Defects: ABS light on at 43,600 miles. When car is turned off a loud noise is heard beneath the drivers side of the vehicle my independent mechanic said the ABS unit is purging. At 20 miles and regularly there after, when the fog light power button is pressed, the rear window wiper briefly makes noise as if it had been activated. At 3000 miles and regularly there after, all four doors squeak at the hinges and must be lubricated weekly. At 10,600 miles the rear differential began to leak. Both driver and passenger seat squeak and do not firmly lock into position. The driver and front passenger seats do not lock into position. The parking brake has not worked since I purchased the vehicle.

- La Palma, CA, USA

I took my Chevy Tahoe (2001) in to get the inspection done on 10/1/03 -- this is the first time the inspection has been due since the car was manufactured. I bought this truck used 6 months ago. The inspector told me that he would have to fail my truck due to a defective parking brake. I was told that he had seen a lot of them recently and that he would let me take the truck back to the dealer to get it fixed. He said the other 5-6 that he had seen very recently had taken it to the dealer because it was a recalled part and they fixed it for free. Unfortunately, when I took it to my dealer, he informed me that it was not a recalled part and would not be covered -- in fact, would cost me $200-$300 to fix. He said that six months ago, when he inspected the car, it was fine. So, in the past six months, my parking brake had gone bad. I only drive my truck back and forth to work and have not used my parking brake, so it seems to me that something else must be wrong!! please help -- if it is known by so many that these are failing, why will Chevrolet not do something about it? if I used my parking brake everyday, that might be one thing, but I have not used it at all.

- Plano, TX, USA

Emergency brake failed causing vehicle to roll down a hill and collide with another vehicle. Phone interview update (April 5, 2006): Ms. Arnecke said that the vehicle did not roll away; the vehicle failed the Texas state inspection because of the parking brakes.

- Kyle, TX, USA

I believe there is a serious problem with the emergency brake system in 2001 Tahoe's. I learned of this problem when I went to have my car inspected in memphis, Tennessee. When I drove up, the inspector said, " we might as well try your emergency brakes first since they will probably fail." I asked her why and she said that almost all Tahoe's do fail. Mine did. The inspector told me I needed to have the brakes fixed at a dealer. I went to a Chevrolet dealer and I told them I had a Tahoe and it had failed the inspection, the service manager interupted and said, "your emergency brakes failed, didn't they?" I asked how he knew and he said. " they almost all do." He said that the vast majority of them fail within one or two years. He explained that when you do not use your emergency brake there is something that makes them activate and rub against the drum. Eventually they wear out. He stated he wished Chevrolet would recall the system. I wrote to Chevrolet. They claim my brakes wore out with regular use. To the best of my knowledge, I have never used the emergency brakes on my car. In fact I still have the same factory installed regular brakes on my car. I believe this eventual emergency brake failure in cars could cause a seriouse accident by failing at the wrong time. So do the mechanics I spoke with and the city inspectors in memphis. I find it hard to believe that Chevrolet does not know of this problem. While I do not believe Chevrolet will be honest about this situation, I believe any dealer mechanic will. The one that worked on my car volunteered that it was a serious problem and recommended I call you.

- Cordova, TN, USA

The emergency break went out (which made a metal to metal noise all times when the SUV is moving) causing the rear brake to go out. I have been in contact with the dealer on previous occasions and they stated this is not covered under warranty therefore if they look it will cost me. The dealer stated I drove with the emergency brake, which caused the brake to go out, which is untrue. I went to a personal mechanic who stated that this should not have happened and it should be covered under the warranty. After speaking with other GMC / Chevrolet owners they are experiencing the same issues with the E brake going out, all have had the same response from the dealers..

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

The emergency brake on this car and other models (Suburban) is faulty. Regardless of use, the emergency brake needs adjusted every 15-20K miles.(recommended by the dealer). The new emergency brake design does not use the normal rear brake pads..it has its own seperate brake pad inside the wheel well. This "emergency" pad burns out regardless of use. A Chevrolet mechanic and dealership told me this is a faulty system and that I will need to return every 15-20 K miles to have approximately $130 of work done to adjust it...even if I didn't use it. This is a horrible design and I wish Chevrolet would be responsible for their bad engineering and faulty system.

- Manassas, VA, USA

Consumer stated the emergency brake failed to hold the vehicle, dealer had been notified, however consumer was informed the vehicle was no longer under warranty.

- Corona, CA, USA

When the parking brake would be engaged, the pedal would go all the way to the floor. If the vehicle was on an incline, and in neutral gear, the parking brake would not hold. The dealership indicated that was a normal position for the brake and they were self adjusting.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

Emergency brake fails to hold will not permit vehicle to roll back but will permit vehicle to roll forward esp on hills.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Consumer states that twice in the past year the emergency brake shoes and linings have disintegrated resulting in damage to vehicle's rear brakes. The vehicle's rear brake pads and rotors had to be replaced. Incidents occurred on 10/24/01 and 11/15/02 respectively.

- Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA

Consumer states that when vehicle is in drive or reverse, emergency brake will not hold truck. Vehicle checked by dlr who advised that the lining on the rear emergency brake shoes has worn out.

- Beaumont, TX, USA