2002 Chevrolet Suburban Complaint Log

VEHICLE BRAKING IS INTERMITTENTLY AFFECTING DURING LOW SPEED BRAKING. THE ABS ENGAGES PULSING THE BRAKES AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE BRAKING ABILITY AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKE LINES, CALIPERS, AND PADS HAVE ALL BEEN CHECKED OR REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE SPEED SENSORS ON BOTH FROM HUBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOR POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE TRIED TO CONSISTENTLY DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON VARIOUS GRADES, TERRAIN, TURNING DIRECTION, AND SPEED WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND NO WARMING EXISTS PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. I HAVE HAD IT FOR TWO YEARS. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO WHAT IT'S THE GM RECALL. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME I DRIVE. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET OR ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY VEHICLE WILL JUST SHUT OFF AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL COME ON. AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE TRUCK WILL START BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM OR WITHOUT HAVING ANY BOOST. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AND NOONE COULD EVER TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I THINK IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN FINDING OUT HOW I CAN GET MY TRUCK FIXED AS I AM A MOTHER OF 4 AND THAT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM BLESSED FOR HAVING NOT BEING IN A FATAL ACCIDENT OR ACCIDENT PERIOD DUE TO THIS PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE. THANKS. *TR

MY SON WAS TRAVELING @ 50 MPH WHEN BRAKES FAILED. HE NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A CAR AT AN INTERSECTION. FOUND OUT FROM MECHANIC THAT BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED AND WAS ENTIRELY CORRODED. HAD NO WARNING. REPAIR COST $1,200. EVIDENTLY, THIS HAPPENS SO OFTEN THAT THERE IS AN AFTERMARKET KIT TO REPLACE ALL LINES. HAS THEIR BEEN A RECALL?.. *JS

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND COMING TO A LIGHT CHANGING TO YELLOW DURING A HEAVY SNOWFALL I HAD ATTEMPTED TO STOP . THE ABS PULSATED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THE SNOW AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE SUBURBAN DID NOT STOP AND I COULD ONLY HOLD ON HOPE AND PRAY MYSELF AND MY 2 AND 3 YEAR OLDS GET THROUGH THE SNOWY AND SLIPPERY INTERSECTION WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE OR GETTING HIT BY SOMEONE ELSE, LUCKILY THE SNOW ON THE GROUND ACTUALLY HELPED SLOW THE VEHICLE, THE MASTER CYLINDER SHOWED MINIMAL FLUID LOSS, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER COLD WEATHER AND AGE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT 1500 TO REPAIR . THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 7 MONTHS OF A DEALER MULTI-POINT INSPECTION WHICH SHOWED NO LEAKS AND FULL BRAKE INSPECTION BY THE DEALER WHICH INCLUDED THE BRAKE LINES AND A REQUESTED SYSTEM BLEED TO TRY TO GET THE BRAKES TO WORK PROPERLY.THE TRUCK ALSO HAS A LONG SOFT PEDAL TRAVEL WHICH GOES BELOW THE GAS PEDAL HEIGHT OF WHICH THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME IS NORMAL AND LIKE ALL OLDER 2002 SUBURBANS. AND THE FINAL BILL FOR THE BRAKELINES WAS 1730.26 AFTER ADDING AN OIL CHANGE WHILE IT WAS THERE FOR SERVICE... GOT IT HOME AND FLUID WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY ON THE DRIVEWAY (WHERE I HAD NO LEAKS UP UNTIL THIS POINT) THE DEALER DENIED OVERFILLING THE OIL WOULD CAUSE THE LEAK AND SUGGESTED THAT THE COLD WEATHER CAUSED THE FRONT SEAL LEAK SO I HAD AGREED TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAL WHICH WAS ANOTHER 374.44 AND THE NOTES NOW SHOW MULTIPLE OIL LEAKS.AND A REPEAT BRAKE INSPECTION SHOWS NO FAILURES , BUT THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THE DEALER SAID IF IT CONTINUES THEY CAN MANUAL BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THAT HELPS THE ISSUE. *TR

WE WE WERE TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 75 MILES WHEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN. ALL ELECTRICAL STATUS LIGHTS AND THE ENGINE WENT OFF. WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY. *TR

