Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ABS Brakes cut out leaving you with little to no brakes. No warning light appears. This continues on and off over time. Then that ABS warning light came on. When the warning light was on, brakes worked just not ABS. Light would go out and back to the original issue. Took it in to dealership when the light remained on. They reset the light and told me every thing was fine. And charged me $$$. ABS Brake warning light can right back on. Had the manager drive it. Told me it was fine, brakes worked well. The ABS warning would go in and out. Removed the ABS fuse, so I could depend on being able to stop, without having to worry about the ABS cutting in and out for a few years. Watched for recalls, nothing appeared. Noticed on blogs, others were having the same issue. Took it to a great mechanic! …
I am the original owner of a 1999 GMC Sierra that just had brake line failure on 7/14/16 on the interstate that caused an acccident. I had complete loss of brakes, pedal to the floor. I used low gear and park brake to minimize damage but still made contact. It is currently at patriot Buick GMC in williamsburg va for repair where I bought it new. I feel me having to pay $1000+ for the brake line repair and now a court date and insurance issues that are not my fault. We need to discuss GMC making some restitution as there is no rust anywhere else and this truck has only been in va. I have other GM cars from the 60's, 70s and 2000s that have no rust issue. Fuel line was leaking as well and some needed replacment.GM service request 8-2250924255 I also had the ps rear brake rotor shield come off and scrape moving parts last year. Turned itnto dealership as a problem. …
Brake line failer do to poor routing from factory and substandard material used on OEM lines (bare steel) . Always replace OEM lines with powder coated aftermarket or stainless "only" inspect "all lines & hardware & clips to frame ect for corrosion". Brake failer occured while towing another auto with trailer attached no warning.
While driving on public 4 lane highway and coming to a yellow light I applied the brake pedal and the pedal instantly went to the floor. I tried to pump the pedal in a panic and still had no effect on stopping the truck. I downshifted in to 1st gear manually to use engine braking and slammed my emergency to the floor. The truck was unable to complete the stop in which in had more than 300 ft to do so and I preceded through what had become a red light. This incident happened very late at night so thankfully there were no other vehicle going through the intersection. I had a friend escort me the mile left to my house via his truck and tow strap and my emergency brake as my only brake not to hit the back of his truck. Now upon visual inspection of all my brake and fuel lines they are completely rusted at multiple spots throughout the frame channel and rear axle area. …
When coming to a stoplight, I apply the brakes and the pedal goes down more than it should, but I get stopped. While holding the brake and waiting for the light to change the brake pedal goes slowly to the floor. Next, I pull into a parking lot and get stopped. I put the truck in park an look under the hood at the brake master cylinder, no fluid leaks, then I c look at each wheel, no fluid leaks. I get turned around and head home because I know something is wrong. Driving home the brake pedal is soft. I'm soon home and I park the truck but with the motor still running, I slowly depress the brake pedal, it goes slowly to the floor, next time I depress the brake pedal it goes to the floor in a split second. I get out and inspect under the truck. I see brake fluid leaking from the lines running down the frame right under the drivers door.
I was driving home from work on 421 in eminence, ky. I pushed the brake pedal & I had no brakes right in front of harry hill park. GM & I are very lucky that no one was killed yesterday. The brake line corroded & leaked the brake fluid, so when I pushed the pedal, it went right to the floor. The vehicle is pretty clean & after checking many blogs & youtube videos this is a very common problem on GM trucks. I checked the recalls on this truck & the tailgate cable is recalled for breaking under load due to corrosion; this could injure somebody, but not as vital compared to the braking system as someone could die in a horrible incident. I would greatly appreciate your attention to this serious matter. Thank you
Tl contact owns a 1999 GMC Sierra 1500. While pulling into a parking garage at 5 MPH, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The contact crashed into a wall. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and the mechanic stated that the ABS failed and disabled the brakes. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to have the failure verified. The manufacturer informed the contact that his insurance company would need to file a claim and a GM inspector should be available within several days. The dealer information was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 118,085. Updated 12-31-07. The consumer believed the ABS module was defective.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor when the pedal was depressed. The vehicle came to a stop and the contact noticed fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to quality Chevrolet (1292 route 9 south old bridge, nj, 08857; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake line exploded and areas of the braking system were rusted, which caused the braking system to fail. The vehicle's braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 216,000.
Suburban is extremely difficult to stop or will not stop at stop signs. Pedal goes to the floor for emergency stops on highway and going down hills. Brake pedal is very soft. ABS system activates at slow speeds and/or May pull vehicle very hard to the left. NHTSA recall issued for this problem only in certain northern states but not in washington state where we have high corrosion from natural ocean air and extreme winter mountain driving with deicers. Though brakes have been repeatedly serviced since new this safety problem persists and is getting worse.
While operating the vehicle at approximately 45 MPH, I was approaching an intersection when I applied the brakes to slow the vehicle. One of the rear brake lines bursted causing me to have to abruptly pump the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Very dangerous situation as a marked sheriff's vehicle with its emergency lights and siren activated was traveling at a high rate of speed on the intersecting highway that I was approaching. This is a known and prevalent problem that exists with GM trucks and GM is well aware of the issue but denies faulty parts.
NHTSA investigations
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake…
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
Brake complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, 65% of the model year's 158 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, 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 GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.