Took vehicle to dealership for engine light and complete power loss while driving 70mph on highway. Was told uneven wear on brakes, that they needed to be replaced soon (25083, miles on vehicle)they did not inform me of the notice about uneven front brake pad wear bulletin #pit5377d. Anaow at latest check , metal to metal, was informed of the bullein from a brake place. Dealership was well aware of vehicle having defective pads and rotors, yet didnot inform customer!
Chevrolet Tahoe premature wear problems
24 of the 10,079 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Tahoe describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 50,000
Is there a fix? There are 10 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20161
- 20091
- 20081
- 20031
- 20022
- 20017
- 20001
- 19992
- 19981
- 19974
- 19963
Often reported together
Brake failure 4Wipers 1Pulling 1Power steering loss 1Loss of power 1Harsh shifting 1Knocking 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
When trying to open the liftgage, either manually or by pushing the button, the liftgate opens partially then suddenly falls. I have seen a recall for this, however I am not able to locate a recall specifically for a 2009 chevrolet tahoe. "the affected vehicles have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open," said the federal safety agency in its recall summary. "these struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall. It may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury."
While traveling at highway speeds vehicle wanders left and right and ABS light appears. Codes are "erratic wheel speed" mechanic diagnosed front wheel hubs worn and must be replaced unknown if covered by possible recall due to unable to find part number. Also while turning left and right a "knocking clunking" noise is heard from front suspensions. Mechanic diagnosed worn idler arms after being replaced with oem. This can lead to loss of steering causing accident or injury. Also premature wear of rear brakes compared to front brakes. Mechanic cannot diagnose and dealer cannot diagnose.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while repairing the vehicle for an unrelated defect, he discovered that the front upper ball joints were prematurely wearing and would need to be replaced. The contact was in the process of repairing the vehicle himself. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2002 chevrolet tahoe with defective brake rotors. Consumer stated that the brakes barely stopped the vehicle. Upon inspection mechanic determined the pads were fine and found the rotors rusted and fell apart on the inside.
Parking brake friction pad premature wear and failure. It creates a dangerous situation when parking on a steep slope when towing a heavy load if the transmission lockup mechanism should fail. Operator manuals state to set the parking brake when parking a travel trailer. Repair includes replacing the brake shoes an drums if necessary.
Brake pads wear unevenly. Inner pad wears well before outer pad wears. No wear sensor on inner pad. Only indication is metal to metal grinding, by that time the rotors are destroyed. 11-22-2006 had front pads replaced, found rotors damaged. 11-28-2007, rear rotor grinding, inner pad gone, outer pad intact. Heard of similar troubles on full size SUV and pickups manufactured by gm 1994-2004.
2001 chevrolet tahoe parking brake defect: each year now for the last 3 years I have had to replace the parking brake shoes on my 2001 chevrolet tahoe due to the poor design of the parking brake system. The current design allows the brake shoe (1 piece) to shift position within the drum cylinder resulting in premature wear and eventually brake pad failure. I understand that gm is aware of this problem but refuses to take steps to correct the defect. I feel that this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed and corrected immediately. My vehicle will not pass the annual vehicle safecty inspection at this time due to the faulty parking brake system. It costs me about $350 annually to have the parking brake pads replaced. Please have this safety problem fixed before someone is seriouly injured or killed. I do have the previous worn pads if needed for review.
2001 chevy tahoe parking brake failed - worn completely through in 35,000 miles. Premature wear also damaged brake rotors. Parking brake was completely inoperable. Same issue occurred again october 29, 2004. Next set of completely new rear main and parking brakes wore completely through within 6,000 miles.
Emergency parking brakes failed to hold vehicle when it was engaged due to premature brake pad wear. Dealership indicated if vehicle was driven within 10 feet with the parking brake still engaged the pad would wear out. That was the way the pad was designed. *ak
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
Recall number 24V674000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
- Risk
- Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1202; GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.
Recall number 21V579000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
- Risk
- A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, 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 November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑866‑522‑9559, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
Recall number 20V603000 · Recall details
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 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: 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
Questions about the Chevrolet Tahoe premature wear
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (7 complaints), 1997 (4 complaints) and 1996 (3 complaints).
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