2015 Chevrolet Suburban: brake failure

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Brakes · NC

I experienced a serious brake failure in my 2015 Chevrolet Suburban with 112,500 miles that nearly resulted in a collision. After approximately 90 minutes of driving, I pulled into a parking lot and attempted to stop. Without warning lights or prior symptoms, the brake pedal suddenly became extremely hard to press, and the vehicle nearly failed to stop. I had to stomp on the brake pedal to stop. The same dangerous condition occurred while reversing into a parking space. This created a serious risk of injury to myself and others. The problem appeared primarily at low speeds. After sitting for several hours, the brakes seemed normal again. This intermittent failure is especially dangerous because it occurs without warning. A GM dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed: "Vacuum pump has failed internally causing a stiff pedal at times when pumping brakes. Pump can't build vacuum fast enough to keep up with demand to fill brake booster." The failed component is available for inspection. I discovered GM Special Coverage N182202780 addresses this vacuum pump failure. However, GM refused assistance because my vehicle exceeded the 10-year coverage period, despite having only 112,500 miles. In approximately 2020, I had a GM braking safety recall performed. The dealership reprogrammed the vehicle and installed a thicker brake pedal pad rather than replacing the vacuum pump. Despite this previous recall repair, I experienced the dangerous braking condition. I believe this is a serious safety defect, not simply a warranty issue. A critical braking component should not fail without warning, making the vehicle extremely difficult to stop. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether the previous recall remedy was adequate and whether GM's special coverage should be expanded into a safety recall regardless of vehicle age.

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Brakes · TX

The braking system on my 2015 Chevy Suburban LTZ failed at slow speeds in a parking lot. I have replicated the issue in both forward and reverse. My family's safety was put at risk in that while backing up out of a parking spot the brakes failed completely and I had to push extremely hard on the brake to get the vehicle to stop. That same behavior occurred while pulling forward into a parking spot, almost hitting the car in front of me. I took the vehicle into a Chevrolet dealer today indicating the symptoms and they said there was no recall attached to my VIN. This exact same behavior in my vehicle is described in [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 26, 2023 · Brakes · NY

Brakes failed and became hard to press down on it and would not stop vehicle.

Filed May 16, 2021 · Brakes · 165,000 miles · IN · crash

Brakes failed in a drive through line. Same issue as the recall. Suburban had the corrected software update and yet it happened again. This time it lead to a crash rear ending a vehicle. Not able to get the vehicle to stop is a serious safety issue. Gm has know about this and the fix didn’t work. This is negligence on their part.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Brakes · 110,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the brakes failed to operate as designed. The vehicle operated as intended after moving the vehicle to level ground. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while the vehicle was in reverse. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer or independent mechanic. An independent mechanic was contacted and the contact was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2020 · Brakes · 99,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that when attempting to stop the brake pedal travelled to the floor. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was concerned that the brake failure may cause a crash. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not immediately stop and the brake pedal travel to the floor causing the braking distance to be extended. The local dealer stiver chevrolet (111 newland rd. Columbia sc) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v645000 (brakes) however, she had received the recall notification. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet suburban. While driving at a low speed, the contact experienced complete brake failure with her vehicle without warning. The contact was forced to apply the emergency brake to avoid a crash. The failure also occurred when the contact attempted to reverse the vehicle. The contact drove to sutton chevrolet (211 chapman rd, byron, ga 31008, (478) 956-5000) and was informed of a service bulletin on the vehicle regarding a faulty brake vacuum pump. The contact was informed that the pump failed in her vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would call her back to let her know if they would cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2019 · Brakes · OK

Was coming up to a stoplight with major traffic and had stiff to no brakes. Was within inches of hitting the person in front of me. My 'service brake assist' light came on. I was told by a chevy service department that my brake vacuum pump had failed and that this was common in the 2015 suburban.

Filed May 3, 2019 · Brakes · 106,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet suburban. While approaching a stop light and depressing the brake pedal, it failed to stop the vehicle. The contact had to apply excessive force to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended a cement vehicle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven and was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle previously experienced brake failure. The contact called classic chevrolet buick gmc of cleburne (located at 822-walter p. Holiday drive, cleburne, tx 76033, (817) 402-3167) and was informed that they would cover the vehicle at 70 miles. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Brakes · 125,760 miles · ID

Loss of brakes at low speeds.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · SC

The brakes have lost braking pressure three times. After first incident, the brakes were checked and there was no issue found. This occurred on the interstate in moderate speed stop and go traffic. I could have rear ended someone but I was able to pull onto the shoulder of the highway. The second time I had to move my car from one space to another. The car would not stop and I nearly struck a house. Again the brakes were determined to be fine. The third time, I was attempting to park my vehicle when the brakes failed to stop my car. Thankfully I was pulling into an end parking space and the curb stopped me from striking another automobile. Gm knows there is an issue as there are numerous complaints. The first time this occurred was in august. It occurred again in january 2019.

Filed Jan 5, 2019 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · MO

In late december 2018, the brakes began to exhibit signs that they needed to be replaced. Before we could get the car to the dealership for a brake inspection in early january 2019 due to the holidays, the brakes actually totally failed to operate at slower speeds (below 30 MPH). Even when "standing on the brake pedal" with both feet the vehicle would not stop. This happened several times especially at slow speeds while backing out of a driveway or going through a drive-thru. The "brake assist light" also came on during several of these events. Also, a "grinding" noise occurred. This may have been the anti-lock brake system activating. The vehicle is now at the chevrolet dealership in our area waiting on repairs that we are concerned will not correct the problem and prevent it from occurring again. This concern is due to the fact, through our research, that there are pending lawsuits against gm and gm itself has issued several "service bulletins" addressing this issue, but will not initiate a recall of the affected vehicles. They won't even offer any reasonable solution to truly prevent future brake failure even after their recommended repairs are completed and paid for.