Model year record

1999 GMC Suburban recalls & problems

The 1999 GMC Suburban has 2 safety recalls and 285 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (144 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints285filed by owners

Crashes · fires25 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths25 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).

Seat beltsApr 27, 2000

Front › Webbing

Recall 00V122000279,132 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1999 GMC Suburban 4-DR. 4X4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Suburban 1500 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	144	13	0	10	82,500 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	31	4	0	5	35,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	27	0	0	0	71,800 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)	24	1	0	3	70,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	24	3	0	6	53,000 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring	23	0	3	0	56,297 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	20	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system › Injectors	15	0	0	0	98,641 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	10	0	0	0	84,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Rear/other	10	0	0	2	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	8	0	0	1	60,595 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body › Tailgate	7	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

EngineFire
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
Dec 10, 2022
Fuel 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…
Feb 19, 2022
Fuel 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.
Sep 15, 2021
Electrical 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
May 9, 2020 · 97,000 miles
Service 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.
Jan 14, 2016 · 190,000 miles
Unknown or otherFire
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.
Jan 6, 2016 · 229,000 miles
Service 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
Oct 7, 2014 · 114,059 miles
Service brakesCrash
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
Oct 25, 2013 · 104,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.