Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While driving my 99 Tahoe down a 4 lane road, a drunk had pulled out infront of me. I had slammed on my brakes and swerved to avoid him but still hit him pretty hard in his rear quarter panel. As a result of the accident, I had suffered a double hematoma to my brain and had brain surgery to stay alive. My complaint with my Tahoe is 1) my airbag in my steering wheel did not deploy. I think if it did, my injury would have been avoided. 2) I question the stopping ability if my anti dive front brakes. I was on the brakes hard with the vehicle nosing down but I think my stopping distance should have been shorter.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact was driving approximately 15 to 20 MPH on normal road conditions and unexpectedly, the opposing vehicle crashed into the front end of the vehicle which resulted in a head on collision. The police and ambulance were called to the scene. The contact sustained severe injuries. The air bag failed to deploy with the massive level of impact. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving 35 MPH, the contact had a head on collision with a light pole. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was inured and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and towed to the contact's residence. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure, but did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving 20 MPH, the passenger and driver side air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
This was a very heavy front end collision. The visual dammage est. Is 10,000 dollars and still rising they do not have the internal damage est. I called GM and filed a formal complaint. They told me that they were very busy and did not have time to investigate this failure. They also told me that this would cost the to much money to do an investigation. The rep from GM told me that they could tell if the wreck was bad enough by the description of the wreck over the phone with out even seeing the wreck. The dallas fire department, dallas police department, tow truck driver and huffines Chevrolet which is a certified Chevrolet body shop said that this was way to much damage to the front end and they should have went off. But coprorate GM said that it was not and they could tell that without seeing the vehicle. …
The vehecle was traveling approx 40 MPH when it hit black ice andm slide off the road and hit a big rock on the passenger side front. The passenger side front body and axle was pushed back approx 6 to 8". Niether air bag opened passenger or driver. The passenger my wife suffered a broken back. The vehecle was totaled by the insurance. One reason we bought the Chevrolet Tahoe was because of the duel air bag. I feel that the severity of the accident the air bags should have opened. I have taken pictures and state farm insurance is also investigating the accident for the failed air bags.
Consumer was traveling about 30mph on highway and without prior warning front wnt into shoulders of a steep hill. 45 degree angle, and vehicle hit a tree. Upon impact, dual bags didn't go off. Dealership was aware of problem.
While traveling at 45 MPH another vehicle pulled out in front of consumer's vehicle resulting in an accident. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy at any time. Also, ABS locked up. Please provide further information.
While driving down the road at 40 MPH another vehicle ran a stop sign, consumer hit other vehicle directly in the side of car. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer felt air bags should have deployed.
Airbag complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, 4% of the model year's 552 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, 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 Tahoe airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 184,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 19 injuries and 9 deaths to air bags 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.