2000 Chevrolet Suburban Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban most often write about brake problems — corroded steel brake lines that leak fluid and leave a long or soft pedal, and unwanted ABS activation at low speed. A second, separately frequent theme is fuel pump failure that stalls the engine, sometimes at highway speed. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 100,000 miles, though brake line corrosion and repeated fuel pump replacements continue well past that.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump failure and engine stall

   • 38 complaints (13%)
   • median 63,376 mi at 5.2 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2025

   Owners report the engine quitting without warning at highway speeds or failing to restart after a stop, sometimes after a whining noise from the tank area. Repairs typically replace the fuel pump module, and several complaints mention the pump being replaced more than once. A related theme is a blown fuse that cuts the fuel pump and engine; some owners note they were told their vehicle was not covered by the fuel pump wire recall. Most often reported between about 50,000 and 120,000 miles, sometimes earlier; a few repeat failures came at much higher mileage.

   Recall 05V1550003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask how many times the fuel pump or fuel module has been replaced and whether the fuel pump wire recall applies to this vehicle by VIN. Listen for a whine from the tank at key-on and check that the truck restarts reliably.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In 2004 I had a fuel system failure. A loud whining noise was coming from the fuel take area. All of a sudden I began having fuel flow problems. As I entered an intersection I had a fuel system failure which almost resulted in a vehicle collision. Fortunately the other driver was able to avoid my stalled out vehicle. Vehicle was towed to ase certified mechanic who replaced the fuel pump at 900+ cost. May 2006 I am now again noticing some fuel system problems like the ones before. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10157922, filed 2006-05, 11,600 miles

   “While traveling approx. 70 MPH, car quit suddenly and completely. Quickly lost power steering and brakes. Luckily, we were on a straightaway not the mountain road we were travelling one hour earlier. Car towed to quality Chevrolet in escondido. Diagnosis = catastrophic fuel pump failure.this is highly dangerous. We have a friend who had exactly the same failure at approximately the same mileage, 85,000 - 90,000 miles. Notwithstanding the danger, this repair cost over $900 to repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10037189, filed 2003-09, 85,993 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Corroded brake lines leaking fluid / soft pedal

   • 28 complaints (10%)
   • median 154,658 mi at 12.7 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, occasionally all the way down, with little or no braking and no warning message. Inspection usually shows rusted steel brake lines along the frame or rear axle that have leaked hydraulic fluid, and repairs involve replacing the lines. Some complaints note the truck was still drivable only after the lines were replaced. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 240,000 miles, often in older vehicles used in road-salt areas.

   Recall 00V3450004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the steel brake lines along the frame rail and rear axle for rust or weeping, and ask whether any lines have been replaced. Check the pedal for a spongy or low feel and confirm the fluid level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When approaching an intersection today the traffic light turned red and when I depressed the brake pedal it collapsed to the floor causing me to run the light and pass into the intersection. I thank my lucky stars that nobody was injured. My wife and child were terrified, as was I, but we managed to pass through unharmed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10483988, filed 2012-11, 188,000 miles

   “I was traveling down a city street in philadelphia taking my young kids to daycare, when I had to come to an abrupt stop to avoid a vehicle making an illegal u-turn. The truck would not stop the brake pedal went to the floor then slowly brought the vehicle to a stop. I had the truck towed into a repair facility and was told by the mechanic my Suburban was the third in two day period to come in with ruptured brake lines due to corrosion. This matter needs to be addressed before someone is seriously hurt or killed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10472507, filed 2012-08, 143,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Parking brake will not hold the vehicle

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.1 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2010

   Complaints describe the parking brake failing to hold on an incline even when fully applied, in some cases rolling shortly after being set. Owners report repeated dealer adjustments, replacement of the lever assembly or a stretched cable, and a malfunctioning adjuster, with the brake still not holding afterward. Some mention failing state inspection because of it. Reported from very low mileage (near-new vehicles) up through about 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Set the parking brake on a slope and confirm it holds with the transmission in neutral; ask whether the lever, cable or adjuster has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is an old complaint but is being submitted because Chevrolet and gmc have failed to correct this. The emergency brake on the 1500 series Suburban has been broke since the first year of owner ship. I contacted chevorlet and GM by email 22 ddec 2001 and all I received was acknoweledgement of the letter. I attempted to get it repaired last year in june at wallace chevorlet dealer with negative results. To date nothing from GM or chevorlet has been done to recall and correct these vehicles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10028765, filed 2003-07, 39,580 miles

   “I am the original owner of a 2000 chevy Suburban. I keep it well maintained with proper service. On nov 1, 2003 I engaged my parking brake on an incline, I left the car for approx. 90 seconds and my passengers stayed in the car. When the passenger driver turned off the engine to follow me, the car swiftly rolled down the hill, jumped the curb and hit utility boxes and a house. The passengers experienced minor back pains. The accident could have been much worse if people were outside and in the path of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10045827, filed 2003-11, 64,333 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Unwanted ABS activation at low speed

   • 28 complaints (10%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $850 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2016

   Complaints describe the ABS engaging while braking below about 10 mph on dry pavement, producing a grinding or skidding feel and longer stopping distance. Some also report the ABS warning light coming on. Dealers and shops often could not find a cause at first; in other cases corroded or dirty front wheel speed sensors and hubs were cleaned or replaced. Typically reported from around 50,000 to 95,000 miles, during low-speed stops and turns.

   Recall 05V379000

   What to check: Test the brakes at walking speed in a parking lot and watch for ABS chatter or a dash light; ask whether the front wheel speed sensors or hubs have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs/brake light illuminates intermittently. Dealer says brake control module must be replaced at cost of $1100. This is a potential safety issue and should be covered by warranty in my opinion as the ABS system is inoperable when the light is on. I almost wrecked driving in rain on june 7, 2004 when applying brakes and rear locked up - not realizing ABS was not operable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10124642, filed 2005-06, 50,000 miles

   “Brake failure at low speeds. Almost caused a few accidents (parking lots and coming up to a stop sign or red light. These incidents happened over several months. I had brakes, calipers and rotors put on to try and fix the problem. The problem started out once so often and around aug. 2005 it happened everytime I drove my vehicle and took it to the dealer and had it repaired. Both front speed sensors were removed and cleaned sensor mounting surfaces. To me this is a safety problem. This is nothing I could prevent from happening. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10144955, filed 2005-12, 100,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection should put the brake lines, ABS behavior and parking brake at the top of the list, and it is worth confirming by VIN whether either the brake pipe or fuel pump recalls apply. Service records showing fuel pump history and brake line replacement make the rest of the vehicle much easier to judge.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.