I WAS APPROACHING A 4-WAY STOP SIGN IN PHILADELPHIA WHEN I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. I HAD BEEN USING THIS VEHICLE DAILY AND HAD RECENTLY USED IT FOR A TRIP TO THE STORE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR PROBLEM WITH BRAKING OR PEDAL FEEL BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TRY TO COME TO A STOP. I DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL I WAS INTO THE INTERSECTION BY USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SAFETY WHERE I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT FROM AN EXTREMELY RUSTED BRAKE LINE BEHIND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS OR CHILDREN CROSSING THE STREET AT THE TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN A SCHOOL ZONE WHERE CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS PRESENT. *TR

DRIVING MY 2002 1500 SUBURBAN THE BRAKE LINE LET LOOSE, GOT THE TRUCK TO THE SHOP ON THE LIFT FOUND ALL BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND TWO LEAKING FLUID. UPON INSPECTION FOUND ALL FUEL LINES ROTTED OUT AS WELL. REPLACED ALL LINES IN THE TRUCK BRAKE AND FUEL INCLUDING FRONT RUBBER LINES AND CALIPERS. TRUCK HAS NEVER HAD A GREAT BRAKE PEDAL STILL DOES NOT. ALSO FOUND ROCKER PANELS ROTTING OUT ALONG WITH QUARTERS TRUCK IS BEAUTIFUL IN AND OUT EXCEPT THE CHEAP METAL GM USED. *TR

VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO STOP WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. PARKING IS SO HARD TO DO, THAT I PARK AT LEAST 4 SPACES FROM OTHER VEHICLES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS IS KICKING IN WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE. NO ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS. WHEN I AM TRAVELING SLOWLY DOWNHILL, PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES, STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS/STOP SIGNS, ETC. THE BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, IT FEELS LIKE THE PEDAL IS PUSHING BACK AT ME, THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE GROWLING SOUND, AND THE VEHICLE REFUSES TO STOP. I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES REPEATEDLY, AND SOMETIMES IT STILL WILL NOT STOP, SOMETIMES IT WILL BRAKE VERY SUDDENLY. WHEN PICKING UP/DROPPING OFF MY KIDS AT SCHOOL, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS THAT WERE MERE INCHES FROM BECOMING TRAGEDIES. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE TO CARRY MY 4 CHILDREN IN, OR I WOULD STOP USING THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, HOWEVER MY VIN IS NOT PART OF IT (PER CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-222-1020). I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE FLUID CHECKED OFTEN, I HAVE HAD BRAKE PADS REPLACED AS WELL, IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IT HAS NOW BECOME A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. I AM GOING TO SEE IF ANY SHOP NEARBY HAS DEALT WITH THIS BEFORE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT VEHICLE STOPPING. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

WITH OUT WARNING, UPON APPROACHING A STOP SIGN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.THANK THE LORD I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING MY E BRAKE. OTHER WISE I WAS LOOKING AT A BIG TREE. THIS WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE.I THEN HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD MY BRAKE LINES WHERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.MIND YOU THIS 2002 SUBURBAN HAD AT THE TIME 42,000 MILES. THE TOTAL COST WAS JUST SHY OF $2,000.00. I ALSO HAD THIS TRUCK UNDER COATED WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. TO DATE 7-11-2014 I HAVE HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS 3RD BEING TODAY. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE MECHANIC I SHOULD GET RID OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE ENTIRE UNDERNEATH IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR

WHEN BRAKING AT LESS THEN 10MPH THE ANTILOCKING BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN AND CAUSES THE CARE TO GO MUCH FURTHER TO STOP. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN INJURY BY GOING OVER A CURB. NO ANTILOCKING SHOULD OCCUR LESS THEN 10MPH - THIS IS VERY UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT BRAKING AT UNDER 10MPH FREQUENTLY INVOLVES BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHERE EVERY INCH OF STOPPING DISTANCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. ABS IS FOR WHEN TIRES BREAK STATIC FRICTION ON THE ROAD, AND, I ASSURE YOU THAT NO FRICTION IS BEING BROKEN - THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW! *TR

WHEN BRAKING AT LESS THEN 10MPH THE ANTILOCKING BRAKING SYSTEM KICKS IN AND CAUSES THE CAR TO GO MUCH FURTHER TO STOP. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN INJURY BY MY GOING OVER A CURB. NO ANTILOCKING SHOULD OCCUR LESS THEN 10MPH - THIS IS VERY UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT BRAKING AT UNDER 10MPH FREQUENTLY INVOLVES BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHERE EVERY INCH OF STOPPING DISTANCE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. ABS BRAKING IS FOR WHEN TIRES BREAK STATIC FRICTION ON THE ROAD, AND, I ASSURE YOU THAT NO FRICTION IS BEING BROKEN - THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW! *TR

