WHEELS:HUB
1999 GMC Sierra 1500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 158 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, interior & seats and body & structure categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 32 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2010 | 1 | 66 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 68 |
| Jul 2010 | 4 | 72 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 74 |
| Sep 2010 | 4 | 78 |
| Nov 2010 | 4 | 82 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 84 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 85 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 86 |
| Mar 2011 | 2 | 88 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 89 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 90 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 91 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 93 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 94 |
| Sep 2011 | 4 | 98 |
| Oct 2011 | 4 | 102 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 103 |
| Jan 2012 | 3 | 106 |
| Apr 2012 | 2 | 108 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 109 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 110 |
| Sep 2012 | 2 | 112 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 114 |
| Dec 2012 | 2 | 116 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 117 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 118 |
| Jun 2013 | 2 | 120 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 121 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 122 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 123 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 124 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 125 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 126 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 127 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 128 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 129 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 130 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 131 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 132 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 133 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 134 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 136 |
| Jul 2016 | 3 | 139 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 140 |
| Oct 2016 | 2 | 142 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 143 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 144 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 145 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 146 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 148 |
| Sep 2017 | 2 | 150 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 151 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 152 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 153 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 154 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 155 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 156 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 157 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 158 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes10361.7%
- Interior & seats106.0%
- Body & structure95.4%
- Electrical84.8%
- Suspension74.2%
- Engine74.2%
- Fuel system74.2%
- Steering42.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEQUIPMENT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING BRAKE IS INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO IMMOBILZE PARKED VEHICLES, AND THAT IN MANY CASES, ACCELERATED PARKING BRAKE LINING WEAR IS CAUSED BY ROUGH USE, VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS, AND DRIVING WITH THE PARKING ENGAGED. ODI HAS UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE USAGE FACTORS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SEVENTEEN REPORTED VEHICLE CRASHES.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ABS Brakes cut out leaving you with little to no brakes. No warning light appears. This continues on and off over time. Then that ABS warning light came on. When the warning light was on, brakes worked just not ABS. Light would go out and back to the original issue. Took it in to dealership when the light remained on. They reset the light and told me every thing was fine. And charged me $$$. ABS Brake warning light can right back on. Had the manager drive it. Told me it was fine, brakes worked well. The ABS warning would go in and out. Removed the ABS fuse, so I could depend on being able to stop, without having to worry about the ABS cutting in and out for a few years. Watched for recalls, nothing appeared. Noticed on blogs, others were having the same issue. Took it to a great mechanic! Who verified there were no leaks in the brake lines, replaced one line that had been known to have issues on this type of truck and verified there were no air bubbles on the lines. Still same issue, then replaced the computer system for the ABS. No codes ever came up on the computer system that I can recall. Had more issues with the ABS. Would go to stop, (generally on a hill) then when it came to the final stopping, I had NO BRAKES, had to slam on the brakes to stop. ABS Brake warning lights never came on. My mechanic looked and looked and relooked into this. Found from others that blogged that they had similar issues, that one or both of the ABS Brake sensors were not responding evenly causing an issue. Changed out the sensor. All is good now. This issues could have put and my family in danger a number of times. I was blessed to avoid a few accidents by driving far enough behind people and or had an emergency line to pull into when unable to stop. Hope a recall comes soon for these issues to prevent someone from being killed. These took place from about 2015-fixed 2020. Email me with a report number and where I can upload info at a later date, I will do so.
- NHTSA ID
- 11434316
- Incident
- Sep 21, 2015
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 421 IN EMINENCE, KY. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL & I HAD NO BRAKES RIGHT IN FRONT OF HARRY HILL PARK. GM & I ARE VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS KILLED YESTERDAY. THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED & LEAKED THE BRAKE FLUID, SO WHEN I PUSHED THE PEDAL, IT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE IS PRETTY CLEAN & AFTER CHECKING MANY BLOGS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON GM TRUCKS. I CHECKED THE RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK & THE TAILGATE CABLE IS RECALLED FOR BREAKING UNDER LOAD DUE TO CORROSION; THIS COULD INJURE SOMEBODY, BUT NOT AS VITAL COMPARED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM AS SOMEONE COULD DIE IN A HORRIBLE INCIDENT. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS SERIOUS MATTER. THANK YOU
- NHTSA ID
- 11204085
- Incident
- Apr 26, 2019
- Mileage
- 265,000 mi
I GOT UNDER THE TRUCK TO CHANGE THE OIL THEN I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FRAME WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER IS. CROSS MEMBER RUNS ACROSS FRAME SUPPORT
- NHTSA ID
- 11140440
- Incident
- Oct 6, 2018
- Mileage
- 190,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD THAT WAS ROCKY AND BUMPY, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED, BUT FAILED TO PREVENT THE CONTACT'S HEAD FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11120084
- Incident
- May 7, 2018
- Mileage
- 166,000 mi
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK A FEW MONTHS AGO. WITHIN A WEEK I HAD A CO WORKER POINT OUT THE BED WAS LEANING TOWARD THE CAB. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE GOT UNDER THE TRUCK TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. WE NOTICED ALOT OF RUST. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE HOW TO FIX IT AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE WERE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DECIDED TO GET SOME SHEET METAL AND WELD IT TO THE FRAME. I THEN ASKED MY BOSS WHO OWNS A WELDER IF HE COULD HELP ME WITH IT. HE SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING LEFT TO WELD TO. THEN THE TRUCK STARTED NOT GOING INTO PARK. AND TO START IT YOU'D HAVE TO START IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT WOULD NOT STAY IN PARK, IT WOULD ROLL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NO LONGER WORKED. I THEN HAD MY PARENTS TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF THEY COULD REPAIR IT. BOTH BODY SHOPS SAID IT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED REPLACED. ONE SHOP SAID THAT THE PARKING ISSUE COULD BE FROM THE FRAME BENDING, BUT DID NOT KNOW WITHOUT GETTING INTO THAT. THEY ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. I FINANCED THIS TRUCK FOR $5500 AND NOW I'M PAYING PAYMENTS ON A TRUCK I CAN'T EVEN USE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11114941
- Incident
- Feb 6, 2018
- Mileage
- 66,030 mi
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES BURSTED CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO ABRUPTLY PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS A MARKED SHERIFF'S VEHICLE WITH ITS EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND SIREN ACTIVATED WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE INTERSECTING HIGHWAY THAT I WAS APPROACHING. THIS IS A KNOWN AND PREVALENT PROBLEM THAT EXISTS WITH GM TRUCKS AND GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DENIES FAULTY PARTS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11074715
- Incident
- Mar 12, 2016
- Mileage
- 123,000 mi
BRAKE CHECK ENGINE OIL CHANGE INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF
- NHTSA ID
- 11042621
- Incident
- Jan 8, 1999
- Mileage
- 677 mi
I HAVE A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500 Z71 WITH 107000 ON IT A FRAME CRACKED UNDER PASSENGERS DOOR AND AT REAR SHOCK MOUNT CALL GM TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER FOR A FRAME INSPECTION TOLD ME FRAME IS ROTTED NOTHING THEY WOULD DO I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULDN'T ROT OUT HAD A 1997 CHEVY 1500 NEVER ANY RUST ON THAT TRUCK IT HAD 245000 MILES WHEN I SOLD IT .IF YOU NEED PICTURES OF THE ROT ON MY 1999 GMC SIERRA I WILL GET
- NHTSA ID
- 11032280
- Incident
- Sep 28, 2017
- Mileage
- 107,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
SERVICE BRAKES
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to apply grease to the leaf springs to correct a condition of a squeak noise from the metals making contact.
EQUIPMENT
This SKU is a Pitman Arm. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the spline size. If the spline size is incorrect it will not have a tight fit with the mating component, and would lead to detectable play and/or noise when steering.
EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
This SKU is a Preformed Fuel Line. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for damage to the braided hose and crimps. Damaged braided hoses and poor crimps can lead to immediate leaking. This issue manifests immediately if present, so would drive replacement and therefore impact the end user in time to complete installation.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74 | 2 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 2025 | 93 | 1 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2024 | 326 | 1 | 3 | 56.2 |
| 2023 | 428 | 3 | 3 | 63.0 |
| 2022 | 545 | 6 | 3 | 65.8 |
| 2021 | 533 | 7 | 4 | 68.5 |
| 2020 | 443 | 12 | 3 | 69.7 |
| 2019 | 619 | 10 | 2 | 68.5 |
| 2018 | 296 | 7 | 0 | 55.5 |
| 2017 | 351 | 5 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2016 | 340 | 7 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 2015 | 713 | 9 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2014 | 737 | 9 | 2 | 57.8 |
| 2013 | 115 | 3 | 2 | 54.3 |
| 2012 | 107 | 3 | 2 | 55.7 |
| 2011 | 284 | 5 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2010 | 167 | 4 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2009 | 234 | 4 | 2 | 55.9 |
| 2008 | 379 | 2 | 3 | 57.7 |
| 2007 | 261 | 3 | 3 | 56.4 |
| 2006 | 144 | 2 | 0 | 47.5 |
| 2005 | 177 | 3 | 0 | 48.2 |
| 2004 | 212 | 5 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2003 | 180 | 4 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 2002 | 166 | 4 | 2 | 61.9 |
| 2001 | 140 | 5 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2000 | 181 | 3 | 2 | 58.8 |
| 1999Viewing | 158 | 4 | 2 | 57.2 |
| 1998 | 59 | 4 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 1997 | 83 | 5 | 0 | 43.4 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 29.4 |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.