2001 Suburban

My 2001 Chevrolet Suburban recently failed state inspection due to a non functioning emergency brake. The inspector indictated this was predicable because of the large number of these vehicles failing inspection for this reason. Have others experienced problems with their emergency brakes? Mine appears functional except when the brake is engaged and there is no presure on the accelerator. (The car moves forward) I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks

I have this problem, too - only in California they don't check the brakes. The parking brake may simply need adjusting (or replacement of the brake pads). If the pads are good, and the brake is taught - and you still fail, then you're screwed.

Hey everyone... :smile:

We noticed that the parking brake on our 2001 Suburban wasn't working so we took it into the dealer. When you pressed down on the parking brake pedal the light would come on, but it wouldn't feel like the brake engaged.

What we found out when we went to the dealer was that one of the parking brakes has been engaged for a long time and has almost completely worn through the actual drum of the brake. They told us it's because someone has been driving with the parking break on, but this doesn't seem logical seeing as only one of the parking brakes is worn (not both of them), and we live in an area where you never have to use a parking brake, so we don't. Something very wrong seems to have gone wrong with the brake system.

Unless something comes up while the dealer works on the Suburban, we're out $500 to fix all the brakes.

Is this the same problem you two have been having, or is it something less severe? Also, do you know what happened to cause the brakes to stop working for you?

I'm just trying to gather some info on this very wierd problem... thanks!

I haven't personally disassembled my rear brakes to inspect the pads for wear & don't really have time to leave my car at the dealer for a week while I shell out $50 a day for a rental - so I can't say for sure.

In my case, the pads and rotors shouldn't be worn at all since I've never driven with the emergency brake on. When I place the vehicle in neutral and try keeping it from rolling away with the parking brake... its as if the brake isn't on at all. This is all I know. Supposedly, the line just needs to be tightened, so I'll keep my fingers crossed:rolleyes:

Well that's what was happening with ours, but when we took it in they hit us with all this other stuff. We weren't driving with the parking brake on either (at least to our knowledge... no dash light, and the pedal wasn't down), so that's why this is such a big suprise to us. The car comes back today hopefully, so we'll see what they say.

Hey everyone... :smile:

We noticed that the parking brake on our 2001 Suburban wasn't working so we took it into the dealer. When you pressed down on the parking brake pedal the light would come on, but it wouldn't feel like the brake engaged.

What we found out when we went to the dealer was that one of the parking brakes has been engaged for a long time and has almost completely worn through the actual drum of the brake. They told us it's because someone has been driving with the parking break on, but this doesn't seem logical seeing as only one of the parking brakes is worn (not both of them), and we live in an area where you never have to use a parking brake, so we don't. Something very wrong seems to have gone wrong with the brake system.

Unless something comes up while the dealer works on the Suburban, we're out $500 to fix all the brakes.

Is this the same problem you two have been having, or is it something less severe? Also, do you know what happened to cause the brakes to stop working for you?

I'm just trying to gather some info on this very wierd problem... thanks!

Howdy,

I've experienced the exact same problem with my 2001 Yukon XL Denali on two occasions and I'll bet this is happening on the drivers rear rotor/parking brake drum. You can see my post in the GMC section. Have you had any recourse? I never use my parking brakes as well and due to the expense I have temporarily removed the parking brake pads etc. on both sides. This is a poor design problem and GM is liable IMHO!!
Anyone from GM aware of this design problem, please fess up and correct the problem as well as make restitution for expenses incurred to your Customers.

Thank-you,

Jas. Hoppa

I have been having problems just like everybody else about this parking brake. I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban and ever since we owned it it would always go all the way down. I took it to the dealership a couple of times because of it, and they always say "We can't duplicate the problem". So now it has been at eh Chevy dealer for a week and they wan me to pay for it. I informed him that I am not....I called the GM Customer Service 800-222-1020, then I was also given by the dealership to make a written complaint. Since I have seen alot of these posts, and some of you have paid to have them repaired, maybe if we started writing to them instead of letting the dealership handle it GM will acknowledge that there is a problem. My AAA Membership is having an investigation to see what is going on, I dont know how this is possible but at least they are doing more than the GM Customer Service. But anyway the address to write complaints and maybe if you could submit the work orders it will help: Chevrolet, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232...Hope this will help

I have been having problems just like everybody else about this parking brake. I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban and ever since we owned it it would always go all the way down. I took it to the dealership a couple of times because of it, and they always say "We can't duplicate the problem". So now it has been at eh Chevy dealer for a week and they wan me to pay for it. I informed him that I am not....I called the GM Customer Service 800-222-1020, then I was also given by the dealership to make a written complaint. Since I have seen alot of these posts, and some of you have paid to have them repaired, maybe if we started writing to them instead of letting the dealership handle it GM will acknowledge that there is a problem. My AAA Membership is having an investigation to see what is going on, I dont know how this is possible but at least they are doing more than the GM Customer Service. But anyway the address to write complaints and maybe if you could submit the work orders it will help: Chevrolet, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232...Hope this will help

I also have an 2002 and the E- Brake don't work. I callled the dealer and told them about this message board. i'll get back with more info

Any progress?

How do we get a recall going on this?

There is a GM Bulletin somewhere that describes your symptoms. My 2000 Suburban had the brakes repaired 3-4 times. Evidently, some kind of clip in the emergency brake has been re-designed and needs to be replaced that properly releases the shoes from the drum. Otherwise, it's like the brake is always on and the shoes wear out first, then they destroy the rear drum/rotor.

My 2000 burb brake problem sounds like a repeat of all the others. I bought mine used and have never looked at the rear brakes but the emergency brake pedal goes all the way down and stays there until you release it and has absolutely no effect on the brakes. If you guys hear of anyone who finds out how to apply the emerg brakes, please let me know too. Thanks

I also have the same problem with my 2001 Suburban. The emergency brake system appear to be working - pedal down, brakes indicator light on, warning signal on when the vehicle is moving. But when you park in an incline and shift the vehicle to neutral, it rolls. The emergency brakes are not working. What do I need to check? Is there some kind of hydraulic or mechanical link?

My e-brakes have the same problem, Drivers side shoe wears out and no e-brake. If you call the dealer, they will tell you that you left the e-brake on.
Hogwash! This is so they can avoid the issue. I never leave it on, primarily because if you do, there is an audible bell.
They are having major problems with this and no recall has been issued yet.
You all need to call Chevy at their customer service #and report this.