1999 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
59,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 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 3 of 18 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 44.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
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 | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Seats: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020217 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *JB PH
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028586 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
WE HAVE 4 1999 GMC 3500 SERIES LONG VANS USED TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS TO VARIOUS FUNCTIONS. RETURNING FROM A FIELD TRIP (WITH CHILDREN) ONE OF THE TIRES SUFFERED A PLY SEPARATION. THE DRIVER DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF MAINTAINING CONTROL AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED OUT BY OUR TOWING SERVICE. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED ANOTHER TIRE POSSIBLY READY TO FAIL, AND ODD WEAR PATTERNS. OUR DISTRICT IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL 16 TIRES ON ALL 4 VANS. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF TIRE...T…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083852 · 2004-07-29 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121793 · 2005-05-21 (May 21, 2005)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125920 · 2005-06-20 (June 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10125920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141424 · 2005-11-01 (November 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
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181290 · 2007-02-01 (February 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326017 · 2010-04-16 (April 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
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10326017 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2004-11-26 (November 26, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