102 of the 861 complaints about the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban are about the tires — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 47,017 miles.
102
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
TIRES
I purchases a set of new Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT265/75R16 (123/120R) tires for my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 in June 2023 and I am attempting to register the tires with Michelin. None of the tires have a date code on them. The DOT code of these tires is 1M3 4N 00KX, there is NO date code on any of the four (4) tires.
NHTSA complaint #11535356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN EQUIPPED WITH CORNELL 1000 TIRES, SIZE: P235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK SEVERELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING UP TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEELS WOBBLED, WHICH WERE MOVED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER A TIRE ROTATION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE SIDEWALLS WERE WORN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE COMPOUND OR THE BELT RUBBER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17T019000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #11291535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE STEEL TEX A/T; TIRES, SIZE LT245/75/R16, DOT NUMBER: W2TV2F33600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,216 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,200.
NHTSA complaint #10410700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WITH FIRESTONE STEEL TEX RADIAL TIRES, LT245/75616,DOT NUMBER:V611B1A198. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED, WHICH WAS ATTACHED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER SEATING. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO SHATTER. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10407087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
ON DECEMBER 28, 2005, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA NEAR WALTERBORO WHEN A BF GOODRICH TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR OF MY 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN SUDDENLY DISINTEGRATED INTO FRAGMENTS WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BEFORE I LEFT ON MY TRIP TO FLORIDA, I HAD THE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE ROTATED AND BALANCED. ALL OF THE TIRES APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION...WITH DEEP TREAD. BF GOODRICH HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE IN QUESTION WAS SOLD TO GM AS A SPARE TIRE FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NEW IN 1999. THE TIRE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE AS THE OTHERS AND WAS MARKED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. I PLACED THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE TO USE IN NOVEMBER OF 2003. SINCE THAT TIME, THE TIRE HAS BEEN IN USE FOR APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10147189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
7/12/2005 ON I75 SOUTHERN KENTUCKY DRIVING 99' SUBURBAN WITH STEELTEX RADIAL A/T 245/75R16 LOAD RANGE E. ON MY WAY TO FLORIDA DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH THE TREAD ON THE LR CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THE TIRE DID NOT LOOSE PRESSURE. THE TREAD BENT UP THE INNER FENDER WELL, BROKE A GROUND WIRE TO THE FUEL TANK, AND BUST ANOTHER HOSE. I STILL HAVE THE TIRE AND A BIG PART OF THE TREAD THAT WAS STUCK IN THE WHEEL WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10134837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1) I WAS DRIVING HOME, ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR IN STEADY TRAFFIC ON A FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD. 2) MY MICHELIN XW4 P235/75R15 TIRE HAD COMPLETE TREAD SEPERATION, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE TREAD RIPPED OFF, AND IN THE PROCESS "SLUNG" AROUND IN A CIRCLE LEAVING SCRATCHES AND TIRE RUBBER IN A SEMI-CIRCLE ON THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND PUT A LARGE DENT IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. 3) THE TIRE IS STILL ON THE SPARE RIM AND IS STILL INFLATED (HOLDING AIR FINE) I PUT NEW TIRES ALL AROUND. (NOT MICHELINS)
NHTSA complaint #10130364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE LF TIRE. VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL, ROCKER PANEL, FRONT FENDER AND SIDE VIEW MIRROR. THE TREAD SEPARATION APPEARS TO BE BETWEEN THE TWO STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND WAS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATION. JUST PRIOR TO THE TREAD SEPARATION, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. (*NM) FSB (8/11/05 FOLLOW UP CALL): ON 6/4/05, THE OWNER EXPERIENCED A 2ND TREAD SEPARATION WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVING THE LR TIRE AT 65 MPH. AS IN FIRST INCIDENT, THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER HAS REPLACED ALL TIRES AND HAS FAILED TIRES IN POSSESSION. OWNER WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THAT REMAINING TIRES WOULD HAVE ALSO FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10120779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
I HAD THREE BLOW OUTS AND ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE TIRE LOST ALL AIR WITH NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10107595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN RIGHT REAR STEELTEX TIRE TREAD SEPARATED.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD FROM GM AND FIRESTONE, WHO NEVER LOOKED AT OR REQUESTED TO LOOK AT THE FAILED TIRE, THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT'S TREAD SEPARATED, BUT HE COULD NOT OFFICIALLY (LT245/75R16, 120/116R M/S, R4SV611B1A448 (23557), (SP872K), (TPC SPEC 2012 MS).
