2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Parking Brake Problems

BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE TO NO BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. FRONT BRAKES RETAINED MINIMAL BRAKING WHILE REAR APPEARED TO HAVE NO BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. WAS ABLE TO BRING VEHICLE TO STOP AND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID RUNNING ONTO THE GROUND FROM UNDER THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) REAR PASSENGER SEAT ALONG THE FRAME RAIL BY THE GAS TANK. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND THE MAIN BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT TO REAR AXLE HOSE CONNECTION WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND BLOWN. THE REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE LINE AND THE SYSTEM REQUIRED BLEEDING. *TR

Mileage: 144,300

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE,WENT TO HAVE SUBURBAN INSPECTED ,HAD NO BRAKES ,HAD BRAKE PADS AND BOTH DRUMS REPLACED,NEVER EVEN USED EMERGENCY BRAKE ONCE SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2001. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN , I NEVER USED IT, INSPECTION TIME CAME AND I SPENT EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS GETTING BRAKE FIXED. BAD E-BRAKE DESIGN ON TAHOE AND SUBURBANS, NEED TO HAVE RECALL GM.

Mileage: 97,000

I PURCHASED A 2000 SUBURBAN IN FEBRUARY 2004 NAD THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING THEN. I HAVE ADJUSTED THE CABLE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE AND STILL NO HELP. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DOWN THIS APPEARS TO BE A TREMENDOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM, WITH NO FIX FROM GM OTHER TO REPAIR THE PARKING BRAKE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE EVERY 5K TO 20K MILES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER JACKING THE VEHICLE UP WHILE CHANGING THE OIL THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF THE JACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (APRIL 5, 2006): MR. SUTTON SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN 'N' WHEN HE LIFTED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITH A FLOOR JACK. THE GARAGE FLOOR HAD A 5 DEGREE INCLINE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF THE JACK.

Mileage: 3,000

I PURCHASED A 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN NEW IN JULY OF 2000. WITHIN 2 YEARS OF PURCHASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD VERY WELL. LIVING IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. THIS SEEMED ODD SINCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS RARELY USED. I NOTICED IT GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. IN AUGUST OF 2005 WE MOVED TO A PART OF TEXAS WITH HILLS AND NEEDED THE PARKING BRAKE, BUT IT WOULD NOT HOLD EVEN IF FULLY DEPRESSED. REPAIRS AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER TOTALED $485 PLUS TAX. HOW COULD THE LINING, ROTORS, SHOES, AND RETAINERS OF THE PARKING BRAKE NEED REPLACING IF THE BRAKE JUST HOLDS THE VEHICLE IN PLACE WHEN AND IF USED? THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME.*AK

Mileage: 30,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO THE PARKING BRAKE. THE ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO PARKING BRAKE DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

Mileage: 100,000

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW MY 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS FAILED THE TEXAS SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED. A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT LAST YEAR AND IT FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE BRAKE HAS TO BE USED REGULARLY TO KEEP IT WORKING AND WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL STATING THIS.

Mileage: 8,400

THE PARKING BRAKE SHOE WAS COMING LOOSE AND GOUGING INTO THE ROTOR AND ALSO THE BACKER PLATES RUSTED AWAY. *SC *JB

2000 CHEV SUBURBAN PARKING BRAKES LOST EFFECTIVENESS ABOUT 40000 MILES. AT 79550 MILES ALL PADS, ROTORS AND PARKING BRAKE LININGS WERE REPLACED. VERY SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA. ONE SIDE LINING WAS GOOD, THE OTHER GONE. ONE REAR ROTOR COULD HAVE BEEN RESURFACES, THE OTHER VERY BAD. GOOD LIFE FOR SERVICE BRAKES. VERY POOR LIFE FOR SELDOM USED PARKING BRAKES.*AK

Mileage: 40,000

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE SELLER AND SOON FOUND THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE AND WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE ON EVEN THE SLIGHTEST GRADE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AND ONE OF THE PARKING BRAKE DRUMS WAS DEEPLY GOUGED. THE SHOES AND ONE ROTOR WAS REPLACED, WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION, BUT NOW THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AGAIN AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. IT IS DUE TO BE INSPECTED IN SEPTEMBER AND PROBABLY WILL NOT PASS WITHOUT ANOTHER $500.00 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND FEEL THAT GM SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD ROTOR BUT NOT THE SHOES.*AK

I AM THE ORIGNAL OWNER OF A 2000 CHEVY SUBURBAN. I HAVE RELIGOUSLY TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE EVERY 3,000 MILES TO MAC HAIK CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN INHERANT PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON ALL 2000 SUBURBANS AND THAT IT WOULD BE $200 TO GET THE TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION. I CANNOT REMEMBER EVER USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SO IT CANNOT BE FROM OVER USE. I THEN READ THAT THOSE WHOM DO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED SAY IT LASTS FOR ONLY A 1,000 MILES OR SO. IF IT IS A DESIGN FAILURE OWN UP TO IT AND FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. IF NOT WHEN YOU SELL THE VEHICLE TELL THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER THE EMERGENCY BRAKES DO NOT WORK AND WE HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THEM.

PURCHASED 2000 SUBURBAN USED IN 2002 WITH 37K MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES 2 TIMES AND IS NEEDING REPLACED AGAIN AT 80K MILES. DEALER IS UNWILLING TO CONCEDE PROBLEM WITH DESIGN OR COMPONENTS AND JUST SAYS IT IS THE NATURE OF SOME VEHICLES AND THEY HAVE SOME CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE TO REPLACE THERE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES EVERY 15K. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. I AM FRUSTRATED AT SPENDING $700 EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES, AND AM LOOKING AT SWITCHING BACK TO JAPANESE BRANDS!!! *JB

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 CHEVY SUBURBAN. I KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED WITH PROPER SERVICE. ON NOV 1, 2003 I ENGAGED MY PARKING BRAKE ON AN INCLINE, I LEFT THE CAR FOR APPROX. 90 SECONDS AND MY PASSENGERS STAYED IN THE CAR. WHEN THE PASSENGER DRIVER TURNED OFF THE ENGINE TO FOLLOW ME, THE CAR SWIFTLY ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT UTILITY BOXES AND A HOUSE. THE PASSENGERS EXPERIENCED MINOR BACK PAINS. THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF PEOPLE WERE OUTSIDE AND IN THE PATH OF THE CAR. UPON RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTSABOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE SUBURBAN'S. WHAT IS THE EMGERENCY BRAKE FOR, IT NOT TO HOLD THE CAR.*AK

Mileage: 64,333

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN PURCHASED FROM MAC HAIK CHEVROLET IN HOUSTON. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE INABILITY OF THE PARKING BRAKE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND HAVE HAD THE REAR PADS/SHOES REPLACED AND THE BRAKES ADJUSTED MORE THAN ONCE. EACH REPAIR SEEMS TO LAST A FEW THOUSAND MILES SO I GAVE UP RETURNING TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION REQUIRED IN TEXAS AND DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED NOW THAT I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A TSB THAT ADDRESSES THIS CONCERN (02-05-26-002A-(01/28/2003). I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS ISSUE BE RESEARCHED MORE THOROUGHLY. IF MORE DRIVERS ACTUALLY USED THEIR PARKING BRAKES ON A REGULAR BASIS THIS WOULD BE MORE COMMONLY REPORTED. *AK

Mileage: 13,000

PARKING BRAKE DIDN'T WORK WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW. ADJUSTED DURING WARRANTY BUT ONLY MODERATELY BETTER. THE PARKING BRAKE WON'T HOLD VEHICLE ON LEVEL GROUND WITH TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE WITH BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT'S A SERIOUS DESIGN ISSUE. THE DEALER WANTS $200+ TO ADJUST AGAIN BUT THIS WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *LA

Mileage: 10

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES FAILS TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTION. WHEN THE PARKING BRAKES IS ENGAGED VEHICLE ROLLS. DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Mileage: 10

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE

Mileage: 51,861

PARKING BRAKE FAILED VEHICLE INSPECTION. MECHANIC REPLACED PARKING LEVER ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF A STRETCHED CABLE. STILL WOULDN'T WORK. FOUND MALFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER. LOCAL DEALER SAYS HE IS SELLING BETWEEN 10-15 PARKING LEVER ASSEMBLIES A MONTH. INSPECTION STATION SAYS THEY ARE REJECTING ON AVERAGE 15-20 VEHICLE INSPECTIONS A MONTH FROM NEW SUBURBANS BECAUSE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE.

