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 2017 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH and slowing to park the vehicle in his residence driveway, the brakes failed to function and the vehicle rolled into a large plastic refuse bin. There was minor damage to the front driver side of the bumper. The contact stated that he buffed out the damage. The contact stated that he did not feel the normal pressure from the brake pedal. The contact placed the vehicle into reverse (R) to back away from the refuse bin and again the brakes failed to function. The contact stated that the "brake assist" light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer, it was not diagnosed. The contact stated he replaced all four brake pads on his vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,027.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated, the brake pedal vibrated, and the brakes failed to engage without warning. The contact stated that added pressure to the brake pedal was needed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that while conducting his own research, he became aware that similar vehicles were subjected to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, his vehicle was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was smoking from the rear, and the ABS failed to operate as designed, causing the wheels to lock-up. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The service stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the wheel speed sensor had failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The brakes will sometimes not work properly. When the brake pedal is pressed when parking or coming to a stop, it takes longer for the vehicle to stop. The brake pedal will also vibrate when coming to a stop and "roll" to a stop. We have had our brakes checked twice in the last 3 months at the Chevrolet dealership and they say the brakes are fine. We now had an incident where we were parking in a parking garage and nearly hit the wall in front of us because the brakes did not stop the car properly. We had the vehicle towed to the dealership to have the brakes checked again (February 3rd, 2023). We were afraid to drive it ourselves on the freeway. Since it is the weekend, we have to wait until Monday (2/6/2023) for them to check our vehicle. …
The vacuum levels have dropped, causing a huge increase in braking effort. I could be rolling backwards in reverse and have the brake pedal all the way on the floor with all my strength and my car will still be rolling and eventually come to a stop. This is very unsafe and dangerous for me and also for others because it could cause me to roll into someone else's vehicle. There has been a recall on this issue but I do not believe my car was serviced for it and it is no longer on the recall list. This is something that can be inspected at anytime seeing as it is only getting worse. Another issue I am now having is my transmission is kicking when going in and out of reverse, it won't shift out of second and my transmission is now having to be rebuilt. I have no service lights on, no warnings and this was very sudden and out of no where.
Vehicle brake pedal goes to floor while running 35 MPH or slower at times! I am a mechanic and feels like brake assist system is failing (brake pump)but not all the time! I took to dealer and they could not reproduce problem so sent me on my way. This is a large heavy 8 passenger vehicle and my wife's so she is scared when this occurs and is now afraid to drive it. This was a $66,000 vehicle that has 64,000 easy highway miles on it and is in mint condition. I ran my vin and there is no recalls on the vin but still has a brake problem. I have all new brake pads and rotors front and rear I do myself as I am a over 30 year mechanic. This is a safety brake issue as I've had it happen to me and my wife and it scares you because it takes longer to stop when it occurs!
I brought my vehicle to Chevy dealer and I told service advisor something is wrong with brakes and/or brake assist. The brake pedal feels really stiff at low speeds. After dropping off keys with service advisor at Puyallup WA Chevy Harnish Auto Family I told them it might be something related to brake booster so something vacuum. After waiting for technician to diagnose the service advisor told me it was the vacuum pump and luckily it was covered under warranty.
Vehicle became hard to stop/pressing brakes while pulling into my garage. Had to stomp the brakes hard to stop. There were no warnings prior to this issue. No check engine alert etc. Upon research, I see that there was a recall for a flaw with the suburban's powered brake-assist system. When I put in my vin number it states that my vehicle is not included in the recall however this is the exact problem I am experiencing.
antilock brake system makes it hard to press brakes mostly traveling at lower speed like when i'm parking. previously had it reprogrammed because of a recall but it continues to have this issue periodically. now i'm being told I need to replace to brake vacuum?
Service Brake Assist comes in at random times. Brakes seem unresponsive while in reverse or at slow speeds. Brakes become muddy and non responsive. Very to maneuver. Have had several near misses in parking lots. Never seen this issue with any vehicle ever before.
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.
Brake complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban, 31% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.