Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 GMC Yukon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
The steering wheel started jerking uncontrollably. The steering wheel would release and move back and forth on its own. The consumer was able to maintain control, and drove the vehicle to a local dealer. The mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated, and the vehicle was operating as designed. The steering position sensor was replaced.
Steering has become erratic. When turning, the ratio of wheel turn to steering wheel movement varies, increasing greatly at approx. "2 o'clock" to the right thus causing the vehicle to veer unexpectedly in the direction of the initial turn. Now it is happening while turning left also but always happens to the right.
Purchased a vehicle from dealer and steering was never fixed. Then purchased a extended warranty ,and it was never honored! I exit the warranty ,and was not send money back. The company made excuses, and didn't respond after repeated request and letters.
While driving at any speed, there was a twitching feeling in the steering column. Dealer examined the vehicle, and replaced the power steering gear box. Three months later the same symptoms were present again.
(1) steering will bind randomly. (2) when you turn past the binding point the steering wheel moves unrestricted too far into a turn, causing the truck to swerve all over the road. (3) dealer cannot find a problem!
Unintended power assist to the right occurs when either turning left or going straight. Occurs at various speeds.---- dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis-----------------769741.
We have a 1999 GMC Yukon and have had problems with the front end. We have spent numerous amounts of money on the front end and alignment searching for the cause of erratic steering. When least expected, the sterring wheel will jerk either right or left and it is frightening. We have now developed an occassional but extreme shimmy effect that results is pulling off the road and starting over to get the vehicle under control. So far all service was geared towards front end but it has come to our attention that the steering May in fact be the problem. We found no recalls applied to this but I did locate the NHTSA investigation regarding this. To be able to apply a certain incident date..no I cannot. It has been on-going since we bought the vehicle used in 2003. There has been no injury or death..praise god..but we are concerned every time we drive it. …
While driving about any speed vehicle will stall and lose electrical power and power steering. Had taken vehicle to a technician. Technician told consumer that cause May had been with fuel injector sticking, and had happened four times, just like safety bulletin g99066b, May 2000.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Steering complaints in other Yukon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 GMC Yukon?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 1999 GMC Yukon, 10% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 GMC Yukon steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1999 GMC Yukon, 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 Yukon steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.