Four problems related to brake hoses, lines/piping, and fittings have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
December 2009, replaced ruptured brake lines above the rear differential. Severely rusted. July 15, 2012, ruptured brake line by the driver side floor board and fire wall. Severely rusted. Fuel lines under the vehicle is also severely rusted. Leak can cause fire. Brake failure occurred during driving on road.
Brake failure due to rusted brake lines on 2 separate occasions. Around March 2008 I was traveling on the southern state parkway in long island, NY when I depressed the brake pedal and it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out of the engine compartment which was caused by brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. The brake line had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. Only that particular line was replaced due to the high cost of replacing all lines from front to back. Today August 6, 2012 I was leaving my house when I depressed the brake pedal and once again it went to the floor and a large cloud of smoke came out due to the brake fluid hitting the hot exhaust manifold. Upon inspection I found another brake line that had rusted through and caused a hole in the line which caused the brakes to fail. At the time of the second incident the truck had 141,000 miles on it.
While driving front brake line collapsed, causing steering wheel to jerk to left, cause unknown.
This was a major acid discharge not a leak! all repairs as yet under warranty. 1 in 10 vans to the garage reported to have this defect. Garage only replaced the other brake line when we offered to pay for it. When we offered to pay for it.