1997 GMC Suburban: pulls to one side

Filed Aug 1, 2003 · Brakes · 68,000 miles · FL

The consumer routinely inspected the brakes in 11/02 and found no problems. On 06/03, while driving the consumer noticed the vehicle was pulling to the right. Upon inspection of brakes, the consumer discovered the left and right outside brake pads had a "chunk" missing. *ak the front outside pads on the passenger side separated from the metal shoe due to rivet hole wear, and had fallen apart in the consumers hands and the pads were not worn out. *scc

Filed May 2, 2001 · Brakes · FL

The brakes lock up at the slightest pressure. Seems to be worse when first starting out with vehicle cold or when the roads are wet, but occurs at anytime while trying to brake. When the brake is applied it pulls to the right and also the brakes lock up, the tires skid, and you hear a humming noise coming from something. (obviously in the braking component somewhere) I have taken it to a gmc dealership 3 times but they have failed to solve the problem. They say they can't duplicate the problem and can't find any problem with the brakes. I asked them specifically to drive the vehicle, especially one day while it was in their care and it was raining since it locks up more when wet. But I question whether they even drove it. I took it to an independent brake/tire center and they replaced the front brake pads checked the rear brakes and said I had a real axle seal leaking which was leaking on the rear brake shoes and probably causing the locking problem. So the next day I returned the vehicle to the dealership again who repaired the rear axle seal leak but denied again there was any problem with the brakes locking up. But they continue to do so, very dangerously I might add. The problem seems to be getting worse.today 5/2/01 the brakes locked and I almost slid right through a stop sign. What can I do now?

Filed Mar 2, 2001 · Airbags, Steering · CA · crash

Steering would pull to right. Took vehicle to dealership and mechanic repaired it, but currently vehicle was pulling to left. Steering sensor was replaced. Had an accident due to steering problem. Steering went right, and vehicle hit curb. Then, spun around, backwards. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle went across 4 lanes. Axle broke , and vehicle tumbled down a hill.

Filed Jul 7, 1999 · Steering · VA

While driving the steering wheel severely pulls to the left. Dealer replaced the sensor module which corrected the problem. Please give any further details.

Filed Mar 12, 1999 · Body, Brakes · MI

The child safety seats do not work with the seat belt system of the suburban. Only the front passenger seat will securely hold the seat. I contacted the federal safety agency twice and gmc customer service 3 times and many other places. Finally a gm engineer in the safety dept. Called me took my complaint. He tried to put a seat in a suburban and said yes they do not work right. They wanted to take care of problem in house. I have heard nothing more from them. The vechile pulled to the right from day one had it aligned problem continues to this day. The left rear door hinge on drivers side busted off. The door did not open and shut proper. Had problems with fuses blowing constantly. The brakes wore out at 26000 miles and every 10 to 15 since. The brakes after 10,000 miles wore through the rotors. The pedal will often go to the floor or the vechile will pull to the right worse than it already does. The egr valve also failed and had trouble getting it home. I have complained to the dealer many times they say they have never heard of any problems with the brakes on any other gm product. I talked to gm customer service and they said they didn't know why so many problems and they didn't care. They would not look into it. I am filling out another form with the continuation of safety problems.

Filed Mar 12, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

The shaft in the power steering pump busted in two as my husband was driving into a curve @ 60 MPH. He was able to keep from crashing. But if I would have been driving it I wouldn't of been able to steer it. My husband walked in the house white as a ghost. The dealer wanted me to drive it in 10 miles on a curving road with no power steering. I tried to drive it impossible for me to do. The brakes wore out and were replaced a second time (front) @ 36000 miles. The rotors were replaced, had been 10,000 miles since last brake job. The rear brakes needed readjustment again at 43200 miles the pedal kept going to the floor and was soft. 11/98 began having more electrical problems with the rear fan blower would not turn off and will run the battery dead constantly. 1/99 both front and rear u-joints were bad, had replaced the car was wandering even worse than it used to they could not find cause. The front differential was leaking and front brakes need replacing again. 2/16/99 the transmission went out in the vechile at 53174 miles. I drove the car 3 miles into town the rpms started going up to 4000rpms wasn't shifting I stopped and parked I tried to back up it started whinning and clunking and wouldn't move. Three miles earlier I backed out of my garage with no hint of trouble 3 miles later I am stranded with two babys. My husband contacted gm they refused any assistance. I continued contacting gm through other avenues I called roy roberts one of the vp explained I had some safety concerns with the suburban. I was told he would return my phone call, no return call ever received. I finally found a factory rep. That is looking into the problem but I don't hold out much hope that gm will respond to our concerns. Every time I have talked to a gm rep. They tell me no one else has these problems, but according to your records lots of people have had similiar problems. I have all records and receipts and would love to go into more detail with you.

Filed Jun 1, 1998 · Suspension · CA

Alignment and suspension malfunction causes vehicle to pull to the right.

Filed May 28, 1998 · Wheels · TX

Was traveling highway at speed of 55-60mph when the front wheels of the vehicle started to go left. Took to dealer to have it checked & corrected. Mechanic aligned the wheels. Now wheels pull to the right. Vehicle has been test driven. Its an intermittent problem. Gmc said could not help unless vehicle has broken down.

Filed Mar 30, 1998 · Brakes · TX

When the brakes are applied the vehicle pulls to the right. Owner has had the passenger's side brake rotors , and the master cylinder replaced twice. The dealer and the manufacturer have been notified.

Filed Dec 23, 1997 · Airbags, Brakes · LA · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle pulled to the left when applying brakes , went to dealer, replaced brake master cylinder. After this repair, defect was still occurring which resulted in an accident, causing the consumer to rearened a another vehicle at approx 40-45 MPH. ,brakes completley faile. ,no ABS warning light. Driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy.

Filed Aug 28, 1997 · Brakes · FL

Vehicle will intermittently pull to the right and also at intervals to the left, cause unknown. Dealer is in the process of replacing the brake calipers, but found no remedy for the problem. Please give any further details.

Filed Jun 3, 1997 · Brakes · CA

While driving applied ABS brakes, started pulling right when heated; pulls left when cold; passenger's side brakes wearing faster than driver's:took to dealer; cannot find problem; did change pads/calipers & had passenger wheels rotated.