Most common 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Share of the 552 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by model year
Best Tahoe years: 2020, 2014, 2018. Years to avoid: 2021, 2023, 2015, 2011, 2022. Compare all years →
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (1)
Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with the occupant protection requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Remedy: Dealers will install a tray insert on the top of the passenger side of the instrument panel. The tray insert corrects the noncompliance.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe:
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…
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Seat belt anchorage separation
Odi has received one (1) complaint alleging that the 2nd row passenger-side seat belt release buckle anchor detached from seat frame during a side impact crash.during the crash, the occupant was thrown from his seat, partially ejected through the rear quarter window of the vehicle.occupant sustained injury.GM has subsequently changed seat belt anchoring design in my 2000.
Erratic power steering assist while driv
The office of defect investigation (odi) has investigated allegations of power steering assist fluctuations in the subject vehicles.for details and a basis for the investigation conclusions, please see the closing report in the ea99-011 public file.odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend in the subject vehicle population.futher expenditure of agency resources on this subject does not appear to be…
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
What 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say
Brakes all 249 →
The contact's wife owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed, an abnormal, grinding noise began to emit from the brake pedal upon depression without warning. The contact had to pump the brake pedal as the pedal depressed to the floorboard before coming to a complete stop. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was a known issue with this model vehicle. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle might be under recall. The contact then called a local dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the brakes failed, causing an accident. Two occupants in the vehicle directly in front of the contact's vehicle were injured. That vehicle was totaled and the occupants were taken to the hospital by ambulance. There were no details about the injuries sustained. There was a total of five vehicles involved in the collision. The contact's vehicle sustained damage to the grill, bumper and both front fenders. The air bag deployed and the seatbelt was worn. The three other vehicles sustained minor damage, although no information was available. A police report was taken. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, but the vehicle was not part of NHTSA recall # 05V379000 for the service brakes: hydraulic: antilock. The manufacturer was notified.
Electrical system all 47 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the plastic under the ignition switch was melting without warning. The contact also stated that the wires began to melt. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.
My 1999 Tahoe caught on fire at the remote mirror switch in the driver door, burned all around the mirror switch, I was able to use a fire extinguisher and get the fire out. I noticed there was a recall for a specific problem with a mirror switch, but not with tahoes, just Chevrolet trucks, suburbans. GM refuses to accept any blame for this faulty switch, and insist it happened due to high miles. They want to pass the buck; however, I don't buy it. My Tahoe was manufactured in sept. 1998 and the other vehicles were 1997 - 1998 models. I think it could be possible that my Tahoe received one of the faulty mirror switches. I would like for it to be checked out more thoroughly. I would like to know how many other people have had a problem of this nature.
Steering all 46 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that his pitman arm was recently replaced and the clockspring was fractured and also needed to be replaced. The contact stated that since the pitman arm was replaced, the air bag warning indicator began to illuminate. The contact took the vehicle to maxie price Chevrolet atlanta (3600 us-78, loganville, ga 30052, [phone]) and nash Chevrolet (630 scenic hwy s, lawrenceville, ga 30046, [phone]) and was informed that the parts to replace the clockspring were no longer manufactured. The contact's only option was to find a junk yard that May carry the replacement parts. The manufacturer was not notified and the air bag indicator continued to illuminate. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 191,000.
My 1999 Chevy Tahoe been giving me problems with the steering wheel snatching the wheel to one side of the road I have liked to wrecked twice because of this I had my tires changed thought it was that had the truck lined up still doing it I think this is a very important safety issue that needs to addressed before sombody gets hurt when the truck snatches it pulls like it out of limit bad but then go's back to its self I noticed it mostly does it in a turn around a curve while on the highway
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5L 8-cyl turbo diesel | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 2WD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe a good car?
Based on 552 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Tahoe rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tahoe at the same age. It is one of the Tahoe years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The brakes — 249 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the electrical system (47) and steering (46).
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, the most recent from April 27, 2000 (webbing). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Tahoe?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2022. See the full Chevrolet Tahoe years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.