VehicleVerdict

1999 GMC Savana problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 64 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.2 times the median Savana year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 32 Savana years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (28% of the total).

64

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Savana years?

Savana NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted70 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 45 complaints1997: 63 complaints1998: 39 complaints1999: 64 complaints2000: 70 complaints2001: 23 complaints2002: 13 complaints2003: 23 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 16 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 12 complaints2017: 10 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 3 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Savana NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Savana years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 GMC Savana problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1828%
Body & Structure813%
Tires & Wheels69%
Visibility & Wipers58%
Steering58%
Engine46%
Seats35%
Other35%
Seat Belts35%
Transmission35%
Electrical System23%
Airbags23%
Suspension12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%

Does the 1999 GMC Savana have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

00V085000SteeringMarch 16, 2000 · 10,468 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THREE SCREW CLAMPS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE JOINTS. IF THE CLAMPS ARE NOT THE SCREW TYPE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMPS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED UNDER NORMAL STOPPING CONDITIONS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PRIOR TO INCIDENT DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 6, 2001 · crash

“HINGES ON 60/40 CARGO DOORS ARE VERY STIFF. DOORS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. RECENTLY, LOWER HINGE ON 40 DOOR HAS BROKEN. REPLACEMENT OF ALL HINGES ON THESE DOORS IS APPROXIMATELY $1100. HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM (HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH HINGES ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 4, 2004

“THE TREAD "PEELED OFF" BOTH TIRES WITHIN 3 DAYS OF EACH OTHER AT NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING SPEED. THANK GOD THAT THEY DIDN'T FAIL WHEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY'S HAIRPIN TURNS, OR I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO SEND THIS EMAIL. THESE DUNLOP TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON 6/14/2000 BY TIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 20, 2000

“CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS SHAKING. IT'S BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ONCE THEY REORDERED THE MIRRORS, IT STILL WASN'T FIXED. THE 2ND TIME, THEY TRIED USING WEIGHTS. THE 3RD TIME, THEY JUST SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. CONSUMER SAID THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 28, 1999

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM......IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 17, 2004

1999 GMC Savana — common questions

Is the 1999 GMC Savana reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 64 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 32 Savana years. It is one of the Savana years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Savana problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (18 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints).

Does the 1999 GMC Savana have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 GMC Savana. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Savana years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Savana years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1998. The cleanest record among Savana years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.