CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

861 NHTSA complaints, 65 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 861 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 65 crashes, 15 fires, 74 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 SUBURBAN is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 147 filings, followed by tires (47) and tires:tread/belt (45). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1999 SUBURBAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

861
Complaints
65
Crashes
15
Fires
74
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

861 filings

Crashes Reported

65 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP147
TIRES47
TIRES:TREAD/BELT45
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC28
STEERING27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS20
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY18
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH14
SUSPENSION:FRONT14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR14

Recent Complaints

20230730TIRES

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.

20220824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and power braking functionality. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the security system that controlled the fuel pump and fuel injectors had been activated. The contact pulled off the highway and could not restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a service station where he inspected the vehicle and became aware that the distributor had disintegrated causing the vehicle to lose motive power and stall. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact recently had a mobile mechanic install an aftermarket distributor cap and rotor from an auto parts dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,613.

Mileage: 183,613

20220824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and power braking functionality. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the security system that controlled the fuel pump and fuel injectors had been activated. The contact pulled off the highway and could not restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a service station where he inspected the vehicle and became aware that the distributor had disintegrated causing the vehicle to lose motive power and stall. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact recently had a mobile mechanic install an aftermarket distributor cap and rotor from an auto parts dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 183,613.

Mileage: 183,613

20220715SEAT BELTS

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

20220328SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was leaking onto the ground and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred two more times while driving. The vehicle was then towed to the independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump two more times. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing while sitting in the seats and while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the tires and aligned the vehicle several times; however, the failure had been reoccurring. The conta

Mileage: 70,000

20220328SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was leaking onto the ground and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred two more times while driving. The vehicle was then towed to the independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump two more times. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing while sitting in the seats and while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the tires and aligned the vehicle several times; however, the failure had been reoccurring. The conta

Mileage: 70,000

20220328FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was leaking onto the ground and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred two more times while driving. The vehicle was then towed to the independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump two more times. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing while sitting in the seats and while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the tires and aligned the vehicle several times; however, the failure had been reoccurring. The conta

Mileage: 70,000

20220228SERVICE BRAKES

Rear brakes started grabbing and locking up about 9,009 miles after a drum, shoe and hardware replacement. Rear skids and slides.

20200525SERVICE BRAKES

MY SUBURBAN HAS 43,700 MILES, AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE SYSTEM IS UNREPAIRABLE, THE ONLY THING THEY CAN RECOMMEND IS TO PULL THE FUSE AND DISABLE THE ABS SYSTEM ENTIRELY. I CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL PARTS STORE, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE EBCM- ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE- WAS THE MODEL KH310, MANUFACTURED BY KELSEY-HAYES, AND IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. FURTHER, THAT THERE ARE NO USED, REPAIRED OR REMANUFACTURED UNITS AVAILABLE. I CHECKED THE INTERNET, AGAIN, THERE ARE NO UNITS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE, NO ONE MANUFACTURES A REPLACEMENT, IN FACT THAT MODEL, THE KH 310, IS "UNREPAIRABLE." YET I'M PRETTY SURE THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE SUBURBANS STILL ON THE ROAD TODAY, MANY WHICH HAVE NON-FUNCTIONING AND NOW TOTALLY UNREPAIRABLE ABS BRAKES. IT IS A HEAVY VEHICLE- WEIGHS ABOUT 5,300 POUNDS, AND WITH ITS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IS OFTEN USED IN THE WINTER, ESP IN S

Mileage: 43,500

20191227TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN EQUIPPED WITH CORNELL 1000 TIRES, SIZE: P235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK SEVERELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING UP TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WOBBLED, WHICH WERE MOVED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER A TIRE ROTATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE SIDEWALLS WERE WORN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE COMPOUND OR THE BELT RUBBER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17T019000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Mileage: 194,000

20190828CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 95-100 MPH BEFORE CRASHING INTO A BUILDING WITH AN ALUMINUM STRUCTURE. THE CRASH WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATION OVER THE RIGHT EYE WHICH REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED REGAL DODGE LOCATED AT 1223 BLUE VALLEY DR, PEN ARGYL, PA 18072, (610) 863-6900, WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20190828CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 95-100 MPH BEFORE CRASHING INTO A BUILDING WITH AN ALUMINUM STRUCTURE. THE CRASH WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATION OVER THE RIGHT EYE WHICH REQUIRED SEVERAL STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED REGAL DODGE LOCATED AT 1223 BLUE VALLEY DR, PEN ARGYL, PA 18072, (610) 863-6900, WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20160811SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 182,000

20151009SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 127,000

20150826CrashSERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. APPEARS THAT REAR LINES FAILED BUT NEITHER FRONT OR REAR BRAKES WORKED DURING INCIDENT. BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTY WHEREAS THERE IS ALMOST NO RUST ON OTHER COMPONENTS.

Mileage: 235,000

20150809SERVICE BRAKES

THE FIRST ISSUE I HAD WAS WHILE ON VACATION IN 2012 - I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE LOST WHAT I ESTIMATE TO BE 80% OF STOPPING POWER. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, ALWAYS AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH A REPAIR SHOP BEING UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, IT WAS EVENTUALLY TRACED TO A CORRODED BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT DRIVER AREA OF THE VEHICLE ONLY AFTER THE LINE RUPTURED COMPLETELY AND I MISSED GOING THROUGH THE FENCE SEPARATING MY YARD FROM THE NEIGHBORS BY JUST INCHES. THAT LINE WAS REPLACED, BUT WITH A USED PART BECAUSE THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO SELL AN EXACT FIT BRAKE LINE AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ORIGINAL PART BY HAND. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ALWAYS WITHIN THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVELY FAILING. IT WOULD TURN OFF AS SOON AS I TOO

Mileage: 182,000

20150330SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE LOW SPEED ABS MODULATOR ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20150311SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20141113SERVICE BRAKES

1) DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY. REPLACED LINE. 2) PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT. REAR END ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED WITHIN INCHES. LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM, FOUND EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVE ABLE AT THIS IS TIME. *TR

Mileage: 275,000

20141110CrashSERVICE BRAKES

UPON APPLYING BRAKES LOSS OF BRAKING OCCURRED ON THE REAR BRAKES. UPON INSPECTION THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY WHILE THE FUEL VAPOR LINES BELOW THEM HAD NO RUST WHAT SOEVER . *TR

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 1999CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 861 NHTSA complaints, 65 crashes, 15 fires, 74 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 147 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and TIRES:TREAD/BELT.
Is the 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.