2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 Service Brakes Problems

RUSTED BREAKE LINES, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY COULD NOT USE BRAKES AFTER STARTING THE CAR

Mileage: 152,000

THE BRAKE FLUID LINES RUSTED AT THE AREA UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL, CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK UNEXPECTEDLY, THUS RENDERING NO BRAKES. THE LEAK HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE AND ANOTHER IN THIS SAME AREA. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE COULD BE IS A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE LINES DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND BECAUSE ITS TOO CLOSE TO THE WHEEL SALT AND ROAD CONDITIONS CAUSES THIS AREA TO RUST MORE EASILY. HE'S HAD A NUMBER OF CHEVY SUB. WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT.

Mileage: 135,000

BRAKE MODULATING SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER START.

Mileage: 135,000

STEEL BRAKE LINES: DIRECTLY UNDER DRIVERS FEET BENEATH VEHICLE IS CLUSTER OF FOUR BRAKE LINES HELD IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC BRACKET.THESE BRAKE LINES ARE HIDDEN BY A LARGE CORRUGATED BLACK WIRING HARNESS. ALL FOUR LINES ARE EXTREMELY CORRODED AT BRACKET AND AT LEAST ONE OF THEM FAILED COMPLETELY AND INSTANTANEOUSLY. UNLIKE GM REPORTS THAT IT'S A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM AND VEHICLE WILL RETAIN BRAKING CAPABILITIES IN OUR CASE THIS IS FALSE . WORD NEEDS TO GO OUT ABOUT THESE VEHICLES BUT PREFERABLY A RECALL. MY 15 YEAR OLD NEWLY ISSUED PERMIT HOLDER WAS AT THE WHEEL AND WE WERE ONE LEFT TURN FROM DESCENDING A 200 FOOT TALL 6% GRADE HILL WITH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM. ALSO LIVING IN MINNESOTA KNOWING CLASSIC CAR OWNERS WITH ORIGINAL STEEL BRAKE LINES WITH NO ISSUES I'M LED TO BELIEVE DESIGN IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THESE BRAKE FAILURE ISSUES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

BRAKES FAILED UNDER HARD STOP (HIGHWAY, IN MOTION). INTERMEDIATE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED TO REAR BRAKES IN A MODE OF RUPTURE DUE TO CORROSION. ALL OTHER STEEL LINES WERE CORRODED AND CONTACTED GM. 2 OTHER SILVERADO LINE VEHICLES OWNED ALSO FAILED THIS YEAR DUE TO CORROSION. GM RESPONSE WAS THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. REPLACED ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES IN VEHICLE WITH STAINLESS AFTERMARKET LINES. AFTER MULTIPLE CONTACTS WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD TO SAVE MY RECEIPTS FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS AN INCORRECT MATERIAL SPECIFICATION, LATENT DEFECT AND GM NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. SAVED BRAKE LINES FROM THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY POTENTIAL USE. 3 VEHICLES THAT I OWN WITH THE SAME REPAIR IN 8 MONTHS. INEXCUSABLE!

Mileage: 167,500

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKED FLUID FROM SYSTEM.

Mileage: 180,000

THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2004 SUBURBAN HAVE NOW FAILED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME ONE OF THE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1000, THE SECOND TIME A SEPARATE LINE WAS PATCHED, AND NOW THE THIRD TIME THE SAME SECOND LINE THAT WAS PATCHED HAS FAILED AGAIN. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE INCREDIBLY CORRODED, SO MUCH SO THAT A FRIEND OF MINE WONDERED IF IT HAD BEEN SUBMERGED DURING HURRICANE KATRINA. BUT NOW UPON READING UP ON THE SUBJECT IT APPEARS THAT IS IS ALL GMS OF THAT TIME FRAME THAT LIVE IN SALTIER AIR. WHILE GM APPEARS TO THINK THAT THESE ARE COMPONENTS THAT SHOULD WEAR DOWN OVER TIME, THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN THE 30 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED CARS TO FIND THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 120,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 50 MILES PER HOUR A DOG RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY SUV, I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND NOTICED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE GROUND. DROVE THE CAR HOME CAREFULLY. WHEN I GOT IT IN THE GARAGE FOUND RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES GOING TO THE REAR OF THE CAR LEAKING. THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE LINES AND AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE GAS TANK HAS RUBBED A HOLE IN THE LINE.

Mileage: 190,650

THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE FRONT TO REAR RUSTED AND RUPTURED RESULTING IN VIRTUALLY NO BRAKING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE BRAKE LINES ARE ALL BADLY RUSTED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. VERY UNFORTUNATE GM CHOSE TO USE SUCH AN INFERIOR MATERIAL FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION GM SHOULD BE MAKING OWNERS AWARE OF.

