1999 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly write about the antilock brake system: unwanted ABS activation at low speed, brake and ABS warning lights, an ABS pump motor that keeps running after the key is off, and rusted brake lines. Secondary themes in the sampled complaints are tailgate support cables snapping and a driver's seat adjuster that no longer locks. Many reports come from trucks that were several years old at the time and from states not covered by the ABS corrosion recall.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed / ABS light and pump running

   • 612 complaints (37%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (310 state mileage)
   • 33 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 130 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe the antilock system engaging during ordinary low-speed stops, on dry pavement, with the pedal going hard or nearly to the floor and stopping distance lengthening. Others report the ABS warning light staying on, a humming or running motor under the driver's side after the ignition is switched off, and having to pull the ABS fuse to keep the battery from draining. Dealers and mechanics, according to the complaints, attributed this to corrosion at the front wheel speed sensors or hubs, or to a failed ABS module or pump, and owners often paid for the repair themselves. Reported from roughly 12,000 to 150,000 miles, with many between about 40,000 and 90,000 miles and in trucks driven in colder, road-salt areas.

   Recall 05V3790005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS corrosion recall work was done and whether the ABS module or pump has been replaced; on a test drive, brake gently at walking-to-parking-lot speed and watch for the pedal pulsing or dropping, and check that the ABS light goes out after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck with 45480 mileage. On 1/3/04 I noticed a motor noise coming from beneath the drivers door with the ignition turned off. I also noticed the ABS warning light was on. To prevent the battery from draining I immediately drove my truck to just brakes. The mechanic informed me the ABS module unit has a short. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10054767, filed 2004-01, 45,480 miles

   “My1999 Chevrolet Silverado 4wd had 48,00 miles on it when problems started. In good weather on dry smooth roads my ABS would engage while I was stopping or slowing in a normal manner. Even though this was somewhat surprising I did not feel that the stopping distance was being compromised. Then an incident occured while my wife and I were turning into a parking space at a retail store. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10119943, filed 2005-05, 48,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Tailgate support cable snaps

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report one or both tailgate support cables breaking, sometimes minutes apart, when the tailgate is opened or weight is placed on it. Because the cable is rubber coated, complaints note there is no visible warning before it fails, and the tailgate then drops. Several owners say the dealer and manufacturer told them this model year was not included in the tailgate cable recall that covered later trucks. Reported from about 36,000 to 115,000 miles, often on trucks that were several years old.

   Recall 06V066000

   What to check: Open the tailgate and flex each support cable while looking for rust at the ends or fraying under the coating, and ask whether either cable has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had to replace tailgate cable twice on my 1999 Silverado. I have been informed that there is a recall on 2000 and later Silverado's. Mine is the new body style which is identical to the 2000 and later models. Something is not right here. This is a safety hazard.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138694, filed 2005-10, 115,000 miles

   “My 1999 chev p/u tailgate cable broke causing minor injury. I noticed an article recalling 2000-2004 GM's. My truck was less than 3 years old when the cable failed. 1999 GM vehicles should be included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10062667, filed 2004-03, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake lines rusted through, pedal to the floor

   • 151 complaints (9%)
   • median 101,355 mi at 13.1 yrs old (99 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe the brake pedal suddenly going to the floor with little or no warning, sometimes while turning or slowing, with brake fluid spraying in the engine bay or pooling on the road. Shops quoted in the reports found a front brake line rusted through and said the remaining lines were corroded and needed replacement. Several owners mention the underside of the truck being heavily rusted, and some tie the same corrosion to the fuel lines. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 10,000 to over 150,000 miles, and most often on trucks with visible underside rust.

   Recall 00V3450001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the brake and fuel lines inspected along the frame and above the rear axle for rust and pitting before buying, and ask whether any lines have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on two way street attempted a right hand turn applied brakes, peddle went to floor, attempted to pump, truck slowed to stop. Noted large amount of fluids on road. Truck was taken to mechanic, found brake-line had burst on left front wheel. After inspection noted that all brake-lines looked like kfc chicken were all corroded and brittle. Mechanic indicated that this was a extreme safety hazard. Recommended that I contact dealership and report incident. Also, fill our and file a vehicle safety complaint. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10661101, filed 2014-11, 10,045 miles

   “Was driving my truck to the carryout when I went to stop and all of sudden there were no brakes and the pedal went right to the floor. Never had a warning it was going to happen. I was lucky that the person that didn't have to stop didn't hit me, as they had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid me. I am lucky this happened at 2 am in the morning when there wasn't much traffic. I was only able to stop because I ended up hitting the curb and jumping in someone's yard scared me into thing I was going to smash into the house. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10430160, filed 2011-10, 151,000 miles

Buying note. Given how often the sampled complaints concern brakes, have the brake system gone over carefully, including the ABS function, the recall status, and the condition of the hard lines. Ask for maintenance records and check the tailgate cables and seat tracks as well, since those are inexpensive to inspect and easy to miss.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.