Mileage: 67,000

THIS IS AN OLD COMPLAINT BUT IS BEING SUBMITTED BECAUSE CHEVROLET AND GMC HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THIS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON THE 1500 SERIES SUBURBAN HAS BEEN BROKE SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNER SHIP. I CONTACTED CHEVORLET AND GM BY EMAIL 22 DDEC 2001 AND ALL I RECEIVED WAS ACKNOWELEDGEMENT OF THE LETTER. I ATTEMPTED TO GET IT REPAIRED LAST YEAR IN JUNE AT WALLACE CHEVORLET DEALER WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. TO DATE NOTHING FROM GM OR CHEVORLET HAS BEEN DONE TO RECALL AND CORRECT THESE VEHICLES. TWO NOTES HERE: THIS DEFECT RESULTS IN VEHICLE INSPECTION FAILURES IN STATES REQUIREING INSPECTIONS. NOTE TWO: IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE IT FLAT OUT DOSEN'T WORK AND I TOW A 5,000 LB TRAILLER AND ALL THE BRAKES ARE IMPORTANT. AS I STATED EARILER CHEVORLET AND GM TO DATE HAS DONE NOTHING. ONE LAST POINT THE 2500 SERIES SUBURBAN HAS A PROPERLY DESIGN EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE SAME STYLE CAN BE APPLIED TO THE 1500 SERIES AND SOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK

Mileage: 39,580

AFTER BEING SERVICED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS FAILED TO SECURE THE REAR WHEELS WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE. REPEATED VISITS TO DEALERS HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO HOLD. THE DEALERSHIP AJUSTED THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR CABLE TO THE MECHNICAL BRAKE IS ONE HALF INCH FORM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS DOES NOT ENABLE CONSUMER TO PUT CHAINS ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO ASKS IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCAL DEALER CAN MOVE THE BRAKE CABLE SO THAT A SET OF CHAINS CAN BE INSTALLED. *JG

CONSUMER STATES WHEN STOPPING AND ACTIVATING THE PARK BRAKE, WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD COAST AN INCH OR TWO AND A CLICK COULD BE HEARD AS THE TRANSMISSION POSITIVE LOCK ENGAGED. WITH VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE FOOT BRAKE RELEASED, THE PARK BRAKE HAS NO BRAKING EFFECT. ALSO, THE PARKING BRAKE FOOT LEVER GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS THE DESIGN OF THE PARKING BRAKE AND THERE IS A SELF ADJUSTING FEATURE. *TT

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. WHEN TRUCK WAS NEW, IT WAS WEAK AT BEST, NOW IT WILL NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. TAKEN TO DEALER WHO AGREED IT DID NOT WORK AT ALL. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY AND INSISTS I MUST PAY $180+ FOR REPAIR/ADJUSTMENT...EVEN THOUGH IT IS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" (IN THEIR WORDS). THEY STATED EVEN UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN COVERED FOR 12,000 MILES SINCE IT IS AN "ADJUSTMENT" EVEN THOUGH THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR IT AND THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS A 4X4 WITH NEUTRAL TRANSFER CASE CAPABILITY AND I FEEL THE PARKING BRAKE IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THIS FEATURE. IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT YET I AM REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE CAR ON STEEP SURFACES. CAME THIS WAY NEW. MANY LIKE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. GM DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE SHOP MANUAL DESCRIBES AN ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. THE DEALERS CAN'T FIND AN ADJUSTMENT IN THERE COMPUTERIZED MANUAL. THE IMPASS HAS LASTED SEVERAL MONTHHS.

PARKING BRAKE NEEDED REPAIRED. *SLC

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE IN USE VEHICLE CAN SLOW UP, BUT FAILS TO STOP RIGHT AWAY. STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. HAD HIT A WALL & A FENCE DUE TO A LACK OF BRAKING POWER. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH ABS WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, PARKING BRAKE WENT TO FLOOR. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6 OR 7 TIMES. NOW PURSUING THE LEMON LAW. BATTERY FAILED. VEHICLE STALLED. EXHAUST LEAKS AND IS LOUD. AIR COMES THROUGH THE CENTER VENT WHEN THE FLOOR CONTROL IS ON. 4-WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE MODULE. FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. *AK *SLC

VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP AND OUT OF GEAR WHEN EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD ,DOWN A HILL, AND HITTING A TREE. *AK