GMC SUBURBAN · model year

1999 GMC SUBURBAN

393 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999GMCSUBURBAN carries 393 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 6 fires, 39 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 91 filings, followed by tires (18) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (14). 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 1999 SUBURBAN. 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.

393
Complaints
30
Crashes
6
Fires
39
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

393 filings

Crashes Reported

30 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 SLIP91
TIRES18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC14
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION13
TIRES:TREAD/BELT12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE10
SUSPENSION8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY8
STEERING8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER7
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR6

Recent Complaints

20221211FireENGINE

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

20220607FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

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.

20220607FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

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.

20200526ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 97,000

20160324SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 190,000

20160107FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 229,000

20141027SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 114,059

20131104CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 104,000

20120620STEERING

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20120425SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

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

Mileage: 95,000

20120425LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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

Mileage: 95,000

20120425SEAT BELTS

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

Mileage: 95,000

20110209FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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

Mileage: 66,000

20100303FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

Mileage: 125,000

20100214CrashTIRES

TIRE DELAMINATION. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

20091221SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20091124SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

Mileage: 41,000

20090518LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 MILEAG

Mileage: 60,595

20090518ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 MILEAG

Mileage: 60,595

20090424SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

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.

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 1999GMCSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 GMC SUBURBAN have?
The 1999 GMC SUBURBAN has 393 NHTSA complaints, 30 crashes, 6 fires, 39 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 GMC SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 1999 GMC SUBURBAN is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 91 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC.
Is the 1999 GMC 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.