Complete loss of brakes coming up to a stoplight in moderate traffic. Widespread heavy corrosion/deterioration of brake lines resulted in rupture of brake line over left rear wheel. Emergency/park brake used to avoid accident. Clearly a materials defect in the brake system, in my opinion.
GMC Suburban brake failure problems
207 of the 1,768 owner complaints about the GMC Suburban describe brake failure, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 207
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical mileage
- 52,700
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 88Pulling 7Power steering loss 3Grinding brakes 3Adaptive cruise 3Transmission failure 2Jerking 2
What owners say
The brakes failed as I was approaching a stop sign. The brake lines were badly rusted, much worse than would be expected. This could have been very serious had it happened at a greater speed!
Dt*: the contact stated since purchase the front brakes failed intermittently. The vehicle required an excessive stopping distance when the brakes are damp or in the morning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership on the day of purchase, but the dealership could not determine a problem. The vehicle was taken to the dealership again, 3 years later, and there was no problem found. The front brake pads were replaced and the rotors were turned for regular maintenance. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 3/9/2006 -
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 MPH the anti-lock brakes failed without warning. This occurred during normal braking on dry roads. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealership cleaned the speed sensors, which remedied the problem. The manufacturer was notified. The speed sensor was corroded. Updated 03/17/06.
1999 gmc has encountered numerous problems with brakes. Brakes grab on the front wheel. *t the vehicle's brake problems range from feeling soft to locking up while parked. Once the brakes failed and caused the consumer's vehicle to run through a stop sign. The vehicle has been taken tot he dealer several time. Each time the dealer replaced various components but the brake problem resurfaced.
Brakes failed causing an accident. The vehicle was taken to dealer for repairs, but there was no apparent problem with the brakes. Three months later the brakes failed again while approaching a stop sign. Again the vehicle was checked by the dealer but they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. *ak
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.
Vehicle was exhibiting no problems. Upon approaching a red traffic light the brake pedal was depressed, and the pedal went to the floor, as if the ABS system was kicking in, but the vehicle did not slow down. I replaced the master cylinder and bled all brake lines, and the condition still exists. I performed diagnostics on the vehicle according to seveal service manuals and determined that the ABS modulator valve has failed in such a manner as to allow brake fluid to bleed into the ABS accumulator, without getting an ABS diagnostic failure light. I had to drive the vehicle home for over 20 miles with severely limited breaking power and was very fortunate to have avoided an accident. I would rather not have ABS breaks on the vehicle than have a break system that can fail in this manner. Pumping the brake pedal was ineffective in building brake pressure, as is normally the case when a master cylinder fails.
While applying the brake pedal the brakes failed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Consumer inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rotors needed to be replaced due to corrosion. This information was provided helen's boy friend erick wunk.*ak front passenger brake rotor separated from lug bolt hub. Drivers side rotter also ready to separate. Gmc recalled this part but not for the serial number of the consumers vehicle. Consumer replaced parts at his own expense. Consumer states that if this incident happened while driving at a high rate of speed he would have loss control of the vehicle.
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
Related recalls
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: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- The pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket may be improperly tightened and may not have engaged the locking material on the bolt. The bolt can disengage from the nut.
- Risk
- If the pivot bolt disengages from the nut while thevehicle is in motion, there will be a loss of brake control and could result ina vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers should inspect the hand started brake pedal bolts and torque them to specification.
Recall number 92V056000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Suburban brake failure
Which GMC Suburban years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (82 complaints), 1993 (39 complaints) and 1992 (21 complaints).
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