Mileage: 160,000

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE AND YEARLY STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION/EMISSIONS CONTROL TEST. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 5 MILES TO HOME. TWO DAYS, STARTED THE CAR, BUT HAD NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT TE BRAKELINE HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $800. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS SUDDEN AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME, EVEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 81,783

ABS LIGHT , BRAKE LIGHT AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON. ALSO SAYING CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM SOON CAME ON. WENT TO DEALER 10/15/2014 AND WAS TOLD NEED TWO COMPUTERS FOR ABS. ABOUT 1500.00 BUT CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTY AND MAY BREAK. IF THEY WERE TO BREAK ABOUT A 4500.00 REPAIR BILL. WAS TOLD OK TO DRIVE AND THE ABS WOULD JUST DISABLE ITSELF. BRAKE LINES USED TO BE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. HAS ALMOST 119,000 MILES. ALSO WAS TOLD MAYBE TIME FOR A NEW VEHICLE. I BOUGHT NEW AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE AND MAINT ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 118,800

I WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES AS I APPROACHED A CURVE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. USING LOW GEAR AND PARKING BRAKE I MANAGED TO GET THE SUBURBAN HOME WITH NO INCIDENT. BRAKE LINES FRONT TO BACK WERE REPLACED BY SERVICE CENTER. CAUSE ,RUST THRU. *TR

Mileage: 51,098

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY COMING TO RED LIGHT DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE BEFORE GOING THROUGH RED LIGHT, HELD DOWN VEHICLE HORN TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS WHICH SAVED ME FROM INJURING/KILLING SOMEONE ELSE OR MYSELF. AFTER GETTING VEHICLE ON SHOULDER OF ROAD NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING DOWN THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN FRONT OF REAR TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 160,334

ON 8/30/14 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN A CAR CAME OUT FROM A STREET ON THE LEFT SIDE AND PULLED IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT LOOKING, I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES QUICK AND SWERVED TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING HIM, HE HAD NO IDEA AS I WAS SWERVING OUT OF THE WAY TO NOT HIT HIM, HE WAS MAKING HIS TURN, I GOT ON THE HORN AND HE JUST PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT AND GAVE ME A WAVE AS TO SAY HE WAS SORRY. ANYWAY, WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE FAST, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, ALL THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE CHASSIS, THERE WAS NO STOPPING THIS TRUCK. I DON'T SEE HOW THEY CAN SAY YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO USE THE BRAKES, YOU CAN'T PUMP THEM. IT IS NOW SITTING AT THE MECHANICS GETTING FIXED, SO FAR HE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $600-$800 LABOR, I HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK THE TRUCK YET AS I WRITE THIS. THE BRAKE LINES WERE SO ROTTED, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, AND I ONLY BOUGHT THIS 9/17/13, THE TRUCK ORIGINALLY CAME FROM PENNSYLVANIA. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AS A RESULT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKES WHILE DRIVING, COASTED TO STOP WITH ASSISTANCE OF PARKING BRAKE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED TO A FAILURE POINT, THE ONE LINE THAT FAILED WAS FOR THE REAR BRAKES FROM THE BLOCK DEVICE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE INNER FRAME RAIL (ABS UNIT OR BOOSTER) FOR A VERY WELL KEPT FAMILY VEHICLE WITH LOW MILES AND NO SUBSTANTIAL RUST ANYWHERE ELSE BUT THE BRAKE LINES, AND THIS ONE AREA THAT GETS CONSTANT ROAD SPRAY DIRECTLY AT THE LINES AND BLOCK/BOOSTER/ABS ON THE INNER FRAME DRIVERS SIDE. THIS WAS A SHOCK TO FIND, AND NOW AFTER LOOKING ONLINE THAT NHTSA HAS THE LONGEST OPEN CASE WITH CHEVY FOR 99-02 AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL SPREAD TO 07 SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS SUBURBAN WEIGHS LIKE 6000 POUNDS, A TANK, AND WILL CRUSH ANYTHING IN ITS WAY IF THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER MAKES/MODELS OF CARS & TRUCKS AND THE ONLY TIME I HAVE EVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A BRAKE LINE WAS ON MY OLD 1984 DODGE RAM PICKUP I PLOW SNOW WITH ALL THE TIME AND IT WAS 25YRS OLD AT THAT TIME NOT 10YRS OLD LIKE THE CHEVY. WE NEED IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL OF THE THOUSANDS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE ON CHEVY TRUCKS/SUV'S. PURCHASED NEW IN MANCHESTER CT FOR OVER $36,000 IN APRIL 2004.. I DO NOT HAVE THE $1000+ ON HAND TO HAVE THIS REPAIR COMPLETED AT THIS TIME WITH 2 CHILDREN IN COLLEGE AND 2 MORE SOON TO BE. *TR

