RoadVitals

1999 GMC Sierra 3500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
19
Latest May 5, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 GMC Sierra 3500, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 42 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes940.9%
  • Tires & wheels313.6%
  • Body & structure313.6%
  • Engine29.1%
  • Interior & seats29.1%
  • Fuel system14.5%
  • Electrical14.5%
  • Airbags14.5%

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

3 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.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V562000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 26, 2004
1,660 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
MOBILITY WORKSManufacturer number 04E-058View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
Body & structureBrakes
Filed May 5, 2014

BOUGHT A 1999 GMC SIERRA 3500 4DOOR 8FT. BED WITH 30000 MILES ON IT IN 2001. FIRST BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT IN 2005. SECOND LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK RUSTED AND BROKE 2008. FUEL LINE RUSTED AND LEAKED GAS ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY 2010. TODAY THAT SAME TRUCK? IS IN A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE FRAME BY THE STEERINGBOX AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT RUSTED AND CRACKED. ITS A SHAME GMC USED SUCH BAD MATERIALS FOR THEIR TRUCKS. MY TRUCK NOW HAS ONLY 97000 MILES ON IT. IF IT CANT BE FIXED SAFELY THE SCRAP YARD IS ITS NEXT STOP AND A FORD WILL TAKE ITS PLACE. TO BAD GMC YOU LOST ANOTHER CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586534
Incident
May 5, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 2012

I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN CLOSING IN ON AN INTERSECTION AS THE LIGHT BEGAN TO CHANGE RED, TWO SEDANS WERE IN FRONT OF ME SO I APPLIED MY BRAKES ALLOWING PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL SUNK QUICKLY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT SLOW AT ALL. I HAD TO VEER INTO THE TURN LANE BUT COULD NOT MAKE THE TURN DUE TO SPEED AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION AND HAD TO VEER INTO A BUSY PARKING LOT RAN OVER A STOP BLOCK AND CONTINUED THROUGH 2 YARDS AND OUT A DRIVEWAY BACK ONTO YET ANOTHER ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. BOTH YARDS HAD PEOPLE IN THEM AND IT WAS A MIRACLE NO ONE WAS HURT. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES I FOUND A TINY HOLE IN THE LINE CROSSING THE ENGINE YOKE. AS I FURTHERED MY INSPECTION IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION ALL THE BRAKE LINES RESEMBLED BURNT CORN FLAKES AND MUST ALL BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475579
Incident
Sep 14, 2012
Mileage
250,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 16, 2010

EVERY HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE ON MY 75,000-MILE 1999 GMC 3500 PICKUP HAS RUSTED OUT, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALL BLEW OUT WHEN PEDAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED...INCLUDING ONE TIME, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP AT THE TRANSFER STATION TO UNLOAD TRASH. THE ENTIRE TRUCK COULD HAVE GONE BACK AND FALLEN INTO THE DUMPSTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326017
Incident
Nov 15, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 1, 2007

MY 1999 GMC SIERRA 3500 CREW CAB WAS ORDERED NEW. I DISCOVERED LATER THAT IT WAS FITTED WITH A 1998 CAB. THE DESIGN IS DIFFERENT AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE LONGER AND HEAVIER RESULTING IN PREMATURE HINGE FAILURES. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS BECAUSE THE 1998 VERSION DIDN'T REQUIRE THEM EVEN THOUGH I ORDERED A 1999 WHICH DOES. I HAVE A VIN ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWING IT AS A 1999 AND ONE ON THE DOOR SHOWING IT AS A 1998. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT REPORTING IT HERE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10181290
Incident
Jan 20, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Nov 1, 2005

FUEL TANK UNDER NEGATIVE PRESSURE BY APPARENT STUCK VALVE CAUSED FUEL TANK RUPTURE. HAPPENED TWICE. GM ENGINEERS SAID NO DEFECT, APPARENTLY THERE IS AND NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. FUEL SPILLED OUT AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS, IN MY OPINION. I AM A DEGREED (MSME) ENGINEER. WITH AN EXTENSIVE AUTO BACKGROUND. *JB UPDATED 11/15/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141424
Incident
Oct 27, 2005
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2005

DT: CONTACT HAS 1999 GMC,. HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES 6 TIMES. THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE BRAKE LINE BLEW OUT. CONTACT LOST THE FRONT BRAKES ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND LOST REAR BRAKES ONLY ONCE. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES WITH AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10125920
Incident
Jun 17, 2005
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2005
1 injury reported

GMC SAVANNA & CHEVY EXPRESS/SIERRA VAN SIDE DOORS (60/40'S ?). DURING SERVICE VISIT FOR DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER AT GROSSINGER GMC IN ILLINOIS, WHEN VEHICLE WAS STILL IN WARRANTY, AND DOORS WERE STIFF, NOISY AND TOUGH TO OPEN/CLOSE, DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED "MORE LUBRICATION". LUBRICATION WAS APPLIED REGULARLY. GMC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE WAS OF NO HELP. I'VE SINCE THROWN OUT MY SHOULDER TRYING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. DANGER: MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS HAVE NO WAY OF ESCAPING VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT/EMERGENCY. THE HINGES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DOORS NO LONGER FUNCTION. HINGES FROZEN IN PLACE AND CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. PER BODY SHOP (WHICH THE DEALERSHIP REFERRED ME TO), IT IS "A DESIGN DEFECT, A FLAW". $2,000 TO REPAIR. PLEASE TAKE NOTE: IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE CITY OF CHICAGO PURCHASED THIS VAN IN GREAT NUMBERS AND WAS FACED W/THIS PRODUCT FAILURE/DESIGN DEFECT ON ALL OF THEIR MUNICIPAL VANS (POLICE DEPT., FIRE DEPT., STREETS & SANITATION, ETC...) GMC PROVIDED BRAND NEW HINGES W/BRASS BUSHINGS AT NO CHARGE. APPARENTLY, THE ORIGINAL DESIGN (ALSO USED ON MY VAN) USED STEEL BUSHINGS. THEY ALL WERE SEIZING UP WHEN EXPOSED TO THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF MOISTURE (HUMIDITY, RAIN, CAR WASHES OR SNOW). CONSEQUENTLY, GMC RECOGNIZED AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESIGN FLAW/DEFECT AND REPLACED ALL HINGES ON THOSE CITY OF CHICAGO VEHICLES W/BRASS (CORROSION FREE) BUSHINGS/HINGES. SINCE GMC RECOGNIZED THIS DEFECT WHEN IT CAME TO BIG CORPORATE ACCOUNTS, WILL THEY DO THE SAME FOR JOHN Q. CONSUMER?

NHTSA ID
10121793
Incident
May 20, 2004
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2004

WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE PULSATED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083852
Incident
Apr 30, 2004
Mileage
59,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-NA-144

SERVICE BRAKES

This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.

PIT3665M

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

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.

PIT3227S

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIT3665L

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.

PIT3227R

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.

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

GMC Sierra 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026220—
2025161042.5
2024433051.6
2023281055.9
2022303061.5
2021205152.6
2020518162.6
2019137063.0
2018146049.9
2017137062.4
2016196042.0
2015307155.2
2014731—
2013144158.5
2012941—
2011205150.3
2010251—
2009551—
2008253355.8
2007163352.4
2006110049.5
2005241035.0
2004241038.9
2003710—
2002203157.4
2001363259.7
2000264157.8
1999Viewing193049.5
1998124052.4
1997103059.7
1996100—
1995000—
1994000—

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.