Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-66
I have owned my 1999 Tahoe for about 4 years now and have had nothing but problems with it. Today it is in the shop because the fuel pump went out last night - $858.
Last month it started to overheat and when I took it in they found water in the oil. This was caused by the coolant eating away the manifold gasket - $780.
Earlier this year the driver's side window stopped going up and down. Had to replace the motor in the door - $300.
Last year at this time the water pump went out and had to have that replaced.
The windshield wipers have never worked properly, they will go wildly at times and other times will stop right in the middle of the windshield.
The passenger side door lock will sometimes not open all the way and then the door cannot be closed. I have to carry a screwdriver in the glove box to fix it.
I have had to replace the battery at least 4 times. I have not had it troubleshot to find out what is causing batteries to die on me.
The rear tail light went out and after weeks of troubleshooting I finally figured out it was the back-plane of the light where the bulbs plug into.
I really want to dump this car but it is paid off and it is still cheaper to fix it than it is to buy another car. Very, very frustrating!
I had a 99 Tahoe and the alt went out while driving on the highway. That cost around $170 and was about 3 years ago. Ex-wife took it in the divorce. The fuel pump went out on her about 6 months ago. I loved the truck so much I bought a 99 Yukon in January 2007 with only 90k miles. Now it has 108k miles. My fuel pump went out about 3 months ago $200+. Had to have the door handle replaced. Rear window got broke out so had that replaced $500. The front locks work when they want with the clicker or the button. My Yukon is now making a clicking/rattling noise underneath now. Sounds like the exhaust almost but I can't find anything loose. Only makes the noise when I punch the gas or taking off from a stop. I use it work work and pull various trailers including a 8x16 cargo trailer full of construction tools. Had issues with the hood not opening. Also when I first bought it the starter went out but the dealership replaced it for free as I had only had it 2 days. Fuel filter replaced along with plugs and distributor cap. All new tires about 3k miles ago. I like the room as the newer Tahoes/Yukons are (or at least feel) smaller inside. Just wish it had the 3rd row seats.
I checked this site for the purpose researching coolant leaks and found the info very helpful. Interesting good-bad reviews of the Tahoe. I've had my 99 Tahoe LT since new and it now has almost 150K on it. It's been a great rig. The only major problems were a fuel pump, water pump and driver side radiator tank gasket going bad. I'm thinking my current coolant leak may be with the intake manifold, which I've read to be a common problem. I'd buy another Tahoe.
I bought a 99 Tahoe about 2 months ago. I have already had to replace the brakes and have had to put new tires on it. Just yesterday the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. I took it to a mechanic and was told that the intake gasket needed to be replaced because there was a coolant leak. I was given a quote of over $1000.00 to fix. This is utterly ridiculous. My truck only has 102,000 miles on it.
I bought a 99 4dr LT in May of 05 right after I got married. Took me months to finally track down the one I wanted and I had to drive 500 miles to get it. For two weeks I was working things out with the dealer and finally worked out a time to come get it. When I got there the dealer had it up on the lift in the shop because they took it out to prep it and the transmission went out driving it to the detail shop. So they replaced the transmission and the computer for me before I ever took it. Unfortunately I couldn't take it with me so I had to go back home empty handed. They delivered it a week later and all was good for a few months, then I had to replace the brakes. The rotors looked a little rough, so I got those done too. Tires were worn pretty bad so I threw on some aggressive looking tires my mechanic recommended and have had them on ever since (though it is time to put new tires on again).
We moved from KS to FL 2 years ago and since then the Fuel Pump went out on me while I was driving on the highway $800. Then I started hearing the ticktickticking that gets faster when you step on the gas. I didn't know what it was, but a few weeks ago the clunk and grinding of the transfer case came, so I had to get that replaced $1600.
Now that I've got it back I still hear the ticktickticking, so whatever that is, it wasn't the transfer case and I'm going to have to take it back to the shop to get it checked out.
Other minor problems I haven't fixed... inside drivers side door handle broke, I have to roll down the window to get out. The belt inner liner for the window had the felt worn off, I need to pull it out with my finger when I roll down the window about 20% of the time or else it'll stick and grab. I bought a new one for $1.90 off amazon, but haven't replaced it yet. Had a problem with the rear passenger side brake/turn signal. Did some jimmying with the wires and now its fine. Only gone through 1 battery. Oh and the AC leaks water into the passenger side floorboard. I NEED to get that fixed. Oh and the bottom half of the lights on the radio. Originally it was all the lights on the right half, then they came back on and the bottom half went... strange. The drivers side heated seat doesn't work (but I live in FL), and the leather is cracked and torn on the edge from climbing in and out.
Other than that, I love the truck. I bought it at 154k and now its at 196k. I probably drive it a little crazy, but its great for everything I need it for.
I handle most of the normal maintenance, its all pretty easy except for the two spark plugs in the back, cause I don't have a swivel set. There's one other plug that always cuts my knuckles.
Man, I notice most of the people on here with the big problems love the truck and think its great, and then the people with just a few cheap little problems hate it and think it's a piece of crap. What do you expect? Buy a vehicle drive it for 200k and not have any problems? Of course you're going to have some kind of a failure. I love this thing and I got such a great deal from the dealer on it that if you add up all the repair costs and even general maintenance costs, I haven't hit the sticker price of the truck when I bought it.
99 Tahoe 2dr purchased new. Has 125K miles now. Love this vehicle. Replaced brakes, u-joints, ABS sensors, slip-yoke, starter, heater blower.
I love my Tahoe, ('99 4 door LT) when it is running well. But it is honestly broke down at least once every two months. It is literally sitting broke down, at my house right now, with a bad fuel pump and a leaking intake manifold gasket. I have every record on this truck since it was new, and I have been meticulous with everything I have done to the truck. I've babied it, never raced or beat on it, towed anything, and it is stored in a garage year-round. But the truck keeps falling apart. I have put $6,000 in parts in it over the last few years, and MOST importantly, I don't trust the truck anymore. That's the worst feeling. I don't even want to take it on trips anymore, for fear of it breaking down...again!
I have owned a 99 Tahoe LS since it was new (Sept. 98).
It is actually been quite good on batteries, brakes and tires, and I haven't replaced the shocks or any exhaust parts (now at 115k).
I replaced the front light bulbs once.
I had to have the front end aligned, which is not a pleasant thing because of the way they align the vehicles in the factory.
Repairs have been as follows after ten years, both rear tail light modules, both front window motors, water pump, the main engine gasket, two starters which turned out to be a badly corroded battery cable (only cost me $100 deductible once), and last but not least, rebuilt the transmission at 105k... so much for that 100k power train warranty.
I had two small rust spots on the roof and a small one on the front; otherwise the body is in good condition.
I'm not getting rid of it anytime soon, as you can't beat the room, and as someone else said, it's cheaper to repair than buy a new one. The new Tahoe is not as roomy. Not sure why they put that huge center console in, but it pushes against my hip.
I have a '99 Tahoe 5.7, I noticed that a lot of you are posting that the fuel pump went bad; mine has 240K miles on it now and mine just went. I use synthetic oil in it and had it tuned up a little while ago at the dealership. I noticed when talking with the service man that unless you have an experienced mechanic working on your Tahoe, your results are gonna be frustrating. When he tuned it up, it ran like the thing was brand new.
I have replaced the transmission, but that was at 210K, and new tires twice, but then again I got the thing when it had 155K.
Yes I have had probably all the same problems that you guys listed, but as far as the windows not working, the lock switch if you hit it back and forth a few dozen times everything works...
I do grease all the fittings myself and change my own oil, and I visually inspect it at least once a month.. I have had no problems with it and use 93 octane no matter what the price is... I have had long trips with it and have no problems...
The ticking noise is also there, but like everything else it's the same as what everyone else is going through.. so the ticking, transmission, fuel pump, but I believe that's all wear and tear... especially tires... the cheaper brand tires do not work on such a big vehicle, you should get the all terrain truck tires and this way you may not have to worry about them for awhile...
Brakes and oil change, do it yourself... as far as the pump.. you guys should learn how to do it yourself.. there's a big difference (800-960) for a dealer to do the work with a 229-259 priced item... keep it clean and the weight off of it and you'll see a big difference in gas mileage. if your tires are inflated right and air and oil changed, all weight out, add a little acetone (pure - available in most beauty supplies shops) one ounce per 5 gallons and watch your mileage double...
My father purchased a 1995 Tahoe brand new and sold it to me with 140K miles on it in 2000. The car now has 297K miles on it and has overall been a great vehicle.
I have replaced the exhaust twice, tires, brakes, water pump, alternator, radiator, and now will replace the heater core.
If you take this vehicle to the dealer you will get killed on repairs.
Overall, this is a simple vehicle to work on. I replaced the alternator myself and will most likely replace the heater core myself as well.
It is a great truck. After 300K I will probably start looking for another one with under $150K on it. I usually have about one repair a year with a price tag between $100 and $500.
Overall, this is a great vehicle. I use it to tow my boat and carry dive gear. It is also a great ride to cart a bunch of friends around on Saturday night.
I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe LS 4x4. We bought it in August of 1999, it now has 147,000 miles on it.
All in all it has been a good truck. Had a really good ride when I got it, not so good now.
