1999 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 7%of 634 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,268miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 634 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,268 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Purchased vehicle from dealer on oct 25th,2003 and on december 21st, 2003 the transmission went out completely leaving me stranded on the freeway.I had to have the truck towed at $275 then repairs were $2,567.95 plus rental car fees.dealer owner refuses to contact me .also dealer promised to match my down payment of $2500 and did not do so on the contract.”
NHTSA complaint #10052436, filed 2004-01, 69,535 miles“I was driving and my vehicle (1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2wd) made a loud noise and vibrated for a few seconds, my check engine light came on and my vehicle would not shift into second gear until I let off the accelerator. I took my car to an automotive shop where the hooked up a machine to see why the check engine light had come on. The machine told them it was my transmission shift silenoid. When I went to leave in my vehicle from the automotive shop it would not go into reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025623, filed 2003-07, 97,000 miles“Our 1999 Chevrolet Suburban had an automatic transmission that began slipping from 800 miles. Every time my wife took it to the dealer they said that they could not find anything wrong with it, nor could they duplicate the problem. The slipping only happened periodically and I would have been surprised if they could have duplicated it. She was also told by the dealer that this may be something that is normal with a computerized transmission. Maybe it was just a delay. Well, on dec 27, 2004 our transmission decided to act very strange and would not shift beyond 3rd gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147378, filed 2006-01, 69,000 miles“At just over 100000 miles, we lost 3rd gear. This ofcourse happened in traffic going up a hill. I have read several complaints regarding the Suburban transmission. Just wanted to share the warning signs: transmission began to slip several days prior to the total loss of 3rd gear. In stop and go traffic situations, when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, truck seemed to slip into neutral. Rpm would rev and after backing off the accelerator seemed to straighten up. However, not long after, vehicle would not shift into 3rd. With an automatic, that leaves very few options when in the middle of traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030335, filed 2003-07, 101,000 miles“The rear differential failed for the second time. Vehicle has 83000 miles. The last repair used after market parts. The parts company will not warrant claiming improper installation. Dealer claims design defect. This problem has been very frustrating. Same thing happened to my 1997 tahoe at 70k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10023063, filed 2003-06, 81,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10115081Nov 2, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about cooler line fittings that come with the 4T65E General Motors remanufactured transmission…
- 10112697Dec 27, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10112681Dec 17, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear. Technician…
- 10112600Nov 26, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the axel setup information from American Axle Manufacturing. Technician should be advised…
- 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…
- 10021676Jun 15, 2007New design front axle side bearing adjusters.
- 10017299Nov 2, 2005Electronic transfer case unable to complete shift.
- 10017190Oct 27, 20054l60e, 4l65e replacement valve body gaskets does not seem to fit.
- 10016707Sep 28, 2005Four wheel drive inoperative and the 4wd service light will illuminate. Diagnosis may reveal that the atc fuse could be open, possible dtc c0308, or various u codes may be set…
- 10016558Sep 22, 2005Intermittent service 4wd light comes on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c0306 or c0308 stored in tccm.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% |
| 2023 | 19 | 14% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% |
| 2021 | 39 | 19% |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 17% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 5 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
246 complaintsTires
92 complaintsElectrical system
58 complaintsSteering
52 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 Nov 1, 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