Brakes have always felt "like a mushy pedal" even though vehicle is serviced. New brake components offer little help
1999 GMC Suburban brakes complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 123, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The anit-lock brakes on my 1999 gmc suburban 4x4 come on every time I coast to a slow stop, making stopping a very tricky situation. I have to anticipate this happening and allow extra stopping distance. I was researching what might be the problem when I came across the may 27th, 2005 article in the detroit news auto insider authored by jeff plungis of the detroit news washinton bureau, in which my exact problem was described. I have not taken my vehicle to a gm dealer yet, but I did have it looked at at a tire store and they said the brake pads and rotors themselves are in good condition and are not causing the issue. This happens every time I drive the vehicle and appeats to be getting worse.
Dt: can't stop the vehicle, and you have to stand on the brake pedal goes to the floor, and you have to pump the brake manually to get it to hold. Had the brake problem since july 2, 2003. Had been in contact with manufacturer, and they said to keep the records for reimburstment, in cause there is a recall. They have replaced the brakes 10-12 times. The antilock is not kicking in.
1999 gmc c 1500 suburban with brake fade. This suburban has had all new brake pads x2, new master brake components, and still has issues with stopping at lower speeds. Mechanics say vehicle acting normally when checked. We have, and are still experiancing intermitant brake fade that makes it questionable if the vehicle will stop at a red light or stop signs when traveling on rural roads at speeds of approximatly 15 - 35 MPH. I would like to make sure that you include the c1500 gmc suburban in your list of sport utility vehicles. I do not see it mentioned in the information currently in print.
I have experienced problems with the ABS on my 1999 gmc suburban. The problems are exactly as described in the federal safety agency action #pe05020. I have not had an accident, but the problem occurs numerous times daily when I am slowing to a stop. Sometimes the ABS will activate when my foot is not touching the brake petal. My mechanic has confirmed (via his computer diagnostics) that the ABS will activate without a brake switch detection.
The brakes will grab very hard under light pressure and jerk the vehicle violently until they have been pressed several times at which point they start working normally. Not sure if this is a caliper issue or a drum brake issue or both.
Consumer was concerned that the front rotors wore out prematurely. Vehicle had 6-8 sets of front rotors replaced within five years. This was due to warped/out of round rotors.
Consumer was driving 25 MPH and suddenly applied the brakes to avoid rear ending another vehicle from a panic stop and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The consumers vehicle made slight rear contact with other vehicle, but swerved and rolled on top of the sidewalk. Consumer was told by a mechanic that the vehicle did not have full stopping ability. Also, that the brakes system was changed in the 2000 vehicles. *ak
Repeated total brake failure when quickly and forcefully applying brakes. Brakes pull or lead when hot. One accident, four brake failures, constant brake pulling. Vehicle taken to dealer five times and they only adjust the brakes.
Door acuators faulty. Power steering pump replaced. Fuel guage faulty. Security system overrides starter which does not allow the vehicle to be started. We have had the vehicle "serviced" three times for "door actuators" as we were told this is what was causing security system to shut down vehicle. This did not solve the problem. Gmc national service center was not helpful. They did not return calls or set-up special service appointment at local dealer as they promised. There are several incident dates of when we could not start our vehicle. Will use july 29th as one date, unable to start vehicle while on summer vacation in lake tahoe area. If this happens during real emergency it would be unfortunate.
1999 gmc suburban, driving down highway slowed to turn into rest stop, applied brakes, pedal went to the floor, steering was difficult, almost went into the ditch, then everything ok. Brake pedal pressure has always been soft - getting worse. This also happened at slow speed in parking lot - pumped brakes then ok.
The right rear transmission seal broke twice and leaked fluid onto the rear brake. This resulted in loss of braking ability. The positive battery terminal leaked acid and caused the battery tray to rust *mr
Brake and ABS unsafe and in for chronic repairs. Have owned vehicle for less then a year when problem started. Rotors cracked due to excessive heat. Had heavy duty rotors put on. In the rain, ABS locked...near miss of an accident. Within weeks had back in for repairs due to excessive wear...was informed of gmc bulletin regarding brakes. Took to dealer to check brakes and ABS. Had proportioning valve put in and rear brakes replaced. Then had to replace front rotors again due to wear..all within 2-3 months. Then ABS light came on, and ABS staring locking intermittently on its own. There is a leak at the master cylinder. The proportioning valve was just installed 12 days ago! We left it at the service center at the dealer (its a sunday)! Too scared to drive with my preschooler in the car! The vehicle only has 42k!
Weak brakes requiring excessive pedal pressure to stop vehicle. Random brake pull rotating the steering wheel while braking. Locking front wheels activating ABS with little or no rear brake involvement.
Have owned '90gmc c1500 p/u & '99 gmc c1500 suburban in past 12 years; both vehicles have had same problems w/ front brake pull/wear; suspension; brake pipes; engine/trans. Hesitation, hang....; corroded + battery cables, batteries; leaking HVAC ducts; and on & on. How in the world does 12+/- years of documented brake problems across vehicle lines/models not warrant a massive recall and/or compensation to owners for obviously faulty engineering, materials, etc.....????!!!! I suppose the ford/firestone problems took precedence? Can you say "class action"??
