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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

1999 GMC Sierra 2500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (13) and service brakes (9). The EPA rates it 12–15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2007
Owner complaints
36
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Oct 24, 2007NHTSA 07E088000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2000 – Dec 2017
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  2. Service brakes9
  3. Suspension3
  4. Tires3
  5. Exterior lighting2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline2
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Steering2
  9. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sierra 2500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199936
201932
202079
202152
202245
202333
2024108
202528
202612
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

13 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 GMC C2500 PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V345000 (SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2013Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakesODI 10509419

Service brakes

9 reports
“2 YEARS AGO I HAD ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF FAILURE DUE TO RUST AT A COST OF $1000.00 I BELIEVE THE CAUSE WAS POOR METAL IN THE BRAKE LINES AND THE WAY THE LINES ARE ATTACHED TO THE BODY & FRAME HELP TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2017Service brakesODI 11052369

Suspension

3 reports
“I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOAD CLUNK. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE BANGING AND FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE HAD RUSTED SO BAD IT BROKE IN HALF. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2013Suspension, StructureODI 10512624
All 1999 Sierra 2500 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sierra 2500 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Sierra 2500 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111512$5,350741
  • Sierra 2500 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sierra 2500 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $5,350/yr
    12
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Sierra 2500 questions

How many recalls does the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.

What are the most common 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (13), service brakes (9), suspension (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 at 12–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026