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 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving down l street in omaha, nebraska approaching 96th street. Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor and vehicle would not stop. I was able to pull to the side of the road just before light at 96th st on a slight hill which assisted vehicle stopping. The brake master cylinder was low. The car was towed to yeck's auto in bellevue, ne. Had I been following other vehicles closely or approached a quick changing yellow light the vehicle would not have stopped. Yeck's auto has since determined the brake lines failed. After internet investigation yields that GM has known about this defect. No warning lights, no indication of a problem. This vehicle needs to be recalled. The vehicle has been serviced at beardmore Chevrolet in bellevue, ne at prescribed intervals since day 1. GM saying this is normal is frankly unacceptable. How many people have not been as lucky as I was on this day.
Driving in close traffic (bumper to bumper) uphill on two lane bridge, brake pedal just went to the floor, and no brakes! Frantically, I worked the emergency brake to the top of the bridge. Going down the bridge I coasted (no area to pull off), once off the bridge and safe to pull over I did so. Nothing appeared wrong, so I tried the brakes a number of times, and decided I could make the .5 mile rest of way home. Once there, I found fluid level down over half way. After searching found hard bake line had holds in it. After searching my brake lines, they appear to all be rusted badly. In all the vehicles I've owned, I've never had brake lines fail like this. In searching the web sites I find that Chevy May have used inferior metals for their brake lines during this time frame. If this is true, why have they not taken care of correcting this issue? Thanks, concerned.
No warning lights on the dash, but upon breaking at slow speed the pedal either pushes back or the brakes slow the vehicle at a frighteningly slow pace, all while the ABS system is on as if sliding on ice, but it was and is dry pavement. This happens 95 -100% of every braking attempt. I have taken it to a local mechanic he couldn't figure out what to fix since the computer codes were bouncing all over the place. I see this is a problem after I have done research on the web. I pulled the main ABS 60 fuse under the hood to turn off the system. This causes the break warning failure light to come on but I can at least stop the vehicle. This is a failure on a safety system (ABS) that actually causes a serious safety issue...as each stop is a potential crash.
All brake warning lights light up intermittently, I can make them go off sometimes by shutting down and restarting engine, but not always. Recall # 05V379000 covers same model year vehicles in the "salt belt" states, corrosion issue! My local dealer says there is no recall on this vehicle for brake sensor problems. Brakes still function normally even with all warning lights "on". I want this problem repaired under a safety recall! I can't allow anyone else in the family to drive this vehicle under these conditions. I am a mechanic, no one else in the family would know what to do if the brakes actually do fail while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. On several occasions, making left and right turns at low speeds, the contact experienced unwanted anti-lock brake system activation without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
While driving home, on a highway, I approached a traffic light that changed and I had to hit the brakes to stop. The brake pedal went to the floor. After getting it home I checked the brakes and they looked as thought they should work (note it was inspected in dec 2015 and passed). After more checking I found that the brake lines on the drivers side frame rail were rusted and had failed as that area was covered in brake fluid. I purchased my 2002 z71 Suburban new that year and it has less than 66,000 miles on it now.
Wife was driving the truck with her mother, went to stop and the brake pedal went to the floor - limped the truck home - checked master cylinder, added fluid and when we pushed the pedal, fluid came pouring out the corroded rear brake line - while no one was hurt this time, it is easy to imagine how it could otherwise been a disaster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the anti lock brake activated without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
When I apply the brakes at low speed I feel a chattering like the anti-lock brakes are activated and the car won't stop until I let up and re-apply pressure to the pedal. I've come close to an accident more than once.
On 10-5-12 I was driving my 2002 Chevy Suburban in eaton rapids michigan. I went to apply the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to coast and slow enough to get off the roadway and into a parking lot. I noted smoke coming from under the hood. I checked and noted the right front brake line had blown and sprayed brake fluid onto the engine. I noted fluid on the ground under the truck and the reservoir was low on fluid. There was no warning and no warning light on the in dash computer. The brakes went from working just fine to nothing! I had the vehicle serviced at andrews automotive in mason, mi. They advised that two of the lines had blown and the other two were so rusty that they could go at anytime and recommended they be replaced as well. I had them replace all the brake lines. After doing some research I found that this is a known problem. …
Brake complaints in other Suburban 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 55% of the model year's 120 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 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 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 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.