Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the pedal extended to the floorboard without warning. The contact swerved in order to avoid crashing into another vehicle. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal and it returned to normal. The contact was able to drive the vehicle without incident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while the contact was driving approximately 55 MPH. The contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the master cylinder was faulty and needed to be replaced. …
I was driving my 2000 Suburban at 60 MPH on the highway on September 29,2015 when I needed to brake for traffic. The brake started to stop but then went all the way to the floor. I had no brakes and had to go into the ditch in order to prevent a serious collision. There was a main brake line failure. I have contacted Chevrolet about the failure but they have yet taken any responsibility for the poor design. This issue is very well documented all over the internet for rust failure on brakelines on this vehicle and yet Chevrolet has yet to notify anyone of the possibility of complete brake failure and more importantly, done anything to correct the problem. This needs to be addressed before anyone is killed. I was driving with my 18 month old granddaughter at the time. If I had not acted quickly, the outcome could have been devastating.
Passenger rear brake line ruptured with complete brake failure. Passenger front brake line ruptured while repairing the rear lines during the bleeding process. GM's statement that their vehicles still have braking to 2 wheels during a line failure is incorrect. When the line ruptures there are no brakes at all. Thankfully the incident happened as I was leaving my driveway and not on highway the day before. I was able to downshift and use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle before any collisions .I've owned over a dozen cars in my life. I have never seen such extensive corrosion on brakes lines. It's unfathomable that GM would use inferior and non-corrosion resistant metal in one of the most important systems in any car. There will be multiple accidents due to this if there haven't been 100's already.
Was driving around 45mh and was coming to stop sign but when I went to use brake the pedal went to the floor. I kept pumping which seemed to help just enough to turn into the drive way of a mall that happened to be closed. I am so thankful that it was late at night or I would have smashed into someone. Shop said main brake line rusted through, a common problem that Chevy could care less about. Very sad Chevy........
I applied the brakes and the pedal traveled all the way to the floor...I pumped them and was able to stop to avoid collision...I inspected the truck and saw brake fluid coming from under the vehicle above the fuel tank...I've seen numerous reports about this issue....the cheapest estimate was 600.00 dollars to fix...I will attempt to repair myself if it's not to difficult.
Emergency brake went out around 30,000 est first time. I replaced the shoes not sure what year/ but now the left side no shoe left. The clips do not hold the shoes in place and end up wearing out the shoe and diskhat. Note: this is a very poor design. For years I never used the ebrake now I have converted the Suburban over to a manual transmission and need the ebrake.
Upon stopping the Suburban, the anti-lock braking system kicked in at a low speed resulting in a accident and rear ending the car in front of us. I'm worried for my families safety with this Suburban. Updated 11/07/11
I was driving along a 3 lane stretch of divided roadway in the fast lane. I approached a new intersection, the light changed to red and cars in all three lanes ahead of me proceeded to stop. I applied the brake pedal and it immediately went to the floor. Being in the fast lane and traveling at 55 MPH with a concrete divider wall and no shoulder to my left I immediately downshifted while holding the pedal to the floor and cut the wheel hard to head across lanes of traffic. The rear end fishtailed out towards the drivers side barely missing the line of traffic in the fast lane. Luckily I had enough distance to slide the car sideways facing slow lane shoulder, and then cut the wheel opposite to avoid the cars in the slow lane. I barely got around them and fishtailed the backend the opposite direction in the Suburban as it grazed the guardrail. …
Brake lines rusted and now leaking in front of and under the front driver side door where the brake lines start running down the frame rail of the truck body towards the ABS module. Last week the truck was fine, and I decided it would be a good time to bring it to my Chevy dealer to have any outstanding recall work done. They told me among other recall orders due on my truck, one in particular is to have a 2 ft stretch of one of the lines replaced, and they replaced it. Less than a week after getting the truck back I now have a leak coming from one or two of the other brake lines in that area where the work was just done last week. I have lots of questions. Nothing was leaking till the dealer touched it, so why am I left with a new problem that was dealer caused. …
I was backing up my Suburban to attach and move my camper. I had just returned from a short trip to the grocery store, brakes were fine at that time. Upon the 3rd or 4th time I pressed the brake pedal while backing up, the pedal went to the floor. No brakes. I was on fairly level ground, so moving it to park stopped what little motion I had. There was never an indication of spongy brakes. Never an indicator on my dash of a brake issue, I just immediately lost all braking function. At this time it's Sunday and I'm waiting on Monday to contact a mechanic. I have fluid leaking from above the side frame member on the drivers side, under the rear door on the passenger side. I still don't have an indication of failure on my dash. I realize cars rust, I live in michigan. But the failure is what disturbs me. …
Brake complaints in other Suburban 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 70% of the model year's 67 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.