took my 2001 suburban to have a state inspection done and found that the parking brake was not holding. I then took the vehicle to the chevrolet dealer and they found that the parking brake shoes were worn all the way down and both rotors needed replacement because they were rusted inside and the parking bake shoes would not hold. I only have 37000 miles on the vehicle. The dealer was only willing to split the cost of the rotors and the installation of the rotors even though the parking bake wore out after only 37000 miles or even less. The dealer reported that the parking brake should last longer than 37000 miles. I am the only person who drives this vehicle and the parking brake was never left on while driving. There is a defect on the engineering of the parking brake system that it wears out this fast with only being used when the vehicle is parked.
I asked huffines chevrolet [plano, tx] to check my 2001 chevrolet suburban as the parking brake was not holding. The pedal would depress all the way to the floor and the vehicle would roll. Their service department found that the emergency parking brake had caused premature wear on the brake pads and rotors. The dealer indicated that this was the result of the body style change in 2000. The new design of the emergency brake placed it in contact with the rotors which causes premature wear. This is not a repair that is covered under the 36 month/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Despite that, the dealer replaced the pads and rotors at no charge. I am still not clear as to why, but the dealer told me that I would have incurred the expense of the repair if the vehicle has over 30,000 miles. I'm LED to believe that this is an item, that due to the number of reported occurrences, that gm is repairing under warranty up to 30,000 miles. I consider myself fortunate in that I brought my vehicle to them at 29,700 miles. As a side note, I will point out that when this vehicle was purchased new from huffines chevrolet, the parking pedal would depress all the way to the floor. My wife and I both found that to be odd. We always use the parking brake and we never had one operate in that fashion. But the dealer said that was normal and that brake was holding the vehicle. The existence of a potential emergency brake mechanism defect is a very serious and dangerous case for all owners of the 2000-2004 chevrolet suburban. Many households own and operate these vehicles and such a defect puts our wives and children at risk. I recommend, with extreme prejudice, that the federal safety agency conduct an investigation into this issue.
The consumer heard a motor running. It was later determined that it was the ABS motor. This occurred while key was in "off" position. The dealership replace the ABS motor and module.
Parking brake failed.
Abs system malfunctioning on my 2001 chevrolet suburban.
While driving about 20 MPH on a side road and without warning vehicle went into a skid, and a collided with a tree. There were no injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis. Dealer determined that the cause of failure was ABS braking system malfunctioning.
The emergency brake is not hold properly while the vehicle was parked. The dealer stated that nothing could be done vehicle was out of warranty.
Emergency brake failed, and vehicle didn't pass the local inspection in texas. Dealer stated , "we were aware of the problem but we didnt know how to fix it."
There was an engine knocking problem. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The consumer was given a letter that certified that the manufacturer was aware of this problem, and the vehicle was okay to drive. The consumer disagreed, and felt the vehicle was not safe. *ak there was a noise, rubbing sound when the brakes were applied. There were knocks during the initial start of the day, and the window was noisy while operating as the regulator cable was loose. *scc
Consumer stated the parking brake failed to hold. The dealer had been contacted. Several other suburbans had failed inspection because of poor parking brakes. *ak *cb
Consumer stated that vehicle would not release the parking brake when driving. Dealer notified.
Abs module failed at 56k miles - I believe this is a safety issue with a failure of a braking system at such low mileage. Abs light came on and wouldn't go off. Abs system kept running after car was turned off. Gm dealership told me the entire module needs to be replaced and charged approx. $1000 to fix it.
While driving at highway speeds power steering and brakes fail, resulting loss of power steering and brakes simultaneously. This is due to the failure of the power assist and power steering pump. This is the second time these components have been replaced. This was first noticed and replaced in january 2002. The second time occurred in february 2003. On 6/11/2003 the vehicle again showed indications of a problem with the brakes and steering. The brake pedal began to pulsate, and a high-pitched whine could be heard when turning the steering wheel. The vehicle also experiences problems when braking over rough road, such as rumble strips. As this is a third problem with these critical components, the safety of this vehicle is in question. The last visit to the dealer was said to be loose bolts on the power steering gear box. The power assist design is a known problem with this vehicle. I have spoken with service writers, service managers and have read other reports concerning other incidents like I experienced with this vehicle.
Parking brake not holding-- goes all the way to the floor.
Abs module failed at 40,200 miles with no apparent reason. Dealer said it was an internal failure. Gm did refund 50% of the repair cost as the part should not have failed so soon.
I am concerned there is a chevrolet manufacturing defect, if what the lone star chevrolet representative told me is correct and an unused emergency brake in a 2001 suburban can destroy itself at any time making the vehicle unsafe to drive. On 3/10/2003 I took the vehicle to lone star chevrolet for its 50k mile routine maintenance. Nothing was wrong with the vehicle, except for a squealing from the right side when the breaks were applied. I asked them to check the brakes. On their first call, the representative said the mechanic found the front brake rotors to be glazed over, causing the noise. I told them to fix it, a standard wear repair item. Later, the representative called again to say the mechanic found the emergency brakes were broken,not holding against the drum, which caused, the car to be unsafe to the point it would not pass inspection. When I asked how that could be since I had not experienced any difficulty in stopping vehicle, he said the emergency brake was a totally separate system from the regular brakes. I pointed out several facts to him: 1)I purchased the car new and have been the only person to drive the car except when it was in their shop for repairs. 2)I have never (not once) activated the emergency brake on the vehicle and I always check to make certain its not on when its returned from repairs. 3)the car passed its annual inspection during 12/2002 with the inspection done by their facility. There was no mention about the emergency brake not working then. In light of these issues, I asked the representative to explain how a part that has never been activated got a drum that is so badly scored and worn that it no longer works and why the problem wasn't noticed during december. He then said normal road vibrations can cause the parts to slip out of alignment causing the damage at any time, and it was not damaged during december. He went so far as to say that their mechanics saw this problem all the time.
The emergency parking brake experienced premature wear.
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