1999 GMC Yukon Denali from North America - Comments

I have a 1999 Yukon Denali, woke up to go to work and I couldn't start it. All I got was two clicks that sounded like they were coming from under the steering wheel. I had all power. I took off the starter and had it tested and it passed. I have been experiencing the same problems with the radio, it cuts on and off while driving over bumps. I have tried to troubleshoot just keep on getting nothing. Now my radio won't play and it reads LOC. Please help.

I have a 99 Denali with roughly 167,000 on it. I love my truck but like many who post here I've had my share of problems.

Electrical - driver seat heater has a mind of its own. The auto on/off headlights stopped working at 85,000 miles or so. The rear turn signals/brake lights keep blowing. Recently, my stereo turns off at random.

Brakes - I really have no clue as to what GM was thinking when they decided to go with the brake setup. Wayyy to small!! I've replaced my pads and rotor at least 5 times. Also, my rear drums are never adjusted right. They work fine for a month or so then for some reason they lose their stopping power.

Under the hood - Replaced Intake Manifold Gasket due to coolant leak. I've replaced the water pump too. The a/c lines were replaced at 120,000 miles. The oil lines are leaking but nothing that requires immediate attention. It misfires and shutters at 70mph but I've been dealing with it.

Just last week it left me stranded. Whenever I get on the gas it "chokes" and the rpm's drop like its going to stall. As soon as I let off the gas it returns to normal idle and its fine. Maybe a fuel problem?? Anyone experienced this??

Overall, it's a good truck and a tank in the snow! It's probably time to part ways with it but I can't seem to let her go!

Just bought my 1999 Denali a few days ago and had already read up on all the typical problems. Seems right on track with the info on this forum.

I have a burnt fog light and the driver's seat and rear seat heaters do not work. I didn't try the rear ones with the seat belt on yet.

The brake issues are obvious, but I don't think it much different than my Ford Expedition.

I had a 99 Mustang GT and we have a F150 Supercrew and they both have the same electrical issues as the Denali - huh?

Thanks for all the info.

I'm also in the same boat... 1999 Denali (bought it new and 160k miles now). Lots of work to keep it.. but still love it, and hard to let it go.

Original brakes suck. I replaced mine with Stillen's Brembo big brake kit and SSBSC rear disc conversion. I also installed a MSD 6A ignition amp, coil, and wires, and the truck fires up at the touch of the ignition, and idles perfect.

Repairs:

- Fuel pump

- Intake manifold gasket + water pump (I changed my coolant to green... no more Dexcool)

- Injectors fixed (but still not the latest update)

- Windshield wiper -- The circuit board was replaced (easy)

Mods:

- Skyjacker 2.5" lift kit with add-a-leaf & Rancho 9000 shocks

- Urethane bushings, and new ball joints/pitman/idler arms (no more rubber in the suspension and it feels great.. very tight and responsive.

- Brembo big brake kit (front) / SSBC rear disc conversion (rear)

- MSD 6A ignition box/MSD coil/MSD 8.5mm ignition wires

- CFM tech throttle body with K&N intake filter kit.

Problems that need to be addressed:

- Sagging door (will change bushing soon)

- AC compressor (purchased new Sanden 1 piece housing compressor- made in the USA) just gotta install soon

- Install Transgo shift kit & extra ATF cooler

- Driver seat heater not working

- Some of the lighting on stereo buttons out

- Dash lighting goes out sometime, and back on when light switch is used

- Steering wheel position sensor jerked steering wheel once.

I have a 99 Yukon Denali that need catalytic converters (2 on this model) I found them after market for $450 a set but they tell me they do not fit the 'luxury edition' how do I know if it is a 'luxury edition'?? I thought the 'Denali' meant luxury edition? Can anyone clarify this??? The cats I found match up with my vehicle.

Thanks.

I have a 2000 Denali but it's still the 99 body style. Apparently somewhere in the 2000 models they switched it up. Anyways I wanted to post about an electrical problem that I also had. This problem sounds a lot like many others here in that my power windows, radio, and wipers would occasionally stop working. I noticed that sometimes I could play with the door locks switch and sometime it would fix my problem. So after pulling off the driver's side control panel with all the power switches, I saw that two wires had been slightly cut. Taped up those wires and the problem hasn't returned since. Just putting this out there in case it might help someone.

Just got a 1999 Yukon Denali, and had to replace the motor at 165000 miles to a used 80000 miles motor. The steering on the truck is loose compared to my 1995 Astro Van, and my 2005 Chevy Silverado on 24" rims. The motor feels real good and strong, but I haven't got to drive it hard yet. The side view mirrors don't work; will try and fix them.

