1999 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic; the 1997 model year looks 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 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Every hydraulic brake line on my 75,000-mile 1999 gmc 3500 pickup has rusted out, and had to be replaced. They all blew out when pedal pressure was applied...including one time, when I was backing up at the transfer station to unload trash. The entire truck could have gone back and fallen into the dumpster. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2009
“My 1999 gmc sierra 3500 crew cab was ordered new. I discovered later that it was fitted with a 1998 cab. The design is different and the front doors are longer and heavier resulting in premature hinge failures. I also discovered that it was not equipped with airbags because the 1998 version didn't require them even though I ordered a 1999 which does. I have a VIN on the dashboard showing it as a 1999 and one on the door showing it as a 1998. I just found out about reporting it here. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2006
“Fuel tank under negative pressure by apparent stuck valve caused fuel tank rupture. Happened twice. Gm engineers said no defect, apparently there is and no further communication would be provided. Fuel spilled out and was very dangerous, in my opinion. I am a degreed (msme) engineer. With an extensive auto background. *jb updated 11/15/05. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt: contact has 1999 gmc,. He had to replace the brake lines 6 times. The brake lines were corroded. When the brake pedal was pressed the brake line blew out. Contact lost the front brakes on 4 different occasions, and lost rear brakes only once. Vehicle has not been to a service dealer for repairs. Contact has replaced the brake lines with after market equipment.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2005
“Bought a 1999 gmc sierra 3500 4door 8ft. Bed with 30000 miles on it in 2001. First brake line rusted out in 2005. Second line from front to back rusted and broke 2008. Fuel line rusted and leaked gas all over my driveway 2010. Today that same truck? Is in a repair shop because the frame by the steeringbox and passenger side front rusted and cracked. Its a shame gmc used such bad materials for their trucks. My truck now has only 97000 miles on it. If it cant be fixed safely the scrap yard is its next stop and a ford will take its place. To bad gmc you lost another customer. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2005
“While braking vehicle pulsated and the brakes locked up, causing extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2004
“We have 4 1999 gmc 3500 series long vans used to transport students to various functions. Returning from a field trip (with children) one of the tires suffered a ply separation. The driver did an excellent job of maintaining control and the tire was changed out by our towing service. Further inspection showed another tire possibly ready to fail, and odd wear patterns. Our district in the interests of safety decided to replace all 16 tires on all 4 vans. We would like to know if there are other problems with this particular type of tire...the tires are firestone steeltex radial r4x - lt245/75r16 load range e - dot# vn11 - 81a - 169 and dot # sp872r - d15l. *jb”Owner report · Tires · May 2003
“Consumer states seat frame broke in 07/02, consumer had repaired. Seat frames broke again on 9-21 causing a collision.*jb”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2002
“I was traveling home on fwy where I was involved in a chain reaction auto accident . I was the number 3 out of a total of 6 involved. I struck the car in front at appox 5 miles an hour. Was then rear ended by a suv going approx 30 miles an hour. When rearended, my drivers seat collapsed. The seat should not have failed with such minimal impact..”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2000
“Original equipment on a 1999 chevrolet, lt245/75r16. Tread separated from right rear tire at highway speeds. Firestone has replaced tire free of charge.*ak dot#v011 678 140. *slc”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
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 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 1999 GMC Sierra 3500 have open recalls?
3 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.