VehicleVerdict

1999 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 393 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 46.2 times the median Suburban year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 26 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 39 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 149 reports (38% of the total).

393

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

39

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted490 complaints1966: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 254 complaints1994: 490 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 268 complaints1998: 137 complaints1999: 393 complaints2000: 20 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 1 complaints
Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes14938%
Tires & Wheels338%
Engine287%
Transmission246%
Steering246%
Electrical System236%
Fuel System226%
Suspension205%
Visibility & Wipers103%
Seat Belts103%
Latches & Locks82%
Body & Structure72%
Speed Control72%
Other62%
Lighting62%
Airbags62%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)51%
Seats31%
Trailer Hitch10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1999 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

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.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 25, 2013 · crash

“TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICALE. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TIRE AND THE TREAD. I ALSO HAVE ONE OF THE ORGINAL TIRES LEFT ON THE SPARE RIM. GM WILL NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY NEED THE OLD TIRE. I WAS 3000 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES TO GET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 21, 2001 · crash

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 10, 2022 · fire

“REAR AXLE FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR FREEWAY. WHEN THE AXLE FELL OFF WE LOST COMPLETE BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST RELEASED TO US FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS TO THE SAME PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE SAME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 16, 1999 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE AT 65 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL. THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT COLUMN WAS STRUCK BY THE PASSENGER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SENT INTO REVERSE. THIS ACTION CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCKUP AND THE CONTROL MECHANICAL LOCK ON THE WHEEL COLUMN WAS LOCKED INTO A RIGHT HAND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 26, 1999 · crash

1999 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 1999 GMC Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 393 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 26 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (149 complaints), tires & wheels (33 complaints), engine (28 complaints).

Does the 1999 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

Which GMC Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1995, 1997, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

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.