Three problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The rear differential failed for the second time. Vehicle has 83000 miles. The last repair used after market parts. The parts company will not warrant claiming improper installation. Dealer claims design defect. This problem has been very frustrating. Same thing happened to my 1997 tahoe at 70k miles.
The planetary gears failed in the transmission while driving in normal conditions with no load. The vehicle had been reported to the manufactures dealer while under warranty as having a violent hard shift after kickdown to pass another vehcile. The solution offered by the dealer was to disconnect the battery and reset the computer. This removed the initial problem for some time and then the shifting of the transmission from 1st to 2nd was very hard and jerky. The dealer would do nothing about it . Tricounty transmission showed me numerous parts from other Suburbans and tahoes which have the same original manufacturer failure. Gm will not accept responsibilty for this as they never do. They have a latent defect in the hardiness of the gear inside the transmission which causes teeth failure of the planetary gears. This could cause an accident if I had been driving in atlanta I-285 and the gears had failed in traffic. The transmission shop said this same problems applies to all 1998 thru 2002 transmissions for the chevy Suburbans and tahoes. Can you provide me with information on this matter. Thanks.
Driving on the highway 30mph towing a trailer. Rear differential was leaking oil and smoking from the rear end. This happened three times in one week. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer.