1999 GMC Sierra problems & reliability
600 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 GMC Sierra, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
24 complaints report injuries (31 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 GMC Sierra vehicles were involved in 70 fatal crashes with 41 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 280 | 47% |
| Suspension | 39 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 39 | 7% |
| Power Train | 37 | 6% |
| Tires | 31 | 5% |
| Structure | 30 | 5% |
| Service Brakes, Air | 26 | 4% |
| Service Brakes | 25 | 4% |
| Seats | 23 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 18 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 62,000 miles (middle 50% between 46,822 and 85,456 miles), based on 235 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While pulling out of my driveway I experienced complete brake failure. Looked under truck and brake fluid was everywhere and the brake lines were severely rusted and had busted. Looked it up and this appears to be a common problem with this model truck but there has never been a recall?! This issue needs to be…”
Service Brakes · filed Aug 10, 2015
“I was driving and went to apply brakes for the stop sign ahead, and I had no brakes. Once I had the truck home I parked it. I determined that the brake lines had rusted through by having a piece of cardboard under the truck to locate the leaking brake fluid. I'm so lucky that I didn't have a camper on the truck and…”
Service Brakes · filed Jan 29, 2015
“Driving down hill, approx speed of 45 mph, went to apply brakes when did heard pop noise and brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping. Pumped on brakes and geared down truck to slow down. Pulled over to side of road to notice that fluid was coming out of the body. Was able to get mirror and research and find the…”
Service Brakes · filed Sep 17, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Brake line corrosion failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE10010 · opened Mar 30, 2010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
- PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
Defect Petition DP05009 · opened Dec 20, 2005 · closed May 31, 2006
- UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
Preliminary Evaluation PE05020 · opened Apr 28, 2005 · closed Sep 13, 2005 · led to recall 05V379000
- TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES
Engineering Analysis EA05007 · opened Apr 14, 2005 · closed Apr 11, 2006 · led to recall 06V066000
- PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA04011 · opened Apr 9, 2004 · closed May 10, 2005 · led to recall 05V161000
- TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA04005 · opened Feb 19, 2004 · closed Sep 28, 2004 · led to recall 04V129000
- PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE03057 · opened Dec 8, 2003 · closed Apr 9, 2004
- THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
Engineering Analysis EA02015 · opened Aug 1, 2002 · closed Jan 12, 2004
Technical service bulletins
229 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 GMC Sierra. The 10 most recent:
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
06-03-09-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 17, 2017
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…
PIT3227M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 8, 2017
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.
PIT3665E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 31, 2017
Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: anytime hydraulic brake pipes assembly need replacing, pre-formed and pre-flared brake pipes are available, except rear axle crossover pipe. Model 1999-2007 silverado, sierra, 2000-2006 escalade…
SB-13-05-22-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2014
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…
PIT3227J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 28, 2014
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the percentage of UV protection or tint offered by the windshield or side glass. Technician should be advised Windshield reduces UV…
PIT3237G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2013
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire, and/or engine noise. Technician may find…
PIP4138L · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 27, 2012
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear. Technician should compare the noise to a like…
PIP3259J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 17, 2012
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.
PIT3665C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2012
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing. Technician will inspect the 3-4 clutches…
PIP5072 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2012
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 GMC Sierra has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 GMC Sierra?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 62,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.