RoadVitals

1999 GMC Suburban Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
123
Latest Mar 24, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
43%
of 285 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
14
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 GMC Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 123 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 123, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2016

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR COMING TO STOP THE ABS SEEMS TO ENGAGE AND CAUSE ERRATIC STOPPING AND EVEN HARD STOPPING AT TIMES. THE BRAKE PEDAL KICKS BACK AND IS HARD TO PRESS DOWN AND STOPPING IS VERY DIFFICULT.

NHTSA ID
10851489
Incident
Jan 14, 2016
Mileage
190,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 2014

COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. WIDESPREAD HEAVY CORROSION/DETERIORATION OF BRAKE LINES RESULTED IN RUPTURE OF BRAKE LINE OVER LEFT REAR WHEEL. EMERGENCY/PARK BRAKE USED TO AVOID ACCIDENT. CLEARLY A MATERIALS DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, IN MY OPINION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650386
Incident
Oct 7, 2014
Mileage
114,059 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 2013
Crash reported

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT, BRAKE PEDAL UNEXPECTEDLY WENT TO FLOOR, VEHICLE RAN OVER CURB/STOP, DAMAGING SUSPENSION. CAUSE OF INCIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUPTURED METAL BRAKE LINE, CAUSED BY SEVERE CORROSION. A SECOND LINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE SMALL PIN HOLE, WHICH HAD NOT YET RUPTURED, BUT COULD HAVE FAILED AT ANYTIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550873
Incident
Oct 25, 2013
Mileage
104,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHUT OFF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. TWO YEARS AGO THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS CURRENTLY MORE FREQUENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR HUBS PRIOR TO THE RECALL AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON 12 18 09 AND STATED THAT THE SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND RESEALED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT RECALL # 05068 IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $300 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10296533
Incident
Nov 27, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 24, 2009

BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH; LOST REAR BRAKES FIRST TIME (EARLY 2008) AND I HAD 2 BRAKE LINES MANUFACTURED THAT WERE OF HIGHER QUALITY THAN ORIGINAL; THIS TIME LOST FRONT BRAKES - METAL LINE STARTED LEAKING RAPIDLY; NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ALL REMAINING BRAKE LINES TO FEEL SAFE. SUBURBAN 2500. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293375
Incident
Nov 19, 2009
Mileage
41,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS RANGING FROM APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH AND BRAKING, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED. THE FAILURE HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND INCREASED HIS STOPPING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE YEAR AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10266604
Incident
Apr 22, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD INCREASE DURING BRAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10262003
Incident
Feb 26, 2009
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. HE STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATES EVEN WHEN THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE NOT SLIPPERY DUE TO RAIN OR ICE. THE ABS ENGAGES ITSELF WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHICH INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS NOT LOCATED IN THE NHTSA DATABASE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GMC ISSUED RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,070. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10256484
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
15,070 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2008
Crash reported

WE OWN A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN . WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS NEVER (TIL THIS TIME) BEEN IN A CRASH. ON PERFECTLY DRY PAVEMENT, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION WHILE COMING TO A STOP. IT SOUNDS AND FEEL LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE PULSATING AND GREATLY REDUCES MY BRAKING CAPABILITY WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS OCCURS WHILE COMING TO A STOP FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR BE PERFORMED AND BE PAID FOR BY GM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. KINDLY CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS WE TRANSPORT OUR CHILDREN AND OTHER ADULTS ON MANY OCCASIONS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245026
Incident
Sep 10, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 1-5 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE OR WARNING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT'S WIFE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ABS ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS OF DECEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ THERE WAS DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE, NO INFORMATION WAS EXCHANGED.

NHTSA ID
10212090
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
92,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE DURING SPEEDS UNDER 5 MPH AND A BUZZING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. A LOCAL MECHANIC REMOVED AND CLEANED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 111,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10193331
Incident
Aug 1, 2006
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 10, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,100 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/08/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10190422
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 3, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC ,WHO REPLACED THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS. THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 05V379000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186828
Incident
Feb 11, 2007
Mileage
83,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 12, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DURING A LOW-SPEED BRAKING SITUATION, THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL WHICH FELT AS IF THE ABS HAD ACTIVATED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS AN INCREASED THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SENSOR WAS RUSTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V379000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10175950
Incident
Dec 12, 2006
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS ENGAGED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V37900, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10171223
Incident
Oct 17, 2006
Mileage
112,386 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE ABS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V379000 REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10168936
Incident
Sep 22, 2006
Mileage
130,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE VEHICLE WHEEL SENSOR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE ABS SENSORS. THIS CAUSED THE ABS TO ACTIVE WHILE BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS, LESS THAN 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL 5-20 FEET BEFORE CONING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS CAUSED WHEN THE WHEEL SENSORS LOSE OUTPUT VOLTAGE ON ONE OR MORE WHEELS WHICH TELLS THE CONTROLLER THAT THE WHEEL IS LOCKED UP AND RELEASES BRAKE PRESSURE SO IT WONT CONTINUE TO SKID. THIS FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT HIS GARAGE DOOR WHILE PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER HAS PULLED THE FUSE ON THE ABS SYSTEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168359
Incident
Sep 5, 2006
Mileage
118,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 12, 2006

I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, JIM MURPHY PONTIAC/GMC IN BUFFALO, NY THAT THE SPEED SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE TRUCK. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN# 020525002 FOR THIS EXACT PART. I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VIN # FOR MY 1999 GMC SUBURBAN IS [XXX]. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10157453
Incident
Mar 12, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH THE ABS SENSORS CAUSE AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10154936
Incident
Apr 10, 2006
Mileage
101,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE ABS ON THE VEHICLE ACTIVATED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000 REGARDING THE ABS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STATE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10152155
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2006

1999 SUBURBAN RIGHT FRONT ROTOR WAS REPLACED WHEN ROTOR BODY SEPARATED FROM HUB. ABS HAS PREMATURE ACTUATION. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ABS PROBLEMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FELL OUTSIDE OF PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151927
Incident
Dec 28, 2004
Mileage
131,849 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE PURCHASE THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED AN EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DAMP OR IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, 3 YEARS LATER, AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE TURNED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10150501
Incident
Feb 17, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AT 6 MPH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
10150079
Incident
Jan 25, 2006
Mileage
130,644 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON DRY ROADS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE SPEED SENSORS, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS CORRODED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149141
Incident
Dec 22, 2005
Mileage
77,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 12, 2006

1999 GMC SURBURBAN VIN [XXX] I HAVE THE KNOW PROBLEM OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BEING ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEED. I LIVE IN VIRGINIA, 5 MILES FROM MARYLAND AND 10 MILES FROM WASHINGTON DC WHICH ARE COVERED BY A RECALL. I WANT MY VEHICLE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10147619
Incident
Nov 10, 2005
Mileage
92,850 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .