VehicleVerdict

1999 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 1500 years: 182 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 219, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 60% of all reports (110 of 182), far ahead of seats at 10.

182

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted1,025 complaints1994: 15 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 182 complaints2000: 215 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 192 complaints2003: 210 complaints2004: 253 complaints2005: 218 complaints2006: 182 complaints2007: 310 complaints2008: 439 complaints2009: 280 complaints2010: 216 complaints2011: 362 complaints2012: 146 complaints2013: 147 complaints2014: 1,025 complaints2015: 923 complaints2016: 440 complaints2017: 472 complaints2018: 415 complaints2019: 856 complaints2020: 648 complaints2021: 704 complaints2022: 699 complaints2023: 542 complaints2024: 431 complaints2025: 141 complaints2026: 84 complaints
Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes11060%
Seats105%
Body & Structure95%
Suspension84%
Electrical System84%
Other74%
Fuel System74%
Engine74%
Tires & Wheels42%
Steering42%
Seat Belts32%
Transmission21%
Airbags21%
Speed Control11%

Does the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

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

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

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.

Consequence

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).

00V122000Seat BeltsApril 27, 2000 · 279,132 units

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“1999 GMC SIERRA PICKUP REGULAR CAB 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. TRUCK WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SPEED LESS THAN 5 MPH. PEDAL VIBRATED THEN WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. TRUCK BUMPED INTO CAR IN FRONT OF IT CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO CAR, VERY SLIGHT DAMAGE TO TRUCK. ROADS WERE CLEAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 15, 2010 · crash

“I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS REPORTED BELOW BY OTHERS. THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACKWARD NEARLY 2 INCHES WHILE DRIVING. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. MAKE : GMC MODEL : SIERRA 1500 YEAR : 1999 CRASH : NO FIRE : NO NUMBER OF INJURIES: 0 ODI ID NUMBER : 10191166 DATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · July 1, 2009

“FRAME CROSS MEMBER BEHIND THE CAB IS RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES IN "SALT" STATES AND NOT HAD THE FRAME RUST OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A "WEAR ITEM". THIS CAN LEAD TO A FAILURE WHEREBY THE FUEL TANK FALLS DOWN LEADING TO A HIGH RISK OF FIRE. THIS WAS FOUND DURING A REPLACEMENT OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 25, 2016

“TL*THE CONTACT 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL REPEATED PRESSURE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED GMC DEALER AND THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 1, 2002

“I HAVE CALLED REPEATEDLY AND FILED REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL AND THE BRAKES IN THE 99 GMC SUBURBAN. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL BURNING . NO ONE CARED. WIRES HAVE MELTED AND SHORTED OUT THE HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AIR CONDITIONER ETC. NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING AND GMC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 1, 2007

1999 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 1500: 182 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (110 complaints), seats (10 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

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.