2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Routine

Owners filed 92 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
108,000 milesMedian miles at failure

75 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
200
Service Brakes13
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
100
Parking Brake5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module4
010
Power Train4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline4
000
Tires3
000
Steering3
000
Service Brakes, Electric3
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2018140,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET DEALER (877-721-4901, 3731 SW TOPEKA BLVD, TOPEKA, KS 66609) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2018153,000 milesNJ

I WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AND DUMPED ALL LINE PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ROLLED RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE PEDAL ENOUGH TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST A CURB. HAD I NEARED THE STOP SIGN 2 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, I WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN T-BONED BY A BOX TRUCK, OR T-BONED A SMALL SEDAN. I EMPHASIZE THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEYOND THE TYPICAL SURFACE RUST THAT CAN BE FOUND ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A FEW WINTERS IN THE "RUST BELT". HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE BRAKE LINES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL AT THE RATE THAT THESE GM TRUCKS DO. THIS TRUCK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TOWING A CAMPING TRAILER FOR VACATIONS WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY, SO THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY. I URGE YOU TO TAKE GM TO TASK AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE OF CHEAPING OUT ON BRAKE LINE MATERIALS!

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2018235,000 milesMA

I HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO BRAKES, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2018190,000 milesVA

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2016 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. WE BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST INOPERABLE, ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND STILL BE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKES LINES HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT. WE HAD A SHOP REPAIR IT AND WHEN THEY TESTED IT, IT BLEW ANOTHER LINE. WE ENDED UP HAVING ALL THE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF CORROSION.

Wheels
Filed Feb 10, 2017211,284 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 95 COMING BACK FROM DAYTONA WHEN A DRIVER LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES WHERE LOW SO I WHEN TO A GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND THATS WHEN I NOTICE THAT MY TIRES HAD A LOT OF NAILS LTHE 4 TIRES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY TIRES ARE LNOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY WITH ME AND DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES IS NOT AN OPTION. PLEASE TAKE MY COMPLAINT IN CONSIDERARATION. THANK YOU

Tires
Filed Jul 26, 2016150,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LETIRES, TIRES SIZE: 265/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE BEFORE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2015104,569 milesKY

WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING WHILE NOT MOVING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WHICH ARE BREAKING ALLOWING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO OPEN AND ALLOW FUMES TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH RESULTS IN THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CABIN BREATHING THE TOXIC EXHAUST FUMES. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND FOR USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS WHICH FAIL FOR NO REASON. ALSO THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAVE TO BREATH THE DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WHICH WERE DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED WITH INFERIOR PARTS WHICH ARE CAUSING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

EngineCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 13, 2015NM

EXHAUST BOLTS BROKEN AND CAUSING A LEAK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS ALSO. STEERING STABILIZERS BROKEN.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 24, 2015132,945 milesWA

WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, VEHICLE STRUCK AN ADULT DEER - FRONT END SQUARE HIT OFFSET TO PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT PASSENGER LIGHTS, GRILL, RADIATOR SUPPORTS, BUMPER, SIDE FENDER, AND HOOD ALL SEVERELY DAMAGED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENDED UP AT $4,386.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2015130,000 milesMD

COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE. BREAK PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY. NOTICED LEAKING BREAK FLUID COMING OUT OF RUSTED BREAK LINE UNDER VEHICLE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 2015198,000 milesMI

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH BATTERY, SECURITY AND LOW FUEL POPPED ON INTO MESSAGE CENTER. GAS GAUGE, VOLT METER, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE QUIT WORKING, HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF IT ALMOST GOT HIT. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2015180,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 7/28/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

Power Train
Filed May 24, 201510,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE NEAR EXIT 10, TRAVELLING TO BOSTON. AHEAD, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SET OF LANES. AS I DECELERATED, I HEARD A NOISE AND THE TRUCK JERKED SLIGHTLY. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SERVICE LANE, I HAD NO TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT (UNDER WARRANTY). WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 70,000 MILES (ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, 2013), THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AGAIN. PATHETIC. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 83,000 MI ON IT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 31, 2015260,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DISABLED AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V155000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 2015175,808 milesTN

WENT TO START MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I LISTENED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE RELAY AND NOTICED IT WAS MELTED ON ONE CORNER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A GM FAN ALL MY LIFE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING ONE. PLEASE RECALL THIS ON GOING PROBLEM GM. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 28, 2015139,000 milesNH

I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO PARK MY SUBURBAN. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THEY PULSATE AND GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. NO SERVICE LIGHTS OR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. WHEN THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK I TRIED TO PUMP THEM TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT NOTHING WORKED AND MY SUBURBAN SMASHED INTO A BUSH AND OVER THE CURB. I JUST HAD MY BRAKE LINES REPLACES WHICH WAS QUOTED $1700 AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I AM NO LOOKING INTO THE ISSUES WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 6, 2015108,000 milesNY

CHEVROLET HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE THE ABS BRAKE ISSUE WITHIN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THEIR WHEEL SENSOR ISSUE.THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.HAS A CIRCUIT BOARD ISSUE WHICH DEACTIVATES THE ABS SYSTEM AND SHOWS A BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH.IN SNOW TODAY MY ABS FAILED AND I SLID THROUGH AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY MISSING A SCHOOL BUS A F$%^ING SCHOOL BUS.THERE IS SO MUCH INFO ON THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET BUT CHEVROLET SEEM TO BE IGNORING IT.THE PROBLEM IS CENTERED AROUND A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 3, 2015160,000 milesTN

ON JANUARY 29, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN TRAVELING ON A SNOW AND ICY ROAD WHEN THE SUBURBAN BEGIN TO SPIN AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HE WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD. HE WAS WEARING THE SHOULDER AND LAP BELT.THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE TENNESSEE TRAFFIC REPORT I RECEIVED STATED: AIRBAG AVAILABLE-NO DEPLOYMENT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 2, 2014100,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND UNKNOWN PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE BUT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 05V155000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2014130,000 milesMA

BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND BLEW OUT. SEVERE CORROSION UNDER TRUCK TOO. *TR

20 of 92 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202614300Do not drive
202530100Routine
20240100Routine
202317100Routine
20211000Routine
201180210Routine
201053100Routine
200955000Routine
2008101000Routine
2007190060Routine
200631220Routine
200594120Routine
2004182140Routine
2003175110Routine
2002120111Fatalities reported
2001 — this page92140Routine
200067110Routine
199974000Routine
199814000Routine
199716010Routine
19969000Routine
19958010Routine
19949000Routine

Compare every Suburban 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.