RoadVitals

1999 GMC C1500 Suburban Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Jan 4, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 GMC C1500 Suburban, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical527.8%
  • Brakes316.7%
  • Interior & seats211.1%
  • Engine211.1%
  • Steering15.6%
  • Airbags15.6%
  • Suspension15.6%
  • Body & structure15.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning15.6%
  • Fuel system15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, HARDWARE, BRAKE CYLINDER AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,960. ALSO, THE A/C WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AS IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 07/30/14

NHTSA ID 10604547 · filed Jun 19, 2014

CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10568531 · filed Mar 11, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, HARDWARE, BRAKE CYLINDER AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,960. ALSO, THE A/C WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AS IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 07/30/14

NHTSA ID 10604547 · filed Jun 19, 2014

CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, MECHANIC SAID IT WAS ABS COMPUTER, CHARGED ME $1000 TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10568528 · filed Mar 11, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, HARDWARE, BRAKE CYLINDER AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,960. ALSO, THE A/C WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AS IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 07/30/14

NHTSA ID 10604547 · filed Jun 19, 2014

I CLICKED MY 4-WAY FLASHER BUTTON WHILE DROPPING MY SON OFF AT THE TRAIN STATION AND WHEN I CAME BACK IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PRESS THE BUTTON BACK DOWN. AFTER THAT, THE OPERATION OF MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS WAS INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY MY REAR BRAKES LIGHTS STARTED WORKING ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND MY GM DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST MORE THAN $500 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS TYPE ON THIS SAME SUBURBAN. *NM

NHTSA ID 10177674 · filed Jan 3, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC C1500 SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE OIL FIELD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FIELD FRACTURED AND CAUSED OIL TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID 10713399 · filed Apr 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, HARDWARE, BRAKE CYLINDER AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,960. ALSO, THE A/C WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AS IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 07/30/14

NHTSA ID 10604547 · filed Jun 19, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

GMC SUBURBAN 1999 STEERING SPEED SENSOR FAILS CAUSING THE STEERING TO SUDDENLY JERK WHILE TURNING UNDER SPEED. IT FEELS LIKE THE FRONT WHEELS HIT "SLIPPERY ICE". *TR

NHTSA ID 10386644 · filed Mar 7, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. NEEDS NEW MODULE AND THE PART IS "CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE" FROM GMC. REPAIR SHOP WILL NOT GUARANTEE WORK ON INSTALLATION OF A THIRD PARTY PART. I HAVE SPOKEN EXTENSIVELY WITH GMC CORPORATE AND THEY CONTINUE TO DELEGATE THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL. IMO, THE DEALERSHIP (THORSON MOTOR CENTER, PASADENA, CA) HAS DONE ALL THEY CAN BY ORDERING THE PART FOR ME. IF THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE, THAT IS NOT THE DEALERSHIP'S FAULT. FURTHER, THERE IS NO ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL EVEN THOUGH THE ORDER HAS BEEN EXPEDITED. GMC CORPORATE SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SUFFICIENT MANUFACTURERS WHO CAN PRODUCE PARTS IN A TIMELY MANNER. IN THE MEANTIME, MY CAR HAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS UNRESOLVED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER SIX WEEKS NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID 10622285 · filed Aug 14, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSFER CASE PINHOLE DO TO PUMP IN TRANSFER CASE COMMON PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 10939574 · filed Jan 4, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WITHIN SEVERAL MONTHS BOTH FRONT DOORS - DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS HANDLES STOPPED WORKING. WITHOUT POWER TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE OCCUPANTS ARE LOCKED INSIDE. WHEN REPLACING THE PARTS AND INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM, IT WAS APPARENT THAT BOTH HANDLES BROKE AT THE SAME PLACE AND THE PART MAY BE FAULTY OR NOT SUFFICIENTLY STRENGTHENED TO SUPPORT EXITING THE VEHICLES - ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY. WE BELIEVE THAT ONLY THE ACTUAL HANDLE IS THE CONCERN AND NOT THE FULL ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10472979 · filed Aug 29, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, HARDWARE, BRAKE CYLINDER AND CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,960. ALSO, THE A/C WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AS IT WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 07/30/14

NHTSA ID 10604547 · filed Jun 19, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE PURCHASED 2 GMC SUBURBANS OVER THE LAST 13 YEARS. I'M A DIVORCED MOM OF 7 CHILDREN. I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN ALONG WITH MY CHILDREN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN BOSTON. *TR I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND AND FROM THE RIGHT HAND LANE AS I DESPERATELY TRIED TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. I TURNED MY HAZARDS ON, BUT DURING THIS TIME IN BOSTON, EVERYONE DRIVES OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I CONTACTED GMC, IN WHICH I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE, WHO INFORMED ME I WAS OVER THE RECALL DATE. WHAT???? I EXPLAINED OVER AND OVER HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS FOR ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN. TO NO AVAIL, I WAS TOLD, MY SUBURBAN MISSED THE RECALL DATES. SORRY, GM COULD NOT STAND BEHIND A LOYAL CUSTOMER. I DO NOT HAVE 2000.00 TO REPLACE THIS PART.

NHTSA ID 10423200 · filed Sep 4, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .