2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Service Brakes Problems

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 0% OF MY BRAKES AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO FAILED PRIOR TO THIS I PUT IN BRAKE FLUID AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT WITHIN A MATTER OF MOMENTS

Mileage: 199,000

LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR, BRAKE LINE LEAKED ALL OF THE FLUID OUT, I DID NOT HAVE ANY BREAKS, AWFUL TIME TRYING TO STOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED, IT HAPPENS A LOT WITH SUBURBANS

Mileage: 154,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLY TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH AN INDICATION TO REDUCE BRAKE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE COULD HEAR THE AIR AND A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN OCTOBER 2019. IT HAS 180,000 MILES BUT IS IN GOOD OVERALL CONDITION. THE PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THIS VEHICLE OR EVEN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE ISSUE IS RUSTY HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUED OLDER VEHICLE OWNERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RUST BELT MIDWEST, SINCE HYDRAULIC BRAKES WERE INVENTED. SOME CONSCIENTIOUS MANUFACTURERS SUCH AS VOLVO, HAVE SWITCHED TO A BRAKE LINE MATERIAL CALLED CUNIFER OR NICOPP, A COPPER NICKEL ALLOY C70600. THIS MATERIAL PERFORMS LIKE CONVENTIONAL STEEL LINES BUT WITHOUT THE CORROSION PROBLEM. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN,AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRING VEHICLES AS WELL AS RESTORING CARS AS A HOBBY FOR WELL OVER 50 YEARS. OVER THIS TIME PERIOD I HAVE BLOWN MANY BRAKE LINES. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY IN THAT IT NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN AN EMERGENCY STOP WHERE DAMAGE AND OR SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED EARLY IN THE MORNING AT A STOP SIGN IN MY RESIDENTIAL AREA. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE AROUND. I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TURN AROUND AND SLOWLY MOVE BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. SINCE MODERN VEHICLES ARE LASTING LONGER AND DO TO NEW VEHICLE COSTS MOTORISTS ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER. THE BASIC AMERICAN VEHICLES BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH IN THE LAST 50 YEARS,OTHER THAN SOME CHEAP ATTEMPTS AT EXTERNAL COATINGS. WHY NOT MANDATE ALL MANUFACTURERS USE THE VASTLY BETTER COPPER NICKEL LINES. IT WOULD DEFINITELY SAVE LIVES AND INJURIES NOT TO MENTION COSTLY VEHICLE DAMAGE.

Mileage: 180,000

WHILE SITTING AT THE MAILBOX CHECKING MAIL AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKES FIRMLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED RED REPEATEDLY SAYING TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH BRAKING ABILITY LEFT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, I AM THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 169,000

RE: "G.M. RESISTS RECALLING TRUCKS OVER BRAKE LINES", NY TIMES, JULY 7, 2014 IN SPITE OF MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN PASSING NEW HAMPSHIRE'S MANDATORY SAFETY INSPECTION IN MAY OF 2018, IN AUGUST OF 2018 A BRAKE LINE BURST, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION. THE LINE BURST AT A POINT BELOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND JUST FORWARD OF THE ABS MODULATOR, WHERE THE LINES CROSS OVER THE TOP OF THE FRAME AND ARE EXPOSED TO WHEEL SPRAY. AT THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE LINES ARE OVERLAID AND OBSCURED BY A LARGE BUNDLE OF ELECTRIC WIRES. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE FAILURE POINT, WITH THE SHEATHED WIRE BUNDLE MOVED UP OUT OF THE WAY. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 167500. WITH REGARD TO THE NHTSA DETERMINATION NOT TO RECALL "ALMOST 1.8 MILLION FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FROM THE 1999 TO 2003 MODEL YEARS FOR CORROSION-RELATED BRAKE FAILURES", AS SUMMARIZED IN THE 7/7/14 NY TIMES ARTICLE, DOES NHTSA'S DECISION TO ABSOLVE GM OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE ALSO ABSOLVE NHTSA AND/OR GM OF RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY OWNERS THAT THEY ARE IN GRAVE DANGER IF THEY ARE STILL OPERATING THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES? NHTSA SHOULD KNOW FROM THEIR OWN RECORDS THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. I KNOW BECAUSE I SEE THEM EVERY DAY. AS FOR GM'S EXCUSES: '"G.M. HAS RESISTED RECALLING THE PICKUPS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, TELLING REGULATORS THAT RUSTED BRAKE LINES ARE A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUE." OBRAKE LINES ARE NOT A MOVING PART. HOW ARE THEY "MAINTAINED"? I HAVE MORE TO SAY, BUT YOU ARE LIMITING ME. *TR

Mileage: 167,500

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT GM USED SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS IN OF ALL THINGS THE BRAKE LINES! I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY WHEN ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES BLEW DUE TO RUST. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? I SHOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST PARTIAL BRAKING ABILITY DUE TO THE FRONT AND REAR LINES BEING SEPARATE. LUCKILY FOR ME THIS HAPPENED RIGHT BEFORE MY FAMILIES THANKSGIVING TRIP, OR ELSE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING 70 ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED! PLEASE DON'T LET GM GET AWAY WITH THIS!

