1999 GMC Sierra problems
NHTSA has received 721 complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra, and 49% of them involve brakes. Next are suspension (6%) and cruise control (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 721 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 49% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 58 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 36 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 64,000 miles 274 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 31 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 81 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 71 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 40 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 11 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 15 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 8 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Of the 274 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 64,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 60,000 miles (163 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 58 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 36 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the GMC Sierra with enough data (477 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
A collision occurred as a result of complete steering failure and vibrations in the front of the vehicle. The vibrations often occurred between 55-70 MPH. They originated in the front end and often transferred into the steering wheel. This caused the vehicle to jerk abruptly, in one direction or another. The vibrations were so extreme, it caused abnormal wear and fatigue on the tires, steering componets and etc. One fatality as a result. (brent mcqueen, investigator on behalf of client)..
When brakes applied in panic stop, pedal goes to floor. This allows inadvertant contact with accelerator most of the times I tried to duplicate this after the accident using right foot to brake. Precise placement of right foot is necessary for me to prevent this( I have to look down at my foot to get it where it won't hit the accelerator in this situation).
While driving 60 MPH the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. Neither of the frontal air bags deployed. *scc *nlm
We parked at a convenience store and upon stopping to park the ABS pump started whining and would not shut off even after turning off the engine. Service manager at jim fuoco motors in grand junction, colorado disconnected the wires to the ABS relay system under the frame of the truck. He said the ABS relay module under the frame is faulty and that it would cost over $1000.00 for parts and labor to replace due to faulty diodes on the system.
I sent this info to GM customer service and they told me the problem was because I live in ohio where salt is used on the roads in the winter. I did not bother trying to debate this silly response, I am just forwarding same info to your department. I am the original owner of a (GMC sierra z-71, 4x4 which has always been garaged and only has 66,000 miles. While replacing a failed right rear brake caliper, I noticed the brake shield was extremely rusty.