1996 Chevrolet Tahoe Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND PUSHING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, BOTH VEHICLES CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10862771

Incident

Aug 13, 2013

Mileage

170,000 mi

UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED STARTED INTERMITTENT NOW CONSISTENT IN UNWANTED ACTIVATION RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE IS A CURRENT CAMPAIGN FOR 1999-2002 THAT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 1996 VEHICLES. CAMPAIGN NO. 05V379000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10429051

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

NHTSA ID

10370953

Incident

Dec 16, 2010

Mileage

53,000 mi

MY '96 CHEVROLET TAHOE 2-DOOR SUFFERED COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS WHEN A BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE IN-SERVICE. THE TAHOE, USED PRIMARILY IN ILLINOIS IN THE WINTER, SUFFERED THE FAILURE IN MAY OF 2008 WITH ABOUT 102,000 MILES ACCUMULATED AND WITH NO WITH NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE FAILURE. THE BRAKE LINE SIMPLYBURST/ FAILED COMPLETELY WHEN THE LINE (MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL BELOW THE RADIATOR) COMPLETELY FAILED, LEAVING BLOWN OUT GAP ABOUT AN INCHLONG IN THE LINE. THE TRUCK WAS SLOWING TO A STOP SIGN WHEN THEN LINE FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, SO THERE WAS NO COLLATERAL DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR ESTIMATION AND REPAIRS (NOT A CHEVY GARAGE). THESE REPAIRS REQUIRED COMPLETE VEHICLE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT (EXCEPT TO THE FRONT ANT-LOCK UNIT) AND COMPLETE SYSTEM COMPONENT REPLACEMENT (EXCEPT FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER). I THOUGHT THE FAILURE WAS RANDOM UNTIL I RECENTLY SAW AN ARTICLE ON THE TOPIC IN PRINT BY JERRY HIRSCH, STAFF WRITERFOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, BUSINESS SECTION WHERE OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES ON SIMILAR MODELS WERE NOTED. THE REPAIRS COST CLOSE TO $2,000 AND, IF THERE ARE OTHER CAMPAIGNS ON THIS MODEL, I WOULD LIKE TO RESEARCH THEM TO DETERMINE IF POOR DESIGN BY GENERAL MOTORS/CHEVROLET DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REPAIRS AND HOW TO GO ABOUT ADDING MY VEHICLE TO THAT CAMPAIGN. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE REGISTERED IN MY NAME AND CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 CHEVROLET, SO MY CONTACT INFORMATION WOULD HAVE BEEN ON-FILE WITH GM SUCH THAT PROPER NOTIFICATIONS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WAS PART OF GMS FAULTY DESIGN HISTORY OR THAT ANY CAMPAIGN WAS UNDERWAY PERTAINING TO BRAKE LINE FAILURES UNTIL I SAW THE ARTICLE PRINTED BY MRJERRY HIRSCH AS NOTE D ABOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10325453

Incident

May 30, 2008

Mileage

105,721 mi

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE COMING ON FREQUENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10137288

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

119,000 mi

A LEAK IN THE VACCUUM BOOSTER CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

10126669

Incident

Jun 9, 2001

Mileage

102,744 mi

WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES FAILED, AND A COLLISION OCCURRED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. . UPON HITTING THE BRAKES THEY PULSATED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10113310

Incident

Mar 2, 2005

CONSUMER WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS INADVERTENTLY FAIL AND CEASE WORKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED FAILURE WITH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.*AK THE BLINKER AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLER ARM AND DRAG LINK. WATER PUMP LEAKED. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED. BRAKE CABLE BROKE. PINION SEAL LEAKED. MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10111173

Incident

Feb 8, 2005

THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE PAD WAS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK (THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR) *SC

NHTSA ID

10048273

Mileage

120,000 mi

AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH I APPLIED BRAKES ON THE APPROACH OF A STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ABOUT TWO INCHES AND THEN CATAPULTED UP VARY QUICKLY. AT THIS POINT THE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD. WHICH IF THE VACUUM BOOSTER FAILED IT SHOULD HAVE LEFT ME WITH HYDRAULIC MANUAL BRAKES, AND IT DID NOT. I HAD TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AFTER ROLLING THROUGH A RED LIGHT AT ABOUT 30 TO 40 MPH. I REPLACED THE VACUUM BOOSTER AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. WAS CALLED AND A CASE WAS OPENED #C06749958. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE LIKE IT FAILED, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS OF LIFE ISSUE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761073