THE METAL BRAKE LINES APPARENTLY HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF TOTAL FAILURE. ONE METAL LINE BLEW OUT AS WE DROVE DOWN AN INCLINE I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AS WE WERE OUT OF TOWN. THE SHOP REPLACED THE LINE THAT BLEW OUT AND POINTED OUT THAT ALL OF THE OTHER METAL LINES WERE ABOUT TO HAVE THE SAME RUST FATIGUE FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA ALL OF ITS HISTORY. ON LINE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PURCHACE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE METAL LINES PRE BENT. IT WOULD SEEM TO ANY ONE THAT IF YOU CAN NOT STOP A VEHICLE DUE TO A COMMON SYSTOM FAILURE THAT COULD AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH IT MUST BE A SAFETY RECALL. *JS

BACKING TO HOOK UP TO TRAILER, BRAKES FAILED NO PRIOR WARNING (LIGHT). ALL BRAKE LINES NEED REPLACED AS WELL AS FUEL LINES BEGINNING TO LEAK AND WILL SOON NEED REPLACED.

DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WENT TO STOP AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK BLEW OUT. ALL BRAKE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY. *JS

WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH WENT DOWN SLIGHTLY AND THEN WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH VEHICLE NOT STOPPING. DROVE IT INTO THE CUL-DE-SAC ACROSS THE STREET, APPLIED BRAKES AT THE STOP SIGN, DIDN'T STOP, WENT INTO DRIVEWAY AND PARKED IT. HUSBAND WENT UNDERNEATH AND NOTICE LARGE AMOUNT OF LEAKING FLUID. AT NO TIME DID ANY INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON. TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR (CHEVY DEALER TOO FAR TO SAFELY DRIVE) AND THEY SAID MASSIVE CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINE AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I WAS INCREDIBLY LUCKY NO NEIGHBOR KIDS WERE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AS I WAS BACKING UP. IT IS GOING TO BE A HORRENDOUS REPAIR BILL. *TR

TRAVELING ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, 35 MPH, APPROACHING RED LIGHT IN LINE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FELT THE PEDAL GO TO THE FLOOR. I STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. SECOND INCIDENT: 2014. TRAVELING DOWN HILL TOWARD STOP SIGN. SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AS ABOVE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT CHEV. SUBURBANS SOLD IN NEW ENGLAND HAVE STEEL BRAKE LINES! THIS IS MY 8TH SUBURBAN. FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH RUSTING EVERYWHERE UNDER CHASSIS, ESP. BRAKE LINES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED COMPLETELY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

I WAS TOWING MY BOAT AND HAD TO STOP FOR A YELLOW, THEN RED LIGHT. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP, RAN THROUGH THE LIGHT. I MADE IT THROUGH BEFORE TRAFFIC ENTERED THE INTERSECTION, SO NO ACCIDENT. I DROVE SLOWLY TO A REPAIR FACILITY WITH SAFETY FLASHERS ON. MECHANIC SAYS ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY ARE BADLY RUSTED! REPAIR COST IS EXPECTED TO BE 800 DOLLARS! WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED, HAD JUST COME OFF THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH! *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LINES ALONG THE FRAME RAIL UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE LINES BURST AND A LOSS OF FLUID CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE IT TOOK A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE TO GET THE TRUCK STOPPED PROBABLY DUE TO A LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $4000. THAT'S RIGHT FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS. *TR

WHILE WAITING STATIONARY AT DRIVE-THRU HARD BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RESULTING IN GREATLY REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND LARGE LOSS OF FLUID. BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR

