1999 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 158 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, 4% of the 158 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Found the exhaust manifold bolts on both sides of the engine snapping off for no reason at about 65k miles. When I asked the local dealer about this they stated they would need to remove and reset the engine heads in order to remove the broken bolts. I did not have them repair the problem due to the cost they quoted. I now have three bolts on each side which hold the manifolds in place. The problem seam to happen at the change of the season from fall to winter. In the extreme cold weather, on a cold start up, there is an obvious exhaust leak. As the engine heats up the leak does disappear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10421516, filed 2011-08, 65,000 miles“Broken exhaust manifold bolts. Factory installed exhaust manifold bolts routinely break on both sides of the engine. Nature of the failure and location of the broken bolts in the heads of the engine most often necessitate very expensive professional repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10389688, filed 2011-03, 80,000 miles“My Gmc sierra has the 5.3 v8 engine and three of the exhaust manifold bolts are broken off and it is leaking exhaust fumes .these bolts should not break off so easily.I feel this is a safety issue and a recall should be issued to repair this problem. I know other owners who have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10427085, filed 2011-09“The contact owns a 1999 Gmc SIERRA 1500. The contact noticed smoke rising from the front passenger side of the vehicle and the air conditioner shut off without warning. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the air conditioner lines were rubbing against another set of air conditioner lines, which caused the air conditioner fluid to leak. As of september 7, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 158,000. *updated 12/12/07 the consumer stated the 2 1/2 to 1/2 wide wear marks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202201, filed 2007-09, 158,000 miles“1. When going over minor bumps consumer can hear rear leaf springs hit against each other, metal to metal sound; 2. When accelerating, consumer can hear a valve noise.”
NHTSA complaint #863309, filed 2000-06Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 31 | 8% |
| 2023 | 23 | 5% |
| 2022 | 29 | 5% |
| 2021 | 49 | 8% |
| 2020 | 21 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 4% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 5% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
103 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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