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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left very hard, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the EBCM motor relay circuit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,632.
In the past I have sent several emails to Chevrolet corporate office re the ABS brake system on my Tahoe which first failed with only 130 miles on the vehicle. Vehicle almost tipped over but I recovered the braking system and stopped vehicle only inches from going off a cliff and into the ravine below. I love my Tahoe which now has 109000+ miles on it but the ABS brake system has never worked and on several occasions almost wiped out myself and a passenger because brakes failed to engage. I filed several complaints with the Chevrolet dealer in Austin, TX where I bought my Tahoe and also here in Taos, NM where I currently live. Recently I had the Chevrolet dealer here in Taos run a diagnostic on my ABS brakes. Result was that the brake system was defective and would cost $2000 to repair! …
While driving on interstate 676 approaching a traffic stop I pushed on the breaks and the pedal went to the floor forcing me to try to avoid a collision in front as I tried to turn into the middle lane veering right I hit the drivers side door of another car. I immediately took the Tahoe to a repair shop who said my break lines were corroded ant the break fluid came out of them ilve in northeast pa where salt on the roads if used a lot in the winter.
My daughter was running less than 35 MPH through town went to stop at a red light, brake pedal went to the floor and both front and rear brake lines failed leading to me rear ending the car in front of me. Upon inspection both front and rear brakes were leaking fluid due to rust and corrosion. I had to have my car towed home and have been un able to drive it since.
On May 20, 2015 our 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe experienced a hydraulic brake line explosion due to excessive corrosion almost causing an accident. There was no warning light indication. The warning light came on long after the fact when testing the brakes while the vehicle was stationary.the steel hydraulic brake line to the left rear wheel ruptured totally unexspectedly. This is a serious safety related problem. General motors is aware and only a technical service bulletin has been issued, no recall. The NHTSA must demand that GM recall these vehicles for replacement of all these inferior hydraulic brake lines before deaths and serious injuries occur. I am submitting this form to make it public knowledge that this is a serious problem that could cause death and serious property damage if not addressed on all the affected vehicles. I am truly grateful that my wife was not injured or killed.
A brake line burst from ABS module to rr brake and pedal went all the way to the floor. Lost half the fluid and fluid continued to drain when brake was applied to park the vehicle. GM claim that the vehicle has a dual brake system apparently does not prevent complete brake failure. Wife was very upset as the pedal was completely at the floor. Luckily vehicle was not on thruway at 65 MPH when failure occurred. The vehicle is in mint condition inside and out and washed frequently. Repair shop indicated that the brake lines were badly rusted. GM should be obligated to notify owners of similar vehicles and truck of the danger of complete brake failure. Brake lines should not be made of mild steel that is subject to rusting through as this is life and death safety issue.
While driving my Chevy Tahoe I experienced complete brake failure luckily I was able to stop the vehicle with the use of the emergency break and I did not have an accident. I had no indication that the breaks were going bad until I lost them completely. I had the vehicle towed to a shop the mechanic told me that two break lines were busted and that the rest were corroded. He told me that he has done 5 Chevy break line systems in the last 3 months an apparently this is a know issue with Chevy trucks. It seems like the break lines only last a few years before they are corroded and rusted and eventually the break without warning or notice this is unsafe and I think Chevy needs to do a recall on this issue. I have never had any break line issues with any other make of vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact was driving 65 and applied the brakes to to avoid crashing into a deer. The brakes seized and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact lost control of the vehicle and rolled over multiple times. Also, the front and side air bags on the passenger and driver's side failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion and several lacerations. Prior to the crash the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ABS system failed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer for a second opinion who was unable to find any failure codes. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileage was 160,000.
Live in minneapolis, and just lost the brakes on my 2001 chev Tahoe lt this week. Had been going down I-494 at 65 MPH minutes before this. Four blocks from my house driving on a main road, snowy and icy, made a left hand turn to my side street, and the car kept going straight. Hit the brakes, the ABS activated, and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Virtually no brakes, but I managed to complete the turn without hitting anything, and limp it home. In the garage now getting fixed, estimated $500 - $1,000. With some googling and talking to 4 garages, it seems to be a pretty common problem. Amazing to me that GM has not been forced into a recall over this. This could be fatal, if it hasn't been already.
Started car and brake felt squishy and unresponsive. No braking power and foot completely depressed to floor in order to eventually stop when traveling just with foot off accelerator or less than 10mph. Was rear brakes. Same thing happened to front brakes in April 2015. Vehicle driving fine. Stopped to get gas and when started car up brakes were squishy and foot had to be depressed all the way to the floor in order to stop and that was traveling without using accelerator or going less than 10mph. Both times complete replacement of all hoses and brake fluid. Didn't seem like normal wear and tear at all. If I had been driving at speed it would most likely have resulted in an accident both times.
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
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,…
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 Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 272 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, 53% of the model year's 512 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (61 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 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 Tahoe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries and 3 deaths 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.