While attempting to depart from picking up out travel trailer, both the power steering and brakes went out on our 2500 4 wheel drive Suburban. The only thing that stopped the Suburban was the trailer's brakes. Luckly we were still in the parking lot and therefore going slow. Upon exaimination, I pulled the surpinetine belt off and the power steering pully and shaft came off. From what I understand the steering and the brakes are connected. This can also happen when the brake booster goes out. The good thing is that this not only happened in town but not on the freeway going down a grade pulling a 9,000 lbs trailer. I have replaced the power steering pump and am in the process of having the brakes bleed as they don't "feel" right.

- Woodland, CA, USA

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 bill seidle's Chevrolet in clermont, fl in November of 2002, and was told that there was nothing wrong with the steering or braking system. Unfortunately, they were wrong. On Tuesday evening, 2/4/2003, while driving with my seven year old, the same high pitch whining, and pulsing in the brake pedal returned. This time it resulted in the total loss of power steering and brakes while exiting a local highway system in the orlando area. Fortunately, I was driving as it took quite a bit of strength, to steer and stop the vehicle after the loss of the power assist system. At what point does the failure of such a critical part of this vehicle get labeled as a defect in this system. The failure of this system, could have caused injury to me and my family (son). Had my wife been driving this truck, the result may have been gravely different. I purchased this vehicle because of the reputation for durability in the industry, with the expectation of purchasing a quality vehicle. I am now fearful of putting my family in this vehicle after a second failure of this critical system. I am requesting that I be contacted as soon as possible by someone that can address my concerns. I am concerned about placing my family in a vehicle that has had the power steering/braking system fail twice.

- Clermont, FL, USA

Simultaneous failure of brake and power steering system while towing a 25 foot trailer.. both systems run off same belt. Power steering seized and broke belt.

- Eddyville, OR, USA