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2001 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems

272 complaints (53% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,300. 17 crashes reported.

owner complaints
272
of this car's complaints
53%
typical mileage
75,300
crashes
17
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
    61
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
    19
  • Antilock: control unit/module
    9
  • Foundation components: disc: rotor
    6
  • Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    5
  • Conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable
    5
  • Antilock
    4
  • Foundation components: disc: pads
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

ABS 94Brake failure 54Grinding brakes 12Premature wear 7

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported August 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 vehicles affected
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

Related investigations

Brake line corrosion failureOpened January 5, 2011, closed April 8, 2015

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that the federal safety agency has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t

EA11001

Parking brake failureOpened December 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006

Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.

DP05009

Unwanted low-speed ABS activationOpened April 28, 2005, closed September 13, 2005

In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v‑379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounting surface, applying a rust inhibitor (zinc-x) to the surface, and reinstalling the sensor.if necessary, the sensor will be replaced. The population and failure report data given in this resume are for the full region that has been considered by odi as the salt-belt.that includes delaware, iowa, maryland, minnesota, missouri, wisconsin and the district of columbia in addition to the 14 states included in 05v‑379.the states covered by gm's recall have the highest incident rates for the subject condition, accounting for 91% of the incidents, but only 24% of subject vehicle sales in the united states.odi's analysis determined that 840 of the complaints, 244 of the crashes, and 16 of the injuries identified in this investigation occurred in those states.the resulting incident and crash rates are 96.2 and 28.0 per 100,000 vehicles respectively (note:rates are based on vehicle sales, not registered vehicles). The corresponding numbers in the excluded portions of the salt-belt are 399,000 vehicles, 81 incidents (20.3 per 100,000 vehicles), 3 crashes, and no injuries.the statistics in the remaining 30 states are 2,406,000 vehicles, 168 incidents (7.0 per 100,000 vehicles), 31 crashes, and one injury.gm and odi are continuing to monitor the problem experience in states that are not included in the recall.gm will provide odi with updated complaint, field report, and warranty data in november 2005.odi and gm will review that data and assess the appropriateness of the current scope of the recall at that time.

PE05020

What 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Brakes · 91,632 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left very hard, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the EBCM motor relay circuit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,632.

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Brakes · NM

In the past I have sent several emails to Chevrolet corporate office re the ABS brake system on my Tahoe which first failed with only 130 miles on the vehicle. Vehicle almost tipped over but I recovered the braking system and stopped vehicle only inches from going off a cliff and into the ravine below. I love my Tahoe which now has 109000+ miles on it but the ABS brake system has never worked and on several occasions almost wiped out myself and a passenger because brakes failed to engage. I filed several complaints with the Chevrolet dealer in Austin, TX where I bought my Tahoe and also here in Taos, NM where I currently live. Recently I had the Chevrolet dealer here in Taos run a diagnostic on my ABS brakes. Result was that the brake system was defective and would cost $2000 to repair! I feel Chevrolet should pay for the repair since my Tahoe was delivered from the factory with defective ABS brakes. As it is, my Tahoe cannot be resold since the system as is could kill anyone in this vehicle if they did not know how to recover when pedal is all the way to the floor and vehicle is picking up speed rather than slowing down. Certainly even I could hit an elk standing in middle of highway because I would not be able to recover brake system in time.

Filed May 11, 2020 · Brakes · 180,000 miles · KS

Emergency brake wears itself without being engaged to the point when you need it, it does not work.

Filed May 6, 2018 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · PA

Rear steel brake lines rusted out. I was driving on the highway at about 50 miles per hour and the brake pedal went to floor & had to pump brakes. Had to turn off to berm of road to keep from hitting car in front of me. Had to have rear brake lines replaced and the mechanic suggested all brake lines be replaced because of the rust. I had all the brake lines replaced for over $600 dollars. The tahoe has only 41000 miles on it and almost caused an accident. It happens all of a sudden & it take a few seconds before you can figure out what to do, taking much longer distance to stop. They need to recall these brakes as soon as possible before more accidents happen.

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Body, Brakes · 208,586 miles · VA

Two rusted brake lines from the master cylinder to master distribution block under the truck caused the brake pedal to go to the floor at 50 MPH and ran thru a 4 way stop intersection in a rural area, thank you jesus I'm alive, lot's of rust on the lower rockers etc. On both sides

Filed Dec 21, 2017 · Brakes · MO

My ABS light in on and when I push down on it makes noise plus it push back a little

Filed Oct 16, 2017 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · AK

The steel brake line from the ABS unit to the rear brakes has corroded and is leaking from above the steel frame forward from the left rear tire. Fortunately this occurred as I pulled into my garage after driving over 150 miles round trip at highway speeds and in city traffic. This could have been disasterious, causing serious injuries, death, and/or property damage if the line would have failed during the trip! After searching the internet, this brake line failure looks like it's a common problem!

Filed Jul 7, 2017 · Brakes · 205,000 miles · IL

Metal brake lines rusted and corroded. Lines placed in an area of the vehicle where they will rust and corrode then causing them to burst at very un-opportune moments. Causing wreckage. My vehicle lost its brakes on a highway when the vehicle in front of me came to a stop to turn off the highway, waiting for another vehicle to clear. I started braking and lost my brakes, so I took the side of the road to avoid an accident. I got myself home and looked under the vehicle

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Brakes · 89,000 miles · OK

Anti lock brakes are jerking and make a noise at slow speeds.

Filed Feb 19, 2017 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · UT

Abs low speed activation. Any time coming to a stop or slowing the ABS will activate at low speeds around and under 10mph. Very unsafe and dangerous to have your brakes locking up when simply trying to come to a stop.

Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 272 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, 53% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,300 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 05V379000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (272 complaints), 1999 (249 complaints) and 2015 (196 complaints).

Other 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Airbags 31Tires 31Seat belts 29Transmission 27Body 25Electrical 20Seats 20Engine 19Steering 18Visibility 16Acceleration 14Fuel system 14Suspension 13Lights 6Locks 5Wheels 5Driver assistance 1

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