FaultScore

1993 GMC Suburban brake problems

181 of the 254 complaints about the 1993 GMC Suburban are about the braking system — 71% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.

F

181

Complaints

32

Crashes

7

Fires

6

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 142 78.5%
Foundation Components 10 5.5%
Disc 4 2.2%
Rotor 4 2.2%
Pads 4 2.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 2.2%
Master Cylinder 3 1.7%
Caliper 3 1.7%
ABS Warning Light 1 0.6%
Differential Proportional Valve 1 0.6%

Brakes across every GMC Suburban year

1990 11 1.1%
1991 10 1.0%
1992 78 7.5%
1993 181 17.5%
1994 307 29.6%
1995 121 11.7%
1996 76 7.3%
1997 71 6.8%
1998 33 3.2%
1999 149 14.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 70,000 miles Wharton, NJ Crash 2 injured

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

REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO STOP IN TIME DUE TO THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE 1993 GMC SUBURBAN BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES ARE A VERY BIG PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK

NHTSA complaint #10057086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deckerville, MI

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

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP.

NHTSA complaint #8013551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Krum, TX

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

DUE TO SEVERAL PAST ABS INCIDENTS, ONE RESULTING IN A COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR COMPLIANCE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I006000. SUBSEQUENTLY, PANIC STOP MAXIMUM BRAKING IS DELAYED. THERE IS EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE TO INITIAL BRAKE PEDDLE MOVEMENT AS IF THERE IS NO BOOST. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/2 SECOND, WITH HEAVY PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE PEDDLE, ACTUAL WHEEL BRAKING CAN BE FELT TO PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE AND RESISTANCE TO PEDDLE MOVEMENT REDUCES. AT THIS POINT BRAKING FEELS ABOUT NORMAL. DEALER TECHNICIAN ON TEST DRIVE CONFIRMED THIS DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #751821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lilburn, GA

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

SAILED THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH BRAKES APPLIED, BOTH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA complaint #748228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whitewater, MO

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

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #883447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairway, KS

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

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #873511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prospect Hghts, IL

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

EA95026; POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES NORMALLY, ABS KICKED IN AND VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED WHEN WEATHER WAS PERFECT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE FALL OF 1993. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #870322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX Crash

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

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SOME GRAVELAND. THESE WERE ABS BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #869701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Fransico, CA Crash

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

EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #865008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellevue, WA

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

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #864226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. George, UT

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

THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN YOU ARE IN A SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE TO STOP FAST OR HOLD GOING DOWN A HILL,THERE IS A CHATTERING AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL THEN REAPPLY PRESSURE AND HOPE IT ENGAGES, WEVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS. WEVE ALSO HAD TO PUT ON NEW BRAKE PADS FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #723678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mooresville, NC Crash

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

WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAR SHOT INTO CRUISE CONTROL/GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WAS OUT CONTROL. CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN CAR JUMPED INTO A DITCH, AND LANDED IN A GRAVELED PARKING LOT. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM INTO PARK WHILE FEET WERE STILL ON THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID SYNCHRONIZER WAS BAD. CONSUMER FELT THIS COULD HAVE KILLED HIS FAMILY OR INNOCENT BYSTANDERS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #862549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodruff, SC

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

WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED BRAKES CAME ON, AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THEN BRAKES RELEASED, AND CAME BACK ON, STOPPING VEHICLE AS THE BRAKES WERE SUPPOSE TO WORK. DELAER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #859862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baytown, TX

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

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN STOPPING IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, FRONT BRAKES SEEM TO LOCK UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS IS MORE NOTICEABLE ON WET ROAD SURFACES. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #859594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

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

I HAVE MADE SURE I HAVE DONE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING MAJOR WOULD HAPPEN . HOWEVER, I SPENT $2,600 TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERNTIAL IN 1997 AND NOW AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE ON 3/17/00 THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL EXPLODED. NOW THE MECHANICS ARE TELLING ME THAT IT WILL COST 4,000 BECAUSE THERE ARE NO USED IDFFERENTIALS AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL BROKEN. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS FIXING THE ROTARS, EVEN AFTER GETTING REGULAR BRAKE INSPECTIONS. OTHER ITEMS I DID NOT REPORT ARE THE THREE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS THAT BROKE, THE DOOR LOCKS CONSTANTLY GET SUCK AND I HAVE TO USE A SCREW DIRIVER TO UNLOCK THEM, AND IT TAKES TWO HANDS TO TURN THE KEY LOCKS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO HARD TO TURN. WITH ALL THAT SAID, MY MJAOR CONCERN IS WHY THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL JUST EXPLODES, EVEN AFTER GETTING MY BREAKS AND AR FLUIDS INSPECTED.THE SUBURBAN IS A GMC 1500, SLE MODEL K10906.

