Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2025 | 10 | 20% | — |
| 2024 | 12 | 17% | — |
| 2023 | 20 | 9% | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 6% | 4,000 miles |
| 2021 | 21 | 5% | 78,000 miles |
| 2020 | 6 | 11% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2018 | 19 | 18% | 50,000 miles |
| 2017 | 44 | 25% | 52,000 miles |
| 2016 | 92 | 36% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 196 | 30% | 77,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 78,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% | 89,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 11% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 25 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2004 | 86 | 18% | 105,000 miles |
| 2003 | 113 | 22% | 109,000 miles |
| 2002 | 182 | 41% | 105,000 miles |
| 2001 | 272 | 53% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 136 | 48% | 99,000 miles |
| 1999 | 249 | 45% | 97,000 miles |
| 1998 | 77 | 29% | 86,000 miles |
| 1997 | 113 | 28% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 78 | 28% | 119,000 miles |
| 1995 | 50 | 20% | 107,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am reporting a critical safety design defect in my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 (VIN: [redacted] ), involving the Brake Pedal Assembly geometry. Bought vehicle in January this year and within a few days of driving I noticed my foot repeatedly catching or hanging up on the brake pedal when moving from the accelerator to brake, which severely delays braking application (regardless of my footwear). This momentary obstruction creates an imminent risk of collision during sudden stops. This happens at least once a week when commuting to work. The component malfunctioning is the fixed brake pedal placement itself. No warning lamps or symptoms precede the issue; it is a physical interference defect. The problem was reported to Courtesy Chevrolet in Phoenix, Arizona on 10/02/2025 (Service R.O. 694801). …
Driving along the highway in cruise control at about 70mph without any trailer being pulled. Suddenly I got brake errors. ABS, ESC, Trailer brake error failures all popped on the dash warnings. Brakes were unresponsive only applying hard pressure to the brake pedal was effective. There was zero feedback from the brake pedal to myself on it engaging and braking effectively. If this happened in a situation requiring more immediate braking, I would not have been able to figure out the braking capability of my vehicle in time. There were no issues with my vehicle at the time. I see that similar issues have been reported on Facebook "Chevy Tahoe Owners Group". Unknown whether it's a sensors glitch or a SW issue. After a few hours of being parked the car brake system started to work properly again. Made an appointment to check out they system at the dealership.
I have a 2024 Tahoe that was purchased new from the dealer and has 13,700mi. The first service was completed as required in December with no issues identified. Less than 2 months later the front wheels started making a squeaking sound intermittently when accelerating, coasting or breaking. There were no warning messages. The dealership/mechanic looked over the car & said that the front brakes were measuring 2mm (completely worn out) but no other issues. Before drop off the car computer said above 75% or more for front and rear breaks (green). I have been driving the car in normal condition in southern ca. It seems that the break pads were defective and degraded at an alarming/unsafe rate or that a different component on the car caused them the continuously rub and wear down. …
Brake System Failure 62 MPH Top Speed Service ESC Service Brake Trailer System These warnings appeared on 04/30 and my brakes became extremely hard to use to stop my vehicle. I had my two young children in the car, I was able to go up hill and shift it into park after driving 15 minutes basically with no brakes. It was towed to Hendrick Chevrolet, where they replaced the master cylinder. On May 5th I was driving the car and the service brake assist light came on with the message. I then had it towed to Hendrick where it stayed until July 28th. The dealership stated that it was an external leak in the master cylinder. Now for the 3rd time the brakes are making a squealing noise and the service brake assist light is on again. I do not feel safe in this vehicle.
Bought new and there was a brake pad sensor message immediately that we took it to the dealer several times for and nothing was done other than clearing the code and giving it back. Was in accident 1/24 and it was found that there was a frayed/damaged wire in the break module and break pad sensor that I feel could have led to the accident
On 12/3/2025, I moved my car in the driveway at 11:15am EST without any issue. At 6pm EST, myself and 2 young daughters got into the car to head out an hour away. As I went to drive away, I stepped on the brake and the car did not immediately stop...the brakes failed and came to a rolling stop. At that moment all types of warning and lights lit up the dashboard. I placed the car in park exactly where it was in the driveway and left it. I also tried to select the Ebrake and it would not engage. I called the dealer first thing the next morning as that had been closed at the time it happened. I was told to bring it in and not to drive it so nobody in my car or else would be at risk. The car was towed at my expense to the dealer. When I got in touch with the dealer that afternoon to get a status. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while starting the vehicle at a parking lot, the ABS, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), braking system failure, traction control, and the brake motor warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she began to drive at a slow speed and noticed that while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was firm and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact came to a stop and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer however, the warning lights were off. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Vehicle reduced power and displayed many errors on the dashboard, including reduced function of forward collision avoidance, reduced acceleration, ESC SES TC. A vibration/rumble was observed (unsure if it was steering assist or propulsion surging), as well as increased engine speed without vehicle acceleration and no engine speed increase while pressing the accelerator. Turns seemed to make the symptoms worse and cycling power on the truck would temporarily clear the faults. Root cause was determined to be TSB 21-NA-149 Cause 3 and diagnosis and repairs took more than a week.
Related recalls (11)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs.
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020.
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.
Show 6 more recalls
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.
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 › 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
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 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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (272), 1999 (249), 2015 (196), 2002 (182) and 2000 (136) model years. Brake complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Tahoe brake problems?
Yes — 11 recalls, including 24V-674 (software, Sep 12, 2024); 21V-579 (software, Jul 29, 2021); 20V-603 (vacuum, Oct 1, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Tahoe brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (495 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (67).
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.