A WAS EXITING RT 50 ONTO ROUTE 8, WEST BOUND RAMP...IN QUEENANNES COUNTY MARYLAND, THE LIGHT CHANGED SUDDENLY FROM GREEN TO YELLOW AND I REALIZED I COULD NOT MAKE THE LIGHT. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND VEHICLE STARTED TO STOP, AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST LET GO AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. FOUND I HAD NO POWER BRAKES, JUST THE MECHANICAL PORTION. I HAD PARKS TIRE AND AUTO, IN GRANSONVILLE CHECK IT OUT TODAY, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 THE MECHANIC MATT HRISKO SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALL CORRODED AND THE RIGHT FRONT LINE SPRUNG A LEAK DUE THE CORROSION. MOREOVER, HE SAID ALL THE LINES WERE CORRODED AND IN DANGER OF SPRINGING HOLES TOO. HE ALSO FOUND A COUPLE OF THE BLEEDER VALVES WERE CORRODED AND/OR LEAKING TOO. THE ASE MECHANICS THERE, EDDIE AND MATT, SAID THEY HAVE BEEN DOING SO MANY OF THESE REPLACEMENTS THAT THEY WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THEIR OWN FLARING KITS...IT IS A BIG JOB...THE FENDERS HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND ALL, ABOUT 7 TO 8 HOURS LABOR. JUST THE LINE REPLACEMENTS WOULD BE UPWARDS OF $800.00. THE CALIPERS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED THEN TOO, AS THE FITTINGS TO ADJUST/BLEED THE BRAKES ARE CORRODED, SOME ARE FROZEN SHUT AND OTHERS LEAKING. THAT WOULD ADD UPWARDS OF ANOTHER $1200 TO $1500. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR ## VIN PASSED ##

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 A THUMP WAS HEARD AND THE CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. ON EXAMINATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE TO THE REAR WINDOW GLASS BROKE. SINCE THE GLASS EXTENDS UP PAST THE HINGE THE ONLY FIX WAS TO EPOXY IT. THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE WINDOW IS BEING CLOSED IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THE HOLD OPEN STRUT IS PUTTING IMMENSE PRESSURE ON THE HINGE. EVEN IF THE WINDOW IS NEVER OPENED, THE HEATING OF THE GAS IN THE HOLD OPEN ROD PUTS PRESSURE ON THE HINGE SO I HAD THE ROD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REMOVED. GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM SHOWED MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT DIFFERENT MILEAGES AND TIMES. THE TWO WORST CASE SCENARIOS FROM THIS MALFUNCTION OF THE HINGE ARE THAT THE WINDOW WILL SIMPLY FALL OFF AT 70 MPH INTO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC OR, LIKE MY CASE. THE CAR WILL FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES INCAPACITATING THE DRIVER AND THE OCCUPANTS WHILE SPEEDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

LAST YEAR THE ODOMETER AND GEAR SELECTION DISPLAY ON MY 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN WOULD GO OUT THEN A WHILE LATER IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH THE DISPLAY STAYING OFF FOR LONGER AND LONGER TIMES. AROUND DECEMBER 2013, THE DISPLAY WENT OUT PERMANENTLY. I TOOK MY 2002 SUBURBAN FOR THE REQUIRED SMOG TEST ON APRIL 28,2014 AND SINCE THERE WAS NO ODOMETER MILEAGE DISPLAYED ( EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE ODOMETER BUTTON WITH THE ENGINE OFF ), THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO PUT DOWN "NONE" UNDER MILEAGE. THE SITUATION OF NOT HAVING A DISPLAY FOR DISPLAYING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN IS A SAFETY ISSUE! A PERSON MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE INSTEAD OF REVERSE. ALSO WITHOUT AN ODOMETER, IT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO ESTIMATE THE MILEAGE WHEN SELLING THE VEHICLE. *TR

HAVE 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 4WD 5.3 ENGINE A/T. WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED OUT & LOST ALL STEERING/BRAKES. 131,589 MILES ON ODOMETER AT TIME. MANAGED TO COAST VEHICLE ONTO SHOULDER, WAITED 2 MINUTES, STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN, PULLED OUT INTO BUSY TRAFFIC JUST TO MAKE IT 2 BLOCKS BEFORE STALL OUT AGAIN. REPEATED THIS PROCESS SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I FOUND A GAS STATION. SUSPECTING WATER IN GAS, ADDED 1 BOTTLE OF GAS LINE ANTI-FREEZE. DROVE REST OF WAY HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. REPLACED FUEL FILTER, PCV VALVE, AIR FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY JUST TO HAVE STALL OUT THE VERY NEXT DAY. NO CODES ARE DISPLAYED IN MESSAGE CENTER IN DASH BOARD. STALLS OUT RANDOMLY WITHOUT A PATTERN. WAIT 1-2 MINUTES THEN WILL START AGAIN. *TR

