If I pull up to a parking spot and I’m slowly creeping into the spot, say at a popular supermarket, and slowing down the brake pedal stiffens up and it’s almost impossible to press. I feel like my truck may not stop. If I’m on a slight incline and in a line behind another vehicle, I’ve noticed the brake pedal stiffens up then as well. Awhile ago I thought there was a recall for this for my truck and it was something about the vacuum in the brake pedal. This is a super problem. I have five kids and we are on the road a lot. This has been happening a lot but most recently would be today.
Chevrolet Suburban spongy pedal problems
51 of the 8,048 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Suburban describe soft or spongy brake pedal, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 51
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 51,000
Is there a fix? There are 11 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 12Brake failure 7Pulling 3Grinding brakes 2Wipers 1Premature wear 1Power windows 1Oil consumption 1
What owners say
I purchased my vehicle after the recall 19V‑645 regarding the brake pump was issued. My vehicle was a part of that safety recall, and the module was reprogrammed in September 2019 (N192268490-01). The pump has not been previously replaced according to service records. I purchased my vehicle from a dealership in April 2021. I recently (late 2023) started having issues with my brakes, having increased brake pedal effort, a hard brake pedal, and increased stopping distance. I have had the brake assist alert come on several times. The issue happens more frequently at lower speeds. My park assist alert also comes on regularly when applying the brakes. I have taken my vehicle to GM several times regarding the park assist issues, but they have only cleared the computer codes and cannot figure out why they keep coming back, as there is no detectable issues with the system. I have also brought my vehicle in due to the adaptive cruise control, as it has also caused issues while using it. It will often apply brakes if it detects a vehicle in another lane while driving, causing the vehicle to “slam” on the brakes going at high rates of speed (I.e. driving on the interstate at 80 mph) and has nearly caused accidents, as the vehicle becomes hard to control, and the risk of following vehicles not having the reaction time to avoid a rear-end collision is increased. My particular vehicle does not have an option to switch between regular cruise control, and adaptive cruise control. After talking with GM, they informed me the only way to “fix” the issue is to completely replace the module with an updated module that allows the option to turn off the adaptive cruise control, which is quite costly to the consumer. My vehicle is currently at a GM service department, and has been diagnosed that the brake pump has failed, and needs replaced. They are claiming that it is not covered under the recall. It is not covered under GM’s extended warranty due to mileage restrictions.
When trying to brake while parking in a parking spot at low speeds, or so and go traffic my wife and I experience an extremely hard brake pedal that creeps to a stop, almost hitting others and structures.
While backing up and going forward at a slow speed the car did not stop. The brake pedal was hard and my foot pressure did not help it stop. Terrible feeling. When I turned the vehicle off and back on the brakes seemed to work. This is worrisome. I bought the car used with the car fax stating it had previous minor front end damage. I am concerned this has happened before.
There is no Brake assist at low speeds. Vacuum pump seems not to be functioning. Hard pedal hard to stop at parking lot speeds.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle, the vehicle made a choking sound as if the vehicle was about to shut-off. The brake pedal was stiff requiring extra effort than normal for the vehicle to come to a stop. While turning left or right at low speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and made an abnormal hissing sound. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the vacuum pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that due to the mileage on the vehicle, the vehicle no longer qualified for the special recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Rollling down my drive way my brakes went out. Very spongy. Pressed multiple times and was able to come to a stop with the help of my front bushes. Master cylinder is full brakes are less than a year. I see online that this is a problem with 2014-2018 chevy trucks and suvs. If my wife was driving she could have been hurt. Heaven forbid my kids where in there too. This is obviously a defect in manufacturing and design and should be remedied by chevy.
Brake pedal became hard an ineffective at low speed while in parking lot. This has happened 3x over last year.
Hard brake pedal at least 6 times. Pedal gets hard during low-speed conditions, when either backing up or when the rear avoidance system is activated. Lasts about three minutes, then goes back to normal
Increase break pedal, hard brake pedal increases stoping distance low speed when softly applying the brake. This problem is come and go.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- Risk
- As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Recall number 19V645000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured July 9, 2013, through July 22, 2013; and 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013, through July 23, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Yukon vehicles manufactured July 13, 2013, through July 18, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Yukon XL vehicles manufactured on July 22, 2013. The rear brake caliper bolts may not be fully tightened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Loose caliper bolts may cause reduced braking performance and result in lengthened stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts on both rear brake caliper brackets. Any bolts found loose will be replaced and tightened. This service will be performed, at no charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's recall number is 13247.
Recall number 13V342000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
- Risk
- This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V379000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
- Risk
- This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V103000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
- Risk
- If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle. If contact occurs and the brake pipe becomes damaged, in half of the brake system there can be a loss of brake fluid and pressure. The brake warning lamp will be activated when the brake fluid level reaches the indicator limit.
- Risk
- During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not signs of wear on the brake pipe, the dealer will install a spacer clip to ensure sufficient clearance between the brake pipe and the body cross sill.
Recall number 00V345000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
- Risk
- These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Recall number 00V222000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Recall number 98V033000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
- Risk
- Separation of the rotor sections can cause loss ofbraking ability in the affected wheel. This could result in increased stoppingdistance and/or loss of vehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance items.
Recall number 93V119000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Suburban spongy pedal
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have soft or spongy brake pedal problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (11 complaints), 2015 (10 complaints) and 1994 (7 complaints).
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