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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The ABS and Brake lights illuminate as per GM recall 05v379000. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven. I purchased this vehicle on 12/6/2023 from Kyle's Kars which is a used car dealership in Slatington, PA. A warranty was not offered due to the age, however I did purchase a warranty from Car Shield. This repair would not fall under the warranty guidelines.
this vehicle has a non-functioning parking brake. There was a recall in 2004 for 880,000 trucks and suv's. I have taken it to my garage twice but they cannot fix this problem because it is not fixable
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving behind his father's vehicle, they had approached a stop and attempted to depress the brake pedal. As his foot was on the pedal, the contact could hear the ABS making an abnormal noise as the brake pedal failed to operate as needed. Due to the failure, the contact hit the back of his father's vehicle without warning. Due to the low impact of the crash, the airbags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and they informed him that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000(service brakes, hydraulic) and offered no further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 159,000.
While thankfully driving at a low speed, my brakes completely failed with no warning..peddle went to the floor, I was able to stop by shifting the trans down to 2nd then 1st. Mechanic said knew exactly what the problem was when I explained what happened after I stopped, pumped the brakes and brake fluid flowed from under the truck generally under where the driver sits. Mechanic explained that the brake line broke and is very common, and that it just started showing up a few years ago when these "c" body trucks aged. I spoke to another mechanic at a Chevy dealership near my home and he said the same thing that it's very common and that GM now sells a kit for a compete brake-line system replacement because it has become so common. …
On June 25th, 2003, my wife hit another car with our 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. The driver of the other vehicle was injured. My wife said that she pressed on the brakes and they went to the floor. Our Suburban slowed but didn't stop. I told her that she needed to remember how heavy the Suburban was and that it was probably because the truck is so heavy and not an issue with the brakes. There was a police report filed, and my wife was ticketed. Early in March 2005 I was driving our Suburban and an oncoming vehicle made a left turn in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and they went to the floor. I turned to the right and missed the other vehicle by inches. Luckily I avoided hitting the other vehicle and nobody was injured. I took the Suburban to a local shop and they suggested flushing and changing the brake fluid, which we did. …
The ABS activate without reason when I slow to a stop. The problem began infrequently and I attributed it to possible slippery surface conditions. Over the past year the problem has gotten much worse and happens frequently now. Research indicates that this is a known problem and the subject of a recall for "snow" states - like dc and maryland which are just across the potomac river from where I live and use my Suburban. This is the second serious brake issue with this vehicle. All three brake lines have been replaced over an approximate 18 month period two years ago as a result of sudden brake failure caused by corroded brake lines. This is also a well known problem (though not one I was aware of when my brakes failed and were repaired). My research indicates that many owners have suffered from these problems. …
On August 19,2004 I had to stop suddenly to avoid stopped traffic ahead on the freeway. When I hit the brakes, the anti-lock brake failure lights came on and the vehicle went suddenly to the left, where it was hit by another vehicle. The body shop tested the brake unit before repairs and found nothing. After repairs, the anti-lock warning lights came on and they would not release the vehicle without replacing the anti-lock computer. The warning lights have ocasionally come on the entire time I have owned the vehicle, and I was told by mechanics at 3 different Chevrolet dealers that this is normal and not a problem. I do not believe the unit functioned correctly from the time I bought the vehicle and this was confirmed when I needed the brakes and they failed. …
After taking my truck in for a complete fuel system cleaning service, I started to hear a rattling sound every time I turned on the ac. I took it back to the dealership (capital Chevrolet in montgomery, alabama) thinking that they forgot to tighten up something -- only to find out I need a new ac compressor. I overheard the service technician say that there is a bulletin out on this. I called the 800# but have not gotten a response in over a week. I was told by 2 independent service mechanics that this is a major problem with that the Suburban and tahoe!!! December 2002. Attempted to stop suddenly. Brakes locked and the car went into a terrible skid. Was unable to control the brakes by pumping. The car eventually skidded off the road into a ditch causing tremendous front-end damage. Air bags never deployed. Car was going about 25 miles/hour when brakes were applied.
Brake lines failed twice due to rust and corrosion because Chevy used a inferior steel product on all trucks from 1998 to 2005. The dealer repaired my 2002 avalanche for $600.00 to replace all the brake lines. However they will not repair my 2001 Suburban which has the same problems. GM needs to re-call any vehicle or at least make a repair kit and installation at a reduced rate because this vehicle is unsafe to drive. This is not due to owner error of washing the frame during winter or winter maintenance. There is new lines that are coated to resist corosion and were used to repair my avalanche. My 2001 Suburban brake lines failed in motion while in traffic applying the brake petal to stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle experienced increased stopping distance when braking. The vehicle was taken to commonwealth Chevrolet (155 marston st, lawrence, ma 01841, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side wheel bearing assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles May experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas.
Remedy: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel…
NHTSA investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,…
Hydraulic pump failres
GM is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between May 1999 and October 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early October 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes.
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Brake complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 178 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 40% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-379 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Aug 29, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 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.