SAT. 2/16/13 I STARTED MY 02 SUBURBAN UP BY TURNING THE KEY THROUGH AN OPEN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT 6 INCHES. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR YEARS, BUT REALLY NOTICED IT THIS TIME BECAUSE MY ARM GET HIT BY STEERING WHEEL SINCE I WAS OUTSIDE VEHICLE. NORMALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS I AM SEATED IN CAR AND NOTICE IT SEEMS TO JUMP FORWARD. IT HAPPENS PROBABLY ONCE EVERY 100-150 STARTS. ANY IDEA WHY AND WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT. AFRAID SOMEONE MAY BE IN FRONT OF CAR SOMEDAY AND MIGHT GET HURT IF IT LURCHED. ALSO COULD HAVE DONE DAMAGE TO MY GARAGE DOOR IF IT HAD BEEN DOWN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO STOP I APPLIED BRAKES WHICH WITHOUT ANY WARNING WENT TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE KEPT MOVING. I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AT STOP SIGN AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE SUBURBAN IN NEUTRAL AND COAST TO STOP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

JUST HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THIS COST ME A SMALL FORTUNE. THIS IS COVERED UNDER NHTSA ACTION # EA11001. PERFORMED SERVICE TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC EVENT. NOTICE MUST BE MADE TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF VEHICLES TO REDUCE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC CRASH \ POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABLE TO BE FULLY DEPRESSED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THERE WAS A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER TECH ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREVALENT IN THAT AREA. UPDATED 03/1/2013 *JS

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE NHTSA # EA11001 INVESTIGATION. *TR

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I PROCEEDED AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND TESTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR JUST TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SLOW/CRAWLING STOP. AFTER INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, I DISCOVERED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE LEAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. *TR

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. *TR

SEVERE METAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION: ON SURFACE STREETS, WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE TOWING A DUAL-AXLE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO USE THE TRAILER BRAKE OVERRIDE TO STOP THE TRUCK-TRAILER COMBINATION BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. CLOSER EXAMINATION REVEALED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FOUR 1/4" BRAKE LINES THAT FOLLOW THE FRAME RAIL FROM THE ABS MODULE ON THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT FRAME RAIL UP INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE TWO FRONT WHEELS. ONE OF THE TWO LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS MODULE HAD BURST. THE RUST ON THESE 1/4" LINES WAS FLAKING OFF IN LARGE CHUNKS. ALSO OBSERVED VERY SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE 3/16" HARD LINES ON THE REAR AXLE AND THE HARD LINES MOUNTED TO THE FRAME AND BODY LEADING TO THE REAR AXLE. THESE LINES ARE VERY CLOSE TO FAILURE. WHAT IS FURTHER DISTRESSING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS THAT WHEN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT FAILED THERE WAS NONE TO VERY LITTLE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS FROM THE OTHER BRAKE CIRCUIT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER DOES NOT PROVIDE INDEPENDENT BRAKING CIRCUITS LIKE IT SHOULD. LATER, USING A PAIR OF LOCKING-TYPE PLIERS, THE FAILED LINE WAS CLAMPED OFF AND IT WOULD BUILD PRESSURE AND RESTORE A MODICUM OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS FROM THE OTHER CIRCUIT. THE GENERAL CONDITION OF THE TRUCK IS GOOD WITH ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF SURFACE RUST ON SOME OF THE UNDERBODY COMPONENTS. THIS TRUCK IS NOT A RUST-BUCKET. SALT EXPOSURE IS MINIMAL AS A MARYLAND TRUCK (ONE OWNER) THAT IS USED PRIMARILY FOR TOWING A CAMPER TRAILER IN FAIRER WEATHER AND IS NOT USED AS A DAILY COMMUTER. FAILURE: 7OCT2012. TRUCK: 2002 1/2-T CHEV SUBURBAN LS, 4WD WITH APPROXIMATELY 190,000 MILES. *TR

