Chevrolet Suburban Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 940 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Suburban across 21 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (223). The words owners use most often: “stopping distance” (12% of reports).
- 940service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 91mention a crash
- 31mention an injury
- 10related recalls
- $1,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 12%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 111 of 940 complaints (12%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 72 of 940 complaints (8%)
- ABS brakes: mentioned in 71 of 940 complaints (8%)
- Brake pads: mentioned in 50 of 940 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the Chevrolet Suburban at $1,400, and half of them between $850 and $2,000.
Based on 29 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 319 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 940 complaints, 91 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 31 an injury.
Chevrolet Suburban service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Suburban | 1 | 1% | 3,000 |
| 2021 Suburban | 1 | 1% | 30,000 |
| 2019 Suburban | 1 | 1% | 89,000 |
| 2018 Suburban | 2 | 2% | 59,500 |
| 2017 Suburban | 2 | 1% | 48,000 |
| 2016 Suburban | 4 | 2% | 110,416 |
| 2015 Suburban | 3 | 1% | 92,000 |
| 2011 Suburban | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2009 Suburban | 1 | 1% | 44,000 |
| 2007 Suburban | 2 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2005 Suburban | 7 | 5% | 88,000 |
| 2004 Suburban | 17 | 8% | 38,260 |
| 2003 Suburban | 26 | 9% | 82,500 |
| 2002 Suburban | 68 | 24% | 68,000 |
| 2001 Suburban | 89 | 20% | 66,400 |
| 2000 Suburban | 51 | 18% | 72,000 |
| 1999 Suburban | 223 | 35% | 90,200 |
| 1998 Suburban | 57 | 28% | 60,595 |
| 1997 Suburban | 92 | 22% | 79,275 |
| 1996 Suburban | 129 | 36% | 174,116 |
| 1995 Suburban | 163 | 36% | 120,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (10)
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured July 9, 2013, through July 22, 2013; and 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013, through July 23, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Yukon vehicles manufactured July 13, 2013, through July 18, 2013; and model year 2014 GMC Yukon XL vehicles manufactured on July 22, 2013. The rear brake caliper bolts may not be fully tightened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Loose caliper bolts may cause reduced braking performance and result in lengthened stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts on both rear brake caliper brackets. Any bolts found loose will be replaced and tightened. This service will be performed, at no charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's recall number is 13247.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002
Problem: Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2005
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
Risk: This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2004, 2005
Problem: Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2003, 2004
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle. If contact occurs and the brake pipe becomes damaged, in half of the brake system there can be a loss of brake fluid and pressure. The brake warning lamp will be activated when the brake fluid level reaches the indicator limit.
Risk: During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not signs of wear on the brake pipe, the dealer will install a spacer clip to ensure sufficient clearance between the brake pipe and the body cross sill.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105.
Fix: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
Risk: If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle brakes independently activated. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and…
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, he observed that the brake pedal briefly depressed all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 2 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal before the vehicle stopped. The…
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the brake pedal seized while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and "Brake System Failure" and another unknown message were displayed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Suburbans have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 940 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Chevrolet Suburban. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Suburban service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 10 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Suburban?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,400 (half paid between $850 and $2,000), from 29 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Chevrolet Suburban?
The most frequent phrase is “stopping distance”, in 111 of 940 complaints, followed by “anti lock” (72).
Other Chevrolet Suburban problems
- Electrical System problems (747)
- Air Bags problems (651)
- Power Train problems (629)
- Service Brakes problems (567)
- Engine problems (531)
- Steering problems (452)
- Structure problems (363)
- Tires problems (325)
See all Chevrolet Suburban problems.