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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
127,750 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.

2002 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #58

Jan 152002

Suburban

  • 500 miles

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

The parking brake on this vehicle has never worked properly since new and now I get a rejection sticker in the state where I live due to this and then have to spend money to repair it and it still does not work. It will not hold even on the slightest incline. Very dangerous.

- Fries, VA, USA

problem #57

Nov 172015

Suburban

  • miles
Brake line has corroded and rubbed a hole in the brake line and leaded fluided. Has been replaced and is rubbing in same place on frame again.

- Colonial Beach, VA, USA

problem #56

Sep 282015

Suburban

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the anti lock brake activated without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #55

Sep 042012

Suburban

  • 225,000 miles

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

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

- Toccoa, GA, USA

problem #54

Sep 132015

Suburban

  • 217,000 miles
Driving in close traffic (bumper to bumper) uphill on two lane bridge, brake pedal just went to the floor, and no brakes! frantically, I worked the emergency brake to the top of the bridge. Going down the bridge I coasted (no area to pull off), once off the bridge and safe to pull over I did so. Nothing appeared wrong, so I tried the brakes a number of times, and decided I could make the.5 mile rest of way home. Once there, I found fluid level down over half way. After searching found hard bake line had holds in it. After searching my brake lines, they appear to all be rusted badly. In all the vehicles I've owned, I've never had brake lines fail like this. In searching the web sites I find that Chevy may have used inferior metals for their brake lines during this time frame. If this is true, why have they not taken care of correcting this issue? thanks, concerned.

- Beaufort, SC, USA

problem #53

Aug 032015

Suburban

  • 84,000 miles
My antilock brakes are going off at slow speeds, almost causing accident, going about 4-5 mph, need to know if my VIN is covered in recall

- Moundsville, WV, USA

problem #52

Jul 312015

Suburban

  • 91 miles

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

Driving down L street in omaha, Nebraska approaching 96th street. Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor and vehicle would not stop. I was able to pull to the side of the road just before light at 96th St on a slight hill which assisted vehicle stopping. The brake master cylinder was low. The car was towed to yeck's auto in bellevue, ne. Had I been following other vehicles closely or approached a quick changing yellow light the vehicle would not have stopped. Yeck's auto has since determined the brake lines failed. After internet investigation yields that GM has known about this defect. No warning lights, no indication of a problem. This vehicle needs to be recalled. The vehicle has been serviced at beardmore Chevrolet in bellevue, ne at prescribed intervals since day 1. GM saying this is normal is frankly unacceptable. How many people have not been as lucky as I was on this day.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #51

Jul 272015

Suburban

  • 102,000 miles
Started vehicle put in reverse to back up and when applied brakes they pedal was soft and then went to floor and vehicle hit a tree. Brake lines are rusted severely.

- Highland Heights, KY, USA

problem #50

Jun 172008

Suburban 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,204 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 2500. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the brakes would pulsate and increase stopping distance. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling) and 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who replaced the crank shaft sensor. The vehicle was not repaired for the brake failure. The failure mileage was 113,204. Updated 6/8/15 updated 10/2/2017

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #49

Sep 232014

Suburban

  • 120,000 miles
Went to press on the brake pedal to put the vehicle into drive and the brake pedal went to the floor. I put the vehicle in park got out and brake fluid was coming out from under the car near the front of the drivers door.

- Tipp City, OH, USA

problem #48

Jul 272013

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 110,000 miles

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

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. Suburban sold in new england have steel brake lines! this is my 8th Suburban. First experience with rusting everywhere under chassis, esp. Brake lines.

- Milford, MA, USA

problem #47

Jan 012015

Suburban

  • 142,195 miles
Coming up to a stop light I noticed I needed to push brake peddle farther down to stop. The same for each stop after that. I knew that another brake line had failed. I had two replace under hood about a year ago. This one is over frame midway back.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #46

Nov 142014

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Vehicle was involved in crash after brakes failed, without warning indicator. Brake line was corroded through in engine compartment near bracket on frame.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #45

Nov 102014

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 190,000 miles
The vehicle was being driven on a public road and when approaching a stop sign there were no brakes or pressure on the pedal. Vehicle was put in neutral and coasted to a stop after some evasive driving to avoid other vehicles. The brakes failed again due to corrosion of the fittings. This is the second time with this vehicle. Now replacing all break lines to avoid taking any chances.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #44

Mar 102012

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
The brakes went out due to a corroded fitting, while backing a boat trailer/boat into the water. So no brakes, used emergency brake to stop. Vehicle was towed to a garage and the brake line fitting was repaired. On November 10, 2014 the brakes went out again while driving it. Again a corroded fitting. No accidents but resulted in vehicle being towed and now an expensive fix to replace all brake lines.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #43

Nov 112014

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
Brakes failed today. Steel tubing was found to be perforated along the forward left portion. The remainder of the tubing is substantially corroded and appears subject to failure as well. I see that this failure is the subject of NHTSA action number EA11001.

- Scranton, NC, USA

problem #42

Sep 302014

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
My wife had driven the Suburban like always and without any issues. At the end of the day she parked it and it sat until the next morning. I walked out to it and from the driver's side I saw a large puddle underneath my drivers side. When I turned on my truck the brake light was on and when I shifted into gear I noticed the brakes were out. I contacted GM and gave them the NHTSA action number (EA11001) but since they could not find anything in their system they cannot cover anything. I see that this issue is the second one opened and this one has been opened since Jan 5, 2011.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #41

Jul 112014

Suburban

  • 167,445 miles
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.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #40

Sep 262013

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
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. 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.

- Mt. Airy, MD, USA

problem #39

Mar 152014

Suburban

  • 164,000 miles
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?..

- Pound Ridge, NY, USA

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