TRAVELING DOWNHILL TOWARD A T-INTERSECTION, APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MISSED AN APPROACHING VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT BY INCHES AS I SWUNG TO THE RIGHT, THRU A STOP SIGN. RETURNED HOME, THINKING A RUBBER BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED. UPON INSPECTION, THE STEEL BRAKE PIPE APPROXIMATELY TEN INCHES IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER HAD SPLIT OPEN DUE TO CORROSION. WHEN I INSPECTED THE TUBING PRIOR TO PURCHASING REPLACEMENT PARTS, I DISCOVERED VIRTUALLY ALL THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, AND IN FACT, I CREATED ANOTHER BREAK IN THE SAME LINE AS I ATTEMPTED TO LOOSEN IT FROM THE PLASTIC HOLD-DOWN CLAMPS UNDER THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. ACCESSING THE BRAKE LINES AS THEY ARE ROUTED BETWEEN BODY AND FRAME PROVED ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, AND AM CURRENTLY AWAITING A RECOVERY VEHICLE TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO MY INSPECTION MECHANIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE FLUID LINES/HOSES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE EBCM TO EACH WHEEL CALIPER. THE FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL MANDATES A MINIMUM OF 3/4" BETWEEN ANY PARALLEL BRAKE LINES, PRESUMABLY TO PREVENT BRIDGING WITH MUD/DEBRIS WHICH MIGHT ABET CORROSION. IN MANY CASES, MY STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE WITHIN 1/4" OF ONE ANOTHER. SOME STEEL LINES LAY AGAINST STEEL FRAME RAILS WITH NO CLEARANCE. THIS, HOWEVER, WOULD NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE LEVEL OF CORROSION I DISCOVERED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY OF THE TRUCK. THE ONLY NON-CORRODED PORTION OF MY BRAKE SYSTEM IS THE TWO LINES IMMEDIATELY FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER DOWNWARD TO WHERE THEY TRAVEL REARWARD ALONG THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. EVERYTHING ELSE IS AT THE POINT OF FAILURE. *TR

ON 10-5-12 I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN IN EATON RAPIDS MICHIGAN. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO COAST AND SLOW ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE ROADWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. I NOTED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CHECKED AND NOTED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD BLOWN AND SPRAYED BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE ENGINE. I NOTED FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW ON FLUID. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE IN DASH COMPUTER. THE BRAKES WENT FROM WORKING JUST FINE TO NOTHING! I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT ANDREWS AUTOMOTIVE IN MASON, MI. THEY ADVISED THAT TWO OF THE LINES HAD BLOWN AND THE OTHER TWO WERE SO RUSTY THAT THEY COULD GO AT ANYTIME AND RECOMMENDED THEY BE REPLACED AS WELL. I HAD THEM REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I TRAVELED TO SOUTH DAKOTA FROM MICHIGAN OVER THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY. 1100 MILES EACH WAY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAULING THE MOTORCYCLE TRAILER, OR THE CAMPER OVER THE SUMMER, A CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. I HOPE CHEVY STEPS UP AND RECALLS THE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. IF YOU OWN ONE, HAVE THE LINES REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I WAS VERY LUCKY. SOMEONE IS BOUND NOT TO BE. THE BILL TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES WAS $818.50. *TR

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. I HAD TO STOP SHORT AS THE CAR INFRONT OF ME STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. MY CAR STOPPED, BUT IN THE LAST FEW FEET THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. IN THE REAR OF THE CAR I COULD SEE FLUID IN A PUDDLE UNDER THE REAR END HOUSING. THE FLUID CONTINUED TO STREAM OUT OF THE BRAKELINES. AFTER TOWING THE CAR HOME I LOOKED AT THE BRAKE LINES. WHEN I TOUCHED THEM THEY CRUMBLED IN MY HANDS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR SUBURBAN TO HER JOB WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM HOME. WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AFTER LEAVING OUR DRIVE WAY, SHE THOUGHT SHE HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE A WOOSH OF AIR AND NOTICED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN USUAL. ON HER WAY HOME FROM WORK, WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME SAFELY WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS WERE CORRODED WHICH I HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED FOR A SIGNIFICANT PRICE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND CALIPERS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED SHORTLY BEFORE THOSE FAIL AS THEY ARE CORRODED AS WELL. *TR

I HAD JUST PULLED AWAY FROM MY HOME ( APPROXIMATELY GOING 5 MPH) AND MY STEERING WHEELED LOCKED TO THE RIGHT AND I SIDE SWIPED 2 PARKED VEHICLES. I HAD BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, WAS SEAT BELTED, NOT ON MY CELL PHONE NOR WAS I TEXTING...MY FULL ATTENTION WAS ON DRIVING AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING FOR A FEW SECONDS. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BELTS FOR ANY SIGNS OF LEAKS OR WEAR, BUT THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF A MALFUNCTION. MY GREAT CONCERN IS , WILL THIS HAPPEN AGAIN...WHY DID IT HAPPEN AND IF THOSE PEOPLE WERE GETTING INTO THEIR CARS...I MOST PROBABLY WOULD HAVE KILLED THEM! *TR

