1999 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, in two distinct forms: low-speed ABS activation that lengthens stopping distance, and rusted-through steel brake lines that leave the pedal going to the floor. ABS module and pump failures are also common, often with the pump running after the key is off. Most brake complaints arrive between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles, while the rust-related line failures tend to show up later and often in vehicles from road-salt areas.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, longer stopping distance

   • 246 complaints (41%)
   • median 56,930 mi at 5.8 yrs old (121 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 42 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2014

   Owners describe the ABS kicking in while braking below about 10 mph, so the pedal pulses or pushes back and the truck keeps rolling past the intended stop. Some say the condition started intermittently and became constant. Dealers commonly replaced wheel hubs, speed sensors or the ABS pump, and in several cases owners had the ABS disabled by pulling the fuse to regain normal braking. Typically reported between about 30,000 and 100,000 miles, at low speeds such as parking-lot or intersection stops.

   Recall 05V3790003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test braking at walking speed in a parking lot and see whether the pedal pulses while the truck keeps moving. Ask whether the ABS recall work was done for this VIN and whether wheel speed sensors or hubs have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The ABS brakes on my 1999 Gmc Sierra will randomly come on when stopping at about 5 - 10 MPH. I have to release the brake and reapply in order to get the truck to stop. I have found numerous other Gmc Sierra owners have the exact same problem. As recommended by the other owners, I disabled my ABS by removing the fuse that controls the ABS unit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10140355, filed 2005-10, 99,800 miles

   “Was coming up to a stop sign,applied the brake was almost to a stop then the brakes failed for a couple of seconds and I rolled through the stop sign into the intersection!! This was going on all the time when the brakes were being applied and the vehicle was almost to a stop around 10 MPH. I talked to a garage and they said it was the ABS brakes so I removed the ABS fuse from the vehicle and the problem stopped I just don't have ABS brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10121056, filed 2005-05, 85,300 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS module or pump fails and runs after shutoff

   • 167 complaints (28%)
   • median 55,473 mi at 5.3 yrs old (78 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 38 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2014

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on and the ABS pump motor continuing to run after the engine is switched off, sometimes until the battery is disconnected or the fuse is pulled. Dealers and shops typically diagnosed a failed electronic brake control module or pump assembly and quoted repairs in the high hundreds to over a thousand dollars. Several owners also report rear rotors or calipers rusting out. Often reported between roughly 35,000 and 85,000 miles, sometimes within the first few years of use.

   Recall 05V3790004 related service bulletins

   What to check: After shutting the truck off, listen near the driver-side frame for the ABS pump still running. Check that the ABS light is off, and ask whether the module or pump has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 11-15-03 I had the electronic brake control module on my 1999 Gmc Sierra go out. Which I found out is a very common problem for these trucks around 80000 miles(mine about 81000) the repair was a total of about $1150.00. Seven weeks later on 1-9-04 my truck is now in the shop for the same problem(ecbm) plus the ABS pump and the dealer now says it will be another $950. It appears that a problem exists when so many people have the same malfunction at almost the same time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052711, filed 2004-01, 83,000 miles

   “I started my truck up and heard a vibrating noise and the ABS light came on. When I shut off my truck the noise continued. I unhooked the battery cable until I determined the problem was the electo-hydraulic control unit. I pulled the fuse and checked with my dealer. The service manager advised me that both parts of the unit (bpmv and ebcm) usually need to be replaced at a cost of approx. 1600.00 for parts alone. This truck has only 42,000 miles on it. I also changed the brake fluid at 30,000 miles in order to avoid this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10020590, filed 2003-05, 42,170 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines and sudden loss of brake pressure

   • 94 complaints (16%)
   • median 84,987 mi at 12.0 yrs old (57 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe the brake pedal dropping to the floor with little or no warning, sometimes while pulling out of a driveway or parking space. Shops find steel lines severely rusted, split or burst, with brake fluid leaking underneath. Several owners mention all of the hard lines needing replacement at once, and that access is difficult because of how the lines are routed. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 180,000 miles, frequently on trucks driven in road-salt regions.

   Recall 00V3450001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the steel brake lines inspected along the frame rails and above the rear axle for rust and seepage, especially on a truck from a salt-belt state. A service bulletin notes that pre-formed replacement lines are available for this generation.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While pulling out of my driveway I experienced complete brake failure. Looked under truck and brake fluid was everywhere and the brake lines were severely rusted and had busted. Looked it up and this appears to be a common problem with this model truck but there has never been a recall?! This issue needs to be addressed with GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10747596, filed 2015-08, 190,000 miles

   “Brake line burst while shifting from park to drive, resulting in loss of braking and slow speed crawl into garage door. On inspection, heavily corroded section of rear brake line underneath the drivers door on the inside of frame rail was split lengthwise and leaking large volume of brake fluid.”

   NHTSA complaint #10482304, filed 2012-10, 205,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or fluctuates

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the fuel gauge swinging between full and empty or staying stuck at one reading regardless of fuel in the tank, with the low-fuel light coming on at random. The usual diagnosis described is a faulty sending unit or fuel pump assembly. One complaint also describes a corroded fuel tank retaining strap. Reported from roughly 50,000 miles upward, with several cases around 50,000-60,000 miles.

   What to check: Fill the tank and watch whether the gauge settles at full, then note whether it tracks mileage over a few days. Ask whether the fuel pump or sending unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear strap that holds the gasoline tank in my vehicle broke due to corrosion of the strap. The tank stayed inplace until I could drive to the dealer to have it replaced. The dealer was not concerned and ordered the part and schedueld to replace it in a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143268, filed 2005-11, 95,600 miles

   “Fuel pump/sending unit faulty. Gauge does not read proper fuel levels. One minute while going down road you have a full tank next minute light comes on fuel gauge reads empty. Sometimes gauge will not read fuel in tank at all. I have come across other Gmc owners who have the same complaint. Guys at shop say it is common to replace the fuel pump/sending unit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10235887, filed 2008-07, 49,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Tailgate support cables corrode and break

   • 27 complaints (5%)
   • median 79,450 mi at 5.8 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2006

   Complaints describe the braided steel cables that hold the tailgate horizontal corroding and snapping, sometimes while someone is sitting or standing on the gate. Owners also note the cables cannot be bought separately and that a full latch assembly is required per side. Mostly reported from about 58,000 to 95,000 miles on trucks that have seen years of weather and use.

   Recall 06V066000

   What to check: Open the tailgate fully and inspect both cables for fraying, stiffness or rust, and ask whether they were replaced under the tailgate cable recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The taligate support cable on my 1999 Sierra pickup failed. Fortunately only the one on the driver side did. I was standing on it at the time but did not get hurt. The 1999 should be included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10086310, filed 2004-08, 79,400 miles

   “Corrosion in tailgate restraint straps caused failure while sitting on tailgate to unload sewing machine.minor injury to person. No damage to sewing machine.minor damage to tailgate.looking for replacement straps.(g.m.dealer insists straps cannot be purchased seperately.purchase of complete latch assembly required at 40 dollars per side).”

   NHTSA complaint #10067781, filed 2004-04, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Brakes deserve the most attention on this model year: check the steel lines for rust and test low-speed braking on the road, since both ABS behavior and line corrosion are common owner reports. Also confirm the ABS, brake line and tailgate cable recalls were completed for the specific vehicle, and verify the fuel gauge works through a full tank.

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.