The emergency brake on my 2001 Chevy Tahoe was diagnosed as having bad parking brake / E brake. I was unaware of this situation since I rarely need to use the parking brake. I will have to replace this item at a cost of approx. $575. Many other 2001 Tahoe have experienced the same problem.. I have replaced the parking E brakes twice since I purchased the Tahoe and now they have failed a third time. I never use the parking brake!! Virginia safety inspection has failed and I have already been pulled over for not having a safety sticker for the parking E brake. There is also a strong burning smell from the rear tire / brake area, I am sure the vehicle will catch fire from the friction the bad design has caused. Parking brake pedal goes to the floor and will not hold the vehicle in drive, neutral, or reverse. Also discovered that the passenger side parking E brake actuator lever is missing and the parking E brake cable is not connected to the passenger side, this same lever is reported online as mysteriously missing from other Chevy trucks as well, it is bad when the same part on various vehicles is missing on the same side, coincidence or bad assembly line process, maybe defective part that breaks. Repair is over 1000 dollars. Parking E brake fails to hold the vehicle safely and is endangering lives. Virginia law and safety inspections are not being met due to a serious design flaw of missing parts and a safety device not working properly on a vehicle. Missing safety parts from the assembly is hazardous, if parts were not missing, then they fell off and is still dangerous.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Parking brake on 2001 Tahoe fails to hold vehicle. It will not pass state inspection until fixed. I have never used the brake and is my understanding that this is defect in 2001 Tahoe that was never recalled. Chevy needs to recall and fix the defected parking brake in all models.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

2001 Chevy Tahoe - emergency/parking brake not functioning. Has not been functioning for years. I bought the vehicle new and I never used it, but when I was parked on a hill recently, I tried to use it but it did not work. From what I understand, this is a common problem with this vehicle. If it is a design defect that does not allow the vehicle to safely park without possibly hurting innocent people or damaging property, should the manufacturer be responsible?

- Oxford, MI, USA

My parking brake does not work, although I have never used it. I tried to get my car inspected, but they would not pass it due to the brake. They said GM is aware of the issue but is doing nothing about it.

- Argyle, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. While the vehicle was parked on a hill, the contact attempted to release the hand brake three times. The hand brake loosened and a piece of metal with cable attached to it detached from the vehicle. The vehicle began to roll and nearly struck an older couple. GM advised him to bring the vehicle in for diagnosis, but he has not done so at this time. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 49,600. Update 04-02-08

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The left front and rear caliper are not working properly on my 2001 Tahoe. The left rear is shot, and the pad has worn clear to the rivets witch ate up the rotor. The cooling shield has rotten away. I haven't checked the right rear yet. The brakes sound like they are grinding. The truck is now at my mechanic shop to be fixed.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

Parking brake friction pad premature wear and failure. It creates a dangerous situation when parking on a steep slope when towing a heavy load if the transmission lockup mechanism should fail. Operator manuals state to set the parking brake when parking a travel trailer. Repair includes replacing the brake shoes an drums if necessary.

- Volcano, CA, USA

Failure of emergency bake system. Both rear rotors had to be replaced with only 54,828 miles on vehicle because emmergency brake pad had worn all pad material off and was rubbing metal to metal cutting into the surface of the emergency brake part of the rotor.

- Raceland, LA, USA

ABS module, transmission, parking brake, throttle body, windows, rear A/C, steering suspension. Since we purchased the vehicle we have had to spend over $4000 on repairs that should be recalled due to safety.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

: the contact stated the parking brake rubbed down the brake pads and shoes causing the pads and shoes to be replaced prematurely every two years. The parking brake was rarely used and does not hold. The dealership was aware of the problem and informed the contact there was a special spring that needed to be installed to keep the brake from rubbing against the pads and shoes.

- Irving, TX, USA

Our Tahoe failed the state inspection due to the parking brake not holding. Both parking brake pads were replaced and then 2 years later we failed the state inspection again due to the same parking brake issue. This time one of the rotors was destroyed with about a 1/4" groove in it which made the repair even more costly. Our region is totally flat, so we don't even use the parking brake! there is no reason why there should be any wear on the parking brake what-so-ever. Especially twice in the 5 yrs we've owned the vehicle. After asking around and researching on the internet, it appears that there is a serious recurring issue with this brake design and up to this point it has all been at the owner's expense. Old brake discs are not available but destroyed rotor is.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

2001 parking brake worn down to metal to metal at 25,000 freeway miles. Parking brake was only used when car was in the garage at night on level ground. Local dealer said it was normal to wear out in that mileage.

- Goleta, CA, USA

Parking brake doesn't work.

- Oakland, CA, USA

I have a 2001 Chevy Tahoe. The parking brake has always barely worked but I never had it repaired because I didn't realize it was a defective. I just thought it was a crummy brake. After reading some web sites I now realize it is defective and needs repair. I believe that this is a big problem but that people just don't realize it is not working. The only thing that holds my car from rolling down the hill and killing someone is the transmission. You really should make GM do a recall and fix this problem.

- Cumming, GA, USA

: the contact stated there was a grinding noise coming from the rear end, upon inspection the contact found the parking brake was completely worn. This occurred without the parking brake being used. The contact repaired the parking brake and the problem reoccurred.

- Algoma, WI, USA

Applied parking brake while assisting another motorist with a dead battery. After reentering my vehicle I started to back up and noticed that my parking brake was not holding. I tested the brake as described in owners handbook. The parking brake did not hold. I feel lucky that the vehicle did not move while I was assisting the motorist with the dead battery. Had the vehicle moved forward I would have been trapped/crushed between the two vehicles. I also own a 2001 Chevy truck and it had a recall on the parking brake. Why has General Motors not recalled the parking brake on the 2001 Tahoe. I guest it will take a death or serious injury before they will fix this problem at their cost not mine.

- Pine Hill, AL, USA

: the contact applied the parking brake and discovered the parking brake would not engage. There were no previous problems with the parking brake. The vehicle was seen by a dealer. The dealer replaced the parking brake shoes which remedied the problem. The consumer stated the parking brake still doesn't hold, more work is needed. Updated 02/27/06.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

I previously filed a complaint for the rear seat belt malfunctioning but this vehicle has several dangerous issues..the throttle sticks and happened with my 2 children in the vehicle driving 55 mph..not fun! the outcome could have been detrimental. The parking brake does not work and has been "fixed" 2 times..it still does not work and will not pass inspection...the antilock brakes engage for short stops and the vehicle slides!! this is just unbelievable to me. GM must have many lawsuits in the works and many to come.

- Jackson, LA, USA

: the contact stated while having the vehicle inspected by an independent repair shop for a squeaking noise while braking, the repairman determined there was no problem with the service brakes but the emergency brake would not engage properly. The independent repair shop referred the contact to a dealer. The dealer confirmed that the emergency brake would not engage properly. Although the contact did not use the emergency brake nor did the emergency brake display any noticeable problems. While driving the contact was unable to determine how the emergency brake failed. The dealer performed a vehicle history report based on the VIN and noted that the previous owner had several service records concerning the emergency brake.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

Would not pass inspection. Man told me 3 out of 5 Tahoe do not pass because parking brake does not work.

- Victoria, TX, USA