Mileage: 97,650

THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE LINE CAUSED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED, COMPROMISED, AND ALL MUST BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN A RESTAURANT DRIVE THROUGH. MOMENTS BEFORE PULLING INTO THE DRIVE THROUGH, I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER ON A BUSY ROADWAY WITH A 50 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I DO NOT FEEL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE MADE OF MATERIALS THAT CAN CORRODE AND FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THE TRUCK IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. WITH NON-CORROSIVE METALS AVAILABLE FOR BRAKE TUBING IT IS INEXCUSABLE FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS TO PREVENT CLEARLY FORESEEABLE INJURIES AND DEATHS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

THE BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR RUPTURED AND CAUSED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED, COMPROMISED, AND ALL MUST BE REPLACED. FORTUNATELY THE FAILURE HAPPENED IN PARKING LOT AND MY SON WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT BUT THAT WAS MERELY FORTUITOUS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT PERMANENT BRAKE LINES SHOULD FAIL. THE TRUCK IS USED VERY INFREQUENTLY AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. HAD I OR A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE SOMEONE MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED CARS SINCE I WAS 17 AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A BRAKE HARD LINE RUPTURE. WITH THE NON-CORROSIVE METALS AVAILABLE FOR BRAKE TUBING IT IS INEXCUSABLE FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST GM TO PREVENT CLEARLY FORESEEABLE INJURIES AND DEATHS. *TR

Mileage: 44,500

SEVERE BRAKE LINE CORROSION UNDER VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

I TURNED ON MY ENGINE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND PUT THE SUV IN REVERSE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO MOVE EVEN WITH MY FRONT ON THE BRAKE WHILE PUTTING IT IN REVERSE AND I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND IT WENT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND THIS STOPPED THE VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN ON THE ROAD I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. THERE WAS NO WARNING ABOUT BRAKE FLUID BEING LOW AND THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN THE NIGHT BEFORE AT 8:30 PM. MY HUSBAND LOOKED NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE AND SAW THE BRAKE LINE DRIPPING ALL THE BRAKE FLUID OUT ON THE DRIVEWAY ALL RUSTED. WHY WASN'T THIS MADE WITH STAINLESS STEEL? THIS IS A CAR FOR FAMILIES WHICH MEANS MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL HAVE A CHILD IN THE CAR WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING....NOTICED SLIGHT BRAKE PEDAL LOSS , THEN TOTAL FAILURE WITHIN MINUTES...MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED BECAUSE THEY WERE CORRODED AND WOULD ALL HAVE TO BE REPLACED..THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS AND ALL OTHER BRAKE LINE FAILURES OF ANY GMC MADE VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 84,600

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ANOTHER BRAKE LINE COMPLETELY CORRODED AD INOPERABLE. HAD SAME ISSUE ON ANOTHER BRAKE LINE 6-MONTHS EARLIER. NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONNECT TO REMAINING LIES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING ERRANDS PICKING UP AND DROPPING OFF CHILDREN WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED.

Mileage: 119,000

2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE WITH CORRODED BRAKE LINES OF 2004 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH UNDER 100K MILES. FIRST WAS IN JANUARY 2013, COMPLETE LOSE OF BRAKES WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOT. TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP AND NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF CORRODED FRONT BRAKE LINES, CALIPERS ETC. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THE REAR BRAKE LINES INSPECTED AND REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY SEAMED OK. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED ON AUGUST 24, 2013. TRAVELING ON I-495 IN MASSACHUSETTS (WHILE PULLING A BOAT TRAILER) AND APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD AND BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT SOFT AND ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND THEN BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO SWERVE INTO BREAKDOWN LANE TO AVOID SLOWED TRAFFIC AHEAD AS ONLY FRONT BRAKES WERE WORKING.(ALONG WITH TRAILER BRAKES) AND CAR COULD NOT SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP. AFTER NEARLY CASING A MAJOR ACCIDENT, WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE EXIT AND DRIVE TO NEAREST SEARS REPAIR SHOP (1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD). AFTER BRAKE INSPECTION, COMPLETELY CORRODED BACK BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL; IN LINE AT DRIVE-THROUGH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH BOARD AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIFTING FORWARD. THE MESSAGE CENTER IN THE DASH DISPLAYED "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM." LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE BRAKE LINES HAVE FAILED - RUSTED THROUGH. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO PRODUCE A VEHICLE THAT SELLS FOR OVER $45,000.00 THAT WON'T EVEN LAST 10 YEARS...ESPECIALLY WHEN SUCH A FAILURE IS LIKELY TO HAVE CATASTOPHIC CONSEQUENCES. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT DUE TO THIS PREMATURE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 70,850

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE HYDRO BOOST WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE BRAKE FLUID AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V043000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PUT HIS EMERGENCY BRAKES ON TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. ..UPDATED 03/18/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER BEFORE AND AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER HAS PICTURES AND OLD PARTS. UPDATED 04/02/2013 *JS

Mileage: 106,000

THE STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BELOW THE DOOR. *JS

Mileage: 130,000