NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 158 owner complaints for the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (70) and service brakes (30). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.
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 MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
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 AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED AND WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2 DAMAGED LINESWITH UNION WERE REPAIRED. ALL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 1/15/2014 *JS”
“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! Who verified there were no leaks in the brake lines, replaced one line that had been known to have issues on this type of truck and verified there were no air bubbles on the lines. Still same issue, then replaced the computer system for the ABS. No codes ever came up on the computer system that I can recall. Had more issues with the ABS. Would go to stop, (generally on a hill)…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE LATCH THAT HELD THE DRIVER SEAT IN PLACE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,316.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 1500 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,600 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (70), service brakes (30), seats (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).