NHTSA complaint #10090274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
KATHLEEN DEMETER, DIRECTOR OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATIONS NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC & SAFETY ADMINISTRATION 400 SEVENTH STREET SW WASHINGTON, DC 20590 DEAR KATHLEEN I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE SECOND PETITION FROM LISONI & LISONI CONCERNING THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX CLASS ACTION SUIT. IT IS MY DESIRE THAT THE NHTSA ALLOW THAT SUIT TO PROCEED AND STAND ON ITS OWN MERIT IN THE COURTS. I BOUGHT A NEW 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN NOV OF 1999 WHICH CAME EQUIPPED WITH FOUR LT245-75R-16 FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES ON THE GROUND AND ONE SPARE. THIS VEHICLE WAS 100% DEALER MAINTAINED AND NEVER RAN OFF OF PAVED ROADS. IT PRIMARILY TRAVELED FROM THE LA AREA OR LAS VEGAS TO LAKE TAHOE. I HAVE HOMES IN ALL THREE AREAS AND TRAVEL BETWEEN THEM. DURING THE COURSE OF THESE TRIPS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, I HAVE HAD THREE HIGH SPEED BLOWOUTS AND TWO TIRE TREAD SEPARATIONS. THAT IS FIVE FOR FIVE OF THE TIRES FIRESTONE BUILT AND WERE DELIVERED ON MY VEHICLE. I AM IN MY MID 60S AND HAVE DRIVEN AUTOS SINCE I WAS 16 AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE ON ANY AUTO THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. MY MAJOR DISSATISFACTION AND THE REASON FOR THIS LETTER IS THE TOTAL DISREGARD FIRESTONE ACKNOWLEDGED IN ANY OF MY SEVERAL LETTERS OF LOSS CLAIM WITH THEM. TO THIS DATE, ALL I EVER RECEIVED FROM FIRESTONE WAS ASSURANCE THEIR PRODUCT WAS SAFE AND THAT ANY PROBLEMS THAT I WAS HAVING WAS THE FAULT OF MY MISUSE OF THEIR PRODUCT. THIS TOTAL DISREGARD FOR CONSUMER SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NEEDS CORRECTING OR THIS COMPANY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR COUNTRY. PLEASE MAKE FIRESTONE DEFEND THEIR CUSTOMER COMMITMENT IN COURT. THANK YOU JACK T STONE, JR. 319 MAKIN AVE. PALMDALE, CA 93551. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10088098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ALMOST ROLLED OVER, HOWEVER, CONSUMER MAINTAINED CONTROL. THERE WAS SEVERE BODY DAMAGE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10087569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE TOWING MY 29' TRAILER THROUGH WYOMING ON INTERSTATE 80 AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. THE TREAD SEPARATED AND THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE STEAL. THE INSIDE OF MY WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND MY QUARTER PANEL WAS COVERED WITH RUBBER WHERE THE TREAD SEPARATED AND RUBBED AROUND THE SIDE OF MY SUBURBAN TILL I CAME TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I PURCHASED A NEW TIRE. THE TIRE THAT BLEW WAS 1 YEAR OLD AND HAD LESS THEN 10,000 MILES ON IT, ADDITIONALLY THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED TWO DAYS PRIOR.
