2003 Chevrolet Suburban: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · Brakes · 167,500 miles · NH

Re: "g.m. Resists recalling trucks over brake lines", ny times, july 7, 2014 in spite of my 2003 chevy suburban passing new hampshire's mandatory safety inspection in may of 2018, in august of 2018 a brake line burst, resulting in loss of brake function. The line burst at a point below the driver's door and just forward of the ABS modulator, where the lines cross over the top of the frame and are exposed to wheel spray. At the point of failure, the lines are overlaid and obscured by a large bundle of electric wires. The attached photo shows the failure point, with the sheathed wire bundle moved up out of the way. The mileage at the time was approximately 167500. With regard to the federal safety agency determination not to recall "almost 1.8 million full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles from the 1999 to 2003 model years for corrosion-related brake failures", as summarized in the 7/7/14 ny times article, does the federal safety agency's decision to absolve gm of responsibility on this issue also absolve the federal safety agency and/or gm of responsibility to notify owners that they are in grave danger if they are still operating their vehicles with the original brake lines? The federal safety agency should know from their own records that a large number of these vehicles are still on the road. I know because I see them every day. As for gm's excuses: '"g.m. Has resisted recalling the pickups and sport utility vehicles, telling regulators that rusted brake lines are a routine maintenance issue." obrake lines are not a moving part. How are they "maintained"? I have more to say, but you are limiting me.

Filed May 19, 2017 · Brakes · 180,000 miles · NY · crash

I have a very hard time stopping the vehicle suddenly. Pedal will go all the way to the floor. Abs never activates because wheels will not even attempt to lock up. (except in snow or ice) when sitting still pedal will push entirely to the floor. Have replaced all brakes and rotors and front calipers and master cylinder. Seems to have all the symtoms of campaign number 04v045000, but when I enter my VIN number, that recall does not come up. I rearended someone about a year ago ( no damage) since then I make sure to leave about 150 feet between me and the car in front of me.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Brakes · 131,024 miles · NJ

Brake lines rusted and failed especially where they attach to the ABS mechanism under the driver's side door.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Brakes · 91,000 miles · VA

I was driving my 2003 suburban and heading southbound along washington blvd. In arlington county. As I approached merging traffic from rt. 50/arlington blvd. And ft. Myer, I adjusted my speed to allow vehicle #1 to merge in front of me. Simultaneously, vehicle #2 sped up to abruptly merge in front of vehicle #1, causing that vehicle to brake hard directly in front of me. I also had to brake hard to avoid hitting vehicle #1 and upon doing so managed to get stopped without contact, but at the same time lost all further braking ability. The brake light and a warning message to "service brakes immediately" both illuminated on the instrument panel. I was able to safely pull to the right side of the highway and into the breakdown lane and called aaa for tow service. The tow truck driver's initial assessment was that the brake linings had leaked out. After having the truck towed and further assessed, it was determined that the front brake lines had failed and needed to be replaced to the ABS module. Although now a 11 year old vehicle, it has been maintained routinely by either the chevrolet dealership where we purchased our suburban, or with our local sunoco mechanic. It also recently passed inspection in march of this year. There was no previous indication or warning of any possible brake issues. Fortunately, this incident was not serious; however, I believe it could have been avoided entirely had gm notified owners of possible brake line failure.

Filed May 5, 2014 · Brakes · 132,126 miles · MI

Right in my own driveway, I applied the brake pedal and without any prior issues the pedal went to the floor and the dash alert came on to service brake system. Thankfully, this did not occur while on the road because it was a sudden failure. Even at slow speed, the heavy vehicle took several feet to stop. The brake line from the ABS module heading to the rear axle burst in 3 or 4 places causing a large amount of brake fluid to leak out. All lines to and from the ABS module are heavily rusted and look much worse than other components. As I looked into this online, I've discovered numerous vehicles having this and much worse problems involving accidents. I can't see how this vehicle could have ever stopped safely. I just drove it the night before and had no warning signs. This is more than normal wear and tear. These brake lines are sub standard and could have been made better. Another sign of large corporations trying to use inferior materials to boost their stockholders profits. Someone help us.

Filed Dec 10, 2013 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · NJ

Brakes failed when coming to a stop after leaving a gas station. Brake fluid leaking down frame rail next to ABS booster by the fuel tank.

