1999 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO QUALITY CHEVROLET (1292 ROUTE 9 SOUTH OLD BRIDGE, NJ, 08857; 732-316-2600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE EXPLODED AND AREAS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WERE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.

NHTSA ID

11025252

Incident

Sep 22, 2017

Mileage

216,000 mi

DURING NORMAL STRAIGHT STOP FROM 50 MPH ON RURAL COUNTY ROAD, INTERSECTION WITH 70 MPH CROSSING 4-LANE DIVIDED STATE HIGHWAY, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND BRAKING ABILITY WAS MINIMAL. EMERGENCY BRAKE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE STOP BEFORE ENTERING CROSSING HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST WITH MASSIVE INSTANTANEOUS FLUID LOSS.

NHTSA ID

11021475

Incident

Aug 10, 2017

Mileage

121,950 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, BUT IT FAILED TO RESPOND AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,206.

NHTSA ID

11020081

Incident

Aug 1, 2015

Mileage

204,206 mi

BRAKE LINE FAILER DO TO POOR ROUTING FROM FACTORY AND SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL USED ON OEM LINES (BARE STEEL) . ALWAYS REPLACE OEM LINES WITH POWDER COATED AFTERMARKET OR STAINLESS "ONLY" INSPECT "ALL LINES & HARDWARE & CLIPS TO FRAME ECT FOR CORROSION". BRAKE FAILER OCCURED WHILE TOWING ANOTHER AUTO WITH TRAILER ATTACHED NO WARNING.

NHTSA ID

11015346

Incident

Jul 12, 2017

Mileage

112,000 mi

WHEN COMING TO A STOPLIGHT, I APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL GOES DOWN MORE THAN IT SHOULD, BUT I GET STOPPED. WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AND WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR. NEXT, I PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND GET STOPPED. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AN LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, NO FLUID LEAKS, THEN I C LOOK AT EACH WHEEL, NO FLUID LEAKS. I GET TURNED AROUND AND HEAD HOME BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG. DRIVING HOME THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT. I'M SOON HOME AND I PARK THE TRUCK BUT WITH THE MOTOR STILL RUNNING, I SLOWLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT GOES SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR, NEXT TIME I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IT GOES TO THE FLOOR IN A SPLIT SECOND. I GET OUT AND INSPECT UNDER THE TRUCK. I SEE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE LINES RUNNING DOWN THE FRAME RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR.

NHTSA ID

10992038

Incident

May 29, 2017

Mileage

129,130 mi

BRAKE LINES RUSTED , ABS FAILURE ,GAS LINES RUSTED, TRANS COOLING LINES RUSTED. THESE WERE ALL FAILURES THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. NOW FRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED . TRUCK BASICALLY SHOT .

NHTSA ID

10945232

Incident

Jan 6, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

BRAKE LINES LEAKING FROM CORROSION LEADING TO NO BRAKING

NHTSA ID

10897720

Incident

Oct 10, 2015

Mileage

220,000 mi

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 GMC SIERRA THAT JUST HAD BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON 7/14/16 ON THE INTERSTATE THAT CAUSED AN ACCCIDENT. I HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES, PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I USED LOW GEAR AND PARK BRAKE TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE BUT STILL MADE CONTACT. IT IS CURRENTLY AT PATRIOT BUICK GMC IN WILLIAMSBURG VA FOR REPAIR WHERE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I FEEL ME HAVING TO PAY $1000+ FOR THE BRAKE LINE REPAIR AND NOW A COURT DATE AND INSURANCE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT MY FAULT. WE NEED TO DISCUSS GMC MAKING SOME RESTITUTION AS THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE AND THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN IN VA. I HAVE OTHER GM CARS FROM THE 60'S, 70S AND 2000S THAT HAVE NO RUST ISSUE. FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AS WELL AND SOME NEEDED REPLACMENT.GM SERVICE REQUEST 8-2250924255 I ALSO HAD THE PS REAR BRAKE ROTOR SHIELD COME OFF AND SCRAPE MOVING PARTS LAST YEAR. TURNED ITNTO DEALERSHIP AS A PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK WAS TSB'D YEARS AGO FOR LINE INSPECTION

NHTSA ID

10888028

Incident

Jul 14, 2016

Mileage

218,000 mi

BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED,FOOTPEDAL WENT DOWN FLOOR. WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA.. BRAKE FLUID FOUND LEAKING.HAD TOWED TRUCK ,BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU AND HAD 4 COMPLETE LINES REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME ..I HAVE OWNED TRUCK SINCE 1999. LAST BRAKE LINE REPLACED IN 2015. THE OTHER ITEM WAS FUEL PUMP FAILED ON THE WAY TO WORK AND TRUCK WOULD NOT START.HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED AT MIDNIGHT AND FUEL PUMP REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10884768

Incident

Apr 10, 2015

Mileage

210,000 mi

I HAVE 1999 GMC TRUCK FRAME RUSTED OUT. ONLY HAS 90,000 MILE'S I BELIVE GMC SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THEM.WHY DID TOYOTA HAVE TO RECALL AND GMC IS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS.SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE NOW. JAY

NHTSA ID

10873869

Incident

Jun 13, 2016

SUBURBAN IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP OR WILL NOT STOP AT STOP SIGNS. PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR FOR EMERGENCY STOPS ON HIGHWAY AND GOING DOWN HILLS. BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR MAY PULL VEHICLE VERY HARD TO THE LEFT. NHTSA RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM ONLY IN CERTAIN NORTHERN STATES BUT NOT IN WASHINGTON STATE WHERE WE HAVE HIGH CORROSION FROM NATURAL OCEAN AIR AND EXTREME WINTER MOUNTAIN DRIVING WITH DEICERS. THOUGH BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY SERVICED SINCE NEW THIS SAFETY PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10681297

Incident

May 7, 2014

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A YELLOW LIGHT I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL INSTANTLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TRIED TO PUMP THE PEDAL IN A PANIC AND STILL HAD NO EFFECT ON STOPPING THE TRUCK. I DOWNSHIFTED IN TO 1ST GEAR MANUALLY TO USE ENGINE BRAKING AND SLAMMED MY EMERGENCY TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE STOP IN WHICH IN HAD MORE THAN 300 FT TO DO SO AND I PRECEDED THROUGH WHAT HAD BECOME A RED LIGHT. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED VERY LATE AT NIGHT SO THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLE GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I HAD A FRIEND ESCORT ME THE MILE LEFT TO MY HOUSE VIA HIS TRUCK AND TOW STRAP AND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AS MY ONLY BRAKE NOT TO HIT THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK. NOW UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF ALL MY BRAKE AND FUEL LINES THEY ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AT MULTIPLE SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE FRAME CHANNEL AND REAR AXLE AREA. THE BURST LOCATION HAPPENED JUST AT THE BACK OR DRIVERS DOOR EDGE TO THE FRONT OF THE L/R WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676298

Incident

Jan 16, 2015

Mileage

154,892 mi

7 O' CLOCK IN THE MORNING HEADING TO WORK MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO PARKING LOT APPLY THE BRAKES, PEDAL WANT TO THE FLOOR, AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, JUMPING THE CURB CAME TO A STOP, CHECKED UNDERNEATH, OIL LEAKING. CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. . MECHANIC CHECKED THE BRAKES LINES ALL NEED TO BE REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667853

Incident

Dec 18, 2013

Mileage

125,100 mi

COMING TO A STOP SIGN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING; NO LIGHTS OR INDICATION FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. MANAGED TO TURN ONTO A DIRT SHOULDER AND DOWNSHIFT TO STOP. INSPECTION REVEALED RUSTED THROUGH REAR BRAKE LINE. ALTHOUGH THE DASH BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE STARTING THE TRUCK, IT GOES OFF AND GIVES NO INDICATION THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. WHILE REPAIRING THE BRAKE LINES IT WAS NOTICED THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS EXTREMELY RUSTY AND FLAKING. AFTER WIRE-BRUSHING BY HAND,THE FRAME IS SHOWING CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES, UNDER THE CAB, NEAR THE REAR, RIGHT ABOUT WHERE A CROSSMEMBER IS ATTACHED. THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH GM'S CLAIM THAT THIS WAS A LIGHTER, STRONGER FRAME ON THIS TRUCK. WE HAVE 2 OLDER TRUCKS WITH NOWHERE NEAR THIS MUCH RUST AND NEITHER HAVE CRACKED. THE DESIGN ALLOWS TOO MUCH CRUD TO ACCUMULATE INSIDE THE LIP OF THE FRAME WHERE IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO WASH OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10650532

Incident

Oct 23, 2014

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2 DAMAGED LINESWITH UNION WERE REPAIRED. ALL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/15/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10597026

Incident

Jun 12, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE AWAY, APPLIED BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP. NO WARNING ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND HAVE TOWED TO REPAIR TO A LOCAL GM DEALER REPAIR FACILITY REPAIRED SECTION OF RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 2010 TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. APPLYING BRAKES FOR A TURN NO BRAKES NO WARNING, WAS ABLE TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION BY GOING STRAIGHT AND USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR CENTER AND HAD TO REPLACE 3 FT OF BRAKE LINE AND AGAIN WAS A RUSTED OUT SECTION OF BREAK LINE I AM SENDING INFORMATION BECAUSE OF THE REPORTS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM FOR GM TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588994

Incident

Jul 20, 2009

Mileage

114,191 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295 I NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON SO I CHECKED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T PUSHED IN I PULLED OVER AT THE NEXT REST STOP I LOOKED OVER TRUCK ALL SEEMED OK AFTER RESTARTING LIGHT WAS OFF THEN CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AGAIN AS I GOT TO MY EXIT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR SCARY AS HELL BUT THE TRUCK DID STOP AS I STEPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN . I PROCEEDED HOME CHECKED BRAKE FLUID NONE AT ALL I ADDED SOME AND COULD SEE AFTER I STARTED AND PUMPED BRAKES THE FLUID WAS SPURTING OUT A LINE ONTO UNDER CARRIAGE I TOOK TO MY TECH HE SAID ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CHEVY GMC AND WOULD COST CLOSE TO $1500.00 RIGHT NOW IM UNEMPLOYED AND CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED PLEASE HELP, HELP, HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

10561454

Incident

Jan 23, 2014

Mileage

1,490,954 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC K1500 SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 01/14/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED 9 BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/16/14

NHTSA ID

10554597

Incident

Nov 21, 2013

Mileage

97,000 mi

I STARTED MY TRUCK TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY MONDAY 7-1-2013 BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR..CHECKING THE SYSTEM I FOUND FLUID LEAK UNDER REAR OF TRUCK. LINE RUST COLOR, LEAK, AIR COMING FROM LINE. CALLED MECHANIC. WILL HAVE RESULTS NEXT WEEK. TRUCK HAS TO BE TOWED..IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A CRASH...THIS SITUATION NEEDS SERIOUS ATTENTION......I AM BLESSED. WILL UPDATE FROM MECHANIC NEXT WEEK.

NHTSA ID

10522975

Incident

Jul 1, 2013

Mileage

172,000 mi

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALWAYS NOTICED HOW RUSTY THE TRUCK IS UNDERNEATH, AND THE OUTSIDE LOOKS LIKE NEW. WHAT HAD HAPPEN IS A WHOLE IN MY BRAKE LINE .I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED ABOUT 6 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE..DEFINITELY THINK GM SHOULD PAY FOR NEW BRAKE LINES, WHY WOULD THEY BUILD A VEHICLE THAT'S NOT SAFE FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS..DON'T THINK I'LL EVER OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10520187

Incident

Jun 16, 2013

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR DUE TO PREMATURE BRAKE LINE FAILURE. WAS ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT AND CURB THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501442

Incident

Aug 23, 2012

Mileage

99,000 mi

I WAS IN A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP TO TURN ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED THE PARK BRAKE TO STOP AND RETURNED HOME. I FOUND THE LEAK, IT IS ON THE BRAKE LINE WHERE A GROUP OF FOUR LINES RUN ALONG THE FRAME UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10490596

Incident

Dec 31, 2012

Mileage

199,000 mi