I have a 2000 Denali w/196,000 miles on it, having a lot of the same issues as everyone else. Power windows, wipers, & radio suddenly cut out, driver side heated seat doesn't work right, idles very rough when stopped at a light or in traffic. Very poor radio reception on the AM dial. I really like this truck, but having serious doubts if I would buy another. Any suggestions on fixing the issues would be appreciated, need this truck to last another 2 years.

Kevihess AT earthlink DOT com.

Thanks.

Hi all. I have a 99 Yukon Denali. I purchased with about 150k miles on it and it now has almost 180k miles. I have only put a radiator on it and the previous owners papers are in the glove box with hardly any repairs at all, just small stuff and maintenance.

Now for a question. I am an A/C and refer tech, and this one has me stumped. The A/C in the rear is fine and blows cold, but the freon loses its charge about every 4-7 weeks. This is puzzling. I recharge a few ounces but it just keeps leaking down. I tried new caps, leak stop etc., but no help. Anyone have any ideas please e mail me at mobo96@hotmail.com, it'll be much appreciated, and don't hesitate to ask me anything you like. Thanks...

I have a 99 Yukon, just turned 200,000 miles... read all of the comments here and anyone who thinks this vehicle isn't GREAT is not taking care of it (or those who had it before them did not)...

The car has quirky electrical problems. Replace the BCM- it fixes most of them. Door locks not always working- it IS the door actuators- buy them on line and try to replace them or pay a shop to do it if you can't. Brakes- this vehicle is heavy on the front end- the original rotor size is too small for this vehicle unless you drive it like a grandma... if you had the rotors turned because they 'needed' it- all you did was make your rotors slimmer and weaker. Replace them next time with some upgraded, heavy duty or high performance rotors that dissipates heat - and replace the shoes. The rear brakes can stay standard.

Clunky transmission- make sure your get the transmission cleaned, flushed, and greased PROPERLY. AC compressor going out- has nothing to do with the car- my went out after 180000 miles. It's an expensive fix- no other way if you want cool air (I live in Florida and need it.) Suspension and U-joints- unless you are planning on driving it like a race car, don't replace the original suspension items unless they brake- just replace the shocks with heavy duty ones.

A new Yukon is $600/mo. $7200 a year! Put $1800 a year in it for maintenance and you can drive one of these beauty's for $150 mo. Do the math!

They are great vehicles!

I bought my 99 Denali in 07. It had 155,000 miles on it.

Problems I've had have been minimal. No A/C; replaced the A/C switch in the dash because it only worked on high, but a few weeks later the same thing; wires have a short in them.

I replaced the factory radio with an aftermarket one, sounds good.

I have an irritating squeak under the front suspension. I've had it lubed only to have the sound return about a month later.

No heat on the drivers seat.

I love it, I always wanted one since 1999. If I have my way, I will keep it because she's a head turner on 24 inch rims / burgundy, still shining like it's 1999, and I love the take off.

Unfortunately she did not start for me couple days ago, fuel pump my mechanic says. He says 700 for another, tell this isn't so. Can I get one cheaper?

She also needs a lower left ball joint, should I replace the upper left, or do I do all the balljoints all around?

Please help - djdebo@gmail.com

I have a 99 Yukon Denali 113K, and here is a list of the usual problems encountered and how I got them fixed:

Leaking water pump: Replaced water pump

Leaking coolant: Replaced gasket

Leaking coolant again: Replaced radiator

No start: Related to fuel pump. Replacing fixed it

No A/C: Replacing the low pressure A/C switch fixed it

Alarm going off all the time: Replaced broken door handle

HOWEVER, I HAVE THIS BIG METALLIC SOUND THAT GOES OFF WHEN I CRANK IT! Happens occasionally. Any ideas?

I bought my 99 Denali new in 99. I still think it is the most beautiful body design in the GMC SUV line up. It was my every day car for many years and now it is just my hunting rig so it only gets 3-4K per year. Currently, it has about 85K. I have had little problems but I have kept up the scheduled repairs. This past summer I had AC work for $600. I live in Texas so got to have AC. Rear drum brakes are still good (after 85K) and I recently added third set of brake pads to the front and replaced warped rotors. That is right. I have only had 2 prior sets of brake pads on the front. I have not had as many electrical problems as most have reported, but I did lose power on a 6 lane busy city street last year, and that would not have been fun at 70 on a freeway.