1999 Chevrolet Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 720 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (34% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 720 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I purchases a set of new Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT265/75R16 (123/120R) tires for my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 in June 2023 and I am attempting to register the tires with Michelin. None of the tires have a date code on them. The DOT code of these tires is 1M3 4N 00KX, there is NO date code on any of the four (4) tires.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2023
“I contacted Chevrolet corporate and they confirmed an open government ordered recall. They told me to contact a local dealer. I have contacted 2 dealers in the San Diego area, Bob Sall Chevrolet and Courtesy Chevrolet. Both refuse to fix the recall issue. I was told by Bob Stall Chevrolet that I could pay myself to have the work done”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2022
“Rear brakes started grabbing and locking up about 9,009 miles after a drum, shoe and hardware replacement. Rear skids and slides.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet suburban 2500. While driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle struck a building. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000. Updated 05/05/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2017
“Brake lines rusted through front passenger side causing minor accident dec 2015 separate incident:: high-pressure fuel line rusted through causing fuel to spray around the front of gas tank area unnoticed for 2 trips. Thankfully no fire resulted.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“I pulled into my driveway and the brakes didn`t work, pedal went to the floor. I opened the hood and saw brake fluid all over the left side of the engine.I then noticed several rusted brake lines one of which had a large hole in it. I had my wife step on the pedal and brake fluid came streaming out of the hole.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2016
“The passenger side rear door lock failed in the locked position. The auto locks do not affect it nor can the lock be manually unlocked from the inside. The door cannot be opened at all from inside or out. No indication of breakage occurred, it just froze up one day with normal use.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet suburban. While driving at approximately 63 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. In addition, the contact stated the brake calibers seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“This is a design and a manufacturing defect. It's a manufacturing defect because the doors are failing in large numbers and it's a design defect because the doors can't be unlocked manually when the power locks fail. The dealer said the door actuators and latch assemblies must be replaced. What happens is rivets on the lock assembly are coming loose and when the window is half way down it hits the rivets causing the lock to jam and the door can not be opened. In a panic situation, collision or car fire the passengers not knowing why they can not open the door would have to climb over the seats to get out which may not be possible if there is a front end collision or fire.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2015
“The suv does not stop and the ABS activates when coming to a stop (approximately 5 mph). I noticed there is gm recall no. 05068 but my model is not included. That is strange because all of the suv and pickup trucks around that time are included, my model is not. ABS light sometimes is on and sometimes not during these episodes. This safety issue happens periodically over many years with this vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 57 of these complaints and injuries in 54 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Suburban by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 720 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,600 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.