Mileage: 140,000

BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING. BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR BRAKES LEAKING ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOUT AS FAR BACK AS REAR DOOR LATCH, ABOUT HALF WAY BACK OF THE GAS TANK. BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR WITH MINIMAL STOPPING ABILITY AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.

Mileage: 230,000

THIS TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH A SUPPLIMENTAL VACUUM PUMP ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER, WHEN IT FAILS BRAKING IS REDUCED BY 50%. THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY CHEVY WITH NO PLANS FOR A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 3 SHOPS COMPLAINING OF POOR BRAKES, AND FINALLY THERES A SOLUTION. WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO, SCRAP OUT A $10,000 VEHICLE ? IM SURE THIS HIDDEN PROBLEM HAS CAUSED A MANY ACCIDENTS THAT COULD OF BEEN AVOIDED.

Mileage: 145,000

I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME STOPPING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY. PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ABS NEVER ACTIVATES BECAUSE WHEELS WILL NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO LOCK UP. (EXCEPT IN SNOW OR ICE) WHEN SITTING STILL PEDAL WILL PUSH ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR. HAVE REPLACED ALL BRAKES AND ROTORS AND FRONT CALIPERS AND MASTER CYLINDER. SEEMS TO HAVE ALL THE SYMTOMS OF CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V045000, BUT WHEN I ENTER MY VIN NUMBER, THAT RECALL DOES NOT COME UP. I REARENDED SOMEONE ABOUT A YEAR AGO ( NO DAMAGE) SINCE THEN I MAKE SURE TO LEAVE ABOUT 150 FEET BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.

Mileage: 180,000

WHILE SLOWING FROM 55MPH TO MAKE A TURN OFF OF STATE HIGHWAY, BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH DUE TO RUPTURED STEEL LINE. PEDAL WENT FULLY TO FLOOR, BRAKES RELEASED AND TURN OFF WAS MISSED. THANKFUL NOBODY WAS IN THE WAY! SHOCKED THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AT JUST 13YRS AND 150K MILES!!

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND HUSBAND, WE ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT GOING THAT FAST JUST 20 MPH. HUSBAND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, NO BRAKE FLUID. DROVE VERY SLOWLY TO LOCAL AUTO STORE, FILLED UP BRAKE FLUID. NO CHANGE IN BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY HOME WITH HAZARDS ON. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC, UPON INSPECTION, BRAKES LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT! ENTIRE BRAKE LINE TO BE REPLACED, OVER 2000.00 JOB!

Mileage: 200,000

WHILE APPLYING MY BRAKES ON HIGHWAY ROUT 87, NEAR ALBANY NY, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WE CRASHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. AFTER BEING TOWED TO A AAA REPAIR FACILITY THEY TOLD US THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE BUT THE STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD BLOWN OUT AND THE FLUID HAD LEAKED CAUSING LOSS OF STOPING POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING... WE SPENT $890.00 PLUS A HOTEL ROOM FOR ONE NIGHT AS WE WAITED FOR THEM TO MAKE A REPAIR TO ONE BRAKE LINE. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS MAKES NO SENSE.....THERE IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE HERE. PLEASE REOPEN THE CASE AND ADVISE A RECALL BEFORE A BIG SUV LIKE OURS HURTS SOMEONE IN A SMALL CAR BECAUSE THERE BRAKE LINES FAILED. THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL ITS TO LATE!!!

Mileage: 112,000

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR I HAD DRIVE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. THE RIGHT FRONT STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST.

Mileage: 107,000

WHILE TOWING A BASS BOAT AND SLOWING TO TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO DRIVE INTO AN OPEN FIELD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUMP BRAKES TO STOP. ONCE STOPPED I CHECKED TO FIND A LARGE LEAK IN A BRAKE LINE RUNNING ALONG DRIVERS SIDE REAR FRAME. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST DRIVEN DOWN A STEEP CURVED HILL. ADDITIONALLY, A SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 8/3/2015 WHEN DRIVING TOWARD AN INTERSECTION STOP SIGN. AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CAUSING A NEAR MISS AS THE STOP SIGN WAS DRIVEN THROUGH WHEN I COULDN'T STOP. THIS TIME THE DRIVERS FRONT LINE RUPTURED. ON EXAM HALF THE LINES ARE CLEAR OF RUST AND HALF ARE ALL RUSTED OBVIOUSLY FROM DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS. THIS TIME ALL WILL BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

