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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, the technician informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. In addition, the technician stated that the pass code sensor needed to be replaced every two years. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the security warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that it might have been the pass key that failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
My 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe intermittently fails to start. The engine cranks and then dies. It will do this, then I will let it sit for a while (45 min. To several hours) and I'll go back out and it will start right up. Mechanics have told me there's nothing that can be done until it does it consistently. On 8/19/04, I tried to start it @ 7:45 a.m. It took me until 8:25 a.m. To start it, after which I drove to work (late). I went back out to leave the office @ 10:30 a.m. - no start. Had it towed to dealership - started right up. According to the BCM, a code of dtc1626 showed up, which indicates something like the theft deterrent system is preventing the fuel enable signal from being received. The dealership soldered the wiring connections on the theft deterrent harness (previously, connections were crimped), which they said had helped several other Tahoe owners. …
I purchased my 1999 Chevy Tahoe in 2004 with 87,000 miles from original owner. I received all maintenance records from original owner, as well as original dealership price/option sticker. I noticed once over 100,000 miles there was an electrical malfunction or problem, like a power surge anytime the power window buttons are depressed and when I accelerate, there is a surge and when truck slows down or is in park, there is n surge. There is sudden energy! There is also a problem with the dashboard/radio and switch buttons below lights working. They have failed! Electrical problems can cause fires and I have noticed it is not my Tahoe only with the same existing electrical problems, as I have been looking for a second vehicle, as I have my kids both of driving age and my 1999 Tahoe ls is my only vehicle. I feel safe on the road in my Tahoe. …
I have owned a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe for a little over 2 years. On at least 6 occasions, the vehicle won't crank up. The engine doesn't even turn over as if to crank, but if you wait 1 to 12 hours, it will crank right up. The engine decides how long it will take to reset itself and allow us to crank it. We asked a friend who is a Chevrolet mechanic about the possible cause of this problem. He said that it was a common problem with tahoes of that year. He said that the vehicle alarm system thinks that it has been broken into, and tries to protect itself from theft and won't crank. On none of the occasions that it has disabled itself have we had the alarm system disrupted. Our mechanic friend says he has seen it several times, but the Chevrolet company says that they never heard of this problem. It costs several hundred dollars to fix the problem, therefore I live with it every day. …
1999 Chevrolet 4x4 2 door Tahoe, corrosion and shorting of pin connections in high/low beam headlight dimmer switch. On going problem for 3 mo. Of headlight failure when operating at night. Found switch on steering assembly to have corrosion and indication of wires overheating due to excess heat. Turned on headlights and move connector wires at switch, headlights failed. Headlights also fail when steering column is tilted. Problem is due to poor contact of pin connections at switch due to corrotion in connection possible poor construction of connector. Arcing can be heard when connection on switch is moved. This is a very well maintained vehicle driven by my wife. I am a federal government employee with 30 years experince in automotive and equipment inspection, repair and rebuild with extensive knowledge in diognostics and use of tmde.
Suspected defective ignition switch and/or ignition switch passlock security on or about jan 17 2014 I was traveling about 30 MPH when the engine stalled with loss of power steering and brakes. I was able to stop without incident. After 10-15 minutes I was able to restart the vehicle and drive as normal. For several years after driving the ignition key was warm or hot when removed from the switch. In early 2013 the engine would occasionally stall immediately after starting but would restart after waiting 5 to 10 minutes. On jan 14 when at a gas station the engine stalled but I was able to move the car to the curb. After 10-15 minutes I was able to restart and drive normal. * passlock ignition security feature is widely reported to be a cause of these symptoms.
Went to visit inlaws in Canada for chrismas, arrived late at nite. Got up in the morning truck will not start, local mechanic diagnosed it as the anti-theft system,{ passlock } he got it running and said I need to go to the nearest dealer to get it reprogrammed be fore it happens again. Next morning was going to dealer it would not start again. Three days latter it finally started. Dealer charged $330 to reprogram {passlock} two days latter when I was going home it would not start again. I haven't got it running yet. Was supposed to be back to work in texas three days latter. I got fired , and I'm still stuck in Canada and broke now. Thank you Chevrolet!!
Electrical complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, 9% of the model year's 552 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 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.