1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 587 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (34% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1999 Cherverolt Silverado equipped with tire band Cooper tire line Discoverer HTP tire size 235/70R16 DOT not available. The contact noticed that the front driver-side tire had a sidewall compound on it. The contact added air to the tire, but the sidewall compound was still on the tire. The tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2023
“The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that there was a gap between the cab and the bed of the vehicle, and that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact did not believe that the diagnostic result was not relative to the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that there were rust spots underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2023
“The frame and suspension has overly corroded. The frame is falling apart so bad that when I shut the driver's door chunks of metal fall to the ground. I've had it assessed and they say it should not be this bad. Even in Michigan”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“I went to have an oil change and when the garage went to lift the truck the frame buckled. There was so much rust damage that the frame was soft in numerous places. The 1999 silverado z71 1500 truck is an lt with only 104,000 miles. It has been garaged since I purchased it new. It looks and runs great! The brake lines rusted out 10 years ago and I replaced with stainless steel lines.”Owner report · Structure · May 2019
“Brake lines have rusted through. First the rear brake line burst. A few months later a front line burst. Both times vehicle was in motion.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet silverado 800 (1500). While the contact was pulling into a parking spot, the anti-lock brakes seized abruptly and the vehicle almost struck a tree. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the contact did not remember being notified. The failure was similar to the symptoms listed in the recall. The contact called the manufacturer and a case number was provided. No further assistance was offered. Jeff barnes chevrolet (6110 sykesville rd, eldersburg, md 21784, (410) 970-6363) made an appointment for the recall repair promptly. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise while starting the vehicle. In addition, the driver and passenger side plastic rollers were fractured and caused the seats to move. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 142,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet silverado 1500. While the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to accelerate and lost the ability to steer the vehicle. The bolts that held the gear box to the frame had been sheared off. The dealer (cooper chevrolet buick, 1300 s quintard ave, anniston, al 36201, (256) 405-4155) stated that the bolts looked like they were torqued too tightly. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 230,000. *tt updated 12/07/18*jb”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving approximately 15 mph, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission components in first gear were shattered and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the brake lines were rusted and corroded. The brake lines were replaced and the failure was remedied. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2018
“Brake lines rusted and broke. This caused a loss of braking ability and a near accident. Brake line materials used were inferior and this presents a safety risk for all owners. Gm should replace all registered vehicles with stainless steel lines.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 587 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 111,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.