1999 GMC Sierra problems
Owners have filed 721 complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 40.4% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 5.7%.
Complaints721
Crashes58
Fires2
Injuries36
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 40.4% · 291
Power train 5.7% · 41
Suspension 5.7% · 41
Vehicle speed control 5.5% · 40
Tires 4.4% · 32
Structure 4.3% · 31
Service brakes, air 3.7% · 27
Service brakes 3.5% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 58 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire, 36 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 14 model years of the GMC Sierra in this data, 1999 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 25 in the last three years against 31 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 63,632 miles.
In owners' own words
In discussing this part failure with other owners it appears that this part fails at a high rate.The service department agrees that there is a significantly higer rate of failure in this part than is usual.I am requesting that you investigate these failures and would also like any information concerning the failure rate of this part and any information concerning accidnets caused by this part failure. Service brakes, hydraulic
Abs motor would remain on after turning off vehicle. Dealer contacted. *Ak there was a recall issued in 1998 for this defect. Consumer was pulling a 1994 airstream which caused the brake control on the trailer to quit operating. When approaching a red light, the trailer pushed the vehicle approximately 100 feet. If there had been an auto in front of the vehicle there would have been an accident. Service brakes, hydraulic
While applying the brakes, the abs and brake lights would come on intermittently. The dealers mechanic stated that the abs brakes needed to be replaced. *Ak *scc the abs failed as a result of abs switch failure. Abs motor stays running even with ignition key removed and engine off. The dealer quoted a price of $900. Dollars for repair. This seem to be quite common. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 69,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other GMC Sierra years
1996 310 complaints · 27.7% visibility 1997 302 complaints · 22.8% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 230 complaints · 27.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 557 complaints · 35.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 333 complaints · 30.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2002 291 complaints · 34.4% service brakes, hydraulic