Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 65 | 41% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 13% |
| Seats | 9 | 6% |
| Structure | 6 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 3% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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. Ligh
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I GOT UNDER THE TRUCK TO CHANGE THE OIL THEN I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FRAME WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER IS. CROSS MEMBER RUNS ACROSS FRAME SUPPORT
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD THAT WAS ROCKY AND BUMPY, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK A FEW MONTHS AGO. WITHIN A WEEK I HAD A CO WORKER POINT OUT THE BED WAS LEANING TOWARD THE CAB. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE GOT UNDER THE TRUCK TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. WE NOTICED ALOT OF RUST. I
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 PEDA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I HAVE A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500 Z71 WITH 107000 ON IT A FRAME CRACKED UNDER PASSENGERS DOOR AND AT REAR SHOCK MOUNT CALL GM TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER FOR A FRAME INSPECTION TOLD ME FRAME IS ROTTED NOTHING THEY WOULD
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 UNDERN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS MAY NOT MEET THE NECK EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRAY INSERT ON THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TRAY INSERT CORRECTS THE NONCOMPLIANCE.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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 CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M
Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 65 of them (41%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.