MY BRAKES FAILED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN SW OHIO IN TRAFFIC. I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY CHANGING LANES ABRUPTLY AND COASTING TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REPAIR FACILITY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE RESULT OF A RUSTED BRAKE LINE THAT FAILED. THE REPAIRS COST ME $1300 PLUS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. I UNDERSTOOD FROM THE FEEDBACK OF THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT GM IS AWARE OR THIS DEFECT BUT HAS NOT ELEVATED IT TO A "RECALL". IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A "CAMPAIGN". I WAS NOT INFORMED BY ANYONE, INCLUDING A DEALERSHIP/ THE CAR IS LOW MILEAGE, BUT I DO LIVE IN THE NE WHERE THE CAR HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS ON THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR AT A DEALERSHIP NOT MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AGO FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR. THIS ISSUE WAS NOT REPORTED TO ME AT THAT TIME.

Mileage: 31,000

I HAD JUST COME OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ON THE EXIT RAMP. WENT TO PRESS MY BRAKES AT THE STOP LIGHT AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THANKFULLY THE OFF RAMP WAS AN SLIGHT UPHILL SO THAT HELPED ME SLOW AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING ACROSS. I WENT THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO STOP AFTER THE TURN BY PRESSING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT 2 OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THE OTHER LINES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST SO THEY WERE ALL REPLACED. I WAS THANKFUL THAT MY 4 KIDS AND HUSBAND WERE NOT IN THE CAR AND THAT THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC OR THIS COULD HAVE HAD A MUCH WORSE ENDING. AFTER SEEING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THE BRAKE LINES ON THE 2003 SUBURBAN, I WOULD HOPE THAT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED FOR SAFETY SAKE! *TR

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE WORKING UP TO STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE STOPPING POWER LEFT TO THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 169,000

DRIVING IN MY SUBDIVISION I APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH VERY LIMITED/SLOW STOPPING POWER STOPPING. WITH GREAT LUCK IT WASN'T AN EMERGENCY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO TERRIBLE IF A KID CAME IN FRONT LAST MINUTE BECAUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT. DRIVING VERY SLOWLY HOME AND IN THE DRIVEWAY I HAD ANOTHER PERSON APPLY THE BRAKES AND WHEN THEY DID BRAKE FLUID CAME DUMPING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED TERRIBLY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. ONE OF THE LINES HAD SPLIT, ALL THE OTHERS COULD GO ANY DAY NOW. READING ONLINE THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, ONE DAY THESE LINES ARE GOING TO BREAK AT THE WRONG TIME AND SOMEONE OR SOME PEOPLE MAY LOSE THEIR LIFE. DO THE RIGHT THING GM. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND FAILED ESPECIALLY WHERE THEY ATTACH TO THE ABS MECHANISM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. *TR

Mileage: 131,024

PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND NOTICED BRAKELINE BROKEN UNDER DRIVERSIDE DOOR.. ALL LINES LOOK HORRIBLE. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND BRAKES FAILED SUDDENLY TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP A NORMAL RATE. DRIVER NEEDED TO SWERVE OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SIDE CURVE. NOT WARNING SIGN OR LIGHT WAS LIT BEFORE INCIDENT. CLEAR YELLOWISH FLUID DRAINED FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE NEAR DRIVER'S DOOR. *TR

Mileage: 85,051

LOSS OF BRAKING POWER AND STOPPING ABILITY. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAD THE INCORRECT BRAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT MANUFACTURE. IT IS A 5780 POUND VEHICLE (3/4 TON) WITH 1/2 TON BRAKING SYSTEM FACTORY INSTALLED. ON WAY HOME FROM NY STATE TO FLORIDA I HAD LESS AND LESS STOPPING POWER. BRAKE FLUID UP TO FULL LEVEL. EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM FRONT WHEELS. I DROVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS IN ORDER TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, WHICH I FELT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TO REPORT AND ASK WHAT CAN BE DONE. IN THE INTERIM I HAVE HAD NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS INSTALLED AS A STOP GAP MEASURE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX AS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE REQUIRES THE 3/4 TON BRAKING SYSTEM RATHER THAN THE 1/2 TON SYSTEM THAT IS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WILL BE EXCESSIVE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR AS A CONSEQUENCE. *TR

Mileage: 184,000

THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 SUBURBAN FAILED SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS TAKING THE EXIT RAMP OFF THE INTERSTATE NEAR MY HOUSE. I BRAKE SHARPLY WHEN A VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE RIGHT TRAVEL LANE INTO THE EXIT LANE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THE MOMENT THAT HAPPENED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CHIMED CONTINUOUSLY AND DISPLAYED "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE TRUCK SEEMED TO HAVE NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER, AND I HAD TO SLOW THE TRUCK USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD JUST DRIVEN AROUND 55 MILES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-95 AND THE BELTWAY, WITH TRAFFIC OFTEN SLOWING, SPEEDING UP, THEN SLOWING AGAIN, THEN SPEEDING UP AGAIN. IF THIS BRAKE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED THEN, INSTEAD OF ON THE SLIGHTLY UPHILL EXIT RAMP OFF I-66 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE, IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CRASH. AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK HOME, I SAW FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. A FEW DAYS LATER, I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER, WHO GAVE ME A VERBAL ESTIMATE THAT REPLACING JUST THAT ONE BRAKE LINE WOULD COST AROUND $500, AND TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM (WHICH HE RECOMMENDED) WOULD COST AROUND $2000. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED IN A WEEK OR SO LATER AND HAD ALL OF THE LINES REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 72,103

