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GMC SavanaModel year report

1999 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
49filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
62,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1999 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by body and structure (7) and tires (6). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 62,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 65 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electrical system (2), Other or unknown (2), Equipment (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I had to make a panic stop . I pushed the brake pedal as hard as possible. Felt the vehicle shudder several times and felt what I assumed was the ABS brakes cycling, then the vehicle just rolled forward...no braking at all was felt, resulting in a rear-end collision. I know that if I had properly functioning brakes, I would have stopped in a safe distance. When I felt the deceleration stop, I pushed even harder on the pedal, with absolutely no change in velocity and no more room for the pedal to move. …”

NHTSA complaint #10049621, filed 2003-12, 25,200 miles

Body and structure: “Hinges on 60/40 cargo doors are very stiff. Doors have been difficult to open and close for quite some time. Recently, lower hinge on 40 door has broken. Replacement of all hinges on these doors is approximately $1100. Have not yet contacted dealer about problem (had similar problems with hinges on 95 vandura).”

NHTSA complaint #10068220, filed 2004-05, 115,000 miles

Tires: “The tread peeled off both tires within 3 days of each other at normal highway driving speed. Thank god that they didn't fail when we were driving on the blue ridge parkway's hairpin turns, or I probably wouldn't be here to send this email. These dunlop tires were installed on 6/14/2000 by tire kingdom. They were replaced this morning with goodrich tires.( DOT number: tire size: p255/70r15 )”

NHTSA complaint #728902, filed 2000-08

Steering: “The power brake/steering pump shaft broke, rendering the power brake and steering inoperable. The problem occurred while traveling downhill and presented a safety problem. The vehicle only had 70,000 miles at the time. I was and remain concerned that the part defect was not identified earlier and presented a potential safety hazard. The part has been replaced, but I want to know if the replacement part is safe and how Gmc will reimburse me for all of the costs I incurred to correct the problem. It was very distressing to lose all power steering and braking while the vehicle was in motion. …”

NHTSA complaint #10166024, filed 2006-08, 66,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,321 and 99,500 miles.

0%0–100%10–2522%25–5044%50–7511%75–10022%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 62,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

19992000152001200220032004200520062014
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (passenger)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1999 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 65 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 65 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 1999 GMC Savana as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by body and structure with 7.

Has the 1999 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 1999 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 62,000 miles and the middle half falls between 53,321 and 99,500 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.