For a brand new suburban I don't feel it should be having major part problems. No safety defect listed.
Ongoing problem, when brakes are applied on an incline, it there is a loud twanging noise, and extended stopping distance. Vehicle been to dealer on two occasions, but problem stilloccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
Vehicle pulls left and right when brakes are applied. It has caused vehicle to run light, and there was extended stopping distance. Problem has gotten worse each time after being fixed. Also, brake pads contiinued to have excessive wear, reason unknown. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.
Repeated excessive wear on front brake pads and now on rear brake drums. We are very conservative drivers and typically get 80-100,000 miles on a set of brakes. This is our second set of front pads. We do tow heavy loads. The suburban is equipped with a heavy duty towing package . It has already had the steering gear box replaced by the dealer. The front pads have been replaced once and the rear brakes have been adjusted, also the master cylinder has been replaced by the dealer. The brakes just do not seem of sufficient capacity to stop a vehicle of this mass towing load. We've owned suburban's since 1973 so we do feel we have a degree of experience in this area. Finally when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds and a bump is hit, the entire electrical system shorts out for approximately 1/6-1/5 of a second causing everything to go dark. I suspect an exposure in a wiring harness. *jb *****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis****763731
Have had ongoing problems with the braking system of this vehicle, can provide copies of all failures.
When braking at any speed pedal went almost to floor resulting in extended braking distance.on 2 may 2002, consumer applied brake and due to extended braking distance, rearended another vehicle. Damage to vehicle was $ 5000.00, vehicle has not been inspected by dealer.
Primature wear brake of brake pads, resulting in exteded stopping distance. Dealer has been notified.
Three sets of pads wore out, and currently going on fourth set of pads in 41,000 miles. This will effect stopping distance on front brakes. Vehicle was operating fine before taken in for a routine check up. Please provide information.
Brakes would squeak and make a grinding noise. Front end would shake. Brake pad had worn to metal on one side. Pads and rotors were replaced numerous times. Contacted dealer.*ak consumer states that the brake pads are being replaced about every 18000 miles.
I've had this vehicle in for brake repairs at least 6 times since I bought it. It now has 26,500 miles. The brakes have been replaced 4 times, master cylinder replaced, proportioning valve replaced, and right side caliper replaced. I have also had the following replaced: motor pulley, A/C compressor, tie rod, idler arm, pitman arm, coil in steering column, main belt, front differential gasket. Every time I take it in to the dealer, it seems that I am a pest........I will never own another gmc product, and I am seeking legal advice for a possible manufacturer buyback.
At any speed when applying brakes vehicle grinds and pulls to left. Consumer has a ant-ilock braking system. Dealership is aware of problem.
Excessive brake wear- rotors replaced @13,000 miles and 2nd second set 28,000 miles.
While traveling at approximately 10 MPH in traffic power assisted steering pump failed, forcing the consumer to pull off to side of road. Consumer stated that braking system also ran through this steering pump, and should be under separate systems. Dealership has examined vehicle, and was repairing this problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Suburban purchased and driven without trouble until 4-99. Taken to ray skillman dealership with notation that the vehicle pulls right when braking. Dealer replaced both front rotors and both front brake pads. Car initially improved but with progressive return of problem. Taken to bill estes dealership, 4105 west 96th street, indianapolis, indiana, 46268 (phone 317‑872‑3315) the next five times for repair of problem. On 6 oct 2000, with 50,299 miles (still under extended factory waranty), the estes shop documented the brake problem. The car would, and still does, change lanes to the right--one lane in 3 seconds at mild to moderate braking at 50 MPH. Estes r&r both front caliper assemblies, brake fluid, caliper assemblies, and hoses. Didn't work. Taken back to estes on 27 october 2000. Problem again documented. Estes replaced brke valve combination. Didn't work. Taken back to estes 11 december 2000. Problem again documented by shop. Estes replaced both rotors and pads. Didn't work. Car next taken to estes on 7 march 2001 (58,231 miles) and problem again documented by repair shop. Estes replaced the brake pads on the front. Didn't work. Car taken back for repair of the same ongoing problem on 16 march 2001 with 58,514 miles. Problem again documented by repair shop. Estes r&r front right caliper assembly. "caliper boot split see pat on time to be flagged for 304 bled 4wal ABS brakes resurfaced rear drums, sanded & serviced. Rear shoes corrected . Caliper to knuckle clearance replaced. Right front caliper swatted. Pads lt to rt sides. Didn't work. Car still pulls to right with braking, but worse now. Car taken into estes on 18 april 2001 with 60,005 miles (had less than 60,000 of course when appointment was made, but delayed). Estes documented brake pull. No charge. Brakes and front suspension. Veg has brake drift to the right. Karl has talk to cust and explain the problem. I am the customer and karl said that they didn't have a clue .
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