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Brakes · 54,894 miles · VA

I took my vehicle in for our states' required annual vehicle inspection. The mechanic observed that the brake lines were extremely rusty and, in his own words, on the verge of complete failure. He showed me the lines which were flaking and already pitted and crevased. He noted this was a **very** dangerous condition and could result in a "no brake condition". After showing me the brake lines in question, he recommended full brake line replacement. I took his recommendation seriously and I went home and did some research on the internet, and much to my surprise, the internet abounded with owners of 1999-2003 suburban (and other chevy/gm models) problems associated with the rusting of brake lines. !!! I was appalled that so many problems have been documented and with no formal recourse/action taken by chevrolet. [as a related note, in the prior annual inspection for this vehicle, the ABS sensors were noted as rusted through, and which I had replaced]. We live in virginia where the weather is moderate and there is not that much winter conditions that require road salting, etc. So this is not a result of the vehicle living in harsh road-salted conditions. I ended up deciding to spend the $$ to remediate this dangerous driving condition and to get another 10 years out of the vehicle. I purchased a stainless steel set of pre-bent brake lines specific to this vehicle (shows that there is a demand for these in the market because of this condition) and having them installed (over $1k total). Ouch! Chevrolet needs to step up to the plate, admit culpability, and make it right for vehicle owners. Come on chevy...

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · MD

My son was driving in bakersfield ca, he was on buena vista, when he came to a traffic light at ming ave. The light changed and when he hit the brakes the warning light came on. The front brakes failed to work and he skidded thru the intersection, thru the red light. The speed limit is 55 MPH on that road, the time was 11am. No other car was hit. He had my truck towed to a aaa shop, they said the front brake tubing off the ABS boxed to the front caliper failed from rusting out (with no warning). They said they could not fix it at that shop and I should take it to 3 way chev. I called the chevy factory line and spoke to a rep. She said they might warranty some of the repair but their dealer ship had to verify the problem. I informed her of the mileage and gave her the VIN# I told her I also bought the car from heritage chevy in md. I called them and got a price to replace all the brake tubing for $1600.00 and if it needed a ABS box it would be total of $3400.00 for everything.3way chevy in bakersfield said it would cost $7597.07 for everything but it may be more because they said they had to remove the cab from the frame. They also said the truck should not be driven in the snow because of the salt that is used on the roads. This is a 4x4 and I live in northern md and I bought for the snow and I tow a 24 foot boat that weighs 6300 lbs. The factory rep said they could not help me in any way because of the age and mileage, which I originally told them about. The factory reps keep on transferring me to other reps till I gave up. I was ase tech( everything except transmissions ) , md state inspector and md certified emissions for over 20 years. This brake problem with the gm trucks will eventually get someone hurt or killed. I sold the truck for $ 1500.00 with no brakes as is.

Filed Feb 25, 2013 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · CT

One of the brake lines from the master cylinder to the ABS control unit ruptured due to severe corrosion, resulting in severe loss of brake fluid, and near complete loss of braking force. Replaced both lines on the advice of my mechanic who stated that the other line was just as badly corroded. Subsequently, the brake line from the ABS control unit to the rear brakes failed due to severe corrosion in december of 2012, resulting in complete loss of rear brake effectiveness. Replaced that portion of brake system, and very concerned about the remainder of the original equipment brake lines still extant.

Filed Dec 3, 2012 · Brakes · 120,000 miles · PA

I was driving about 25mph on a snow covered road. I applied the brake and the ABS system engaged then the brake pedal went down to the floor with no hydraulic pressure. The car no longer slow down so I down shifted to slow the car and finally got it to stop and shifted to neutral to stay stopped. Once I put the car in gear the brakes could not keep the car from moving. Once safely off the road I checked the brake fluid and their was none. The brake line failed and all the fluid leaked out. I am thankful this didn't happen while I was driving at any faster speeds, this is very dangerous and occurred with no prior warning.

Filed Nov 17, 2011 · Brakes · 122,632 miles · NC

While driving at 45 MPH on a medium traffic city road, the brakes were applied while stopping for a traffic light that had turned red. The brake pedal did not respond quickly enough and had depressed all the way to the floor. The vehicle was able to slow down enough to be driven into an empty parking lot. As I got the vehicle to stop, I opened the engine compartment and saw the brake fluid level was very low. The vehicle had its preventative maintenance done on it just three weeks prior and all fluids were checked topped off (all of which is documented by an oil and lube garage). I was able to get the vehicle back to my home and had inspected the issue. An area along the frame rail were the brake lines go from the master cylinder to the ABS motor was leaking. The brake lines were severely corroded in just one area, inspection of the rest of the brake lines were ok. Its just odd that it was corroded in just the one area and nowhere else. There was no warning that the brakes were about to fail or any indication that the fluid level was low.

Filed Dec 8, 2010 · Brakes · 93,800 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in reverse the brakes failed. The ABS warning light illuminated while the contact applied the brakes. The vehicle was inspected by the owner when he noticed that the brake line was corroded and there was also a leak. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 93,800.