2001 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls

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 MEXICO AT THE PLANT THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALLS. THE RECALL COVERS TIRES FROM CARS ASSEMBLED IN THAT PLANT IN APRIL AND MAY OF 2000. MY CAR WAS ASSEMBLED THERE IN AUGUST OF 2000. I BELIEVE THAT THE RECALL SHOULD POSSIBLY BE EXTEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000586 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT A 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN , BRAND NEW. SINCE WE OWNED IT, THE AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR FAILED THE FIRST MONTH, FRONT LEFT SHOCK POPS WHEN TURNING, DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER DOESN'T WORK (POSSIBLE FAULTY SWITCH), THE 5.3 LITER ENGINE KNOCKS AND PINGS LIKE CRAZY EVEN WHEN USING 93 OCTANE FUEL ON A STEADY BASIS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND TO HAVE CRACKED SEAT RAILS BUT DEALER HAD NO REPLACEMENT RAILS, HAVE TO ORDER THEM. GAS GAUGE DOESN'T READ RIGHT (WHEN ON THE RED LINE IT STILL HAS 6 GALLONS IN THE TANK OR 20% FUEL LEFT) THE THING IS A PI…

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000985 at NHTSA ↗

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST YOUR AGENCY TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ABOUT A DEFECTIVE PARKING PAWL ON A 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN, THIS PARKING PAWL MECHANISM SUPPOSED TO LOCK THE TRANSMISSION GEAR TO PREVENT A VEHICLE TO ROLL OR MOVED WHILE ON PARK POSITION, ESPECIALLY ON A ROLLING HILLS OR SLOPED PARKING LOT. I AM SHARING THIS INFORMATION FOR THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CONSUMERS WHO OWNED A 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS THE TENDENCY TO MOVED WHILE ON PARKED POSITION ON A ROLLING HILLS OR SLOPED PARKING LOT. THIS PRO…

Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003317 at NHTSA ↗

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE "POWER ASSIST" FEATURE ON MY 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED DURING JANUARY OF 2002, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AT FOX CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN LAUREL, MD. IN THE 2002 EVENT, I EXPERIENCED A HIGH PITCH WHINING AND VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING, AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN EFFECTING THIS REPAIR, CHEVROLET REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. DURING THE LATTER PART OF NOVEMBER 2002, THE HIGH PITCH WHINING AND VIBRATION RETURNED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 58,821 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005779 at NHTSA ↗

NAR 1/29/2003. WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF OWING THE VEHICLE, THE SAFETY BELT ON THE REAR PASSENGER 3RD SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELT CAN'T BE PULLED AWAY FROM THE SEAT BACK TO SEURE IT AND ANY PASSENGERS. GM WOULD NOT COVER THE SEAT BELT UNDER WARRANTY, THEY STATED THAT THE MILEAGE LIMIT ON THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006049 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR BRAKE PADS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008908 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON FREEWAY WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO BRAKES, STEERING AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS. INCIDENT HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR REPAIR PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011060 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING INOPERATIVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DESIGN OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PLACED IT IN CONTACT WITH THE ROTORS WHICH CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011781 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-10-25 (October 25, 2000)

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.

Consequence: THESE GASES COULD FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF THE PLUG IS MISSING OR LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE POSSIBLE ILLNESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LOOSE OR MISSING WHEELHOUSE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS IF NECESSARY.

Reported: 2001-05-17 (May 17, 2001)

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.

Consequence: IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)

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.

Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)

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.

Consequence: 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 AND SHORTS TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER CARD WIRES, INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS MAY RESULT.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)

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.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2007-11-07 (November 7, 2007)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.