A few years ago I had to replace the intake gasket just like everyone else did.
Had a ball joint re-welded on the front passenger side, and new shocks put on because I had vibration or shimmying when going above 55 mph.
My lights on my radio are also all out now. I lost the lights a few at a time until they were all gone.
I have a problem with my seat belt locking up on the second row driver side; it won't pull down at all.
A few months ago my right side blinker and brake light quit working. My husband replaced the whole assembly and it works fine.
A few months later, the left side went out. He replaced it too, but it worked for a few weeks, then he replaced it again. Now it works sometimes and not others. It may work and quit working in the middle of turn. Seems like when it is cold out it works more often, and as soon as it warms up it quits again. Just wondered if anyone else was experiencing these blinker and brake light issues? The tail light, reverse light works fine. No flasher, brake light or blinker on the left side at all.
Dee
Sikeston, MO.
My 1999 Tahoe (2-door 2WD) just hit 200k miles. Bought it in 2001 with 65k on it - put a cold air intake and throttle body spacer on it. I've done the fuel pump once. The alternator once. Doing the lower intake manifold this month. Aside from that, the engine still purrs. Good acceleration. These are good trucks if you maintain them. It's lived through many a Denver and Chicago winter, so I have faith in it. And you can't top the 2 door model as far as looks are concerned.
I bought my '99 Tahoe in 2003 with 84k on it. First thing I did was swap the ghetto rims out for the newer Tahoe wheels and put some beefy mud tires on it. Then a K&N intake, true dual Flowmaster exhaust, and transmission cooler (I haul my 8400lb camping trailer a lot).
It now has 174k on it and runs great. The only problems I've had with it are the water pump, clunk when engaging 4Lo (done this since I bought it, harmless), coolant leak, and now a leaking head gasket. The head gasket has been leaking for well over a year now, the only effect from this is constant steam from the tail pipe that is barely noticeable, and starting a week ago some bearing tick under load at low RPMs, due to the coolant eating away at them. No drop in mileage or power. When this motor finally goes, I'll swap another motor in, lift it, install lockers, put some custom winch bumpers on, roof rack, shocks, etc. and make it a wheeler. It's 4 wheel drive system is sufficient to get me through whatever I need to on the trails when hunting, and I have a built Jeep to do the trail runs.
I just bought a new truck to tow my trailer with so I don't need to focus this rig on towing anymore.
The Tahoe has plenty of power, sounds good, and with air bags in the back tows the trailer just fine. These are good, solid rigs to own. I've enjoyed the hell out of mine.
I purchased my 1999 Chevy Tahoe LT 4DR in 2003 with 39,000 miles on it.
Like most of you, I've had the fuel pump go out on me in 2005, which ran me up around $700.00 to replace... I don't have my repair bill in front of me, but it's somewhere in that neighborhood... I understand that there were no recalls for this issue as it is an occurring problem found in this vehicle. I've also had to replace the alternator, which was around the $150-170.00 to be replace, and the starter which was about $50.00.
Within the last six months I've had to have the water pump replaced, which was caused by natural wear and tear after the vehicle reached 100,000 miles. The repair cost I think was about $350.00. The intake manifold had to be replaced, which which also ran me in the neighborhood of $700.00 to have replace do to again wear and tear.. and just this week I paid $275.00 to repair a transmission leak.
All of this has been due to natural wear and tear of the vehicle.. honestly I love my truck and I'm not looking to trade it, donate, sale it no time soon. Honestly like the previous posting before, you just have to take care of your vehicle.. I'm not worried about tires, and brakes... again that's natural...
The only issues I currently have with my vehicle right now... the lights indicating what drive mode I'm in flickers in and out, but for the most part it stays on 2X wheel drive, and my day time lamps are not working even though the indicator on my dashboard says there are on, and my driver side mirror has leaked something like glue causing a double vision when I see vehicle in it, and last but not least, my hatchback leaks when it rains heavy... outside of that... it's a damn fine TRUCK.
Kelly B.
Maryland.
I also have a 99 Tahoe LS 4 wheel drive with 80K. Had it for about 1 year and a half. Bought it in Texas and no sooner than did I drive it off the lot than the radiator leaked ($400) and the fuel pump go out ($500). Then drove it to CO and the intake manifold started leaking. ($850)
Just took it in for a service check-up, and came find out ball joints need replacing, power steering gear box leaking, and oil cooler lines leaking.
In the time I've owned so far both inside door handles broke and replaced ($25 each). Outside drivers door handle cracked; still works but replaced that also ($25).
Have noticed a decrease in my braking power, even though I replaced brakes all the way around. Possible brake booster and or master cylinder.
The color of it is green, and oxidation is starting on the roof and the hood.