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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,867 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #47

Dec 102000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS engages at slow speed in normal driving conditions and occasionally following braking when cornering. Decrease in braking distance also noticed as it feels as if slipping occurs in brakes. Grinding noise also attendant to this situation. Dealer service replaced sensor and hub assembly. Brakes had been replaced previously at 70,000 miles, which I consider too early on this vehicle.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #46

Jul 221999

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
ABS system is faulty, dealer says there is no problem found. Nlm

- Owings, MD, USA

problem #45

Jul 042000

Suburban

  • miles
ABS system was activating due to defect in snap ring of transmission. The brakes would fail at slow speed causing the ABS system to think the rear tires were sliding, therefore the ABS system would work. The reason for this was the snap ring in the transmission was mispositioned causing the output shaft to have to much end play, therefore causing the vehicle speed sensor to lose signal, and the ABS system would kick in everytime you stopped. The computer never logged that the ABS system had ever been working, or had ever worked. After reassemble the transmission correctly everything appears to be working fine. This problem appear to have caused abnormal wear in the rear brake shoes, due to the fact that the ABS was working all the time. After this wore out the shoes, the brakes started failing.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #44

Jul 112000

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While depessing brake pedal to the floorboard vehicle goes into extented stopping distance.

- West Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #43

Aug 151997

Suburban

  • miles
Emergency brake cable engaged by itself sporadically. Also excessive wear of brake pads, 3 sets of pads wore out from 8,000 miles to 48,000 miles of wear/ rotors were replaced due to defective hub. Also, 2 brake sensors and 2 sets of brake calipers were replaced. Dealer notified, and most repairs and labor was done under warranty, other repairs were done at consumer's cost.

- Leonard, MI, USA

problem #42

Jan 201999

Suburban

  • miles
Brake pedal goes down to the floor whenever brakes are applied. Dealer was not notified at this time.

- Sagamore Hills, OH, USA

problem #41

Jan 282000

Suburban 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sudden brake failure; brake pedal depressed completely to floor; small amount of braking capability remained; loud mechanical"crunch" sound from underneath chassis.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #40

Dec 181998

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the brakes aren't working because the front brakes are not strong to stop the truck, this also causes extended stopping distance.

- Soeieski, WI, USA

problem #39

Nov 011998

Suburban

  • miles
Vehicle been experenicing ongoing brake failure whenever brakes are applied in wet/snowy road conditions. Vehicle been in dealer shop on three occasions, and problem still goes unresolved.

- Banner, WY, USA

problem #38

Aug 061999

Suburban

  • miles
When applying the brakes the steering wheel vibrates very hard, and vehicle could possibly lose control. Took to dealer, they said it was out of warranty.

- San Banito, TX, USA

problem #37

Oct 311997

Suburban

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ongoing problem with rear wheel brakes system not working. Vehicle been inspected/repaired by two different dealers. On several occasions brake pads have been replaced. Also, four rotors have been replaced and turnd more then twice each. Problem still occurring.

- Green Lane, PA, USA

problem #36

Feb 181998

Suburban

  • miles
Excessive front disc pad wear - vehicle pulls to left when braking - description is the same for each incident - pads replaced and drums turned at 9948 and 33000 miles - obviously there is a design problem with these brakes.

- Deer Park, TX, USA

problem #35

Jul 011999

Suburban

  • miles
When traveling on wet pavement about 10-15 mph and upon depressing the brake pedal to make a gradual stop, the anti-lock brakes locked up, causing the vehicle to go into a skid, resulting in extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #34

Aug 051999

Suburban

  • miles
While stopping, applying brake, heard a clunk noise and felt a jarring. After parking, tried to put into reverse and could not. Was able to drive forward but heard a grinding noise. Now unable to get into gear and it does not shift. No reverse. The brake problem became apparent with a grinding noise while moving through stop and go traffic. Failed calipers and resulting in damaged rotors and pads.

- Port Arthur, TX, USA

problem #33

Oct 091999

Suburban

  • miles
This was a major acid discharge not a leak! all repairs as yet under warranty. 1 in 10 vans to the garage reported to have this defect. Garage only replaced the other brake line when we offered to pay for it. When we offered to pay for it.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #32

Sep 291999

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
During a normal braking procedures severe vibration will occur which will shake dashboard and entire vehicle.

- Butte, MT, USA

problem #31

Sep 201999

(reported on)

Suburban

  • miles
When the brakes are applied, they would make squeaky noises & the brake pedal would go to the floor. Also, every 3 months, the ABS braking system had to be replaced due to excessive wear.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #30

Sep 151999

(reported on)

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying the brakes in wet weather the ABS locks up and vehicle skids for an excessive amount of distance. Dealer can't duplicate the problem.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #29

Jul 021999

Suburban

  • miles
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, they will go straight to the floorboard, and the ABS system will kick in. Consumer had to pump the brakes hard to stop the vehicle.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #28

Jul 191999

Suburban 4WD

  • miles
Tires locked under hard braking on dry and wet pavement while on 2-wheel drive mode on paved roads.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

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