MYRModel Year Report

1999 Chevrolet Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
634
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 634 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 634 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2014 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 634 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2001 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

1999: 634 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

44% · 282 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH downhill, the steering wheel seized, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to slow the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-28

Also filed under Steering

Brakes failed due to corroded brake lines. Appears that rear lines failed but neither front or rear brakes worked during incident. Brake lines are very rusty whereas there is almost no rust on other components.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-08-26

Upon applying brakes loss of braking occurred on the rear brakes. Upon inspection the rear brake lines were very rusty while the fuel vapor lines below them had no rust what soever .

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-11-10

Tires

15% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with cornell 1000 tires, size: P235/75R15. While driving 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle shook severely, especially when traveling up to 65 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-12-27

Electrical system

10% · 66 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated that on the morning of February 23, 2004 heard the alarm go off. She went to the window, and saw vehicle engulfed in flames. Fire department was called, and they determined that the problem was electrical.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-25

I was driving my vechicle at approximately 30 MPH, when I noticed smoke coming out of the front vents. We got out and the vehicle soon became engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-07

Consumer was driving vehicle and stopped, turned off engine, and smoke smells began shortly after they opened the hood and fire was every where. Aaa towed vehicle to dealership.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-04-19

Steering

9% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASHINJURY

Power train

8% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 634 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1999-05-12Engineering analysisClosed 2001-02-27 Erratic power steering assist while driv
  3. R
    2000-12-29Seat belts00V122000 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."

    Remedy: Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2002-08-01Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Throttle sticking closed
  5. I
    2003-06-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-11-03 Steel wheel rim fracture
  6. I
    2005-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
  7. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure
  9. I
    2011-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2015-04-08 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 282 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 66 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V122000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.