NHTSA complaint #720264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elizabethtown, PA

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

EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, ON ANY NON-DRY SURFACE, IT TAKES TOO LONG TO STOP. IT FEELS AS THOUGH CONSUME LOSES MOST OF THE BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #855562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoffman Estate, IL

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

EA 95 026; VEHICLE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ABS ENGAGING AT LOW SPEED WHILE RUNNING ON DIFFERENT SURFACES, AND CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #855236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bedford, TX Crash

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

ON DRY, SMOOTH PAVEMENT MY WIFE WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF MY WIFE CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT ENTERING A LEFT TURN LANE AND WHIPPED HIS CAR BACK IN FRONT OF MY WIFE. BOTH THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CAR AND MY WIFE THOUGHT THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES ONLY TO DISCOVER THE CAR WOULD NOT DE-ACCELERATE QUICK ENOUGH. SHE HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK PEDAL AT THIS TIME. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM AND REPORTED IT WAS "FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED". I PULLED THE FUSE SUPPLYING THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM AND DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS LOCKING UP SOONER THAN THE OTHERS. A SECOND CONTACT WITH THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE GM SYSTEM BACKS OF THE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE ON ALL BRAKES IF ONE WHEEL LOCKS UP. WITHOUT THE SYSTEM, EVEN WITH ONE WHEEL LOCKED UP, I THINK THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #717276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

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

WHEN CROSSING A RAILROAD TRACK BRAKES FAILED THEY WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. AFTER GOING ABOUT 50 FEET ON GRAVEL THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING ON GRAVEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK INCORRECTLY. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED THAT CAR DRIVES THE WAY IT SHOULD.

NHTSA complaint #854765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fountain V, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, LOCK UP AND SKID. YH

NHTSA complaint #548835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watsonville, CA

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

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF ABS BRAKE FAILURES WITH THE SUBURBANS. I HOPE NO ONE GETS KILLED WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA complaint #714999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holland, MI

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

ANTI-BRAKE SYSTEM WHEN ENGAGED CAUSES THE WHEEL TO MOVE BEFORE THE PULSING ACTION BEGINS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FADE.

NHTSA complaint #548517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jersey City, NJ

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

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #711395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fremont, CA

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

VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT LOW RATE OF SPEED, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. DIFFERENT PARTS WITHIN ABS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #846479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando Park, FL

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

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #846311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NM

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH OUR BRAKES SINCE WE BOUGHT OUR SUBURBAN,USED. IS THERE A SPECIFIC RECALL ON THESE BRAKES. THE DEALERS ARE NO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #710784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairport Harbor, OH

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

THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THI S VEHICLE IS UNSATISFACTORY. DURING A PANIC STOP SITUATION, THE BRAKES SEEM TO TAKE TIME BEFORE THEY START TO GRAB. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON DRY PAVEMENT AND A SLIGHT BUMP IS ENCOUNTERED THE AITI LOCK KICKS IN AND ITS LIKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, FLEX HOSES, DRUMS, SHOES AND REAR FLEX HOSES REPLACED WITH QUALITY EQUIPMENT TO NO C H ANGE, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET TO HAVE THE BRAKES EXAMINED, WITH A RESULT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WORNG WITH THE BRAKES, BUT WE COULD REPLACE THIS OR THAT ITEM TO SEE IF IT IS BETTER. I HAVE EVEN UNPLUGGED THE ANTI LOK SYSTEM JUST TO KEEP THAT PART OF THE SYSTEM FROM ACTIVATING, AS I HAVE HAD TOO MANY SCARES.

NHTSA complaint #709209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Monroe, LA

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

FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL CONSTANTLY GOES TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, CALIPERS ARE GRABBING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT, OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #842319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Monroe, LA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL CONSTANTLY GOES TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, CALIPERS ARE GRABBING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL LEFT, OR RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #842319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

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

ABS BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, ABS SYSTEM WILL KICK IN AND, THE VEHICLE WILL KEEP GOING ON WET PAVEMENT OR DRY PAVEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #838637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 GMC Suburban problems

← Full 1993 GMC Suburban report