1996 Chevrolet Suburban Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 137about this part
- Share
- 38%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 174,231miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 137 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, 38% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 174,231 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“November 2010, I went to stop, the brake pedal went to the floor. I was able to stop using the parking brake, but was very close to rear-ending a carload of people. I had the truck towed to a repair shop. The mechanic told me that the front brake line had rusted out because it was mounted at the factory to the front axle on this 4-wheel drive truck causing it to vibrate and collect debris on it leading to a premature failure due to rust. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544573, filed 2013-09, 185,000 miles“While driving through the neighborhood at 35 MPH, the posted speed, we lost brake control of the vehicle when the service brake was applied approaching an intersection with a stop sign. We were unable to stop the vehicle which entered the intersection and passed all of the way through it. The brake pedal was to the floor and not working properly. Fortunately for all there were no other vehicles ( or pedestrians) in this intersection as we would have certainly hit them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424654, filed 2011-09, 174,231 miles“Driving from work-snowy/icy conditions. Smelled a strange odor in vehicle going from I-270s to I-370w ~ 1/4 mile from ramp. Traffic moderate. Traveling 45 MPH I tapped brakes, they went all way to floor. Turned off electrical equipment. Used engine braking selecting 3-2-1 to slow vehicle. Vehicle slowed, applied emergency brake - drove to brake down lane. Vehicle stopped-white smoke coming around edges of hood. Lower portion of windshield had couple of heat discoloration marks about 1/4 size of a penny in the middle lower portion. Air bag light came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10107606, filed 2005-01, 174,000 miles“Dt: 1996 gmc Suburban , while pulling out from the post office consumer applied the brakes and the brake pedal would not go down. Consumer pushed down very hard, did not pump the brakes. Finally, the brakes started working, the brake pedal jerked/ went down to the floor, and vehicle stopped. The brake indicator light came on . Heard a real strange noise, and brakes malfunctioned again. Took vehicle to the dealer, and they could not find any problem with the brake pedal. The dealer had never heard of this happening. This only happened this time and has not happened again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130346, filed 2005-07, 64,635 miles“Recently we had the vehicle serviced at a independant service (l&l automotive), in the past the vehicle has been serviced a Chevrolet dealership. L&l states on their invoice found rear brake shoes did not match the drums, it appears that the incorrect rear differential was installed from the facotry, we put drums on that matched the rear shoes/axle . We have continually taken this vehicle to a authroized chevy dealer because we had problems with brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #708515, filed 1999-07Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 9 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% |
| 2018 | 15 | 18% |
| 2017 | 44 | 31% |
| 2016 | 82 | 37% |
| 2015 | 153 | 36% |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 25 | 19% |
| 2004 | 49 | 24% |
| 2003 | 91 | 30% |
| 2002 | 127 | 44% |
| 2001 | 178 | 40% |
| 2000 | 98 | 35% |
| 1999 | 246 | 39% |
| 1998 | 63 | 31% |
| 1997 | 96 | 23% |
| 1996 | 137 | 38% |
| 1995 | 169 | 37% |
| 1994 | 581 | 68% |
| 1993 | 383 | 77% |
| 1992 | 146 | 77% |
| 1991 | 12 | 23% |
| 1990 | 11 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 5 | 28% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
| 1984 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsTires
39 complaintsEngine cooling
36 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology