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 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I pulled into a parking lot and proceeded to park my Suburban. I hit the brake pedal and the brakes did not work. They pulsate and gave out completely. No service lights or warning light came on previous to the incident. When the brakes didn't work I tried to pump them to get them to work but nothing worked and my Suburban smashed into a bush and over the curb. I just had my brake lines replaces which was quoted $1700 at my local Chevrolet dealership. I am no looking into the issues with the ABS system.
I was slowing for a stop sign while leaving a parking lot when the steel rear brake line spontaneously split and dumped all line pressure. The brake pedal went straight to the floor, and I rolled right into traffic before I was able to pump the pedal enough times to stop the vehicle against a curb. Had I neared the stop sign 2 seconds earlier or later, I would have either been t-boned by a box truck, or t-boned a small sedan. I emphasize that the brake lines showed no warning signs beyond the typical surface rust that can be found on any vehicle that has been driven for more than a few winters in the "rust belt". However, those vehicles do not have brake lines spontaneously fail at the rate that these GM trucks do. This truck's primary purpose is towing a camping trailer for vacations with my young family, so this could have ended very differently. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the ABS was engaging prematurely. While attempting to park the vehicle at 5 MPH, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle crashed into the wall of his garage. The dealer repaired the front hubs and ABS sensors for free and the contact was reimbursed for the damages made to his garage doors. Shortly after the repairs were made, the manufacturer issued a recall on the same defect he experienced. The contact stated that the failure recurred at 87,000 miles. The ABS light illuminated and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop until a few seconds after the brake pedal was depressed. He called the manufacturer to notify them of the failure, but they were not willing to authorize the repair of the ABS for free. The VIN and recall number were unknown. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle failed to reduce speed. The vehicle uncontrollably crashed into a building. There was no personal injury; however there were exterior damages to the building. The vehicle sustained minor damage. A police report was not filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the four brake lines and gear shifter cable were replaced. Also, the ABS would need to be replaced. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock). The failure recurred after the repair. The ABS had been replaced a total of seven times. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the brakes were applied, but the pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle continued to move forward until crashing into a median. As a result, the median moved and crashed into another vehicle head on. A police report was filed. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and stated that the brakes lines were completely rusted through. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was put on a lift and it was discovered that the brake line was corroded, causing a leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The contact called the ed bozarth Chevrolet dealer [phone], 3731 sw topeka blvd, topeka, ks 66609) and was told that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000. Consumer stated brake lines corroded and was leaking. Updated 12/18/18
Chevrolet has continued to ignore the ABS brake issue within the brake control module. This is separate from their wheel sensor issue.the brake control module.has a circuit board issue which deactivates the ABS system and shows a brake and ABS light on dash.in snow today my ABS failed and I slid through an intersection narrowly missing a school bus a f$%^ing school bus.there is so much info on this issue on the internet but Chevrolet seem to be ignoring it.the problem is centered around a circuit board in the brake control module.
This issue occurred in July of 2016 while we were on vacation in florida. We began to lose braking ability until finally the vehicle became almost inoperable, only able to travel at about 20 MPH and still be able to stop without hitting anything. One of the steel brakes lines had blown a hole in it. We had a shop repair it and when they tested it, it blew another line. We ended up having all the lines replaced because of the level of corrosion.
I had a major brake failure the other day while driving. I had no brakes, but I was able to stop with the emergency brake. I had the truck towed to the mechanic and they reported that the brake failure was due to rusted brake lines.
I own a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 2wd 5.3l v8 with automatic transmission. This vehicle was bought new and from day one, the emergency brake has been completely ineffective in holding the vehicle when applied. A cursory check on the internet reveals that this is a widespread and very well-known problem for owners of similar GM vehicles. Visits to two separate GM dealerships in dallas confirm that the dealers know of this as a widespread and well-known problem as well. Oddly, the NHTSA had a chance to review this vehicle safety defect at the request of the north carolina consumer council back in 2005, yet the NHTSA decided at the time that this defect did not warrant a safety recall. …
Brake complaints in other Suburban 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 52% of the model year's 92 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 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 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries 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.