FaultScore

1994 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems

649 of the 1,038 complaints about the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban are about the braking system — 63% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 180,140 miles.

F

649

Complaints

144

Crashes

3

Fires

27

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 506 78.0%
Foundation Components 51 7.9%
Master Cylinder 12 1.8%
Rotor 11 1.7%
Antilock 11 1.7%
Pads 10 1.5%
Disc 9 1.4%
Caliper 5 0.8%
Lamp 5 0.8%
Drum 4 0.6%

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 274,000 miles Vale, NC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 274,000.

NHTSA complaint #11440608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Bremerton, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK THAN STOP. I WIGGLE WIRE CONNECTOR TO MOTOR THAN THEY WILL WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IF I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THEY WILL STOP WORKING AND SOMETIMES START WORKING AGAIN. I FOUND OUT THAT 1994 SUBURBAN 4X4 ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE CARD THAT HAS A FAULTY SOLDER. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED MY DRIVERS SIDE CALIPER 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2003. I ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CALIPERS SEEMED TO GET STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA complaint #10102721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Covina, CA

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

I HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE: 1. WINDSHEILD WIPER INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. I WAS INFORMED BY A CHEVROLET DEALER THAT THE RECALL(S) ISSUED THAT MATCH THIS BEHAVIOR EXACTLY DO NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE MY 1994 CHEV. SUBURBAN C-1500 VEHICLE, AS IT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THIS EXACT INTERMITTENT BEHAVIOR. BEYOND INQUIRING RECENTLY WITH MY LOCAL DEALER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. 2. POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THIS SYMPTOM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. I COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND AT THE TIME OF COMPLAINTS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYMPTOM, BUT I HAVE NOT YET INQUIRED WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THE ISSUE CAN BE CORRECTED. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL "NEAR MISSES" WHEN HAVING TO STOP SUDDENLY AND ALMOST HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO POOR ABS PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10093499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, AZ

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

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. HAD DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CALLED DEALER, AND WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION IN A WEEK. CONSUMER CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON ABS BRAKES ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10065045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

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

BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS DURING PANIC STOPS OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OVER BUMPS AT A SLOW SPEED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10049187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,140 miles SAN Antonio, TX Crash

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

ABS FAILURE, WET WEATHER, TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, TRAFFIC FLOW BEGAN THEN STOPPED FOR AMBULANCE ON CROSS STREET, BRAKES LOCKED, MY VEH. SLID FORWARD, CUT WHEELS AND RELEASED BRAKES TO MOVE INTO TURN ONLY LANE, CLIPPED CORNER BUMPER OF VEHICLE AHEAD, I AND MY TWO CHILDREN (5 & 8 YRS) IN BACK SEAT WEARING SEATBELTS, FORTUNATELY NO ONE INJURED, BRAKE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, THIS WAS THE FIRST COLLISION, MFR. DEFECT, DEALER SHOULD REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10005643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hilliard, OH Crash

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

MR

NHTSA complaint #768421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MS

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

I AM EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TODAY I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND THE BRAKES STOP ABOUT HALF WAY, MAKE A STRANGE NOISE AND I FAIL TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS FRIGHTENS ME EVERY TIME IT OCCURS. I AM SCARED OF REAR ENDING SOMEONE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR, WET OR DRY WEATHER MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. IF I AM ATTEMPTING TO STOP ON GRAVEL THE SAME THING HAPPENS, THE CAR JUST SLIDES OUT INTO THE ROAD. BRAKESWORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS ONLY COSMETIC AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE WOMAN SAID HER BRAKES LOCK UP AND GROAN ALSO. ANOTHER ,MAN REAR ENDED SOMEONE. THESE BRAKES ARE DEADLY AND I NEED HELP. I PAID MY LAST BANK PAYMENT TODAY AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE. I COULD NEVER SELL IT TO SOMEONE WITH FAULTY BRAKES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY REPORT. SHARON PENDARVIS SLP39@YAHOO.COM SORRY ABOUT SOME OF THE SPELLING THE PROGRAM WOULD YOU ARE USING WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #763619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lanham, MD

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

ABS BRAKES SYSTEM PERFORM ERRATICLY WITH WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATING. MODULE HAS FAILED, WITH BRAKES OPERATING MANUALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8011696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, MI

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

BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. WHENEVER THE BRAKES GET WET THEY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO TOUCH THE BRAKES LIGHTLY ENOUGH WITHOUT LOCKING THEM UP.

NHTSA complaint #761287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. George, UT Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE GOES INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE IN RESULT OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8008061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

University Place, WA Crash

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #759013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apache Junction, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT CLEAR CODES 71-74 DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. FLOWCHART SPECIFIES PART REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, ABS LIGHT ON DASH HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SECONDS AFTER VEHICLE STARTED. SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WHEN TESTING REQUIRES REPLACMENT, BUT THE DRIVER IS NOT WARNED. COMPONENT WAS TESTED BECAUSE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. LATER DETERMINED TO BE A BAD REMANUFACTURED CALIPER.

NHTSA complaint #758954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apache Junction, AZ

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

ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT CLEAR CODES 71-74 DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. FLOWCHART SPECIFIES PART REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, ABS LIGHT ON DASH HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SECONDS AFTER VEHICLE STARTED. SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WHEN TESTING REQUIRES REPLACMENT, BUT THE DRIVER IS NOT WARNED. COMPONENT WAS TESTED BECAUSE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. LATER DETERMINED TO BE A BAD REMANUFACTURED CALIPER.

NHTSA complaint #758954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norwalk, CT

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

LOSS OF ALL BRAKING WHEN ANTI-LOCK KICKS IN.

NHTSA complaint #755285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morgan, GA

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

FRONT BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS ARE WARPED. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKES GRIND. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ROTORS AND PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #899624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morgan, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

FRONT BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS ARE WARPED. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKES GRIND. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ROTORS AND PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #899624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morgan, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS ARE WARPED. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKES GRIND. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ROTORS AND PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #899624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anwin, CA

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

WHEN LIGHTLY APPLYING BRAKES ABS WILL COME ON, AND NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THERE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #899094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florence, KY

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

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADD FURTHER COMMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #897939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV Crash

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

WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP I FELT A THUMP AND THEN MY BRAKES TOTAL STOPPED WORKING HAD THIS PROBLEM ONCE BEFORE HAVE HAD MY BRAKES REPLACED TWICE IN 1YEAR AND MY BRAKES PADS AND DRUMS ETC ARE FINE.

NHTSA complaint #753084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX Crash

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

WHILE DRIVING 35MPH STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP. VEHICLE COASTED, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN REAR.

NHTSA complaint #897575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Azle, TX Crash

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

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THESE ABS SYTSTEMS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, DURING A PANIC STOP THE SYSTEM FAILS, PEDAL DROPS TO THE FLOOR AND PULSATES, AND LEAVES YOU WITH NO BRAKING. HAD ONE ACCIDENT AND SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. IN A VEHICLE THIS SIZE AND WEIGHT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE MORE FATALITIES ACCUR.

NHTSA complaint #752308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

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

DURING AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED BUT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ON ONE OCCASION A MINOR CRASH OCCURED BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #562449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plymouth, MA Crash 2 injured

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

ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. SENSE OF NOT STOPPING. PEDAL WENT THROUGH MUCH MORE TRAVEL THAN NORMAL; TO FLOOR OR ALMOST TO FLOOR, WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIAL VEHICLE SLOWING.

NHTSA complaint #749421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Logan, AL Crash

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

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK GREAT, AS LONG AS IT IS NOT RAINING. DURING HARD BRAKING BRAKES FADE TO FLOOR, I HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED NO PROBLEM FOUND. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRES DURING HARD BRAKING. (EMERGENCY SITUATIONS).

NHTSA complaint #747580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maple Grove, MN

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

ABS WILL CAUSE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP PREMATURELY, AND PULL A LITTLE TO RIGHT DURING HARD BRAKING OR WET CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES LEFT FRONT LOCKS UP ON SLIPPERY SURFACE OR ON GRAVEL ROAD, DURING LIGHT BRAKING, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #892121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maple Grove, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

ABS WILL CAUSE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK UP PREMATURELY, AND PULL A LITTLE TO RIGHT DURING HARD BRAKING OR WET CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES LEFT FRONT LOCKS UP ON SLIPPERY SURFACE OR ON GRAVEL ROAD, DURING LIGHT BRAKING, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #892121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valley, CA

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

PROBLEM: BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR-NO PRESSURE, NO BRAKING. NEAR MISS COLLISIONS. MASTER CYLINDER, ABS COMPUTER, HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS REQURIED---THIS VEHICLE HAS A DEFINATE BRAKE HISTORY PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, BASED ON INTERNET ARTICLES I'VE RESEARCHED I'M NOT ALONE. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN. WE'RE BASICALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.! WHEN THE BRAKES GO DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM---------EVEN THE GUY AT THE CAR WASH WAS SCARED!

NHTSA complaint #746579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valley, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

PROBLEM: BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR-NO PRESSURE, NO BRAKING. NEAR MISS COLLISIONS. MASTER CYLINDER, ABS COMPUTER, HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS REQURIED---THIS VEHICLE HAS A DEFINATE BRAKE HISTORY PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, BASED ON INTERNET ARTICLES I'VE RESEARCHED I'M NOT ALONE. I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN. WE'RE BASICALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.! WHEN THE BRAKES GO DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM---------EVEN THE GUY AT THE CAR WASH WAS SCARED!

NHTSA complaint #746579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Chevrolet Suburban problems

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