Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. Whenever the vehicle is at a stop, the RPM's decrease and the vehicle shuts off. When accelerating up a hill or slope, the vehicle begins to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. In addition, whenever the contact activates the seat heater on the front passenger seat it begins to burn through the leather on the seat. The contact was slightly burned on his right leg. The vehicle has not been to the dealer for this failure. He did not notice any differences beforehand. The speed was not a factor. The current mileage was 120,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
I own a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban k1500 with a 6.5l turbo diesel engine. I recently went through numerous instances where the engine shut off immediately as if the ignition were shut off. Several instances were not life threatening as they occurred in parking lots or not when in traffic. Several instances were more dramatic. When merging into city and highway traffic, I was suddenly left with no steering or brakes as the engine had died. This is a large heavy vehicle and does not respond well without power input from those components. Luckily none of the instances resulted in a accident. I now have a newborn son and always have a concern with him in the vehicle that another shut down could occur at any point. The vehicle was brought to the dealer and the injection pump was replaced. …
Vehicle is a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban k2500 with GM 6.5 liter turbo-diesel engine. The vehicle stalled in interstate traffic (I-270) multiple times on October 21, 2003. I called the dealer, and was informed that the likely cause was the electronic fuel injection pump, which GM has warranted for 10 years or 120,000 miles. The dealer thereafter replaced the injection pump under warranty. While I am pleased that the part was replaced at no cost to me, I believe that this represents an unacceptable defect. GM is obviously aware that the part is defective, or it would not have agreed to replace it for free after the rest of the vehicle warranty had expired. In this case, there was no harm, but these engine are often used in trucks and large suvs that are designed for towing and hauling. For example, we purchased this vehicle to tow a horse trailer that is weighs over 5000 lbs. …
I was driving and my vehicle (1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2wd) made a loud noise and vibrated for a few seconds, my check engine light came on and my vehicle would not shift into second gear until I let off the accelerator. I took my car to an automotive shop where the hooked up a machine to see why the check engine light had come on. The machine told them it was my transmission shift silenoid. When I went to leave in my vehicle from the automotive shop it would not go into reverse. I then had to take it to a transmission shop have an expensive complete transmission overhaul on a vehicle with only 97,000 mi. I shopped around at several transmission shops and was told this was very common in Chevy/GMC Suburban's and trucks made from 1997-2000. If this is the case, why isn't GM recalling the vehicles for repairs?
1999 Chevrolet Suburban. As of 4/28/04 with only 47K miles, A/C compressor defective & dealer will not replace in spite of several attempts to repair before warranty expired, as soon as 3 months after purchase in October of 2002. Replaced brakes 3 times at our expense. Dealer (bob neill Pontiac in winston-salem, nc refused to repair under warranty), steering problems, attempted repair, again at our expense. Replaced door locks and window mechanism's at our cost. Total piece of junk. Will never buy from bob neill Pontiac in winston-salem, nc again & will never buy another GM product. Just bought entire fleet (6 trucks) from Chevy. Dealer n kernersville, nc). Waiting with baited breath for the entire lot to break down. Completely disgusted with GM.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH uphill, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The brake pedal was applied with force repeatedly without any response from the vehicle. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the master cylinder was fractured and caused the brake lines to burst. In addition, the radiator would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not serviced because the required equipment was not available to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Purchased 1999 Chevrolet Suburban in January 2004. Also purchased warranty, vehicle started to use anitfreeze, returned vehicle to dealership in May 2004 diagnosis intake manifold gasket leaking. Dealership replaced gaskets vehicle started to use antifreeze again. Again we took it back to the dealership November 1, 2004. Service deparment contacted me on November 2, 2004 diagnosis: leaking intake manifold gasket again. We purchased what we thought would be reliable transportation, obviously we were mistaken. If we cannot get to work we cannot make the payents. Im disgusted.
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
Shortly after purchase, right before getting to a stop light and on wet pavement, the brake pedal felt as though it was pushing back. The brake and front end of the car was shaking. More frequently it would occur while towing a trailer. Which resulted in extended stopping distance. The os oxygen sensor, battery and rotors were replaced.
The consumer noticed oil on the ground in the driveway. The consumer believed a fire could have started from the oil leak. The consumer also smelled smoke and noticed oil stains on the exhaust pipe.
Engine complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 6% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.