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 2015 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, he observed that the brake pedal briefly depressed all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the failure only occurred upon coming to a complete stop. The power assist brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 126,000.
While driving approximately 70 miles an hour and trying to switch lanes, we got a stabilitrack warning and the car shut off for a second and then came back on. the weather was nice and there was no snow or any other adverse conditions. This happened a couple more times on the ride and then when we tried to turn into a parking spot it shut off completely and we had to restart it. We turned stabilitrack off and the car was ok for a couple of short drives. Then driving late at late and we passed another car the same thing happened. Then when we tried to turn our brights on we got the same message. Then we got a brake assist message and then we got a collision alert. The headlights were flickering the rest of the drive and we couldnt use our brights. We had our 4 children in the car and it was shutting down at high speeds and very scary. …
When our new mechanic was checking over the car, he and his other mechanic both noticed that there was an increased brake pedal effort even though the brakes were in ok condition. Every time I've had the car serviced I have them check the brakes because they feel off. The car stops and the brakes check out with previous mechanics but something doesn't feel right. Our new mechanic then gave me a recall bulletin from GM N192268490 and said he thinks our car is experiencing this issue. The recall was attached to our VIN when the mechanic pulled it up but when we called the dealer and checked the NHTSA website, my VIN number was apparently not part of the recall. I am writing to state that I believe my car may be experiencing the issue stated in the recall bulletin as per my mechanic's findings. Attached is a copy of the recall bulletin given to us by our mechanic. Please advise.
The vehicle component of concern is the braking system. The brake pedal has to be pressed at an unusual rate of pressure to engage the brake system. More concerning is, on several occasions the brakes seem to fail, initiating the ABS system while in fast food lines. This has also occurred while backing up causing the pedal to be jammed to the floor to stop the vehicle. The excessive need for pressure while braking was supposed to be fixed in 2021 by a "simple" recall that simply updated the computer. I had this recall performed, but still have the same braking issues in my 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. I feel that this is a very serious concern and should be addressed. The difference is truly night and day between my wife's vehicle and mine. The braking issue comes with no warnings or alarms. I have had my brakes checked on several occasions to confirm normal brake wear and longevity.
I am the second owner of the I check my car recall then i took my car to the dealership in Saudi Arabia [redacted] Branch in first time they say we don't accept the recall then I complaint to [redacted] then they give me appointment after that they accept my car and tell me come after 2 hours when I go to take my car they say your car is ready but we need to confirm from GM before we handover the car even they did not provide me any vehicle for the transportation after all this when I bring my car back nothing has been fixed all warnings everything is same my VIN [redacted] Recall Number18V586 Recall Number19V761 Recall Number19V645 please fix problem and
The braking system on my 2015 Chevy Suburban LTZ failed at slow speeds in a parking lot. I have replicated the issue in both forward and reverse. My family's safety was put at risk in that while backing up out of a parking spot the brakes failed completely and I had to push extremely hard on the brake to get the vehicle to stop. That same behavior occurred while pulling forward into a parking spot, almost hitting the car in front of me. I took the vehicle into a Chevrolet dealer today indicating the symptoms and they said there was no recall attached to my VIN. This exact same behavior in my vehicle is described in [redacted]
After about 10 min idling vehicle, noticed "service brake assist" message. When it was time to pull out onto road, the vehicle did not brake as expected. I had to push much harder on brake pedal, and heard clicking noise. I was in front of the middle school and because the vehicle was going very slow I was able to stop, but could have had an accident if the speed was higher or if I wasn't strong enough to push pedal harder. This happened today 2/25/2022 and the outside temp is 3F. This seems just like the recall n192268490 on the consumer reports website, but the dealer says this vehicle is not affected even though it is the same year and model name.
While putting car in reverse brake pedal goes stiff and brakes do not function. I would have to take car out of gear to be able to control it. Also happened on highway going forward once but at low speed. Looked online and saw recalls listed but my vin is not in recall. Dealer says they dont know whats wrong and they have another car there with same problem and they cant figure it out and engineers from Chevrolet do not know why it happens. They have told me it could take days of testing at my expense to figure out the problem and my cost to repair their potentially deadly manufacturing defect.
If I pull up to a parking spot and I'm slowly creeping into the spot, say at a popular supermarket, and slowing down the brake pedal stiffens up and it's almost impossible to press. I feel like my truck may not stop. If I'm on a slight incline and in a line behind another vehicle, I've noticed the brake pedal stiffens up then as well. Awhile ago I thought there was a recall for this for my truck and it was something about the vacuum in the brake pedal. This is a super problem. I have five kids and we are on the road a lot. This has been happening a lot but most recently would be today.
The system that is failing is on my Suburban is the Trailer Break System, yes it is available for inspection. The continuous alert is distracting to the point of the vehicle being un-drivable and without the trailer break system functioning properly it puts people in danger due to not being able to safely stop while towing. The dealership said they were unable to reproduce the code. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone except the dealership. Yes, both a visual and audible alert pops up continuously with a loud "ding" and a "Service Trailer Break System" warning.
Related recalls
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
NHTSA investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet…
Brake complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, 35% of the model year's 431 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-761 (service brakes, Oct 24, 2019); NHTSA recall 19V-645 (vacuum, Sep 6, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.