Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of Police Officers. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that fuel was leaking onto the ground and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred two more times while driving. The vehicle was then towed to the independent mechanic, who replaced the fuel pump two more times. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 06E043000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was bouncing while sitting in the seats and while driving. …
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.
Lost the upper a arm cam bolt and nut assembly on the drivers upper a arm. This caused a loss of steering control and nearly resulted in an accident while I was driving on a dirt road near knox, nd. The vehicle was towed in by Chevrolet to a dealer in rugby, nd. Where the bolt assembly was repaired and secondary damage to front end components were replaced.
When trying to stop, the ABS would engage at low speeds, causing the vehicle to take longer to stop, and almost caused several rear-end accidents. Ths LED to a replacement of the front bearings and hubs because of rust damage, at a cost of $1389.67.
Consumer's wife was driving and she was unable to steer vehicle. Vehicle wandered from one lane to another lane, and then crashed into a tree. Driver and passenger sustained serious injuries.
Consumer has several problems with vehicle: front end pulls to the right and left while driving, there are front end alignment problems, it has been aligned, however still pulls to the right and left. Engine is burning antifreeze, when checked shortly after vehicle was serviced the oil was down 2 quarts, vapor recovery tank was empty, antifreeze/water level in antifreeze in radiator was down 1 quart, head gaskets leaking antifreeze into the combustion chamber and burning the antifreeze, check engine light illuminated, coolant level in radiator dropped once the engine was started, there was a minute amount of exhaust gases coming out of the filler neck of the radiator and the water level slowly dropped in the radiator. …
When brakes are applied front pulls to left, and sometimes to right. This also happens when a bump in road is hit. Dealer has worked on this vehicle a number of times, but problem has not been solved. Consumer also complains of soft pedal, steering wheel also pulsates when braking, dealer has switched rotors from side to side, replaced out of round rotors, replaced front brake pads twice, and resurfaced rotors and drums, dealer rotated tires and vehicle still pulled. Steering wheel found off center. Center seat recliner handle broke, dealer replaced handle. Vehicle experienced oil leak. Driver door power switch loose in door. Reverse low planetary gear was broken causing a grinding noise at low gear, valve body and gear were scored due to metal in transmission. Air pump replaced due to being very noisy.
Steering is erratic. Vhicle bounds about as it travel and wanders excessively on the highway driver must fight the wheelandwill unexpectedly pull or veer to the left or right when this occurs, the steering sensor has been repleace 5 or 6 times ,bearings 4 gear box 3 adjust bearing 1 total times to machanic cevrolet 9 times same problem and today again same steering this will be io times dates.4/29/99 5/17/99 7/10/00 9/7/00 2/11/02 5/12/02 5/24/02 5/27/02 5/29/02 5/30/02 something must to be done it is very dangerous it is not safety we have almost hit cars ,cement barrier or this problem will stop un till the truck kill my family and more innocet people please provide any further information .it is outrageous that these problems are occurring on a new vhicle .
We purchased the vechicle used from the dealer listed. Vehicle has been in for brake problems when wheels are wet they shutter and lock up. The battery cracked and leaked all over the battery tray and brake lines and other frame componets. The rear door dome light switch shorted out. The front end has been aligned several times for the wheels pulling to the left. The A/C air barly comes out of the front dash vents. The rear end is positive traction and when making a turn it makes a popiing noise.
Steering is very erratic.the truck bounds about the highway in an erratic and unpredictable manner.we feel quite unsafe.I returned it twice to the dealer,and complained.it pulled right,then left.I thought it was out of alignment.dealer claimed to have checked alignment,rotated tires,found a sticking brake caliper and so forth.the problems persist.sure wish you would help getting the problem corrected.thanks.
Suspension complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 5% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is front (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to suspension 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.