FaultScore

1993 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems

426 of the 616 complaints about the 1993 Chevrolet Suburban are about the braking system — 69% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 101,000 miles.

F

426

Complaints

90

Crashes

0

Fires

19

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 338 79.3%
Foundation Components 21 4.9%
Antilock 13 3.1%
Master Cylinder 12 2.8%
Disc 9 2.1%
Rotor 6 1.4%
Pads 6 1.4%
Drum 5 1.2%
Pedals AND Linkages 4 0.9%
Caliper 3 0.7%

Brakes across every Chevrolet Suburban year

1990 11 0.4%
1991 15 0.5%
1992 161 5.4%
1993 426 14.2%
1994 649 21.6%
1995 191 6.4%
1996 173 5.8%
1997 116 3.9%
1998 78 2.6%
1999 285 9.5%
2000 110 3.7%
2001 192 6.4%
2002 136 4.5%
2003 93 3.1%
2004 51 1.7%
2005 25 0.8%
2015 152 5.1%
2016 82 2.7%
2017 44 1.5%
2018 14 0.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 82,000 miles Bellevue, WA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DURING ALL KINDS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, TWICE CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT. DURING A HARD BRAKING SITUATION WHEN ON DRY PAVEMENT, OR ANY BRAKING CONDITION ON WET PAVEMENT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND THEY GRAB AND THEN RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT COMPLETELY STOPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MANY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS FOR REPAIR AND BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED WITH COMPLETE BRAKE REBUILDS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO IMPROVEMENT IN STOPPING ABILITIES. THIS MODEL VEHICLE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY HAVE BEEN RECALLED SHORTLY AFTER MANUFACTURE. THERE IS SO MUCH DOCUMENTATION THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT THIS AGENCY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF NOT FORCING A RECALL FOR REPAIRS OR COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEMS. THE MINOR RECALL AND"FIX" OF THE BRAKE-BOOSTER OUTPUT ROD WERE A JOKE AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED AS A FIX. THE EXCUSE CHEVROLET USES THAT IT IS A "BRAKE PEDAL FEEL" THAT IS THE PROBLEM IS INEXCUSABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE. I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER (CLASS "A" CDL WITH ALL ENDORSEMENTS) AND MECHANIC AND HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL OTHER MAKES OF LARGE HEAVY PASSENGER TRUCKS AND SUV'S WITH ABS BRAKING AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10205934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 152,825 miles Baltimore, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN MAKING A TURN AT HIGH SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL/BRAKES LOCKED UP TEMPORARILY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10073579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Missouri City, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY SUBURBAN HAS DEVELOPED A PECULIAR PROBLEM THAT HAS LEFT EVEN THE DEALERSHIPS COMPLETELY CLUELESS!!! THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO ABOUT 180 F (STILL LESS THAN THE MID POINT ON THE GUAGE) AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF DRIVING -- THIS IS QUITE NORMAL. IF WE STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START! WE HAVE TO WAIT A COUPLE OF HOURS WHILE THE ENGINE COOLS OFF TO ABOUT 160 F, AND IT STARTS UP JUST FINE. WE ONLY NOTICED THIS SINCE WE WERE ON A LONG CROSS COUNTRY DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE, AND WE HAD TO PLAN ON TWO HOUR STOPS DURING OUR TRIP. WE EVEN DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP IN RALEIGH AFTER STRAIGHT 6 HOUR DRIVES SO THAT THEY COULD SEE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM -- BUT THEY WERE COMPLETELY STUMPED. I WOULD LIKE CHEVROLET TO HELP DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ONE MOMENT THE BREAKS WERE FINE, THE NEXT WE WERE FLOORING THE BREAK PEDAL AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANICS HAD TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT REPLACING THE UNIT ($1200 FOR THE UNIT ITSELF). THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE ISSUE INVESTIGATED IN 1992-1995 SUBURBANS. I AM SURPRISED THAT THE RECALL WAS LIMITED TO THE LIGHTER SUVS ONLY -- A DECISION BASED ON COST (MOST PROBABLY). IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE MORE CRITICAL IN HEAVIER VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10070707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Topeka, KS

