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1999 Chevrolet SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 634 owner complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

23
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.4× the Suburban median · #2 of 38 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints63493 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 30, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban has problems

634 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic22322
Tires921
Electrical system587
Steering525
Power train474
Visibility441
Suspension332
Engine and engine cooling332
Fuel system, gasoline273
17 other systems16835

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 Chevrolet Suburban recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: webbing

Recall 00V-122 · Apr 27, 2000 · 279,132 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

90kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 79 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 34% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles46under 100k miles33100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Suburban year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Suburban median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Chevrolet Suburban safety ratings

1999 Chevrolet Suburban 4-DR. 4X4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE STICKING CLOSEDEA02015 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  2. Brake line corrosion failureEA11001 · closed Apr 8, 2015
    No recall
  3. ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVEA99011 · closed Feb 27, 2001
    No recall
  4. STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTUREPE03026 · closed Nov 3, 2003
    No recall
  5. UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATIONPE05020 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-379
  6. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Suburban owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN S2 K15. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED YET THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS…
Complaint 10454591 · Apr 9, 2012 · 120,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THAT ONE OF THEM HAD BURST. *TR
Complaint 10446987 · Feb 7, 2012 · 142,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY AS THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE…
Complaint 10445054 · Jan 24, 2012 · 146,774 miles

Own a 1999 Suburban?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.