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PASSENGERS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL TURNED RED. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, HEARD A POP AND HISSING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WAS SLOWING BUT NOT BY MUCH. I PULLED IT INTO LOW GEAR AND BLEW THE HORN. THE CAR SITTING AT THE LIGHT TOOK NOTICE AND PULLED OUT OF THE WAY AND I WAS ABLE TO GO AROUND THE CORNER ONTO LEVEL GROUND AND STOP THE TRUCK. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT ON THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THE FAILURE AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN GM DEALER SERVICED INCLUDING BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 174,860

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUBURBAN AND HEADING SOUTHBOUND ALONG WASHINGTON BLVD. IN ARLINGTON COUNTY. AS I APPROACHED MERGING TRAFFIC FROM RT. 50/ARLINGTON BLVD. AND FT. MYER, I ADJUSTED MY SPEED TO ALLOW VEHICLE #1 TO MERGE IN FRONT OF ME. SIMULTANEOUSLY, VEHICLE #2 SPED UP TO ABRUPTLY MERGE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE #1, CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO BRAKE HARD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLE #1 AND UPON DOING SO MANAGED TO GET STOPPED WITHOUT CONTACT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME LOST ALL FURTHER BRAKING ABILITY. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND A WARNING MESSAGE TO "SERVICE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY" BOTH ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND CALLED AAA FOR TOW SERVICE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER'S INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE BRAKE LININGS HAD LEAKED OUT. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK TOWED AND FURTHER ASSESSED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE ABS MODULE. ALTHOUGH NOW A 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ROUTINELY BY EITHER THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR SUBURBAN, OR WITH OUR LOCAL SUNOCO MECHANIC. IT ALSO RECENTLY PASSED INSPECTION IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OR WARNING OF ANY POSSIBLE BRAKE ISSUES. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT SERIOUS; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED ENTIRELY HAD GM NOTIFIED OWNERS OF POSSIBLE BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A CAR APPROACHING ON MY LEFT THAT HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND DID NOT HAVE A STOP SIGN. THEY WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING CAR AND I COULD NOT STOP. I CUT MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. AFTER I WAS CLEAR OF THEM, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THE REAR METAL BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU GOING TO ANTI LOCK BLOCK. THESE LINES RUN ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

WHEN DEPARTING FOR THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE STOPPING TIME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO TOW A 19 FOOT BOAT, THE TRIP WAS ABORTED IN THE FIRST MILE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, A SEVERE LEAKING OF BRAKE FLUID WAS DISCOVERED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE CHECKED AND EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE LINES WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS OR REDUCED PRESSURE FROM ANY INDICATOR SIGNAL. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED AS THE BRAKES WORKED WITHOUT ISSUE THE PREVIOUS EVENING. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

SLOWING DOWN TO TURN ON TO I95, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER, NO WARNING. THANK THE LORD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND SLOW DOWN WITH OUT HAVING A ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER THEY REPLACED ALL TO LINES. HAD TO TAKE IT TO OTHER GM DEALER TO TIGHTEN AND REPLACE A PART THE OTHER DEALER HAD STRIPPED THE THREADS ON AND TRIED TO FIX IT WITH TEFLON TAPE. ALSO TIGHTEN BODY MOUNTS THE DEALER LEFT LOOSE. *TR

Mileage: 96,836

THANKFULLY IN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AND WE NOTICED FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE LEFT REAR. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THERE WAS HEAVY RUST ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE METAL BRAKE LINE AT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. ALL OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES ARE IN VERY POOR CONDITION DUE TO RUST CONTAMINATION. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING A RUST ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LINES ON 2003 CHEVY SUBURBANS. WE HAVE MAINTAINED OUR VEHICLE WITH REGULAR SERVICE, AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. OUR SUBURBAN LOOKS NEW INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. IN 2008, WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE BACKING PLATES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THANKFULLY, GM PAID FOR THE REPAIR. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND WITH 94,038 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES), WE FEEL THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH IS NOT AN EXPECTED REPAIR. THE BRAKES FAILING COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SUBURBAN. *TR

