1999 Chevrolet Silverado

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Chevrolet Silverado
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Silverado Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1982: 2 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 15 complaints 1988 1989: 22 complaints 1990: 25 complaints 1991: 17 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 69 complaints 1993 1994: 210 complaints 1995: 263 complaints 1996: 186 complaints 1997: 272 complaints 1998: 279 complaints 1998 1999: 1660 complaints 1999 2000: 1305 complaints 2001: 877 complaints 2002: 710 complaints 2003: 695 complaints 2003 2004: 622 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2006: 182 complaints 2007: 183 complaints 2008: 162 complaints 2008 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 62 complaints 2011: 75 complaints 2012: 68 complaints 2013: 64 complaints 2013 2014: 124 complaints 2015: 76 complaints 2016: 5 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017
1999: 1660 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19822
19845
19853
19872
198815
198922
199025
199117
199240
199369
1994210
1995263
1996186
1997272
1998279
19991660
20001305
2001877
2002710
2003695
2004622
2005316
2006182
2007183
2008162
200976
201062
201175
201268
201364
2014124
201576
20165
2017125

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 32%

32% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 532 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE 1999 CHEVROLET TRUCK EX SILV ANTILOCK BREAKS HAVE BEEN FAILING AT RANDOM TIMES SINCE APRIL 1 1999. FIRST AT SLOW SPEEDS AND THEN AT HIGH SPEEDS RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990729

1ST: TURNING ON A SHARP BEND AT TEN MILES AN HOUR, BRAKES WERE APPLIED (LIGHTLY) AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990405

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 141 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 3%

3% of complaints: service brakes, air — 54 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 3%

3% of complaints: service brakes — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

MY HOME IS THE LAST ONE ON A DEAD END ROAD. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO TURN INTO THE DRIVE, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE BURST BY THE CALIPER. THE TRUCK CARRIED MY WIFE, SON AND MYSELF INTO A 200 FT. DEEP RAVINE AS A RESULT OF THIS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130430

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121114

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AND AS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT MOVED UP AND DOWN REAL FAST AND IT GOT REAL HARD. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. I HIT THE CAR. THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO MY WIFE AND SHE HIT A HANDICAP SIGN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120628

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981006 — steering

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON ALL THREE OF THE STEERING GEAR TO FRAME ATTACHMENT BOLTS. THE BOLTS CAN L

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE STEERING GEAR TO FRAME BOLTS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Campaign 98V242000 — check if this car was fixed

1999 — complaint volume: 1660
I 19990511 — RQ (closed 20011127)

STEERING GEAR/GRAME ATTACHING BOLTS

R 20010205 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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 SI

Campaign 00V345000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020211 — PE (closed 20020801)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 20020801 — EA (closed 20040112)

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

I 20030612 — PE (closed 20031103)

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

I 20031023 — PE (closed 20040219)

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE

I 20031208 — PE (closed 20040409)

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

I 20040219 — EA (closed 20040928)

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE

R 20040331 — equipment

AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO T

Remedy: DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AU

Campaign 04E022000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040409 — EA (closed 20050510)

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

I 20040928 — RQ (closed 20050414)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE

I 20050414 — EA (closed 20060411)

TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES

I 20050428 — PE (closed 20050913)

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

R 20050729 — parking brake

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

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

Campaign 05V161000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050922 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 RECA

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, REIN

Campaign 05V379000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20051220 — DP (closed 20060531)

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060410 — structure

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE GALVANIZED-BRAIDED-STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES USED TO SUPPORT THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION. OVER TIME THESE CABLES CAN CORRODE AND FRACTURE WHEN L

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GALVANIZED SUPPORT CABLES WITH STAINLESS STEEL SUPPORT CABLES. IN ADDITION, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE TAILGATE HINGE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO

Campaign 06V066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, MODEL NOS. GM159-B001L AND GM159-B001R, SOLD FOR USE ON 1999-2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO MODEL VEHICLES. THE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIR

Remedy: SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND ISSUE FULL CREDIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE AT 1-866-467-2279.

Campaign 06E042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060710 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 332-1182L-AS AND 332-1182R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 1999-2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADOS. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO TH

Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FOR REIMBURSEMENT ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

Campaign 06E057000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060831 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN GUIDE REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. 16526133 AND 16526134, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1 TO JULY 11, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1999-2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCKS. THE HEADLAMP FAIL TO C

Remedy: GUIDE CORPORATION WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GUIDE AT 248-874-0355.

Campaign 06E075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070905 — equipment

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILE

Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Campaign 07E066000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100330 — PE (closed 20110105)

Brake line corrosion failure

I 20110105 — EA (closed 20150408)

Brake line corrosion failure

R Date not on file — service brakes, hydraulic

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1/2 TON LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH A NOTICE LABEL TO THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES STATING THAT THE CALIPERS MUST BE SUPPORTED WHEN REMOVED.

Campaign 00X001000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Chevrolet Silverado — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (532 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (141 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00X001000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V242000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V345000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04E022000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V161000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V066000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E042000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E057000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E075000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E066000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2013

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ■ 2001 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado have?

17 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.