Six problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My '96 Chevrolet Tahoe 2-door suffered complete brake system loss when a brake line burst while in-service. The Tahoe, used primarily in illinois in the winter, suffered the failure in may of 2008 with about 102,000 miles accumulated and with no with no prior indications of a problem prior to the complete failure. The brake line simplyburst/ failed completely when the line (mounted to the firewall below the radiator) completely failed, leaving blown out gap about an inchlong in the line. The truck was slowing to a stop sign when then line failed and the brake pedal went down to the floor, so there was no collateral damage. The vehicle was towed immediately to a repair shop for estimation and repairs (not a chevy garage). These repairs required complete vehicle brake line replacement (except to the front ant-lock unit) and complete system component replacement (except for the master cylinder). I thought the failure was random until I recently saw an article on the topic in print by jerry hirsch, staff writerfor the los angeles times, business section where other similar failures on similar models were noted. The repairs cost close to $2,000 and, if there are other campaigns on this model, I would like to research them to determine if poor design by general motors/Chevrolet division is responsible for these repairs and how to go about adding my vehicle to that campaign. I have kept the vehicle registered in my name and currently own a 2004 Chevrolet, so my contact information would have been on-file with gm such that proper notifications could have been made. I had no idea that this type of failure was part of gms faulty design history or that any campaign was underway pertaining to brake line failures until I saw the article printed by mrjerry hirsch as note d above.
Master cylinder and power booster failed. Nlm.
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, they go straight to the floorboard, and there is a problem with the master cylinder and brake rotors.
Brake pedal soft and spongy, master cylinder replaced (warranty repair). Same symptoms again with complete brake failure this time. Pedal goes right to the floor.
While driving the vehicle noticed a leak in the master cylinder, and right after that the power brakes failed which left the driver with no brakes. Brake booster failed.
In reference 94v-038, the vehicle braking system malfunctions when applying the pedal to the floor, and causing extended stopping distance. Dealer replace master cylinder and valves. Dealer cannot determine problem.