Mileage: 94,038

RIGHT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR ISSUES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DASH ALERT CAME ON TO SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE. EVEN AT SLOW SPEED, THE HEAVY VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL FEET TO STOP. THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE HEADING TO THE REAR AXLE BURST IN 3 OR 4 PLACES CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. ALL LINES TO AND FROM THE ABS MODULE ARE HEAVILY RUSTED AND LOOK MUCH WORSE THAN OTHER COMPONENTS. AS I LOOKED INTO THIS ONLINE, I'VE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS VEHICLES HAVING THIS AND MUCH WORSE PROBLEMS INVOLVING ACCIDENTS. I CAN'T SEE HOW THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE EVER STOPPED SAFELY. I JUST DROVE IT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD NO WARNING SIGNS. THIS IS MORE THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THESE BRAKE LINES ARE SUB STANDARD AND COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BETTER. ANOTHER SIGN OF LARGE CORPORATIONS TRYING TO USE INFERIOR MATERIALS TO BOOST THEIR STOCKHOLDERS PROFITS. SOMEONE HELP US. *TR

Mileage: 132,126

AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP AND AVOID INJURING MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON. THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 50 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR OR I MIGHT NOT BE WRITING THIS TODAY (OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY ME DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE). I DISCOVERED THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE WAS BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE PREMATURELY CORRODED AND THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NHTSA AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW DARE YOU AND GM PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AT RISK BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOMPETENCE!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL??? A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF CHEVY OWNERS AS WELL AS PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE WHICH I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CARS WITH 3 TIMES AS MANY MILES SHOULDN'T EXPERIENCE. PERHAPS CONGRESS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS DERELICTION OF DUTY BY NHTSA. HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED IN ACCIDENTS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION??? IF TOTAL FAILURE OF A VEHICLE'S BREAKING SYSTEM DOESN'T SPUR A CALL TO ACTION BY NHTSA THEN WHAT WILL? WHAT COULD BE MORE VITAL TO SAFETY THAN BRAKES ON A 1/2 TON TRUCK? REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE LINE WILL COST ME OVER $1,200 AND THAT JUST ADDS INSULT TO THIS WHOLE DISGRACEFUL SITUATION. I DEMAND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT I HAVE TO CORRECT. NHTSA HAS FAILED AND IT'S COSTING WAY MORE THAN $1,200; IT'S COSTING AMERICANS THEIR LIVES. *TR

Mileage: 60,100

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. UPON INSPECTION THEY SAID ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO OUTSIDE RUST WHICH I HAD THEM DO. I LIVE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. CANT REMEMBER COST OF CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACING ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

ON 3-8-14 AT ABOUT 10:00 AM I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME WHEN I WAS APPROACHING A TWO WAY STOP SIGN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I BEGAN BRAKING NORMALLY FOR THE STOP WHEN SHORTLY AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE RESISTANCE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOST AND THE PEDAL WENT INSTANTLY TO THE FLOOR. AT THE TIME THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY BREAKING OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING AND CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE INTERSECTION. PUMPING THE BRAKES LIGHTLY PROVIDED A SLIGHT BREAKING. I CONTINUED TO DRIFT AND DOWN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE CAR COULD BE STOPPED. WHEN INSPECTING UNDER THE VEHICLE, BREAK FLUID WAS SEEN DRIPPING AT A FAST RATE FROM A BREAK LINE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS QUICKLY BUILDING UP. LATER THAT DAY I WENT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT THAT COULD BE INSTALLED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE COMMON INSTANTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 211,950

VEHICLE MADE A FULL STOP, DRIVER THEN CONTINUED ON AND PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN, BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND DIC ADVISED OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE, EACH TIME ANOTHER AREA OF THE LINE BURSTING. EACH TIME I HAVE PAID MORE THAN $185 TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

BRAKES FAILED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AFTER LEAVING A GAS STATION. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING DOWN FRAME RAIL NEXT TO ABS BOOSTER BY THE FUEL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

APPROACHING STOP SIGN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. AFTER LOOKING AT LINES ,THEY ARE ALL CORRODED TERRIBLY AND I NOTICED THE NHTSA HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT ON THIS VERY THING. *TR