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC

1993 CHEVROLET PU VIN # [XXX] AND 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN VIN # [XXX] BOTH VEHICLES HAVE FAULTY WIPERS. THE 1999 ALSO HAD THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM GO OUT. THE WIPERS WILL WORK AND THAN SUDDENLY STOP. YEARS 1994-1997 HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY GM, BUT GM WON'T HONOR THE RECALL FOR THESE 2 YEARS. THIS IS JUST AS MUCH OF A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE 1994-1997. I DID TALK TO A MANGER BY THE NAME OF JACK CUNNINGHAM AT PHONE # 866 942 4368 X48470 CASE # ASSIGNED IS 1-134580923 AND 1-135719603. HE ADVISED ME ON 8-29-2003 THAT IF MY VEHICLES ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL, THAN THEY WILL HONOR THE RECALL ON MY 2 VEHICLES. IT IS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL POLICY. I CALLED [XXX] AT [XXX] 785 266 5151 AND HE NEEDED TO TALK TO [XXX] TO GET CONFIRMATION THE VEHICLES ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. AS OF TODAY 9-04-2003, NEITHER [XXX] OR MYSELF CAN GET A CALL BACK FROM JACK. I CALLED THE 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AT GM AND THEY SAID THE RECALL IS ONLY FOR THE 1994-1997 VEHICLES. I ADVISED THEM I TALKED TO [XXX] AND THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO HIS AUDIX AGAIN. I FEEL THE RECALL NOW NEEDS TO BE ISSUED FOR THE 1993 AND THE 1999 VEHICLES AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10037211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boulder, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS FAILS ON UNEVEN SURFACES, SUCH AS WASHBOARD ROADS AND WHEN HITTING BUMPS DURING BRAKING. ABS PERFORM POORLY IN MOST CONDITIONS, INCLUDING DRY PAVEMENT. THEY DO PROVIDE SOME BENEFIT ON SNOW/ICE. HOWEVER, MY ABS HAS NOW FAILED AND OVERALL BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS BETTER. THIS SYSTEM, AND THE LOGIC IN THE CONTROLLER, NEED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

NHTSA complaint #10021302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,400 miles Schaumburg, IL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, THE ABS ACTIVATED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FOWARD AND HIT THE REAR END OF ANOTHER MOTORIST.TS

NHTSA complaint #8023416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

PRIOR TO RECALL BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, RECALL #01I006000. THE CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #564027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greater City OF Sudbury, AK 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE SAME PROBLE THAT IS ON YOUR RECAL LIST PROLONG BRACKING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #758033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

PRIOR TO RECALL BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, RECALL #01I006000. THE CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #564027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmore, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01I006000 NOTIFICATION CONCERNING BRAKE PEDAL FEED. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE COMPONENT AVAILABLE TO CORRECT DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #898320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, VA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #752665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, VA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #752665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscon, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL FEELS SOFT AND SPONGY. BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, NO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, FOUND NO PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME, MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS AFTER LAST REPAIRW WERE DONE, BRAKES WERE FINE, THEN BRAKE FAILED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #896630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscon, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL FEELS SOFT AND SPONGY. BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES, NO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, FOUND NO PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME, MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS AFTER LAST REPAIRW WERE DONE, BRAKES WERE FINE, THEN BRAKE FAILED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #896630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sumter, SC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV E VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #748937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #891360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS SYSTEM CAN BE TRIGGERED BY ANY SMALL BUMP IN ROAD. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #888123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Clorita, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, FIRST THEY GRABBED, THEN RELEASED. NO BRAKING ACTION, AND CONSUMER HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT, DAMAGE WAS $7000.

NHTSA complaint #884183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E. Setauket, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP BY DEPRESSING BRAKES ABS SYSTEM DID NOT KICK IN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF ROAD.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SIX OTHER OCCASSIONS SINCE 1994.

