1999 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
550 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 236 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 188 of 550 complaints (34.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 335 | 60.9% |
| Steering behavior | 24 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 188 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 33 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 28 |
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 20 |
| Tires | 18 |
| Seats | 17 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 188; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 33; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 28; Service Brakes: 25; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 21; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 20; Tires: 18; Seats: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 68 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 77 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 45 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 22 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 68; 50,000 to 74,999: 77; 75,000 to 99,999: 45; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 22
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 314 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 82 |
| 2001 | 70 |
| 2002 | 102 |
| 2003 | 70 |
| 2004 | 56 |
| 2005 | 88 |
| 2006 | 30 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 2 |
2000: 82; 2001: 70; 2002: 102; 2003: 70; 2004: 56; 2005: 88; 2006: 30; 2007: 5; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 8; 2012: 14; 2013: 8; 2014: 8; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 335 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000496 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
THE ABS MOTOR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS CAUSES THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. THE ABS SYSTEM NO LONGER IS OPERATIVE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1000. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 40,470 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000636 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
1999 GMC SIERRA 4X2, AUTO, SHORT BED. THE ABS MOTOR CAME ON AN STAYED ON. I COULD NOT GET THE MOTOR TO SHUT DOWN UNTIL I EITHER PULLED THE ABS FUSE, OR DISCONNECTED THE MOTOR UNDER THE TRUCK. I HAVE TALKED TO THE LOCAL DEALRER AND HE HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES LIKE THIS AS WELL AS MANY THAT ARE DOUCUMENTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SEFVERITY OF THIS ISSUE I THINK THAT GMC NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, GARY EASLEY
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011949 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THEIR VEHICLE'S STEERING IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 98 V 242 000, BUT VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 46,264 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020665 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
SON WAS DRIVING 99 GMC SIERRA TRUCK ON I-20 IN ARLINGTON, TX MONDAY, MAY 26TH WHEN HE BRAKED TO SLOW AND THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD THROWING HIM INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. HE REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY VEHICLE. SON AND FIANCEE WERE UNHURT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND INVESTIGATE, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. IT WOULD MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WITHOUT LOCKING INTO PLACE. SON HAD TO BRACE HIS FOOT AGAINST …
Owner-reported narrative. 64,473 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060835 · 2004-03-09 (March 9, 2004)
FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM ENGINE NOISE MUFFLER REPLACE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAULT TIRE WEAR TRANSMISSION AUTOMATIC SHIFTING REAREND NOISE
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070942 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PARK MY TRUCK, I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WAS GOING TO BACK UP, WHEN I HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE. I PUT THE TRUCK BACK IN NEUTRAL,NOISE WAS GONE, BACK IN REVERSE NOISE HAS RETURNED. NO REVERSE. I ABANDONED PARKING AND DROVE HOME. I HAD ALL FORWARD GEARS. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK..... NO PARK THE TRUCK ROLLED AHEAD AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CALLED GMC, WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE REACTION SUN GEAR AND SHELL INTERNAL IN TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,303 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003492 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP. HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE, DOOR PANEL DESTROYED, TRIM AROUND THE DOOR DESSTROYED AND SMALL AREA OF CARPET BURNT BY DOOR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017544 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
THE GAS TANK LEAKED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051000 · 2003-12-23 (December 23, 2003)
FUEL PUMP WILL OVER HEAT AND THAN SHORT OUT. EXHAUST ALWAYS RATTLES ENGINE KNOCKS CAT. CONVERTERS WENT OUT DIGITAL DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 730481 · 2000-09-06 (September 6, 2000)
POSITVE TERMINAL ROTTED OUT, CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OFF AND ENGINE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759216 · 2002-03-11 (March 11, 2002)
THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVESHAFT BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING & LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED BRAKES WHILE TOWING A 2 HORSE TRAILER . ON THIS SIZE VEHICLE IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER OR STOP EVEN AT SLOW SPEED.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST WAS 09/10/2000, ALSO PULLING A TWO HORSE TRAILER.THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL OF THESE PUMPS BECAUSE OF THE SHAFT BREAKING.THE PUMP ASSEMBLY # IS E9050. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC.THERE IS NO INDICAT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759216 at NHTSA ↗