Mileage: 100,910

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR OUR STATES' REQUIRED ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND, IN HIS OWN WORDS, ON THE VERGE OF COMPLETE FAILURE. HE SHOWED ME THE LINES WHICH WERE FLAKING AND ALREADY PITTED AND CREVASED. HE NOTED THIS WAS A **VERY** DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD RESULT IN A "NO BRAKE CONDITION". AFTER SHOWING ME THE BRAKE LINES IN QUESTION, HE RECOMMENDED FULL BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT. I TOOK HIS RECOMMENDATION SERIOUSLY AND I WENT HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THE INTERNET ABOUNDED WITH OWNERS OF 1999-2003 SUBURBAN (AND OTHER CHEVY/GM MODELS) PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES. !!! I WAS APPALLED THAT SO MANY PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED AND WITH NO FORMAL RECOURSE/ACTION TAKEN BY CHEVROLET. [AS A RELATED NOTE, IN THE PRIOR ANNUAL INSPECTION FOR THIS VEHICLE, THE ABS SENSORS WERE NOTED AS RUSTED THROUGH, AND WHICH I HAD REPLACED]. WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA WHERE THE WEATHER IS MODERATE AND THERE IS NOT THAT MUCH WINTER CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE ROAD SALTING, ETC. SO THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE LIVING IN HARSH ROAD-SALTED CONDITIONS. I ENDED UP DECIDING TO SPEND THE $$ TO REMEDIATE THIS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND TO GET ANOTHER 10 YEARS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED A STAINLESS STEEL SET OF PRE-BENT BRAKE LINES SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE (SHOWS THAT THERE IS A DEMAND FOR THESE IN THE MARKET BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION) AND HAVING THEM INSTALLED (OVER $1K TOTAL). OUCH! CHEVROLET NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE, ADMIT CULPABILITY, AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR VEHICLE OWNERS. COME ON CHEVY... *TR

Mileage: 54,894

MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. DEALER SAID FRONT TO BACK BRAKE LINE CORROSION. COST WILL BE $2000 TO FIX. WE SEE THERE IS A PENDING INVESTIGATION ON THIS AND WANT TO KNOW STATUS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKELY FROM RESEARCHING THIS THAT A RECALL IS POSSIBLE. CAN YOU PROVIDE A STATUS ON BRAKE LINE CORROSION INVESTIGATION AMONG 1999-2003 GM VEHICLES. NOT FAIR THAT WE HAVE TO PAY $2000 FOR BRAKE CORROSION THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE ADVISE IF POSSIBLE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

ALL BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINE RUSTED ,WAS NOT DRIVING FAST ,DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 3500. HAVE TO TAKE TRANS OUT ,I THINK GM SHOULD HELP PAY FOR THIS THEY HAVE 3 OTHER TAHOES AND SUBURBANS THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ,TOO BAD THEY GOT BAILED OUT. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

BRAKE FAIL WITH NO PRESSURE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS, WE WERE GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL OFF ROADWAY ON TO GRASS AREA TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILL. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, IT WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AREA. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT BRAKE LINE EVER FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. WE IN NORTH EAST OF THE COUNTRY BY THE SHORE AREA ARE SUBJECT TO SALT DURING WINTER AND MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION FOR SAFETY OF PUBLIC. *TR

Mileage: 221,334

I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN FOR A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH RECENTLY. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT ALL THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE CORRODED VERY BADLY ESPECIALLY THE BRAKE LINES. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL MY BRAKE CALIPERS. BRAKE ROTORS WERE ALMOST END OF THEIR LIFE. SO I ENDED UP REPLACING ALL 4 BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS AND THE BRAKE HOSES LEADING TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE SHOP SAID SOONER OR LATER I WOULD NEED MY BRAKE LINES REPLACED. I JUST SEARCHED ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION ON THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION HENCE DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU. FROM THE CARFAX HISTORY REPORT, THIS TRUCK WAS REGISTERED AROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA AREA FOR IT'S ENTIRE LIFE AND ALSO IT WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIPS AROUND THIS AREA. SO I GUESS THIS TRUCK WAS ON THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE U.S FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE BUT NOT CLOSER TO SALT (SEA) WATER OR WEATHER.. SHOULD YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. *JS

Mileage: 112,200

STOPPED TO GET GAS. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T STOP, WARNINGS STARTED GOING OFF AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING, HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO LOOK UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW ALL THE FLUID, TOLD ME TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FLUID WAS SPRAYING FROM A LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

MY BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED. WHEN I CHECKED, MOST OF MY BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CRUMBLING. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE WHICH IS RARELY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. FURTHERMORE, IT HAS RECEIVED UNDERCARRIAGE CLEAN WATER WASHING TWICE A YEAR SINCE 2006 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE LINES WILL EVENTUALLY RUST BUT THIS CASE SEEMS EXTREME, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A WELL CARED FOR, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE THAT RARELY SEES ROAD SALT. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

WIFE JUST RETURNED FROM WORK, BACKING INTO THE GARAGE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR (NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS)? WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER AND LOOKED BRAKE LINES WERE RUPTURED NEST TO FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 142,000

