1999 Chevrolet Suburban Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 9%of 634 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 9% of the 634 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 1999 chevy Suburban in 2004. While leaving my driveway im may of 2005 I smelled something burning. I looked down and the mirror control switch was on fire. I was able to pull the panel off the door and get the switch out. It melted the switch and the wire harness inside the door. I'm just glad my wife wasn't driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10129643, filed 2005-07, 120,000 miles“I was unloading items and pushed the hazard light button on the steering column. That's when the entire electrical system of the vehicle went haywire. The engine began making a loud clicking sound, the gauges went out of control, the stereo read out began flipping through numbers and since this incident the driving lights that should come on when vehicle is started they flicker and at times go out. The entire situation has occurred now four times since 09/10/05. I just bought the vehicle 07/01/05 and from what the records show on the vehicle I am the second owner. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137992, filed 2005-09, 86,700 miles“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 complaint #10025552, filed 2003-07, 48,700 miles“We bought the used vehicle jan.04 from dealer, day we picked it up battery dead next morning, not known at time was because dome lights were flicking on off in the middle of the night. First electrical problem was when driving at night as soon as turn on headlights, all interior lights would blow, no dash lights, no tail lights etc. We paid over 200 to have that fixed(shortage in park light behind grill replaced) still having numerous problems with interior dome light flickering on and off whenever to the point we have to take out the fuse when parked so they don't come on and drain battery. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116556, filed 2005-04, 60,000 miles“Dt: the contact stated there was a problem with the ABS and the wiring harness . When driving less than 10 MPH and applying the brakes the ABS activated. The contact's husband replaced the brake pads at least six times. Before the wiring harness burned the dashboard was hot. The dashboard lights, tail lights, headlights, and cruise control were not working.”
NHTSA complaint #10141703, filed 2005-11, 75,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10111737Dec 23, 2016This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10113177Aug 5, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10112523Oct 30, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing…
- 10027804Nov 1, 2008General motors corp: special coverage adjustment; analog onstar deactivation. *pe updated 2/17/09.
- 10021206Mar 22, 2007Horn inoperative at times.
- 10013378Apr 18, 2005Application of horn at horn pad inoperative. Rke function for panic alarm works.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 14 | 11% |
| 2022 | 22 | 18% |
| 2021 | 20 | 10% |
| 2020 | 8 | 18% |
| 2019 | 7 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 20% |
| 2017 | 21 | 15% |
| 2016 | 26 | 12% |
| 2015 | 58 | 13% |
| 2014 | 7 | 12% |
| 2013 | 14 | 12% |
| 2012 | 10 | 10% |
| 2011 | 10 | 7% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 16 | 15% |
| 2008 | 22 | 10% |
| 2007 | 25 | 9% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 36 | 28% |
| 2004 | 72 | 35% |
| 2003 | 81 | 27% |
| 2002 | 10 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 13 | 5% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 47 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 9 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
246 complaintsTires
92 complaintsSteering
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
23 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology