1999 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems

What owners report

Complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe concentrate heavily on the brakes, especially anti-lock system activation at very low speeds that owners say lengthens stopping distance. Many owners write specifically to note that their vehicle was not covered by a later ABS-related campaign. Steering that pulls or jerks on curves, wipers that stop mid-swipe, and transmission and electrical faults also recur, usually at higher mileages.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 123 complaints (22%)
   • median 94,510 mi at 7.3 yrs old (103 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $698 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2016

   Owners describe the anti-lock system engaging while braking below about 10 mph on dry pavement, sometimes without the pedal being pressed at all, with a grinding or pulsing feel and a pedal that sinks toward the floor. Several say the vehicle did not stop as expected at a stop sign, driveway or parking space, and some report removing the ABS fuse to drive without the system. Dealers and the manufacturer often told owners their VIN was not included in campaign 05V379000, and some dealers cleaned or replaced wheel speed sensors. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 170,000 miles, with many complaints filed between 2005 and 2013 and several noting the first stop of the day or cold weather.

   What to check: Drive the vehicle and brake gently at walking pace on dry pavement; an ABS pedal pulse or grinding at very low speed points to this. Ask whether the wheel speed sensors or hubs have been replaced and whether the ABS light works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe has had an ongoing brake problem from the day I bought it. The brakes seem to apply themselves during normal driving. I have had to replace two sets of tires and two sets of front brake pads in less than 50000 miles. Sometimes when I smell something getting hot while driving I will stop and feel the front wheels. They will be so hot that I cannot touch them. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10325687, filed 2010-04, 50,800 miles

   “My anti locking brakes seem to be engaging when I break at slow speeds. I had an accident in slow traffic when I pressed on the breaks, but the vehicle did not stop. This happened to me twice on the way to work this morning, almost causing another wreck...that is why I am writing today. It doesn't do it all the time, just sometimes. I didn't realize what the problem was until I began doing research.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108392, filed 2005-02, 95,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to floor, fluid loss from rusted lines

   • 61 complaints (11%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2021

   Some owners report the brake pedal going almost to the floor with little braking, traced to brake lines rusted through and losing fluid, in one case while backing out of a driveway. Others describe a brake rotor that separated and repeated vibration and pulsing after pad and rotor replacement. Repairs were done at independent shops or by the dealer at the owner's expense. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 140,000 miles, and several complaints come from vehicles used in areas that spread road salt.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the hard brake lines inspected underneath for rust and seepage before buying, and check for a firm pedal that does not sink when held. The brake-pipe service bulletins describe pre-formed line kits dealers can install.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “99 Tahoe - several times repeatidly - hit brakes- SUV starts stopping then brakes pule & no stop-several times came so close rear ending vehicle in front due to pulsing brakes not stopping !!!!!called Chevrolet on recall bulletin - says not my vehicle !!!! I get into accident -will be sueing Chevrolet with bulletin recall but nothing done !!!! Say' out of my pocket !!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10936781, filed 2016-12, 139,000 miles

   “Backing out of my driveway and my brake pedal went to the floor with very little braking power. Brake fluid running out of the front center of the vehicle. Checked the vehicle and the brake line had rusted completely through causing loss of brake fluid.”

   NHTSA complaint #10521232, filed 2013-06, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wheel jerks or pulls on curves

   • 30 complaints (5%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2019

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly snatching or jerking to one side, most often in a curve or while changing lanes at moderate to highway speeds, and one complaint mentions a lot of play in the wheel. Some had tires replaced and an alignment done without a change, and one owner linked it to power-steering assist behavior. Complaints do not describe a consistent dealer fix. Reported from about 57,000 to 300,000 miles, with several owners describing the behavior as intermittent and worsening over years.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive on a curving road at 40-55 mph and feel for any sudden pull or slack in the wheel; also check tie rods, idler arm and power steering play during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe that has an ongoing on and off problem with the steering whereby the steering wheel will jerk suddenly in one direction or the other (usually pulling to the right) while I am driving. The feeling is as if I have hit a patch of ice or oil. On occassion it happens once, maybe twice in a commute. On other occassions, such as this morning, it is much more frequent. It feels as if I am losing control of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10062794, filed 2004-03, 80,000 miles

   “I own a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe 4wd. I have been experiencing erratic steering while turning at speeds above 30mph as well as it requring manual input to bring the wheel straight at the end of a curve.I will be contacting my local dealer on monday 8/02/04.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083082, filed 2004-08, 65,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop or fail intermittently

   • 26 complaints (5%)
   • median 81,500 mi at 5.6 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2010

   Owners report wipers that stop mid-swipe, fail to start, or refuse to turn off, with the delay setting often not working. Some were told the wiper module or motor needed replacement; others note that a prior wiper campaign on other models did not cover their vehicle. Complaints describe the problem appearing in rain, sometimes repeatedly over months. Mostly reported between about 65,000 and 100,000 miles, a number of them during rainy seasons.

   What to check: Run the wipers through every speed and the delay setting, including a stop-and-restart cycle, and ask whether the wiper motor or module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Wipers often fail when in use. They will run stop,run stop. They stop in the middle of the windshield,stop at the bottom of the windshield,stop anywhere. While driving in a rainstorm this is quite dangerous,you are unable to see. I owned a 1997 Chevrolet suburban that did the same thing,recall was issued. Why no recall on my Tahoe. I am sure it is the same problem. Do I need to be involved in a traffic accident first?”

   NHTSA complaint #10073209, filed 2004-05, 78,000 miles

   “Faulty windshield wiper motor failure on 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe (not covered in GM recall #98043). Problem has persisted over 6 months during intense rainy season in central florida. I commute between 2 military bases macdill afb in tampa, and patrick afb in cocoa beach where wife and daughter are stationed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032641, filed 2003-08, 83,750 miles

Buying note. On this model year the brakes deserve the most attention: confirm at low-speed stops that the ABS behaves normally and have the hard brake lines inspected for rust. Also budget for wear items like wiper components and check the transmission and steering during a thorough test drive, since these vehicles are now high-mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.