1999 GMC Yukon Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon at the same age

Owners have filed 231 complaints about the 1999 GMC Yukon with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.5× as many as a typical Yukon model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the brakes (125 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

231complaints
1recalls
20crashes
2fires
12injuries
0deaths

Most common 1999 GMC Yukon problems

  • Brakes~94,000 miles
    12554%
  • Steering~95,000 miles
    2210%
  • Wheels & tires~70,000 miles
    198%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~73,000 miles
    188%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~100,000 miles
    167%
  • Engine & cooling~84,000 miles
    167%
  • Electrical system~130,000 miles
    167%
  • Suspension~166,000 miles
    104%
  • Air bags
    73%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~78,000 miles
    73%
  • Body & structure~28,000 miles
    52%
  • Locks & latches~113,000 miles
    42%
  • A/C & heater~38,000 miles
    42%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    21%
  • Equipment & accessories~70,000 miles
    21%
  • Lights
    21%
  • Seat belts
    21%
  • Seats~75,000 miles
    21%
  • Other / not specified
    10%

Share of the 231 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

GMC Yukon complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’269070133802311842321872762681344854824514015825491146566022882087258373411852451065742
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Yukon. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Yukon years: 2014, 2020, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →

1999 GMC Yukon recalls (1)

Seat belts › Front › Webbing

NHTSA recall 00V-122 · Apr 27, 2000 · 279,132 vehicles

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 6 possible defects involving the 1999 GMC Yukon:

Brake line corrosion failure

NHTSA investigation PE10010 · opened Mar 30, 2010 · closed Jan 5, 2011

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…

Unwanted low-speed ABS activation

NHTSA investigation PE05020 · opened Apr 28, 2005 · closed Sep 13, 2005 · led to recall 05V-379

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…

Seat belt anchorage separation

NHTSA investigation PE01023 · opened Jul 17, 2001 · closed Dec 20, 2001

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

NHTSA investigation EA99011 · opened May 12, 1999 · closed Feb 27, 2001

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

NHTSA investigation EA02015 · opened Aug 1, 2002 · closed Jan 12, 2004

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…

Seat belt anchorage separation

NHTSA investigation EA01018 · opened Dec 20, 2001 · closed Dec 9, 2002

What 1999 GMC Yukon owners say

Brakes all 125 →

Tl* - the contact stated that while driving his 1999 GMC Yukon and coming to a stop he could hear the ABS engaged. While trying to stop the vehicle it continued to roll a few more feet. The contact stated that this happened everyday, and he tried to get the dealership to do something to fix the ABS. The ABS prevented him from coming to a complete stop. This failure caused a crash. The contact's vehicle struck another vehicle while trying to come to a complete stop. The impact was minor and little damage was done. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told to call the dealership. The contact called the dealership, and was advised that the vehicle was out of warranty, and he would be responsible for any diagnostics services. The contact was given a recall bulletin number from NHTSA # 05V379000, stating that dealership was to remove the wheel speed sensor. Updated 03/07/07

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · 12,000 miles · Dec 2006 · crash

Tl contact owns a 1999 GMC Yukon denali. On September 8, 2007, while attempting to stop at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to stop and rear ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. The front passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. When the brakes were applied at low speeds, the brake pedal extended to the floor and the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The failure was caused by a lack of braking pressure and corrosion build up in the antilock system. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) was referenced. The VIN, speed, and purchase date were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module · 140,000 miles · Sep 2007 · crash

Steering all 22 →

Had to stop in a hurry on the freeway and was going about 60 miles an hour and hit the brakes, I believe the ABS locked up and I fishtailed from the left to the right and back to the left again. Engine shutoff automatically and check engine light came on. This nearly caused a multi car collision with a possible bridge fly away as we were on a bridge at the time. Luckily through defensive driving was able to gain control of the vehicle and keep it from hitting anything or anyone, however now when turning right or left there is a squeak at every rotation when going slow. Also the vehicle slowly hesitates coming to a stop and ABS will sometimes start engaging causing near collisions.

184,000 miles · Jul 2013

Tl contact owns a 1999 GMC Yukon. On April 20, 2009, the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 MPH. There had been no prior failures with the transmission since purchasing the vehicle used in January of 2009. In addition, there were alignment issues that caused the tires to explode, tie rod failure, brake failure, and the fuel gauge displays the incorrect amount of fuel in the vehicle. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 5/27/09 the upper and lower ball joints, lower ball joints, idler arm, steering gear, rack and pinion were all replaced. Updated 06/02/09.

100,000 miles · Mar 2009

Wheels & tires

While getting a new set of tires on my 1999 GMC Yukon, 58000 miles, the lug nuts on the right front and left front wheels would not tighten. The mechanic was using a torque wrench to tighten the lugs. Four lugs on the left front and two lugs on the right front began to stress and to kneck down. I instructed the mechanic to cease and to remove the wheels from the vehicle. There was definite evidence of knecking and the lugs appeare to be very malleble. I had the lugs replaced with new lugs, and retained the lugs that were removed from the vehicle. I am a structural engineer and in my mid 60's. I have never seen the quantity of lugs from one wheel be so soft. I am the second owner of the vehicle and have been driving it since the last week of June, 2005. I believe the tires that I replaced were original equipment and this was the first time that they were off the vehicle. …

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs · 58,000 miles · Jul 2005

Vehicle was traveling at posted speed, when tire belt separated. Belt caught up in fender well and locked both rear wheels, causing vehicle to swerve left and roll several times. My wife and I are fortunate to be alive. Bf goodrich claims no responsibility, due to their inspection of the tire they noted a puncture. I wonder how many thousand of tires out there have a nail or foriegn object in them right now, that will cause the b.f.goodrich tire to fail and cause serious injury or death. It would be nice to be able to try and recover damages, but I can't afford an attorney, and of course bf goodrich takes no responsiblity. (dot number: ap70hk1145 tiresize: p245/75r16)

Tread/belt · Jun 2001 · crash · 2 injuries

1999 GMC Yukon engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
6.5L 8-cyl turbo diesel4-speed automatic4WD/AWD13 / 17 / 15
5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automaticRWD12 / 16 / 14
5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic4WD/AWD11 / 15 / 13
5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic2WD12 / 16 / 13

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1999 GMC Yukon a good car?

Based on 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Yukon rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Yukon at the same age. It is one of the Yukon 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 GMC Yukon?

The brakes — 125 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the steering (22) and wheels & tires (19).

How many recalls does the 1999 GMC Yukon have?

There is 1 recall for the 1999 GMC Yukon, 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 GMC Yukon?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2020 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2021, 2015, 2022 and 2024. See the full GMC Yukon years comparison.

At what mileage do 1999 GMC Yukon problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 8% 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.