Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH downhill, the steering wheel seized, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to slow the vehicle. The vehicle reached speeds of between 95-100 MPH before crashing into a building with an aluminum structure. The crash was on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained laceration over the right eye which required several stitches. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed regal Dodge located at 1223 blue valley dr, pen argyl, pa 18072, [phone], where it was scheduled to be diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
Brakes failed due to corroded brake lines. Appears that rear lines failed but neither front or rear brakes worked during incident. Brake lines are very rusty whereas there is almost no rust on other components.
While pulling out on to the main street from a residential housing area, both lanes clear of on coming traffic..dry/sunny day.....12 noon Saturday....as I pulled out I saw 60 yards ahead traffic in my lane was stopped for a vehicle 3-4 cars ahead of me making a left hand turn. My speed was under 25 MPH and when I went to apply the brakes my 1999 Suburban 2wd would not stop. I applied my brakes well in advance of the stopped vehicles, but my Suburban continued to move forward with little or not stoppage. I tried to ditch the vehicle to the right but could not due to a telephone pole, road side cemetery and trees. At the time I saw the on coming left lane did not have vehicles coming so I pulled out into that lane. I passed 2 or 3 of the vehicle in my lane before a vehicle traveling in the left lane towards me came. I tried to steer the Suburban to the left into the ditch. …
In November of 2003 I was traveling slowly in stop and go traffic on i66 outside washington dc. The roadway was dry. I allowed a couple of car lengths to stop if needed. The cherokee in front of me stopped quickly so I braked aggresively even though we were traveling at less than 15 MPH. My brake pedal shot back up from the floor and when I re-applied it, the ABS pulsing began and the vehicle refused to stop. My vehicle rolled into the rear of the cherokee despite my full pressure on the brake pedal and what should have been plenty of stopping distance for the speed.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10mph and below, the ABS engaged and the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle hit a dumpster, but only received minor damage to the vehicle's bumper. The incident happened on private property, therefore no police were called. The vehicle's ABS system was replaced and cleaned on four prior occasions, but still has the same problem. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V379000, concerning the ABS. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
When parking the Suburban, the brakes pushed through, the ABS came on and they would not stop the car. We hit a cement light post, causing damage to the front bumper and the front of the vehicle amounting to over $1,000.00. Took the Suburban to have the ABS brakes checked and corrected. Was corrected and the same problem is occurring. Anytime we are traveling at a slow speed and try to stop or are stopping at red lights, stop signs, going down a hill, the ABS brakes come on and the vehicle is very difficult to stop.
Dt: the contact states the ABS activated at low speeds. The stopping distance for the vehicle was longer because of the ABS activation. This has been occurring for approximately a year. The vehicle has been to a local mechanic but no corrections have been made at this time. This happened every time the vehicle was driven. Updated 10/17/2006 - the ABS activated while the consumer was pulling into driveway of home. This resulted in the vehicle crashing into the home's garage door.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at approximately 63 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. In addition, the contact stated the brake calibers seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 10mph on dry asphalt, the ABS activated and the brakes pulsated quickly and roughly. The stopping distance was subsequently increased. The vehicle was taken in for service I was notified there is no recall. There is a NHTSA recall # 05V379000 pertaining to the hydraulic antilock brakes. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the low speed ABS modulator activated when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,…
Brake complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 246 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 39% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (147 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Suburban brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.