NHTSA complaint #10082438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE FROM GLENDALE CAR CONNECTION AT ON 8/28/03. I NOTICED ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE IT SEEMED HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE SO I MENTIONED IT TO THE SALES PERSON AS WELL AS THE OFFICE MANAGER. IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. I DROVE THE VECHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT I BEGIN TO NOTICE A HARD TURN MADE THE VEHICLE MAKE A NOISE I TOO THE VEHICLE BACK TO GLENDALE CAR CONNECTION WERE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS GOING OUT AND HE CHANGE IT I ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE BRAKES SQUEALING AND HE SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED BRAKE FLUID WHICH HE PUT IN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND BEGIN TO DRIVE IT I NOTICED IT WAS GETTING HARD TO TURN AND IT WOULD SWERVE WHILE DRIVING IT, I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN. THE OFFICE MANAGER KATHY BAGGETT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY AND THE COMPANY WOULD NOT FIX IT SO I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIX, AT THIS TIME THE BRAKES STILL SQUEAL AND I HAVE USED TIRES ON THE VEHICLE THAT ARE DIFFERENT SIZES. KATY STATED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE FOR $100 MORE SHE WOULD SUPPLY THE VEHICLE WITH NEW TIRES. I FEEL I WAS SOLD AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION THE COMPANY DID NOT CARE.
NHTSA complaint #10070936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. *MR THE FIRST TIRE TREAD CAME OFF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHEN THE NEW TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TREAD CAME OFF THAT TIRE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10046453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF FOUR OF FIVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES. WE PURCHASED A NEW 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500 (VIN [XXX]) IN 1998 EQUIPPED WITH STEELTEX R4S LT245/75R16 TIRES. FOUR OF FIVE OF THESE TIRES FAILED AT A SIMILAR MILEAGE, WITH ABOUT 50% OF TREAD LEFT. THREE OF THE TIRES FORMED BULGES UNDER THE TREAD AND WERE EXCHANGED AT TWO DIFFERENT FIRESTONE DEALERS WITH CREDIT FOR THE TREAD REMAINING. DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE FOURTH FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN ONLY A FEW HUNDRED ADDITIONAL TIRE MILES LATER. THE FAILURE WAS A SUDDEN BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH LOSS OF VIRTUALLY ALL TREAD AND RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE SUBURBAN, WITH TRAVEL TRAILER IN TOW, TO THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED TO MYSELF AND FOUR PASSENGERS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNREASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT FOUR OF FIVER TIRES WILL SUFFER STRUCTURAL FAILURE AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE AND WITH ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TREAD REMAINING, UNLESS THE TIRES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. TO DATE WE HAVE RECEIVED NO CONSIDERATION FROM EITHER BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE OR CHEVROLET RELATIVE TO THE PROPERTY DAMAGE WE INCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10043875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THREE OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE THIRD TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT QUARTER PANEL. THE TIRE WAS RETURNED TO FIRESTONE AT THEIR REQUEST. SHORTLY AFTER THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FIRESTONE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SEPARATION BECAUSE OF A PRIOR PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE. *AK *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW AND CAUSED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP MECHANIC BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER ( SIZE#LT245/75R16). *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10040126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT 65 MPH DAMAGING REAR QUARTER PANEL.
NHTSA complaint #10032988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10032565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10032567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE FAILURE - TREAD SEPARATION B F GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A SIZE P245/75R16 (DOT AP70HK11109) WHILE TRAVELING @ 65 MPH ON I-77 NORTH IN WEST VIRGINIA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 18 AND 20. ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO VEHILCE $965.00.
NHTSA complaint #10025796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4SII TIRE TREAD SEPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10021145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
COMPLETE TIRE SEPARATION @ 65 MPH, $3200.00 BODY DAMAGE TO SUBURBAN, OTHER THREE TIRES WERE THE SAME. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THE OTHER TIRES LOOKED NEW. I HAVE DESTROYED THE TIRE AND THE OTHER TREE TIRES IN MY GARAGE. MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WERE VERY LUCKY. ANYTHING THAT I CAN BE OF HELP PLEASE CONTACT ME...THANK YOU JOHN. *PH **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770810
NHTSA complaint #10006799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
TWO TIRES FAILED TWO MONTHS APART. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770850
NHTSA complaint #10006824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10011333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR TIRES HAVE TREAD SEPERATION AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10004392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION ON LT245R B.F. GOODRICH LONG TRAIL TA RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (1999 SUBURBAN)
NHTSA complaint #10000976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TREAD SEPARATION ON LT245R B.F. GOODRICH LONG TRAIL TA RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (1999 SUBURBAN)
NHTSA complaint #10000976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.