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Engine coolingPart report

1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
13%of 47 total for the year
Median mileage
33,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 13% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2002 -coolant leaking from engine at approx 33,000 miles. Diagnosed as intake manifold gasket and corrected by Chevrolet dealer under warranty. 2005 64000 miles -coolant leaking from engine compartment, discovered cracked radiator, replaced at my expense. 2005 66,000 miles -coolant leaking from engine compartment, replaced water pump. My expense. 2005 70,000 miles-coolant leaking from engine compartment, diagnosed intake manifold gasket again, replaced at my expense. Since purchase I have done everything I can to properly maintain vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10146303, filed 2005-12, 33,000 miles

“Chassis engine failed on single lane highway hill climb. Seemed like engine cut off allowing driver to quickly turn into hole in the wall quick stop store parking area. Engine turned over but would not run. The consumer stated he experienced two parking brake failures within 3,000 miles of travel. Each repair, consisted of replacing switches and adjustments. The last repair consisted of the replacement of the drum associated with the brake pads, switches and wheel brake disc. It was also discovered that the park assembly had burned up, when the brake assembly failed to release. …”

NHTSA complaint #10339300, filed 2010-06, 27,990 miles

“The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet c3500 diesel truck. While driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact stated that she waited approximately 15 minutes and the vehicle started. The failure was intermittent. Chevrolet replaced the engine in may of 2002 at 63,000 miles. In july 2003, the dealer replaced the fuel injections at 67,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times for of the failure. The vehicle was at an authorized dealer when the report was filed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10353731, filed 2010-09, 62,000 miles

“11/09/04 I had to replace differential assembly: overhaul/rebuild front, replace brake pad (bendix)3/10/05 replaced idler arm. 3/23/05 replaced pitman arm. 10/25/05 6.5 liter diesel electronic pump (pmd) failure. Truck was moving on it's on, jerking, black smoke came from tail pipe and tires would spin then it cut off and wouldn't start. Called wrecker and had it taken to auto shop. He replaced pmd module kit with a note to leave plastic cover off engine because of heat build up. 6/25/06 same thing happened. Called wrecker and had it taken to auto shop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10161211, filed 2006-07

“Exhaust which is too close to floor boards gets overheated on passenger's side. This causes the passenger to put feet on dashboard due to hot floor boards. Been to dealer & informed by mechanic the problem can not be solved.”

NHTSA complaint #847539, filed 1999-09

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202214%
202025%
201929%
201815%
201612%
2013312%
201127%
2009110%
200826%
2007513%
200549%
2004410%
200337%
2002612%
20011724%
200034%
1999613%
199834%
1997610%

Other parts of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Brakes
22 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology