During many occasions since I purchased the truck(new) ,the ABS system would activate as I am applying the brakes and the truck is almost stopped: loud shudder,the truck would keep rolling even after pressing hard on the brake pedal(at walking speed);it has been a rather scary experience all along as more than once ,I came close to hit other vehicles and my garage door and back wall.
1999 GMC Sierra: ABS light or ABS activating
175 of the 600 complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 175
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 54,016
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
This is the continuing story of the unsafe braking system on my 1999 gmc truck. On 7/15/14 as I went to stop at a red light my brake pedal began to slow the truck and then the pedal travel almost to the floor, the red warning light came on and I had to use the emergency brake to stop. I was very close to home and managed to slowly make it safely back where I discovered, for the third time, that my brake line had rusted through. I had lost a pint of fluid and later found the leaking brake line. This will be the third time I have had to change the rusty brake lines on my truck. I realize my vehicle is old, but this has been a recurring problem for at least ten years. My 1976 pontiac firebird still has it's original brake lines that show no signs of rust. My gmc brake lines are completely rusted. I have spent more than $5000 on repairing the brakes on this vehicle since purchasing it new in 1999. I have had more than five very close close calls with assorted brake failures with the rusty brake lines, faulty ABS sensors and defective wheel hubs. I am glad that I am writing this complaint and not my next of kin.
While driving my vehicle I was stopping and the brakes were shot. I had to push the pedal as hard as possible to the floor to get it to stop. Luckily I narrowly avoided an accident with the person in front of me. I took the truck to get looked at and the brake lines are leaking from the master cylinder to the ABS unit. They are extremely rusted and they need to be replaced. The estimate was over $1000.
Brake fluid leaking all over bottom of truck spraying out I took to a mechanic and had 1000 dollar brake line job done got truck back and ABS brakes worked like manual brakes had a sensor and 2 ball joints replaced im being ripped of from a gmc loyal customer I was I guess back to ford or toyota for my next new trucks I had warranty issues you cheap [xxx] wouldnt pay for a waterpump that was leaking only a 7 dollar gasket also had a transmission on my work van repair and then replaced after a month of run around. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While on an errand there seemed to be a sudden, extreme decrease in braking ability. We were still able to stop with brake to the floor if we allowed plenty of time to do so, however, it felt very unsafe to drive. Upon a mechanic's inspection it was determined that the group of brake lines from the ABS to master cylinder were completely rusted through and needed to be replaced. The total cost of repairs was $684.95.
Leaving work to go home hit the brakes to avoid a person running a stop sign. Peddle to the floor. Had my wife come pick me up. Ended up replacing all the lines from the ABS block forward. The truck had rocker panels replaced 3 years ago due to rust. That is cosmetic. Brake failure could be fatal. I looked under the truck and noticed an overly above average amount of rust. The frame is so bad it may not pass inspection next year. Please gm take care of us loyal (maybe not much longer) gmc owners.
I had unwanted ABS activity. Abs would come on when coming to a stop at low speeds. The federal safety agency did recall #05v379000. Work was done by dealer but problem persisted. The cost to repair was over $1,000. I pulled ABS fuse.
1999 gmc sierra. Consumer states that when the brakes were applied the pedal did not move causing the vehicle to hit a parked vehicle. Mechanic replaced the ABS control valve. *mc the consumer stated he took the vehicle to the dealership so the recall could be performed on dec 28, 2006, however he experienced a failure 1 month later. The consumer was informed that the front left sensor was damaged which was probably the cause of the control valve failure.
1999 gmc sierra pickup truck customer states that after getting car fixed due to a recall on brakes the next day the brakes stop working causing a accident**cc the recall was performed on dec 28, 2006 and on january 3, 2007 when the consumer applied the brakes, the pedal was extremely hard, the consumer was unable to stop the vehicle and consequently hit a parked vehicle. The next day the consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic who said the anti-lock brake valve had burned out. The mechanic stated there was damage to the front left sensor and wanted to know if anyone had been working on the ABS sensors recently. The mechanic stated that someone had pierced inside the sensor and damaged it, which was the probable cause of the control valve failure.
Abs control unit module activated while driving ,causing ABS valve to run continuously & burn up. Dealer stated that cause of failure was due to corrosion getting into module unit. Dealer replaced module,valve & bled brake system. Cost was $1090. Service manager stated that this was a recurring problem that gm knew about but no recall was issued to fix the problem at that time. According to the federal safety agency web site , gm has issued a recall for wheel sensors on this vehicle due to the same cause as the module failure; corrosion. The modules are located just below driver on the inside of the frame rail. How they expected to keep them from a corrosive environment ,I can't figure. It seems to me that if gm acknowledge a corrosion problem on one part of their ABS system that they should do the same on the entire system. I also can't understand how they choose certain states as being in the "salt belt". We use it here in kansas too.
Dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at any speed the rear wheels locked causing the vehicle to skid on wet or icy roads. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined the ABS pump needed to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The VIN was not included in the recall.
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engaged at 8mph and below. The stopping distance was increased as a result. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v379000, concerning the ABS. The vehicle has the same problem as indicated in the recall; however it is not included because of the VIN. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: anytime hydraulic brake pipes assembly need replacing, pre-formed and pre-flared...
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds (clean wheel speed sensor mounting surface)
- ABS light on, dtc's C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss of communication with brake module
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) light on, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCS) C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss...
- Supplement to 04094 front wheel speed sensor corrosion
- Product safety recall regarding front wheel speed sensor corrosion
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
- Risk
- This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V379000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
- Risk
- If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle. If contact occurs and the brake pipe becomes damaged, in half of the brake system there can be a loss of brake fluid and pressure. The brake warning lamp will be activated when the brake fluid level reaches the indicator limit.
- Risk
- During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not signs of wear on the brake pipe, the dealer will install a spacer clip to ensure sufficient clearance between the brake pipe and the body cross sill.
Recall number 00V345000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 GMC Sierra abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 1999 GMC Sierra?
175 of 600 owner complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra (29%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
How much does it cost to fix ABS light or ABS activating on the 1999 GMC Sierra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 40 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 GMC Sierra?
There are 3 recalls and 26 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 GMC Sierra
Brake failure 54Tire blowout 14Grinding brakes 10Fuel gauge 10Knocking 8Fuel pump 6Harsh shifting 6Headlights 6Jerking 6Seat belt 6Sudden acceleration 6No deployment 5Wipers 5
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