NHTSA ID

10008840

Incident

Apr 21, 2002

Mileage

84,700 mi

I SENT THE FOLLWING TO GM>>>I OWN A 96' CHEVROLET TAHOE. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT I HAVE A MAJOR CONCERN. MY BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE PADS, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED, THEN MY ROTORS WARPED... SO I HAD THEM REPLACED ALSO, MY BRAKES STILL FELT SOFT SO I KEPT DRIVING IT LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 5000 MILES, NEXT I'M DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD AND COME TO A STOP. I TAKE OFF FROM THIS COUNTRY ROAD AND SEE A DEER, I HIT MY BRAKES AND NOTHING!!!! THE BRAKE FADE IS SO BAD THAT I GO BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. HE SUGGESTS A MASTER CYLINDER (OUCH) SO I FOOLISHLY GIVE HIM MY MONEY. NEXT DAY I'M GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL AND AGAIN MAJOR BRAKE FADE. I AM REALLY UPSET AND HONESTLY FRIGHTENED OF YOUR VEHICLE. IN READING SOME OF THE NEWS GROUPS ON THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT MANY FOLKS HAVE CONTACTED GM AND ALERTED YOU TO THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE FIX OUR BRAKES BEFORE ONE OF US AND/OR AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. PLEASE HELP SAVE LIVES, DON'T BE LIKE FORD AND DENY AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH YOUR 92-99 TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AND PICKUPS.*AK

NHTSA ID

755585

ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CAUSING EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. NO INDIACTIONS OF EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS IE. ABS DASH LIGHT, BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION, VEHICLE JUST NYS SAFETY INSPECTED.*AK

NHTSA ID

752367

Incident

Sep 18, 2001

THE DISCS AND THE CYLINDER HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. IF WE DRIVE IN THE NEARBY SMOKEY MOUNTAINS THE BRAKES BEGIN TO SMOKE SOON AFTER STARTING DOWNHILL WHERE MORE BRAKING THAN USUAL IS REQUIRED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE GMC DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TAHOE THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 1996 VEHICLE WERE TOO SMALL AND HAVE SINCE BEEN UPGRADED ON LATER VEHICLES. YET THEY CHARGE US TO REPLACE THE BRAKE DISCS OR CYLINDER. WE BASICALLY CAN NOT DRIVE IN ANY MOUNTAIN AREAS WITH JUST PASSENGERS, MUCH LESS PULLING ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID

749368

Incident

Sep 22, 1998

ACCIDENT RON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN STOP IN TRAFFIC. WE WERE A LEAST AT AN EIGHT SECOND FOLLOWING DISTANCE. WHEN WE TRY TO STOP THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE LOCKED UP. OUR TRUCK SLAMMED INTO A FULL SIZED TRUCK WHICH THEN IN TURN CRASHED INTO A MINIVAN. DAMAGES TOTALED OVER $15,000 THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

742879

RIGHT FRONT ROTOR BROKE, REPAIRS WERE MADE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

869841

Incident

Aug 31, 2000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN FRONT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP, AND CONSUMER REAR ENDED OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM BRAKING SINCE 1998. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN AUGUST OF19 99, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. CONSUMER SAID THAT VEHICLE KIND OF SLUGGUSHLY STOPPED. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT FOOT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

861323

Incident

Apr 28, 2000

DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS CAUSED THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE ITSELF AT THE WRONG TIMES CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TRANSFER CASE. NLM

NHTSA ID

551949

Incident

Feb 23, 2000

BOTH AXLES HAVE FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE FAILURE ON FIRST OCCURANCE. REAR AXLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES! CHEVY ACKNOWLEDGES ENGINEERING DEFECT BUT STATES THAT WARRANTY COVERS MANUFACTURING OR MATERIALS DEFECTS ONLY. UNSUSPECTING OWNERS COULD EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO AXLE FLUID CONTAMINATION OF BRAKE PADS.

NHTSA ID

719122

Incident

Aug 10, 1996

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL BECOMES FIRM, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING. DISTANCE. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

855735

THE ABS SEEMS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ERRATICALLY,MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP. YH

NHTSA ID

549813

Incident

Nov 26, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ABS / BRAKE SYSTEM; WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SOMETIMES PEDAL WOULD HAVE TO BE PRESSED DOWN HARD TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.*AK

NHTSA ID

852024

Incident

Jul 15, 1999

THE BRAKES ARE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. BRAKE PEDAL TOO HIGH; PEDAL DEPRESSES TOO FAR BEFORE ENGAGING; BRAKES LOCK UP IRRATICALLY. NO MANUFACTURER EXPLANATION.

NHTSA ID

712720

Incident

Jan 1, 1999

BRAKES CONTINUALLY FAIL SINCE OWNERSHIP. MJS

NHTSA ID

548778

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL STIFENS, THEN RELEASES TO THE FLOOR. ALSO CAUSING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. DLR REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTERS.

NHTSA ID

848643

FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT IN AS LITTLE AS 12,000 MILES. MY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE GOTTEN 50-70,000 MILES ON A SET OF PADS.

NHTSA ID

712046