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My car is not braking. Why is my Suburban not stopping? It's not stopping!
That's what a new 2025 Chevrolet Suburban owner, who goes by @upholsterygirl, can be heard saying on her TikTok video clip. The video, recorded from her dashcam, recounts a terrifying experience.
Despite the trauma, the owner bravely shared her experience to warn others of the potential danger.
The car only stopped after the owner engaged the emergency brake. This incident was particularly distressing as it occurred just after their previous Suburban was totaled in a T-bone accident.
The owner's emotional journey was a rollercoaster of anger, fear, and sadness, especially given the vehicle's newness. She was going 24 mph when she realized the brakes weren't working, with another car just a length ahead, causing extreme nausea even upon rewatching dash cam footage.
A police officer remained with her for over 30 minutes, attempting to determine the cause of the issue.
The Suburban was towed to the Chevrolet dealership, where it was discovered that the vehicle had an open recall for the braking system.
Shockingly, the owner stated that the dealership sold them the car despite knowing it was unsafe, even after a mechanic had noted that it needed to be addressed before the sale.
This negligence on the part of the dealership raises serious concerns about Chevrolet's quality control and dealership practices.
After initial repairs, which involved replacing the vacuum pump, brake booster, brake hose, and four other components, the owner was informed the vehicle was fixed. However, during a test drive, the brakes still failed to function correctly.
Despite the dealership's additional repairs, the issues persisted. Every time the brake pedal is pressed, a 'Service' and 'Brake Assist' warning flashes on the dash, accompanied by a 'crunching' noise, indicating that the problem is far from resolved.
The owner expresses immense frustration and fear, stating that this should not happen with a brand-new vehicle and questioning why Chevrolet's quality is deteriorating, leaving them feeling unsafe in their recently purchased car.
She notes that they are not alone in experiencing such problems and emphasize the importance of vehicle safety for families.
She says,
I just bought a brand new 2025 Chevy Suburban from the dealership and experienced something out of my nightmares.
I legit have nightmares that I'm pressing on the brake, and my car won't stop.
I was having an involuntary panic attack and couldn't think clearly. I pressed and pumped the brakes, but my car wouldn't stop moving. My vehicle stopped rolling when I pulled on the e-brake. And I was safe, but I continue to think about the worst.
Luckily, I was alone in the car, and all I could think was how bad that could have been, especially because it's a 50 mph road. If the light hadn't turned red and I hadn't noticed, it could have been so much worse. This was a real fear; I don't care if it's dramatic. I have a family to live for.
Not having your brakes working is scary. As soon as I noticed my car acting wonky, I called my husband to let him know I needed to pull over and needed a tow truck. I just bought this car after someone t-boned me and totaled my last car.
Yeah, I was freaking mad, scared, sad - so many emotions.
I just bought this thing, and for this to happen? After literally just getting out of my last suburban after someone t-boned me.
I was also going 24 when I realized I couldn't stop, and that still makes me nauseous. Even rewatching this, the car in front of me was only a car length away.
I never want to experience it again! It's so scary.
The cop stayed with me for over 30 minutes after looking under my hood or pressing my brake.
It's at their dealership right now. I had to get it towed there.
Chevrolet has an open recall for my Suburban, but they sold it to me without addressing the issue.
They sold me this vehicle, knowing it was unsafe. It was noted before I purchased the Suburban that the mechanic stated they needed to remove all the defective braking systems before selling it, but they refused to do so and then sold it to me anyway.
Update:
My Suburban was supposed to be fixed by the Chevrolet dealer, and they did. They had to replace the vacuum pump, brake booster, brake hose, and four other components, so my vehicle's brakes were working again.
My Suburban was taken to the service department on Saturday, and it was supposed to be done by Monday. They took it on a test drive, and the brakes still didn't work, so they had to fix something else.
I finally got my vehicle back yesterday, which was Tuesday, but my Suburban is still not working correctly. Every time I press on the brake, a warning flashes on my dash. It says 'Service' in red and 'Brake Assist.' I can hear something crunching.
This is after getting my vehicle worked on by the dealer and supposedly fixed.
The Suburban is One Month Old
This is not supposed to happen with a brand-new vehicle. Why is my Chevy Suburban such a piece of crap? It already sucks that my brakes failed, and now I'm terrified to drive my new vehicle, and I just bought it a month ago.
I am not the only one having these issues, and we should feel safe in our vehicles. So, why is Chevy failing me?
Does Chevrolet Have An Open Recall for the Suburban's Brakes?
The 2023 and 2024 Chevrolet Suburban has a recall related to the brakes due to a potential issue with the brake fluid loss detection system. Specifically, the electronic brake control module software may not accurately display a warning light when brake fluid levels are low, potentially compromising braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Affected Models:
The 2023-2024 Chevrolet Suburban, along with other models such as the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and specific Cadillac and GMC vehicles.
It's important to note that General Motors does not have a recall for the 2025 Chevrolet Suburban. However, the automaker has not fixed the issues in some 2025 model-year vehicles.
What Should 2025 Suburban Owners Do?
It would be advisable to take your Suburban to the Chevrolet dealer and have them inspect your brake system as soon as possible.
upholsterygirl says, "My question is, why is Chevrolet's quality getting worse with newer vehicles?"
Do you own a Chevrolet Suburban or another GM model?
What is your experience with the vehicle? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado story: I Bought a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss in March, and This Thing Is a Piece of Work. I’ve Never Had This Many Problems With a Truck in Such a Short Time
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via upholsterygirl
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