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. PARKING BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED BUT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *TR

BRAKE LINE ROTTED OUT RESULTING IN NEAR COLLISION. SECOND FAILURE IN AUG. OF 2015 BOTH EVENTS WERE A NEAR COLLISION . THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT IN NEAR PERFECT CONDITION AS A HAULER FOR MY TRAILER, NOW FEAR TO USE AS ALL LINES LOOK BAD, SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF A NON COROSSIVE MATERIAL. VEHICLE SPENT MOST OF IT'S LIFE IN VERMONT

WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE JERSEY SHORE ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WITH MY FAMILY TO GO ON VACATION I WENT TO GET OFF THE EXIT AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR......WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK I REALIZED THAT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF US. OR WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THEM AND BEEN HURT OR EVEN KILLED. PS I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW...IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. *TR

WHILE PARKING MY 02 SUBURBAN, I COMPLETELY LOST MY BRAKES!! THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR; BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. WHAT HAPPENED? THE BRAKE LINE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK JUST BELOW THE DRIVER SEAT HAD ROTTED THROUGH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY TRUCKS. HOWEVER, GM HAS FAILED TO INITIATE A RECALL. HOPEFULLY GM WILL DECIDE TO RECALL THESE TRUCKS AND FIX THE OBVIOUS ENGINEERING GLITCH BEFORE SOME UNFORTUNATE PERSON OR FAMILY ENDS UP SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IN AN UNNECESSARY ACCIDENT. *TR

LAUNCHING BOAT AT THE RAMP WHEN BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND I LOST ALL PEDAL. UNDER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IN THE SAME SPOT AS MY 2005 2500 HD CHEVY. *TR

WHEN DRIVING FROM WORK, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY ARRIVED HOME, WE NOTICED A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE TRAIL LED ALL THE WAY TO THE GARAGE. SINCE I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC FOR A FORMAL ASSESSMENT, MY HUSBAND WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE MYSELF AND NOTICED IT HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. IT IS ESPECIALLY, EXTREMELY, AND EXAGGERATEDLY SEVERE WITH THE BRAKE LINES. THERE IS A SMALL METAL JUNCTION WHERE THE REAR BRAKE LINES BRANCH OUT TO THE RESPECTIVE LEFT AND RIGHT HUB/CALIPER. THE LINES BRANCHING FROM THIS SMALL UNION -THAT IS JUST ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE- ARE VERY WIRY. HE ALSO NOTED THAT ALL OF THE LINES FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BACK, HAVE A LOT OF CORROSION ON THEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE JUST DIED. IT DOES IT ON EXTREMELY HOT DAYS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS FOR THE ENGINE CUTTING OFF AND IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE AS IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

THE BRAKE FAILED AS I WAS STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE PEDDLE STARTED TO HOLD AND THEN JUST PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE LINE HAS FAILED. THIS IS THE THIRD BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST 14 MONTHS. WE'VE HAD THE BOTH REAR AND BOTH FRONT LINES REPLACED ALREADY, THIS LAST FAILURE APPEARS TO BE BETWEEN MASTER AND ABS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO DECELERATE TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE WHERE HE THEN NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

VARIOUS INCIDENTS OF VEHICLE DYING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HIGH. DOES NOT DO IT WHEN COLD. HAS FAILED TO START ALSO. AFTER WAITING 10-20 MINUTES ENGINE MAY START AND CONTINUE WITHOUT PROBLEM TO DESTINATION. HAVE CHANGED SENSOR WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT OF PROBLEM. LOCAL GARAGE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE SOLUTION AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT INTO SERVICE WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. MANY PROBLEMS GETTING OFF THE ROAD WHEN INCIDENT OCCURS. HAVE HAD 4-5 OCCURRENCES AND BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TODDLER WAS ABLE TO INSERT AND TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE CHILD WAS ALSO ABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A RETAINING WALL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHIFTED WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKES FOR TOWING PURPOSES. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO LEAVE THE KEYS NEAR CHILDREN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,000.