MY SON WAS DRIVING IN BAKERSFIELD CA, HE WAS ON BUENA VISTA, WHEN HE CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT MING AVE. THE LIGHT CHANGED AND WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND HE SKIDDED THRU THE INTERSECTION, THRU THE RED LIGHT. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH ON THAT ROAD, THE TIME WAS 11AM. NO OTHER CAR WAS HIT. HE HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A AAA SHOP, THEY SAID THE FRONT BRAKE TUBING OFF THE ABS BOXED TO THE FRONT CALIPER FAILED FROM RUSTING OUT (WITH NO WARNING). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AT THAT SHOP AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO 3 WAY CHEV. I CALLED THE CHEVY FACTORY LINE AND SPOKE TO A REP. SHE SAID THEY MIGHT WARRANTY SOME OF THE REPAIR BUT THEIR DEALER SHIP HAD TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED HER OF THE MILEAGE AND GAVE HER THE VIN# I TOLD HER I ALSO BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HERITAGE CHEVY IN MD. I CALLED THEM AND GOT A PRICE TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE TUBING FOR $1600.00 AND IF IT NEEDED A ABS BOX IT WOULD BE TOTAL OF $3400.00 FOR EVERYTHING.3WAY CHEVY IN BAKERSFIELD SAID IT WOULD COST $7597.07 FOR EVERYTHING BUT IT MAY BE MORE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE CAB FROM THE FRAME. THEY ALSO SAID THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW BECAUSE OF THE SALT THAT IS USED ON THE ROADS. THIS IS A 4X4 AND I LIVE IN NORTHERN MD AND I BOUGHT FOR THE SNOW AND I TOW A 24 FOOT BOAT THAT WEIGHS 6300 LBS. THE FACTORY REP SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE, WHICH I ORIGINALLY TOLD THEM ABOUT. THE FACTORY REPS KEEP ON TRANSFERRING ME TO OTHER REPS TILL I GAVE UP. I WAS ASE TECH( EVERYTHING EXCEPT TRANSMISSIONS ) , MD STATE INSPECTOR AND MD CERTIFIED EMISSIONS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. THIS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THE GM TRUCKS WILL EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED. I SOLD THE TRUCK FOR $ 1500.00 WITH NO BRAKES AS IS. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED A COLLISION WITH CAR THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT. INSPECTION UNDER THE CAR SHOWED BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED AROUND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

THIS WAS THE DATE A MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER AND WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THAT. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS CONTROL UNIT RUPTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION, RESULTING IN SEVERE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND NEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE. REPLACED BOTH LINES ON THE ADVICE OF MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OTHER LINE WAS JUST AS BADLY CORRODED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS CONTROL UNIT TO THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION IN DECEMBER OF 2012, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. REPLACED THAT PORTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM, AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BRAKE LINES STILL EXTANT. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

BRAKE LINE FAILURE, BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN NEW IN 2003. IN MAY OF 20011, I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD IN PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING FROM HOME TO STORE. TOOK THE SUBURBAN TO OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON CHEVROLET DEALER WHO SAID CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES THAT WERE LEAKING AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES. IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS, I HAD DRIVEN THE SUBURBAN ON MOUNTAIN ROADS IN NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE AREA THAT WERE UNPAVED AND HAD STEEP INCLINES, WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD A FAILURE ON THOSE ROADS OR ON PAVED HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE TRIP HOME. ALL BREAK LINES WERE REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE SUBURBAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT FUEL TANK VENT THAT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS REQUIRED REPLACING THE FUEL TANK SINCE THE VENT WAS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY!! THE NEW TANK WITH VENT COST $829 DOLLARS BRINGING THE TOTAL COST OVER $3,000 DOLLARS. NOTE, I ALSO PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD NEW, WHICH I STILL HAVE, AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR OVER 70,000 MILES AND IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AS THE 2003 SUBURBAN, AND IT HAS NO SIGNS OF RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES OR FUEL LINES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS OF OTHER MODEL YEARS AND IT IS A LIFE ENDANGERING FAILURE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY CHEVROLET FOR THESE REPAIRS AND A RECALL ISSUED ALL SUBURBANS TO CHECK FOR THIS RUSTING OF THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES TO AVOID LOSS OF BRAKES THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 53,817

WE BOUGHT THE SUBURBAN IN VIRGINIA IN 2004 MOVED TO WASHINGTON STATE IN 2007. LIVED THERE FOR 4 YEARS AND NOW LIVE IN GUAM WHICH HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. THE 2003 SUBURBAN HAS SEEN VERY LITTLE SNOW AND WHEN IT HAS THE STATES WE HAVE LIVE IN USE SAND AND NOT SALT AND YES I KNOW GUAM IS A ISLAND. WHILE COMING HOME A CAR PULLED INFRONT OF US AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, I BARLEY STOPPED IN TIME WHICH WOULD OF BEEN NO PROBLEM IF THEY BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY (NOTE: GUAM'S MAX SPEED LIMIT ON THE ISLAND IS 35 MILES PER HOUR) . STILL IN TRAFFIC I HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF WHICH TOOK ABOUT A MINUTE, LUCKY IT WAS UP HILL. THE SERVICE WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK BRAKES OF COURSE AT THIS TIME THEY WHERE COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR TAKING 100 FEET TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP THANK YOU K-MART PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID WAS BELOW THE DRIVERS DOOR. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS FAILURE THEY WORKED FINE ONE MINUTE THEN NOT THE NEXT. I AM NOW BEING QUOTED 1,100.00 DOLLAR REPAIR BY THE DEALERSHIP AND TO TOP IT OFF IT WILL BE ATLEAST 2 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS FROM DETROIT SINCE THEY ONLY USE OEM PARTS. NOT TO MENTION THE RENTAL CAR BILL I WILL RACKING UP IN GUAM. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS 6 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEY FAIL AGAIN WILL I BE SO LUCKY SINCE OEM PARTS ARE NOT STAINLESS STEEL. *TR

