1999 Chevrolet Suburban Problems: 7 Known Issues

1999 Chevrolet Suburban Problems: 7 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls17 recalls

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Campaign #05V10300018/03/2005

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Campaign #06E04300019/05/2006

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Campaign #05V05500014/02/2005

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Campaign #21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Campaign #21V05200005/02/2021

+ 12 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Suburban problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Loss of 3rd & 4th, 5.7L Vortec CSFI 'Spider' Poppet Injector Failure, Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

The 1999 Chevrolet Suburban has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Loss of 3rd & 4th. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Suburban problems?

Repair costs for known Chevrolet Suburban issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Loss of 3rd & 4th, typically costs $1,500-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1994-2006 Chevrolet Suburban 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Loss of 3rd & 4th?

The 4L60E automatic behind the half-ton Suburban is notorious for burning up the 3-4 clutch pack. The 3-4 apply circuit is long and loses pressure as valve-body bores wear, so the clutches overheat and glaze. Symptoms are slipping in 3rd/4th, a jump from 2nd straight to 4th, or a… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1996-2000 Chevrolet Suburban 5.7L Vortec CSFI 'Spider' Poppet Injector Failure?

GMT400-era Vortec V8s use a Central Sequential Fuel Injection (CSFI) 'spider' assembly with poppet-valve nozzles inside the intake. The poppet valves clog with carbon or the nozzle seats fail, so they leak/dribble fuel instead of atomizing. This causes hard starting, misfires, ro… Repairs typically run $350-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 1999-2006 Chevrolet Suburban Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure?

The in-tank fuel level sending unit reads incorrectly on these Suburbans - the gauge sticks, bounces, reads full or empty regardless of actual level, or drops to E with a low-fuel light on a full tank. The failure is the sensor card/wiper: aggressive sulfur and ethanol in modern… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: medium.

What is the 1999-2007 Chevrolet Suburban Exhaust Manifold Bolt Breakage / Cold-Start Tick?

The exhaust manifold retaining bolts fatigue and snap from repeated heat-cycling on the Vortec V8s. As clamp load is lost the manifold-to-head seal leaks, producing a ticking/chuffing 'exhaust leak' noise that is loudest on cold start and quiets as the metal expands and warms. Ow… Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 1994-2007 Chevrolet Suburban Front Wheel Hub Bearing Failure (ABS Light)?

The sealed front wheel bearing/hub assemblies on 4WD Suburbans wear out and are a top high-mileage complaint. Because the ABS wheel-speed sensor is integrated into the hub, a failing bearing (or a failed sensor) commonly triggers the ABS and traction/StabiliTrak warning lights al… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: medium.

What is the 1999-2007 Chevrolet Suburban HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure (Clicking Dash)?

The plastic gears inside the HVAC blend/mode door actuators strip out, so the door can't move. The classic symptom is a repetitive clicking or tapping from behind the dash (near the glovebox/center) when starting the truck or changing temperature, plus one side blowing hot while… Repairs typically run $80-$250. Severity: low.

What is the 1999-2004 Chevrolet Suburban Vortec V8 Cold-Start Piston Slap?

Early GMT800 Vortec V8s are known for cold-start 'piston slap' - a brief knock/rattle for the first several seconds to a minute after a cold start that fades as the engine warms. The early LS-series pistons had short skirts and extra bore clearance, so the piston rocks in the cyl… Repairs typically run $0-$300. Severity: low.

All 7 Known Issues

1994-2006 Chevrolet Suburban: 4L60E Transmission 3-4 Clutch Failure / Loss of 3rd & 4th#

1996-2000 Chevrolet Suburban: 5.7L Vortec CSFI 'Spider' Poppet Injector Failure#

1999-2006 Chevrolet Suburban: Erratic Fuel Gauge / Fuel Level Sensor Failure#

1999-2007 Chevrolet Suburban: Exhaust Manifold Bolt Breakage / Cold-Start Tick#

1994-2007 Chevrolet Suburban: Front Wheel Hub Bearing Failure (ABS Light)#

1999-2007 Chevrolet Suburban: HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure (Clicking Dash)#

1999-2004 Chevrolet Suburban: Vortec V8 Cold-Start Piston Slap#

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