Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% | 17,000 miles |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 9 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 18% | 39,000 miles |
| 2017 | 44 | 31% | 55,000 miles |
| 2016 | 82 | 37% | 64,000 miles |
| 2015 | 153 | 35% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% | 162,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% | 157,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% | 67,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% | 180,000 miles |
| 2005 | 25 | 19% | 95,000 miles |
| 2004 | 49 | 24% | 102,000 miles |
| 2003 | 91 | 30% | 106,000 miles |
| 2002 | 127 | 44% | 84,000 miles |
| 2001 | 178 | 40% | 69,000 miles |
| 2000 | 98 | 35% | 78,000 miles |
| 1999 | 246 | 39% | 97,000 miles |
| 1998 | 63 | 31% | 76,000 miles |
| 1997 | 96 | 23% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 137 | 38% | 174,000 miles |
| 1995 | 169 | 37% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while driving with her grandchildren inside the vehicle. The brake failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and coasted and slowed down, and the contact shifted into park(P). The contact stated that the failure had occurred on two separate occasions. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,600.
i pulled on to the road and i heard a loud knocking and my vehicle started skipping and wouldn't go. the lights on the dash lit up and said, "brake failure" and "emergency brake failure" and i had no brakes. I managed to coast into a parking lot. The engine light was on. I turned the vehicle off and waited about 5 minutes and turned it back on, The engine light remained. The first time this happened I was going down the road and the vehicle started sputtering, the emergency brake light came on the dash and the car shut off. It has a rough idle when you start it. I am terrified of this car. I have grandbabies in the car with me, Had i been on the highway either time i would have caused a terrible accident. The dealer says they can't get the car to do it so they can't fix anything. It has happened twice so you know it will again.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed again; however, the vehicle accelerated and failed to stop. The contact also stated that the radio display screen failed to function. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
I was driving to work last Wednesday, and I live on a hill. As I was driving, a "Brake failure" alert came over my dash and I lost all control of my brakes!!! I live right off of Main Street, and my options were only to go straight and into a house, or to turn onto Main Street and hope no one hits me or that I don't hit another vehicle. I turned and thankfully no one was coming. At the end of that street I was able to coast into an closed down gas station and park the vehicle. I called the dealership I had purchased this vehicle from 10 months prior, and they told me I had to use OnStar to have it towed to them. I did that, and they towed it to the dealership. The next day the dealership told me the cause of losing my brakes was due to a SOFTWARE UPDATE that was needed!!!!! …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the brake pedal seized while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and "Brake System Failure" and another unknown message were displayed. The contact coasted to the shoulder of the road and parked the vehicle before shutting off. The contact's husband then restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence while the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the master brake cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
In traffic, approx. 10-15 MPH car in front stopped short. I put foot on the brake pedal and pushed the brakes pedal to the floor. The car did apply the brakes equally as hard as I was Appling brakes at the pedal
Have had starter problems since we purchased the vehicle. Starter intermittently loudly grinds when pressed 2-3 times a week and won't start. Dealership could repeat problem once, but never fixed it. Took vehicle in at least half a dozen times. Never fixed. Car also makes an odd humming when gas is applied. This week, car started and died after driving a foot. Then car wouldn't start at all. Brakes stiffened up and wouldn't compress without substantial effort. Everything resolved on its own within 30 minutes. But the very next day, pulled inti position in our alley to back our Suburban into the garage. Put car in reverse. While using the back up cam (that came on like normal when car is in reverse), i applied gas. The car didn't respond at all (didn't even rev like what happens when you apply gas while car is in neutral). …
Total Brake failure without warning, DTC, or messages. Coming out of a parking lot applied the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor and was not able to stop. I tried pumping the brakes which pedal to return to the correct position but went back down to the floor. Had the vehicle towed to the dealer which confirmed the truck needed a new master cylinder, brake booster, and vacuum pump.
Related recalls (10)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured July 9, 2013, through July 22, 2013; and 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013, through July 23, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Yukon vehicles manufactured July 13, 2013, through July 18, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts on both rear brake caliper brackets. Any bolts found loose will be replaced and tightened. This service will be performed, at no charge.
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…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer May be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on March 10, 2005.
Show 5 more recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator May crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or Hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
NHTSA investigations
Poor brake performance
Poor performance of ABS brakes
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (246), 2001 (178), 1995 (169), 2015 (153) and 1996 (137) model years. Brake complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban brake problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 19V-761 (service brakes, Oct 24, 2019); 19V-645 (vacuum, Sep 6, 2019); 13V-342 (service brakes, hydraulic, Aug 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (569 mentions), followed by the foundation components (62).
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.