You'll be driving down the road the brakes will be working just fine then they'll just all sudden go out and then it backfires and blows it blows up a big cloud of fire out of the motor and that's the GMC 1999 Suburban four-wheel drive 7.4 l
1999 GMC Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
96 reports with mileage · 189 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
285 reportsThe original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. The tank was installed in September 2021. The tank began leaking in February 2022. A repair shop discovered that the tank was defective and had failed. The Tank was discarded and replaced with a …
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The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. The tank was installed in September 2021. The tank began leaking in February 2022. A repair shop discovered that the tank was defective and had failed. The Tank was discarded and replaced with a new unit. As no OEM parts are available the replacement was also and aftermarket part. That tank also was defective and began leaking within 90 days. A third aftermarket tank was installed and it also began leaking recently. When these leaks occur the tank fails in such a way that a large volume of fuel is spilled collects under the vehicle. As there seems to be only one company manufacturing these parts there seems be be a large potential that the issue will affect many vehicles.
The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. This tank included a new fuel pump lock ring, which was used to secure a new fuel pump in the tank prior to installation in the vehicle. The lock rung failed approximately one week after installati…
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The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. This tank included a new fuel pump lock ring, which was used to secure a new fuel pump in the tank prior to installation in the vehicle. The lock rung failed approximately one week after installation allowing the fuel pump to raise up out of the tank. At the next fuel up a large volume of gasoline escaped form the fuel pump opening and spilled. The defective lock ring was replaced with a OEM part and was subsequently discarded.
GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAULTY LEAVING ME STRANDED FAR FROM HOME.THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT IN THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. *TR
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.
MY 1999 C1500 SUBURBAN CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND COMPLETELY OFF. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FRO 9 HOURS WHEN WE WERE AWAKENED AT 2AM BY NEIGHBORS AND POLICE TRYING TO EVACUATE OUR HOME. THE CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND AND WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I HAVE A 9 AND 6 YEAR OLD THAT ARE TRAUMATIZED BY THE INCIDENT. I REPORTED THE …
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MY 1999 C1500 SUBURBAN CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND COMPLETELY OFF. IT HAD BEEN PARKED FRO 9 HOURS WHEN WE WERE AWAKENED AT 2AM BY NEIGHBORS AND POLICE TRYING TO EVACUATE OUR HOME. THE CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND AND WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I HAVE A 9 AND 6 YEAR OLD THAT ARE TRAUMATIZED BY THE INCIDENT. I REPORTED THE MATTER TO THE GMC CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY REPLIED SAYING THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 2 DAYS. THIS IS UNFORGIVEABLE.
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
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…
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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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT AS A PRECAUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT AS A PRECAUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIS WIFE. THE WAS VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, HE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIS WIFE. THE WAS VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V122000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 103,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE SEAT BELT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS FRAYED AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS INJURED, WHEN THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HER. ALSO, BOTH DOOR LATCHES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/17/12
Official recalls
100V122000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing
Apr 27, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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