general problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe - part 1

69 problems related to parking brake have been reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe based on all problems reported for the 2001 Tahoe.

1 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2011

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 Tahoes 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.

2 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 12/26/2010

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.

3 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2010

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?.

4 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 02/29/2008

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.

5 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2008

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.

6 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2008

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.

7 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 10/06/2007

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.

8 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 08/04/2007

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.

9 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 09/12/2006

: 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.

10 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2006

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.

11 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 07/26/2006

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.

12 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 04/05/2006

: 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.

13 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 03/16/2006

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.

14 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 01/05/2006

: 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.

15 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 01/03/2006

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

16 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 11/21/2005

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.

17 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2005

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe emergency brake wore out pre-maturely at 18,000 miles of freeway driving. Always parked on level ground and kept in a garage. When taken to the dealership they said brakes were not covered under warranty and that this was normal. They wanted over $300. 00 to replace the brake shoes in the separate emergency brake drums. This is more than a complete brake job on that car typically costs.

18 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 07/28/2005

Consumer file a compliant regarding a parking brake failure. Contacted general motors and spoke with tiffany. Called 800-222-1820. General motors called the service center for this issue. Spoken to the service manager ,and his response was to given\ the mileage on the vehicle, which was 80,000 miles. Expected the brake pads to wear down or be replaced. When engaging the parking brake the vehicle went in a roll ing motion. The brake pads should still be in good because consumer did not use the parking brake.

19 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2005

The emergency brake on my 2001 chevy Tahoe was diagnosed as having worn completely down to the metal. 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. $275. I understand that several other 2001 Tahoes have experienced the same problem. I will hold onto the old part for awhile once the repair is completed.

20 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 06/27/2005

Parking brake failed inspection and has never worked right since the time of purchase. Parking brake pedal goes to the floor and will not hold the vehicle in drive, neutral, or reverse. Estimated cost for repair is 400. 00. Repairs have not been made yet. It makes me very angry to read all of the complaints regarding the parking brake and all of the money people are having to pay to fix it temporarily. What makes me even more angry is that general motors/chevrolett seems to be aware of this problem and is not taking the responsibility to fix it. Does there have to be a death first?.

21 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 05/15/2005

Consumer's wife pulled into driveway which had a small incline and applied brakes to park, and this particular style of emergency brake failed. Felt it was worn out. Had to be replaced by owner. No problems since the replacement, but felt it was poorly designed by gm.

22 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 05/05/2005

Parking brake was defective. Nothing happened before failure. Emergency brake did not hold. Upon inspection it was found to have a problem. Has to have brake pads replaced before it can be inspected.

23 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2005

Parking brake on 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe has failed, and dealer is unable to repair it. Dealer is aware of this problem because it is common to this vehicle, but stated that gm has not developed a fix. We have spent several hundred dollars to repair the brake over the last couple of years without success. Unfortunately, now we have to rely on the automatic transmission to hold the vehicle in place when parked on hills. I always use the parking brake with my other vehicles and have not experienced any problems like this. Parking brake certainly would be unable to stop the vehicle in an emergency if the primary brakes failed. I certainly believe that gm should make it a priority to find a solution to this problem and recall the effected vehicles.

24 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 04/16/2005

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe: during texas required safety testing the parking brake has been found to be non-functional due to abnormal wear for the second time in three years. This requires hundreds of dollars in repairs each time.

25 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 04/06/2005

The parking brake goes to the floor when consumer presses it down. This could cause the vehicle to roll back on a hill. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer.

26 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 03/21/2005

Consumer complained about a parking brake problem. The parking brake will not hold. Owner has to take the vehicle into the dealer for an adjustment to the parking brake every 5,000 miles. Owner contacted the manufacturer and dealer, and owner was told that the parking brake has been redesigned, and to bring it in for an evaluation. Provide further details.

27 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 02/05/2005

Scraping noise from the rear of vehicle determined to be park brake shoe contacting drum when parking brake not applied. Was previously repaired under warranty with re-designed parts, but failed again. Parking brake does not hold.

28 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2005

Parking brake doesn't work.

29 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 12/30/2004

Vehicle was purchased used with 21000 miles. Parking brake was'nt operable and was repaired by dealer to close sale. Parking brake inoperable 30000 miles later. Needs left rear hub replaced, right rear was salvageable. Dealer stated it was not repairable under extended warranty. During repairs I searched web and found it was not just my vehicle.

30 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 11/24/2004

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. 00 on repairs that should be recalled due to safety.

31 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 10/14/2004

Premature emrgency brake failure on 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. I have noticed a very loud "metal to metal" noise. Upon inspection it was found that the "emergency" brake was worn out. Research on the internet revealed other complaints of this nature on 2001 Tahoes.

32 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 10/10/2004

I have a 2001 chevy Tahoe I could not get my car inspected because the parking brake would not work . I took it to my repair shop and found the factory parking brake clips that hold the brake shoe in alignment were not designed properly. They now have an upgrade clip after the fact. The brake shoe causes $200 or more in damage to the rotor and pads and more concerning than that is you don't know you have a problem until the parking brake doesn't work! general motors does not take this serious enough to have a recall or warranty the repair this is a dangerous situation. People don't know about this problem. Thank you david.

33 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 10/04/2004

The emergency brake was found defective when applied, the vehicle would still move at will, even with the brake pressed all the way to the floor.

34 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2004

Parking brakes worn out pre-maturely.

35 Parking Brake problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2004

Ever since I purchased my 2001 chevy Tahoe, I have experienced problems with my parking brake. It never has worked properly, having slipped on numerous occations. When I push it down, it goes all the way to the floor. I went to have it fixed under warranty on 12/7/002, but it continued to fail. Currently, there is a service bulletin out on it that says they're supposed to be inspected, and Chevrolet has put no demand on the dealers to inspect them. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed immediately.


Other Parking Brake related problems of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe


Safety Ratings of Tahoe Cars
Fuel Economy of Tahoe Vehicles
Tahoe Service Bulletins
Tahoe Safety Recalls
Tahoe Defect Investigations