1999 Chevrolet Tahoe

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Tahoe Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1995 1996: 283 complaints 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 466 complaints 2005: 293 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 284 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2010 2011: 446 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2015: 657 complaints 2015 2016: 256 complaints 2017: 173 complaints 2018: 103 complaints 2019: 104 complaints 2020: 55 complaints 2020 2021: 440 complaints 2022: 182 complaints 2023: 209 complaints 2024: 61 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2025 2026: 20 complaints 2026
1999: 552 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19913
19926
19938
199419
1995246
1996283
1997410
1998263
1999552
2000282
2001512
2002449
2003507
2004466
2005293
2006114
20071176
2008528
2009284
2010314
2011446
2012178
2013232
201490
2015657
2016256
2017173
2018103
2019104
202055
2021440
2022182
2023209
202461
202545
202620

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 50%

50% of complaints: service brakes — 274 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO TRAVEL FURTHER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR 1999 TAHOE FOR THE ISSUE OF LOW SPEED ABS INITIALIZATION BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140721

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 50 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND WAS NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. THE DAUGHTER ACCIDENTAL KNOCK THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPED OFF INTO THE CONSUMER HOUSE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021211

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC UNDER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS MELTING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRES BEGAN TO MELT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160523

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T COME BACK AFTER TURNING, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO CONSUMERS ACCIDENT. YH

NHTSA ODI report, 19990823

MY 1999 CHEVY TAHOE BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SNATCHING THE WHEEL TO ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAVE LIKED TO WRECKED TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS I HAD MY TIRES CHANGED THOUGHT IT WAS THAT HAD THE TRUCK LINED UP STILL DOING IT I THINK...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190611

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing motor and windshield wiper/washer.

FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

1999 — complaint volume: 552
I 19990512 — EA (closed 20010227)

ERRATIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIV

R 20001229 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 00V122000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010717 — PE (closed 20011220)

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

I 20020801 — EA (closed 20040112)

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

I 20030612 — PE (closed 20031103)

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

I 20050428 — PE (closed 20050913)

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. TH

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (274 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V122000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2015 ◆ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.