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2001 Chevrolet Suburban Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 440 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the brakes (41% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Suburban model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2001 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Brakes
178 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, conventional.
The design of the emergency brakes is very poor and according to the 3 brake shops I visited, gm has a problem with the emergency brake system on suburbans. The caliper clips on and is not "fixed" into position. What happened in my case and is quite common is that the pads slip and rub the drum without the knowledge…
Dt: while slowing down the ABS brakes do not hold. The vehicle will not stop even if pumping the brakes. This happens when going 10 MPH or slower. No ABS warning light comes on. The consume r found out that the same vehicle was being recalled in canada for the same problem. Dealer asked him about the ABS light coming…
Fuel system
60 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Gasoline leaked from tank upon filling. I had vehicle serviced and dealer found that insulation had melted on wires on fuel pump internal to fuel tank. Was advised to keep at least 1/4 full to prevent the problem. Both the leak and melted wires imply a safety problem.
Fuel pump wiring melted inside gas tank and caused vehicle to stall at highway speed in heavy traffic. Power steering and power brakes were lost making it difficult to control vehicle and safely get to the shoulder. Mechanic who replaced the pump owns an older Suburban and had his fuel pump fail multiple times until…
Engine
37 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle would randomly shut off and completely stop. The other components, such as the radio, were still operable. The power steering and brakes were always affected and would become inoperable. Occasionally, the vehicle immediately restarts and…
After taking my truck in for a complete fuel system cleaning service, I started to hear a rattling sound every time I turned on the AC. I took it back to the dealership (capital Chevrolet in montgomery, alabama) thinking that they forgot to tighten up something -- only to find out I need a new AC compressor. I…
Transmission
33 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
During routine driving, the vehicle's wheels locked up and stopped forward progress. The vehicle was only going 20+- MPH at the time. The transmission had failed. The vehicle was able to move in reverse but no other gear. I had noticed some slipping of the transmission but was not sure if that was in fact slipping.…
While exiting the vehicle gear shift locked up. The vehicle would only go into reverse. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer stated that a piece of metal got loose an tore up the transmission.
Electrical
30 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Fuel pump wiring melted inside gas tank and caused vehicle to stall at highway speed in heavy traffic. Power steering and power brakes were lost making it difficult to control vehicle and safely get to the shoulder. Mechanic who replaced the pump owns an older Suburban and had his fuel pump fail multiple times until…
Vehicle stalled on 4 lane highway----fuses blown- almost caused accident---has stalled several times- not repaired-still stalling and blowing fuses.
Wheels and tires
30 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, bead, rim.
I have a Suburban with wilderness le tires - p265 70r 16. Had a "flat tire" while driving. When I stopped to put air into the tire, it was totally mishaped with numerous bubbles in the rubber. Could find no apparent reason for the flat, and could still hear air escaping through the tire. My vehicle was assembled in…
My firestone tires came apart on my trip to nev. I was in a curve at 70mph with the cruise control on when the tred came off on the left rear tire throwing US into a skid. The tred riped out the splash gaurd and the fender moulding then hiting the rear quarter and leaving a14 by 8 inch dent. Then about an hour or so…
Steering
29 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, column.
While driving at highway speeds power steering and brakes fail, resulting loss of power steering and brakes simultaneously. This is due to the failure of the power assist and power steering pump. This is the second time these components have been replaced. This was first noticed and replaced in january 2002. The…
Power steering pump flow control valve actuator or power steering gear valve imbalance causing tire wear and unnecessary alignments. Excessive tire wear in only 2 months since brand new. Vehicle was pulling to the right at all speeds. Two separate alignments and numerous tire rotations (costs to customer) failed to…
Seat belts
23 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
Rt & lt front seat belt retractors pin passengers to seat for no apparent reason. The only way to get out, is to release the seat belt. When driver or passenger tries to move forward, seat belt restrains person and will not let them move freely in the seat. Seat belt retractors have been replaced and then will be ok…
The passenger seat belt locked up so tight, the passenger was unable to move. The seat belt did not give any room for moving comfortably.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the ignition circuit wire is exposed, the fuel pump fuse will blow, disabling the fuel pump and causing an engine stall or no-start condition. If sufficient heat is conducted to the pass-through connector, a hole in the connector may result, which may cause a 'service engine soon' light to be illuminated during the emission system diagnostic routine. Fuel vapor and in some cases liquid fuel may leak out of the fuel tank through the hole in the connector body. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Also if the ignition circuit or ground wire is exposed a
Fix: Dealers will remove the fuel tank, and remove the module reservoir assemblies from the tank, and install a new service kit free of charge. An interim letter to owners was mailed on may 25, 2005. The owners were re-notified on october 19, 2005, since parts are now availabe. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles were built with fuel module reservoir assemblies that contain fuel pump wires connectors may overheat under certain operating conditions.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. Gm is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections. Owner notification began july 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point such that the seat belt would no longer lock.
Body and structure: body
Risk: These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain vehicle operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
On january 11, 2011, odi opened ea11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 general motors (gm) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the united states that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received defect petition dp10-003 on march 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (my) 2003 chevrolet silverado 2500hd 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.dp10-003 was granted and on march 30, 2010, preliminary evaluation pe10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by general motors corporation (gm).on july 2, 2010, odi received gm's response to an information request, which included gm's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Gm stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject veh
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on may 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general motors (gm) provided owner complaint information, field reports and warranty claim data based on a population of 108,338 vehicles. The data was categorized by engine stalls while driving, engine stalls with an unknown driving condition, no start conditions and claims where it was
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Summary
In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounti
Overheated fuel pump wiring
Summary
In a letter dated april 14, 2005, general motors (gm) notified odi that it had identified a defect related to motor vehicle safety in approximately 316,508 model year (my) 2000-01 1500 series chevrolet suburban and gmc yukon xl vehicles (recall 05v-155).gm determined that some of these vehicles were equipped with fuel module reservoir assemblies (mras) that contain fuel pump wires and/or connectors that may overheat under certain operating conditions.according to gm, fuel pump wires that overheat may result in one or more conditions that present risks to motor vehicle safety:(1) fuel leakage from the mra pass-through connector if the overheating produces a hole in the plastic connector; (2)
Overheated fuel pump wiring
Summary
The fuel pump wiring and connector may overheat and melt a hole in the top of the fuel pump module.possible consequences include fuel tank leakage and engine stall with no restart.fourteen of the 20 complaints to odi allege fuel tank leakage, including one that reported that a fire department was called to the scene after a pool of gasoline was discovered beneath the vehicle.most of the odi complaints report incidents that occurred within the past year. According to gm, fuel leakage can occur in the subject vehicles if the heat is sufficient to melt a hole in the plastic connector large enough for liquid fuel to flow through.on-board emissions diagnostics may detect holes that are approximat
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
Steel wheel rim fracture
Summary
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control. A defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr
Summary
The automatic locking retractor (alr) is a feature incorporated in the subject vehicle for locking the webbing to properly secure a child safety seat into a vehicle.this pe was opened based on a gm technical service bulletin stating that with certain child safety seats the webbing may not remain locked.there are no complaints in the odi database and only two complaints to gm.gm's instructions state for the final step in using the webbing lock feature to push and pull the child restraint to be sure it is secure. If the alr is not locked, the user would be fully aware of this condition prior to completing proper installation of the child safety seat in this vehicle.this investigation did not u
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (178 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); fuel system (60 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); engine (37 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 7, 2007 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban?
- It is the most complained-about Suburban model year since 2000, with 440 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.