2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET DEALER (877-721-4901, 3731 SW TOPEKA BLVD, TOPEKA, KS 66609) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11143762

Incident

Oct 15, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

I WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AND DUMPED ALL LINE PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ROLLED RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE PEDAL ENOUGH TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST A CURB. HAD I NEARED THE STOP SIGN 2 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, I WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN T-BONED BY A BOX TRUCK, OR T-BONED A SMALL SEDAN. I EMPHASIZE THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEYOND THE TYPICAL SURFACE RUST THAT CAN BE FOUND ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A FEW WINTERS IN THE "RUST BELT". HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE BRAKE LINES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL AT THE RATE THAT THESE GM TRUCKS DO. THIS TRUCK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TOWING A CAMPING TRAILER FOR VACATIONS WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY, SO THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY. I URGE YOU TO TAKE GM TO TASK AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE OF CHEAPING OUT ON BRAKE LINE MATERIALS!

NHTSA ID

11132674

Incident

Aug 10, 2016

Mileage

153,000 mi

I HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO BRAKES, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA ID

11121992

Incident

Aug 3, 2018

Mileage

235,000 mi

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2016 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. WE BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST INOPERABLE, ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND STILL BE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKES LINES HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT. WE HAD A SHOP REPAIR IT AND WHEN THEY TESTED IT, IT BLEW ANOTHER LINE. WE ENDED UP HAVING ALL THE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF CORROSION.

NHTSA ID

11110948

Incident

Jul 4, 2016

Mileage

190,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 95 COMING BACK FROM DAYTONA WHEN A DRIVER LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES WHERE LOW SO I WHEN TO A GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND THATS WHEN I NOTICE THAT MY TIRES HAD A LOT OF NAILS LTHE 4 TIRES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY TIRES ARE LNOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY WITH ME AND DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES IS NOT AN OPTION. PLEASE TAKE MY COMPLAINT IN CONSIDERARATION. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

10953864

Incident

Feb 9, 2017

Mileage

211,284 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LETIRES, TIRES SIZE: 265/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE BEFORE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10888552

Incident

Jul 24, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING WHILE NOT MOVING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WHICH ARE BREAKING ALLOWING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO OPEN AND ALLOW FUMES TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH RESULTS IN THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CABIN BREATHING THE TOXIC EXHAUST FUMES. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND FOR USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS WHICH FAIL FOR NO REASON. ALSO THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAVE TO BREATH THE DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WHICH WERE DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED WITH INFERIOR PARTS WHICH ARE CAUSING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

NHTSA ID

10817164

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

Mileage

104,569 mi

EXHAUST BOLTS BROKEN AND CAUSING A LEAK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS ALSO. STEERING STABILIZERS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID

10809860

Incident

Nov 25, 2015

WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, VEHICLE STRUCK AN ADULT DEER - FRONT END SQUARE HIT OFFSET TO PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT PASSENGER LIGHTS, GRILL, RADIATOR SUPPORTS, BUMPER, SIDE FENDER, AND HOOD ALL SEVERELY DAMAGED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENDED UP AT $4,386.

NHTSA ID

10776491

Incident

Sep 5, 2015

Mileage

132,945 mi

COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE. BREAK PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY. NOTICED LEAKING BREAK FLUID COMING OUT OF RUSTED BREAK LINE UNDER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10750100

Incident

Aug 6, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH BATTERY, SECURITY AND LOW FUEL POPPED ON INTO MESSAGE CENTER. GAS GAUGE, VOLT METER, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE QUIT WORKING, HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF IT ALMOST GOT HIT. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10747951

Incident

Jun 19, 2015

Mileage

198,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 7/28/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10722912

Incident

May 31, 2015

Mileage

180,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE NEAR EXIT 10, TRAVELLING TO BOSTON. AHEAD, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SET OF LANES. AS I DECELERATED, I HEARD A NOISE AND THE TRUCK JERKED SLIGHTLY. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SERVICE LANE, I HAD NO TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT (UNDER WARRANTY). WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 70,000 MILES (ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, 2013), THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AGAIN. PATHETIC. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 83,000 MI ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10721217

Incident

May 6, 2004

Mileage

10,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DISABLED AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V155000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

NHTSA ID

10702857

Incident

Mar 30, 2015

Mileage

260,000 mi

WENT TO START MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I LISTENED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE RELAY AND NOTICED IT WAS MELTED ON ONE CORNER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A GM FAN ALL MY LIFE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING ONE. PLEASE RECALL THIS ON GOING PROBLEM GM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10679637

Incident

Jan 29, 2015

Mileage

175,808 mi

I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO PARK MY SUBURBAN. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THEY PULSATE AND GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. NO SERVICE LIGHTS OR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. WHEN THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK I TRIED TO PUMP THEM TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT NOTHING WORKED AND MY SUBURBAN SMASHED INTO A BUSH AND OVER THE CURB. I JUST HAD MY BRAKE LINES REPLACES WHICH WAS QUOTED $1700 AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I AM NO LOOKING INTO THE ISSUES WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10679609

Incident

Jan 26, 2014

Mileage

139,000 mi

CHEVROLET HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE THE ABS BRAKE ISSUE WITHIN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THEIR WHEEL SENSOR ISSUE.THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.HAS A CIRCUIT BOARD ISSUE WHICH DEACTIVATES THE ABS SYSTEM AND SHOWS A BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH.IN SNOW TODAY MY ABS FAILED AND I SLID THROUGH AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY MISSING A SCHOOL BUS A F$%^ING SCHOOL BUS.THERE IS SO MUCH INFO ON THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET BUT CHEVROLET SEEM TO BE IGNORING IT.THE PROBLEM IS CENTERED AROUND A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID

10670491

Incident

Jan 6, 2015

Mileage

108,000 mi

ON JANUARY 29, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN TRAVELING ON A SNOW AND ICY ROAD WHEN THE SUBURBAN BEGIN TO SPIN AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HE WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HE WAS WEARING THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELT.THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE TENNESSEE TRAFFIC REPORT I RECEIVED STATED: AIRBAG AVAILABLE-NO DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669806

Incident

Jan 29, 2014

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND UNKNOWN PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE BUT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 05V155000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10661611

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND BLEW OUT. SEVERE CORROSION UNDER TRUCK TOO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10652446

Incident

Nov 4, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON 1/25/2013. COMING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION I WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BY AN 18 WHEELER. I WOKE UP IN THE HOSPITAL ALMOST A MONTH LATER. PICTURES OF MY VEHICLE SHOW THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. GOOD THING I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. MD SAY THE BRUISING TO HEART OTHER INTERNAL INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JS

NHTSA ID

10579281

Incident

Jan 25, 2013

Mileage

235,000 mi

THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE PEDAL LAST ALL PRESSURE AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. WAS SUCCESSFUL IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE FROM 35 MPH WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FAILED. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT OTHER BRAKE LINE ARE IN THE SIMILAR CONDITION. *LN

NHTSA ID

10542391

Incident

Sep 7, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

MOVING MY BOAT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO STOP MY BRAKE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS CONTROLLER FAILED CAUSING NO BRAKING!!! PUMPED THEM LIKE CRAZY AND IT JUST PISSED OUT ALL OF THE FLUID. I HAD MY CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE AREA AND I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THEY WERE NOT KILLED! UPON INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINE ROTTED AT THE POINTS WHERE THEY ARE HELD ONTO THE FRAME BY THE HANGERS! THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD HAVE SOME LIABILITY IN THIS MATTER. THE VEHICLE IS BARELY JUST OVER 10 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW IN DESIGN. THE SCARY PART IS THE LINES LOOK GREAT OVERALL BUT WHERE THEY ARE PLACED IN ALL OF THE HANGERS THEY HAD ROT SPOTS IN THEM THAT WAS ONLY APPARENT AFTER DIS-ASSEMBLY. A NORMAL SAFETY INSPECTION WOULD NOT PICK UP ON THE CORROSION HIDDEN WITHIN THE HANGERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10520280

Incident

May 1, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP, A HYDRAULIC LINE SERVING THE FRONT BRAKES RUPTURED CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES. THIS IS THE THIRD HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TWO LINES TO FAIL WERE ON THE REAR AXLE. ALL OF THE REMAINING HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED AND PITTED, THEY ALL ARE AT RISK OF FAILURE AT ANY TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. IT POSES A SERIOUS RISK TO THE DRIVERS AND TO THE PERSONS AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS. EVERY ONE OF THE OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES. WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT SHALL BE IS UP TO NHTSA, BUT THE NEED FOR INFORMATION IS GREAT. THIS IS A HEAVY WEIGHT VEHICLE FOR ORDINARY CONSUMER USE. MOST SUCH USERS ARE UNPREPARED FOR A BRAKE FAILURE OF THIS KIND. INTERESTINGLY, GM DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT PARTS. PRECISION FORMED LINES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AFTERMARKET. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER USES NON-CORRODING COPPER-NICKEL REPLACEMENT LINE, AND FABRICATES THE LINES LOCALLY. THE SAME BRAKE LINE METALLURGY WAS USED IN HIGH END EUROPEAN CARS (VOLVO AND PORSCHE) BEGINNING IN THE 1980S. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510662

Incident

Apr 15, 2013

Mileage

109,636 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH I WAS NEAR MY EXIT AND ACTIVATED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE ROOM TO CHANGE LANES AND PASS MY EXIT AND DOWNSHIFTED TO SLOW AND EVENTUALLY STOP. I HAD TRIED TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE CABLE SNAPPED ON THE SPOT. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT EVERY BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED AND MOST WERE FAILING. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID IT ISN'T RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE JUST THE LEAKING LINES BECAUSE ONCE THE PRESSURE IS RESTORED, THE REMAINING LINES WOULD THEN LIKELY FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND I AM WAITING FOR WHAT I AM SURE WILL BE A SIZABLE REPAIR BILL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10505131

Incident

Mar 22, 2013

Mileage

132,000 mi