1999 GMC Suburban

Above average

Owners filed 285 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,900 milesMedian miles at failure

96 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip76
906
Tires14
201
Tires › Tread/Belt12
100
Steering8
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission8
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
201
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery6
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor5
000
Suspension5
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System5
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing00V122000
Filed Apr 27, 2000279,132 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
EngineFire
Filed Dec 11, 2022AR

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Jun 7, 2022IA

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Jun 7, 2022IA

The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. The tank was installed in September 2021. The tank began leaking in February 2022. A repair shop discovered that the tank was defective and had failed. The Tank was discarded and replaced with a new unit. As no OEM parts are available the replacement was also and aftermarket part. That tank also was defective and began leaking within 90 days. A third aftermarket tank was installed and it also began leaking recently. When these leaks occur the tank fails in such a way that a large volume of fuel is spilled collects under the vehicle. As there seems to be only one company manufacturing these parts there seems be be a large potential that the issue will affect many vehicles.

Electrical System
Filed May 26, 202097,000 milesFL

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

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2016190,000 milesMI

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.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Jan 7, 2016229,000 milesLA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 2014114,059 milesIL

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

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 4, 2013104,000 milesMD

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

Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2012100,000 milesWA

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.

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing1 injured
Filed Apr 25, 201295,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIS WIFE. THE WAS VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V122000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS FRAYED AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS INJURED, WHEN THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER. ALSO, BOTH DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/17/12

Fuel System, Other
Filed Feb 9, 201166,000 milesCO

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

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Mar 3, 2010125,000 milesCO

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.

TiresCrash
Filed Feb 14, 201028,000 milesUT

TIRE DELAMINATION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
Filed Dec 21, 200990,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHUT OFF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. TWO YEARS AGO THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS CURRENTLY MORE FREQUENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR HUBS PRIOR TO THE RECALL AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON 12 18 09 AND STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND RESEALED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT RECALL # 05068 IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $300 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 24, 200941,000 milesMD

BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH; LOST REAR BRAKES FIRST TIME (EARLY 2008) AND I HAD 2 BRAKE LINES MANUFACTURED THAT WERE OF HIGHER QUALITY THAN ORIGINAL; THIS TIME LOST FRONT BRAKES - METAL LINE STARTED LEAKING RAPIDLY; NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ALL REMAINING BRAKE LINES TO FEEL SAFE. SUBURBAN 2500. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed May 18, 200960,595 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FAILED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR BARN DOORS FAILED TWICE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE ELECTRIC DOORS WOULD WORK SPORADICALLY, BUT ALSO WOULD NOT WORK FOR DAYS AT A TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURES. THE OCCUPANTS SEATED IN THE THIRD ROW AND REAR SEATS ARE TRAPPED WHEN THE FAILURES OCCUR. THE DOORS ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE OCCUPANTS MUST CLIMB OUT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER OR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS. CURRENTLY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPERATES RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CYLINOID LOCKS ON THE DOOR, WHICH TEMPORARILY REMEDIED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 208,000. UPDATED 06/12/09 *BF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. UPDATED 06/16/09

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring
Filed Apr 24, 2009110,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS RANGING FROM APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND BRAKING, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED. THE FAILURE HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND INCREASED HIS STOPPING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 16, 200995,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE DURING BRAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 27, 200915,070 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATES EVEN WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE NOT SLIPPERY DUE TO RAIN OR ICE. THE ABS ENGAGES ITSELF WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHICH INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS NOT LOCATED IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GMC ISSUED RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,070. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Oct 10, 200890,000 milesIL

WE OWN A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN . WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS NEVER (TIL THIS TIME) BEEN IN A CRASH. ON PERFECTLY DRY PAVEMENT, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION WHILE COMING TO A STOP. IT SOUNDS AND FEEL LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE PULSATING AND GREATLY REDUCES MY BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS OCCURS WHILE COMING TO A STOP FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR BE PERFORMED AND BE PAID FOR BY GM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. KINDLY CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS WE TRANSPORT OUR CHILDREN AND OTHER ADULTS ON MANY OCCASIONS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

20 of 285 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20041000Routine
20035100Routine
20027100Routine
20015200Routine
200015200Routine
1999 — this page285260Above average
1998100331Fatalities reported
1997200340Above average
1996172424Fatalities reported
1995227723Fatalities reported
1994411640High concern
1993212240Above average
199280420Routine
199130200Routine
199022200Routine

Compare every Suburban year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.