Mileage: 96,343

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH NO HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. THE CAR NO LONGER SLOW DOWN SO I DOWN SHIFTED TO SLOW THE CAR AND FINALLY GOT IT TO STOP AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO STAY STOPPED. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE BRAKES COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING. ONCE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND THEIR WAS NONE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT. I AM THANKFUL THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT ANY FASTER SPEEDS, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND OCCURRED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TRAVELING FROM MA TO FL, STOPPED TO EAT DINNER AND CHANGE DRIVERS. WHEN WE RESUMED THE TRIP WE LOST THE BRAKES IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE RESTAURANT. A MECHANIC IN NC CAME OUT ON A SUNDAY MORNING TO HELP US. HE FOUND THE BRAKE LINE AT THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. HE SAID HE KEEPS A COIL OF BRAKE LINES IN STOCK SO HE CAN MAKE UP A BRAKE LINE FOR TRAVELERS FROM THE NORTH. WHEN I CALLED HIM TO TELL HIM WE LOST OUR BRAKES, HE SAID YOU ARE FROM THE NORTH, RIGHT? I THOUGHT IT WAS MY ACCENT BUT HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE GETS ENOUGH CALLS FOR THIS THAT HE KEEPS A COIL OF MATERIAL IN STOCK. WE ARE FORTUNATE IT WAS NOT IN CITY TRAFFIC OR AT A HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH I FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND AN ARTICLE THAT NHTSA WAS STUDYING THIS. *TR

Mileage: 174,000

MY LOW MILEAGE 2003 SUBURBAN HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW. IN MARCH 2011 MY BRAKE LINES FAILED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. UPON TAKING IT TO JBA CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS, SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY REPLACED ROTTED BRAKE LINES IN 2003 AND 2004 GM PRODUCTS ALL DAY LONG. HE ALSO SAID THAT DURING THESE YEARS GM CHOSE NOT TO ANODIZE THEIR BRAKE LINES ON SOME MODELS. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA, HE TOLD US THAT CAR DEALERS AND REPAIR SHOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FILE COMPLAINTS, THAT COMPLAINTS MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE CONSUMER. WHO ELSE WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN A CAR DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP ABOUT CONTINUING DEFECTS FOUND IN A CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE? *TR

Mileage: 33,000

I WAS COMING UP ON AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO WORK. I HAD NO WARNING, ONLY AFTER I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR DID THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT COME ON AND READ "SERVICE BRAKES". THE CAR WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED AAA, WHO CAME AND TOWED ME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND I HAD LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID. *TR

Mileage: 77,941

BRAKES WORKED FINE DRIVING TO LUMBER YARD, AFTER LOADING LUMBER, AND BACKING UP, THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO OLYMPIA CHEVROLET DEALER ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY. BRAKE FLUID WAS ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN IN THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. LEFT CAR FOR DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF BRAKE PEDAL NOT HAVING ANY PRESSURE. PRESSING ON BRAKE WOULD PROVIDE SLIGHT BRAKING TO SLOW VEHICLE. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED, AND SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH, PREVENTING PRESSURE TO BRAKES. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY FLUID SPOTS IN MY DRIVEWAY NOR ANY LOSS OF BRAKING IN RECENT DRIVING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALL THE STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT GM DID NOT HAVE ANY STOCK REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES. THIS MEANT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER BRAKE LINE TUBING AND FORM THE BRAKE TUBING TO FIT THE VEHICLE. THE COST OF THIS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,800- $2,000. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING OVER 110 COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES ON OTHER CHEVROLET AND GM VEHICLES DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. PLEASE ADD THIS COMPLAINT TO THAT LIST. I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN NEW IN 2003 AND IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER AND HAS MINIMAL MILEAGE. I FEEL THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE HANDLED AS AN RECALL AND THE COSTS PAID BY GM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 57,500

I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN 2500 AND PULLING A TRAILER. I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND JUST MISSED ANOTHER CAR BEFORE I COULD STOP. I CHECKED THE BRAKES, A BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK HAD BURST DUE TO HEAVY RUSTING. *TT

Mileage: 100,568