CHEVROLET TAHOE · model year

1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE

677 NHTSA complaints, 53 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999CHEVROLETTAHOE carries 677 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 53 crashes, 12 fires, 44 injuries, and 10 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 TAHOE is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 161 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (29) and steering (22). 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 TAHOE, 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.

677
Complaints
53
Crashes
12
Fires
44
Injuries
10
Deaths

Total Complaints

677 filings

Crashes Reported

53 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 SLIP161
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC29
STEERING22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY15
SUSPENSION12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR11
SERVICE BRAKES11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER9

Recent Complaints

20230107SEAT BELTS

driver side seat belt unbuckles randomly for no apparent reason forcing you to re-buckle. to confirm belt was buckled properly i pulled on strap and it would not release. yet driving down road it will unbuckle randomly

20210902SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact's wife owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed, an abnormal, grinding noise began to emit from the brake pedal upon depression without warning. The contact had to pump the brake pedal as the pedal depressed to the floorboard before coming to a complete stop. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was a known issue with this model vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle might be under recall. The contact then called a local dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.

Mileage: 275,000

20210817UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am unable to get the recall taken care of by a dealership due to the age of the vehicle

20210617TIRES:SIDEWALL

The contact's son owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 All-Terrain TIRES, TIRE SIZES 265/65/18. The contact stated that while his son was traveling at 25 MPH, the left rear driver side tire blew out without warning. The contact's son was not injured. The contact stated that the entire sidewall had blown out from the tire. The contact's son was able to replace the tire with a spare. The contact had reached out to the tire manufacturer where they informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T002000 (TIRES). The tire had yet to be replaced. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin was unavailable

20191208UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONTROL OF VEHICLE

20191015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PITMAN ARM WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AND THE CLOCKSPRING WAS FRACTURED AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE PITMAN ARM WAS REPLACED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MAXIE PRICE CHEVROLET ATLANTA (3600 US-78, LOGANVILLE, GA 30052, 770466-7000) AND NASH CHEVROLET (630 SCENIC HWY S, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046, 678-369-3889) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT'S ONLY OPTION WAS TO FIND A JUNK YARD THAT MAY CARRY THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Mileage: 191,000

20191015STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS PITMAN ARM WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AND THE CLOCKSPRING WAS FRACTURED AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE PITMAN ARM WAS REPLACED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MAXIE PRICE CHEVROLET ATLANTA (3600 US-78, LOGANVILLE, GA 30052, 770466-7000) AND NASH CHEVROLET (630 SCENIC HWY S, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 30046, 678-369-3889) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT'S ONLY OPTION WAS TO FIND A JUNK YARD THAT MAY CARRY THE REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Mileage: 191,000

20190611STEERING

MY 1999 CHEVY TAHOE BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SNATCHING THE WHEEL TO ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAVE LIKED TO WRECKED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS I HAD MY TIRES CHANGED THOUGHT IT WAS THAT HAD THE TRUCK LINED UP STILL DOING IT I THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMBODY GETS HURT WHEN THE TRUCK SNATCHES IT PULLS LIKE IT OUT OF LIMIT BAD BUT THEN GO'S BACK TO ITS SELF I NOTICED IT MOSTLY DOES IT IN A TURN AROUND A CURVE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY

Mileage: 300,000

20190425CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A LIGHT POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20171120UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO PASA EL SMOG

20170731POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION IT WAS AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS WAS TERRIFYING, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE CAR POPPED INTO GEAR AND SHOT FORWARD. I NOW HAVE NO REVERSE AND UNSURE WHICH GEARS MIGHT WORK, AS I IMMEDIATELY GOT IT HOME. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN ON A LIMITED INCOME AND NO AM FACING POSSIBLY HUGE EXPENSES FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS THAT I NOW HAVE READ HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ON MY CAR FOR YEARS! I CAN'T UNDERSTAND HOW GM/CHEVROLET DOESN'T SEE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS HAD WAY TOO MANY COMPLAINTS. HAVING NO WARNING AND THE INABILITY TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR IN AN INTERSECTION COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC!! ALOS WHEN CALLING A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY SHOULD BE BETTER INFORMED ABOUT ANY TSB'S AS TO INFORM CONSUMERS. I JUST THANK GOD MY FAMILY IS SAFE, HOWEVER AM NOW OUT OF A CAR. THANKS GENERAL MOTORS/CHEVROLET, LOOKS LI

Mileage: 190,000

20170515SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V122000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS SINCE 2003 FOR OTHER REPAIRS AFTER THE TECHNICIAN WAS ASKED TO REPAIR ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS AND THEY WOULD ARRIVE IN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170509SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE AND RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20161221SERVICE BRAKES

99 TAHOE - SEVERAL TIMES REPEATIDLY - HIT BRAKES- SUV STARTS STOPPING THEN BRAKES PULE & NO STOP-SEVERAL TIMES CAME SO CLOSE REAR ENDING VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO PULSING BRAKES NOT STOPPING !!!!!CALLED CHEVROLET ON RECALL BULLETIN - SAYS NOT MY VEHICLE !!!! I GET INTO ACCIDENT -WILL BE SUEING CHEVROLET WITH BULLETIN RECALL BUT NOTHING DONE !!!! SAY' OUT OF MY POCKET !!!!!

Mileage: 139,000

20161007SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND CAUSING THE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SENSORS FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AT 21,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 21,000

20160523FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC UNDER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MELTING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRES BEGAN TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 218,000.

Mileage: 218,000

20160510SERVICE BRAKES

FUEL LINE LEAKS .POURING GAS OUT OF PRESSURE SIDE .PICS BELOW.VEHICLE 130000 MILES.2.BRAKE LINES ROTTING AWAY .REAR MOUNT TO DIFFERENTIAL LINES.MUST BE REPLACED.HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? 560 DOLLARS IN JUST PARTS ALONE.3.GAS FILL NECK ROTTED AND LEAKS DURING FUELING.HAD TO REPLACE

Mileage: 133,000

20160510FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LINE LEAKS .POURING GAS OUT OF PRESSURE SIDE .PICS BELOW.VEHICLE 130000 MILES.2.BRAKE LINES ROTTING AWAY .REAR MOUNT TO DIFFERENTIAL LINES.MUST BE REPLACED.HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? 560 DOLLARS IN JUST PARTS ALONE.3.GAS FILL NECK ROTTED AND LEAKS DURING FUELING.HAD TO REPLACE

Mileage: 133,000

20160503AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

Mileage: 184,000

20160325SUSPENSION

THE FRAME HAS GOTTEN VERY RUSTY AND THE REAR AXLE U BOLTS HAVE RUSTED SO MUCH THAT THEY BEEN REPLACED.

Mileage: 126,688

Compare 1999CHEVROLETTAHOE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
The 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 677 NHTSA complaints, 53 crashes, 12 fires, 44 injuries, and 10 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The most-complained component for the 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 161 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and STEERING.
Is the 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE 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.