1999 GMC Suburban: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 285 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (36% of complaints); the 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 285 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“You'll be driving down the road the brakes will be working just fine then they'll just all sudden go out and then it backfires and blows it blows up a big cloud of fire out of the motor and that's the GMC 1999 Suburban four-wheel drive 7.4 l”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2022
“The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. This tank included a new fuel pump lock ring, which was used to secure a new fuel pump in the tank prior to installation in the vehicle. The lock rung failed approximately one week after installation allowing the fuel pump to raise up out of the tank. At the next fuel up a large volume of gasoline escaped form the fuel pump opening and spilled. The defective lock ring was replaced with a OEM part and was subsequently discarded.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2021
“Gm passlock system faulty leaving me stranded far from home.thankfully, I was not in the road. My vehicle wouldn't start. This is a huge problem and many people have experienced it. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving at low speeds or coming to stop the ABS seems to engage and cause erratic stopping and even hard stopping at times. The brake pedal kicks back and is hard to press down and stopping is very difficult.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2016
“My 1999 c1500 suburban caught fire while parked and completely off. It had been parked fro 9 hours when we were awakened at 2am by neighbors and police trying to evacuate our home. The car burned to the ground and was the most frightening experience. I have a 9 and 6 year old that are traumatized by the incident. I reported the matter to the gmc customer care and they replied saying that they would contact me in 2 days. This is unforgiveable.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2016
“Complete loss of brakes coming up to a stoplight in moderate traffic. Widespread heavy corrosion/deterioration of brake lines resulted in rupture of brake line over left rear wheel. Emergency/park brake used to avoid accident. Clearly a materials defect in the brake system, in my opinion. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“While attempting to stop in a business parking lot, brake pedal unexpectedly went to floor, vehicle ran over curb/stop, damaging suspension. Cause of incident was determined to be a ruptured metal brake line, caused by severe corrosion. A second line was found to have small pin hole, which had not yet ruptured, but could have failed at anytime. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2013
“Engine rpm increases when foot is off the accelerator while driving. This issue started approximately 4 months ago and is on going, each time the vehicle is driven. This is unintended acceleration. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Feb 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc suburban. The contact was driving 40 mph when he noticed that the vehicle was traveling into the next lane. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The dealer did perform an alignment as a precaution. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 189,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 gmc suburban 1500. The contact stated that the front passenger seat warmer overheated and burned a hole in the seat. There was an occupant in the seat but they were not burned. He called the dealership to find out if there were any related recalls and was told that there were none. The contact had not called the manufacturer to-date. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 125,000.”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - 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.
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 GMC Suburban reliable?
NHTSA has 285 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 GMC Suburban. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 GMC Suburban problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,900 miles or less.
Does the 1999 GMC 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.