While pulling out of my driveway I experienced complete brake failure. Looked under truck and brake fluid was everywhere and the brake lines were severely rusted and had busted. Looked it up and this appears to be a common problem with this model truck but there has never been a recall?! This issue needs to be addressed with gm.
1999 GMC Sierra: brake failure
54 of the 600 complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra describe brake failure.
- owner complaints
- 54
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 84,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Brake failure by model year
What owners say
I was driving and went to apply brakes for the stop sign ahead, and I had no brakes. Once I had the truck home I parked it. I determined that the brake lines had rusted through by having a piece of cardboard under the truck to locate the leaking brake fluid. I'm so lucky that I didn't have a camper on the truck and had gone on vacation to colorado, as I intended this to be my recreational vehicle for this purpose. I am haunted by the possible scenarios and crashes that could have occurred to me and my family. Wife, son, and two daughters. This needs to be addressed before other human beings end up seriously injured, traumatized, or death being very highly likely. So I have a near new truck sitting in the yard for nearly the past five years. My attempt to install after-market brake lines has been a failure. Gm should be responsible for this catastrophic failure. I know as time goes by other brake lines on these models will rust and fail. I will be here as a witness, and so will the truck as I have refused offers to sell it.
Driving down hill, approx speed of 45 MPH, went to apply brakes when did heard pop noise and brake pedal went to the floor with no stopping. Pumped on brakes and geared down truck to slow down. Pulled over to side of road to notice that fluid was coming out of the body. Was able to get mirror and research and find the brake line had corroded with rust, and it has split.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed. As a result, the contact had to switch gears in order to stop the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake line had fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.
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.
The brake lines in my 1999 gmc sierra blew out, and I was barely able to stop the truck before entering a busy highway from my driveway - the brake pedal went all the way to the floor, providing very little breaking power and taking a much longer time to stop and a much longer distance to stop than normal . I was informed that my brake lines had completely rusted out, needing full replacement, which I had done last week at considerable expense. It is unconscionable that gm knew about this problem and failed to inform owners of their vehicles to have their brake lines inspected! I have owned this truck since it was new, and my address has not changed since it was purchased, so my address is in their files.
Brake line burst while shifting from park to drive, resulting in loss of braking and slow speed crawl into garage door. On inspection, heavily corroded section of rear brake line underneath the drivers door on the inside of frame rail was split lengthwise and leaking large volume of brake fluid.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the front brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and was informed that the brake lines were rusted and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the brake lines should have been manufactured with stainless steel as opposed to mild steel. The VIN, failure and current mileage were unavailable.
Front brake hose from frame to caliper rusted out and caused brake failure. When the issue was being looked at, noticed that the entire frame and all parts on the bottom of the truck were completely rusted like they were 100 years old. Appears there was no rust inhibitor included in any of the metal. All brake lines under body of the truck are so rusted that it is not safe to drive. Fuel line is also rusted. I feel that all of these issues are due to poor rust inhibitor used during manufacturing of the truck.
Vehicle was being driven when brake line to rear axle ruptured causing an extreme loss of braking ability. Vehicle was downshifted to assist braking to avoid an accident. Inspection of the brake lines revealed severe corrosion of all brake lines with the rear brake line under the cab being compromised and leaking.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, he attempted to applied the brakes but the pedal went to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact noticed brake fluid leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure and current mileage was 158,000.
Total brake failure occurred while moving out of a parking slot. Pedal went to the floor; upon investigation found brake fluid pouring from left rear wheel area (could not determine actual location); suspect corroded steel brake line. Further investigation found evidence of fluid leakage in home driveway where parked overnight. This is 2nd brake line failure on this vehicle (1st was january 2012; replaced line but was advised by mechs that other lines were ok at the time, this is two brake failures in 7 months on this truck).
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 brake failure
Is brake failure a common problem on the 1999 GMC Sierra?
54 of 600 owner complaints about the 1999 GMC Sierra (9%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the 1999 GMC Sierra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 7 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
ABS 175Tire blowout 14Grinding brakes 10Fuel gauge 10Knocking 8Fuel pump 6Harsh shifting 6Headlights 6Jerking 6Seat belt 6Sudden acceleration 6No deployment 5Wipers 5
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