1999 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (36% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2 years ago I had all of the brake lines replaced because of failure due to rust at a cost of $1000.00 I believe the cause was poor metal in the brake lines and the way the lines are attached to the body & frame help to cause the problem.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“Truck was in shop for unrelated maintenance. Brake line failure occurred while moving truck out of service bay. Truck is currently undriveable. Mechanic indicated that this is common failure as lower quality material was used in the brake lines. Additional research on web indicated this is a widespread issue. This is the first I had heard of the problem. I am the original owner. I feel blessed that this failure occurred in a non-traffic situation. I frequently drive this truck in heavy traffic on I-94. Thanks,[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2014
“Got hard on the brakes to avoid a deer that had jumped out of a ditch and the brake pedal went to the floor and brakes gave out. Dealer replaced all the rotted lines to the tune of 1250.00. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Went up to store and found out brakes were not working, pedal going to floor. Had to avoid wrecking. Hauled it home. Purchased and put in new master cylinder. Went to bleed the first brake and found a rusted break line over driver side rear. Could hear it sucking air when I was using the pump to bleed out old fluid. Glad the traffic wasn't busy. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2013
“I was making a right turn out of a parking lot and heard a load clunk. When I got home I was looking for the cause of the banging and found that the rear leaf spring shackle had rusted so bad it broke in half. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2013
“I was pulling my horse trailer and went to stop at a stop sign and my truck brakes went out and I could not stop. I ended up being pushed into traffic and almost went off a cliff. My step dad came and got my trailer and we hauled my truck back to his place. My dad and step dad started looking at it and my entire brake line is rusted out? I have noticed several websites stating numerous incidents and recalls? I need help! *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc c2500 pickup. The contact stated that while traveling downhill, the brakes were applied but the vehicle did not respond. The contact had to use the emergency break in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined that the brakes lines were completely rusted. The contact spoke to the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign id number: 00v345000 (service brakes: hydraulic), but was told that there was no recall for the vehicle. The failure and the current mileages were 170,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2013
“While attempting to slow the vehicle to exit the highway, the brake pedal went to the floor and there was limited braking. The vehicle had to be slowed by down shifting. After the vehicle was off of the highway, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where mechanics found that one of the steel brake lines had rusted and ruptured causing the brake fluid to leak and the reduction in braking ability. All of the steel brake lines are severely rusted and need to be replaced due to concerns of additional failures. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“When I tilt the steering wheel in the upward position all headlights goes out/off,and when I tilted it to the lower position all headlights come on.this is very unsafe and other owners of this same vehicle needs to know the safety risk involve.this vehicle is available for inspection anytime. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2011
“Brakes failed as brake line corrosion allowed fluid leak. This was first of multiple line failures in the last three years. Three different factory lines failed then one transmission line. This truck is not used during winter and was under coated multiple times. No other part on this truck is corroded nearly as much as every steel line on it, including the gas lines( also replaced just last year) truck runs and drives excellent except for this corrosion problem. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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).
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 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 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. 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.