Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering and power braking functionality. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the security system that controlled the fuel pump and fuel injectors had been activated. The contact pulled off the highway and could not restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a service station where he inspected the vehicle and became aware that the distributor had disintegrated causing the vehicle to lose motive power and stall. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact recently had a mobile mechanic install an aftermarket distributor cap and rotor from an auto parts dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 MPH, a small amount of black smoke emanated from under the hood, accompanied by the smell of gasoline coming through the air vents inside the cab. The contact exited the vehicle, and noticed that there were flames coming from under the engine compartment. A police and fire report were taken. The fire department was unable to determine the cause of the fire. There was damage to property inside the vehicle, and the vehicle itself was considered a total loss.
I purchased a 1999 Chevy Suburban in 2004. While leaving my driveway im May of 2005 I smelled something burning. I looked down and the mirror control switch was on fire. I was able to pull the panel off the door and get the switch out. It melted the switch and the wire harness inside the door. I'm just glad my wife wasn't driving.
I was unloading items and pushed the hazard light button on the steering column. That's when the entire electrical system of the vehicle went haywire. The engine began making a loud clicking sound, the gauges went out of control, the stereo read out began flipping through numbers and since this incident the driving lights that should come on when vehicle is started they flicker and at times go out. The entire situation has occurred now four times since 09/10/05. I just bought the vehicle 07/01/05 and from what the records show on the vehicle I am the second owner. This incident has occurred twice while driving in traffic to where the entire vehicle including the engine shuts down. So far I have avoided a serious collision from the defects of your vehicle; however, this could be the result of a very serious injury accident or even a fatal accident. …
We bought the used vehicle jan.04 from dealer, day we picked it up battery dead next morning, not known at time was because dome lights were flicking on off in the middle of the night. First electrical problem was when driving at night as soon as turn on headlights, all interior lights would blow, no dash lights, no tail lights etc. We paid over 200 to have that fixed(shortage in park light behind grill replaced) still having numerous problems with interior dome light flickering on and off whenever to the point we have to take out the fuse when parked so they don't come on and drain battery. Dealers service dept. Can't find problem, taken in numerous times and pay for labor to find nothing.. ABS brakes are kicking in when you try to stop at the stop sign, numerous times I have almost rear ended someone due to not being able to stop. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact noticed that her windshield wipers would turn on and off automatically after she manually activated the wipers. The wipers would stop moving, but she could hear the windshield motor still running. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. A friend of the contact, who is also a mechanic, stated that the circuit board was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 03V159000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer) because of the model year. The current mileage was 215,638 and failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that debris from the vehicle was on the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic advised that the starter and the fly wheel would have to be replaced because the motor housing exhibited cracks that the starter bolts mounted into. The failure recurred and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000. Updated 02/12/13
Consumer applied brakes at 15 MPH and pedal went to floor, brake light on dash came on, and hit vehicle in front. Dealer said no brake pad was left on brake. Then, brake pads wore down to half. Vehicle still at dealer. The brake failed completely resulting in accident. The consumer indicated that the manufacturer was aware of brake problem and has changed braking system for 2000 and 2001 models, but made no recall of this vehicle. The battery failed twice.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start whenever the anti-theft security system failed. The dealer replaced the pass lock module, but the failure continued. The contact stated that whenever the security light illuminated, the vehicle would not start for approximately three hours. The failure occurred intermittently. The failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 126,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the security indicator light illuminated intermittently and causes the vehicle not to start. When this failure occurred the vehicle had to be towed. The dealer replaced the ignition cylinder , and the driver's side door lock, but the failure persisted. The contact has the repair invoice. The current mileage is 120,000, and failure mileage was 40,000.
Electrical complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 9% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.