NHTSA complaint #880425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ventura, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. OPEN IVESTIGATION EA95026.

NHTSA complaint #880267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Corita, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER HAD A NEW ABS SYSTEM INSTALLED. THEN, BEFORE GETTING ON HIGHWAY STATE TROOPER STOPPED CONSUMER, AND INFORMED THEM THAT THEY NEED TO PUT CHAINS ON TIRES DUE TO SNOW. SOON AFTER, WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL ABS WENT OUT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, THEY NOTED THAT ABS WON'T WORK WITH CHAINS ON TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #879658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ONE THREE OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHECKED BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, ON THE ADVICE OF CONUMER'S MECHANIC, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #879335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calabasas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN WITHOUT WARNING OR NEED.

NHTSA complaint #877973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redding, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING 40-45 MPH HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND BRAKES MADE AN ELECTRICAL VIBRATING HIGH PITCHED NOISE. SEVERAL OCCURRENCES HAPPENED DURING WET OR SNOWY WEATHER. DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER BECAUSE BRAKES WORKED FINE MOST OF THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #876442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freemont, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

EA 95 026/POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE: WHENEVER VEHICLE RUNS OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, IT CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, HAS TO APPLY BRAKES EXTRA HARD TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #876003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSTANTLY SHUT OFF WHEN IT STARTS RAINING, THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO WORK IS TO STOP THE CAR AND GET OUT AND MANUALLY FORCE THEM TO WORK AGAIN. THEY WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN DO IT AGAIN. THE GRILL : THE CROME IS PEALING OFF OF THE GRILL. THE BRAKES; THERE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. ONE IS THE DISC KEEP WARPING AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THEY SOMETIME FAIL TO STPO THE CAR AS THEY SHOULD. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRYING TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #733999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSTANTLY SHUT OFF WHEN IT STARTS RAINING, THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO WORK IS TO STOP THE CAR AND GET OUT AND MANUALLY FORCE THEM TO WORK AGAIN. THEY WILL WORK FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN DO IT AGAIN. THE GRILL : THE CROME IS PEALING OFF OF THE GRILL. THE BRAKES; THERE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. ONE IS THE DISC KEEP WARPING AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THEY SOMETIME FAIL TO STPO THE CAR AS THEY SHOULD. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRYING TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #733999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valley, CA Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

DURING SLOW SPEED STOP, BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH NO EFFECT. ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS, ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE FIRST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. REPORTED TO DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A DRIVER MISTAKE.

NHTSA complaint #733686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Georgetown, TX Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THIS IS MY SECOND SUBMISSION OF A COMPLAINT. THE FIRST ONE WAS ODI ID 522933. I RESUBMIT BECAUSE I AM INTENSLY FRUSTRATED WITH THE APPARENT LACK OF ACTION ON THE PART OF GM REGARDING MY YEAR VEHICLE. ON 7/21/99, A LARGE GMC RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED PERTAINING TO ABS PROBLEMS. MY YEAR SUBURBAN WAS EXCLUDED PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION. GM STATED THEY WERE WORKING TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ISSUES WITH MY YEAR VEHICLE. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WITH ME ALONG THESE LINES. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE MANY OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN YOUR CURRENT COMPLAINT SUBMISSIONS FOR 1993 SUBURBANS. WHAT IS BEING DONE?? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. IS GM JUST WAITING UNTIL THE 92 THRU 94S JUST ROT AWAY AND ARE NO LONGER A PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE FOR 187,000 AND I INTENDED TO DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS BUT THE ANXIETY IS GETTING THE BEST OF ME. WHO ELSE CAN I WRITE OR CALL? THIS IS SERIOUS. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON MY DAY NUMBER - 512 868 0374.

NHTSA complaint #733315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Puyallup, WA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THESE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS CAUSED MY WIFE TO SLIDE INTO ANOTHERE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #733368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Chevrolet Suburban problems

← Full 1993 Chevrolet Suburban report