Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Brake line failed on 1999 Chevy silverado 4wd pick up. Crashed into the back of a ups freight truck at stop light. I applied the brake pedal app. 50 yards to try to stop my truck the brake pedal went to the floor I was helpless cars on one side telephone poles on the other luckily put truck in 2nd gear to slow the truck down some then crash ed hard into the back of freight truck. Luckily not killed. Brake fluid was flowing out of rusted brake lines under drivers side seat under frame. Truck is possibly a total loss. GM had me tow at my own expense to verify the broken tubing break line,had my mechanic look at the brake lines and said it definitely ruptured and we took pictures of rusted brake lines as evidence. GM investigator asked me if I was injured and what I wanted from them. …
Was traveling approximately 25 miles per hour toward intersection. Applied brakes but oddly pedal seemed to go to floor with zero braking action. Subsequently, my vehicle entered intersection during red light. Was struck on drivers side by 18-wheeler crossing intersection and then my vehicle's forward momentum caused a frontal impact to 18-wheeler crossing intersection from the passengers side. Air bag did not deploy. Vehicle was a total loss. My wife sustained a fractured rib, bruised sterum and cervical spine dislocation. My two children ages 6 and 9 sustained cuts to the head from flying glass requiring stitches and glue. I attempted to have general motors inspect the vehicle; however, they were un- willing to pay a $500.00 fee for wrecking yard to move vehicle for inspection. Brakes and air bag failure !!!! Both problems that have been previously identified by other vehicle owners.
Loss of breaking below 5 MPH. Anti lock brakes quit working. Coming to a stop, at about 5 MPH, brake pedal pushes back against foot, all breaking ceases and howling or burrrrr noise is heard. If you force the brake pedal down as in panic stop, pedal goes almost to floor and braking resumes. If you let up on the brake pedal and reapply pressure, breaking returns to normal operation. This is an intermittent problem, but repeatable. There are no warning lights on the dash. The GM dealer says my vehicle is not involved in the ABS recall as it is in minnesota. Dealer says I have to will probably have to replace the hubs and sensors to fix problem. They are aware of the problems with the brakes, but at this time, they say it is my responsibility as the recall does not affect my vehicle.
I was driving on a highway and came to a light. I applied the brakes and they went to the floor. I had to go through the light into a wall. It was towed to a garage and was told all the brake lines were rotted and had to be replaced.
The electronic brake traction control module failed, and runs all the time. The fuse has to be pulled to keep module from running, even when key is turned off. I had a dealer check the problem and they said the module was faulty and needed to be replaced if I wanted the ABS system to work. I was told the cost to replace the module would be about 795.00 for the part and 1.5 - 2 hours labor----- about 1,000.00 +. Due to the high cost of replacing this part, I'm sure many people like myself, are driving without the ABS system working. I understand this is a problem mostly with the 1999 model, and that other year modules will not work on a 1999. I feel that this item is something that a lot of people are having trouble with, and that general motors should replace with an improved part.
Problem with ABS brakes low-speed activation with brake pedal going all the way to the floor causing foot to hit gas pedal in forward and reverse. This problem is what has called for a recall in Canada and newer GM vehicles. When will a recall be issued to fix this safety hazzard in older model pick-up trucks? Your site shows GM shows three incidents in 100,000 vehicles, well I personally know more than 3 people in my area who are having this problem. In winter time the brakes actually lock up causing the vehicle to skid. This appears to be more than just a cold weather problem. Every time I drive the vehicle (a 1999 Chevrolet silverado pickup) this happens.
The ABS control module(pump) began to malfunction on my 1999 Chevrolet k1500 z71 which caused it to continually run without shutting off. Upon inspection I found that the pump had already been replaced once by the previous owner who purchased the truck new. I then began research on the part and found numerous other people who have experienced the same problem with their trucks and had to pay for repairs in excess of $750.00. I also discovered that GM changed the design of the control module due to an extremely high failure rate, however, they leave it up the consumer to purchase the updated part once the original stops working.
After the 36,000 mile warranty, 250 miles over to be exact. The ABS pump kept running after I shut the engine off. Estimated repair $1200.00. Called the Chevy dealership(ben mynatt of concord, nc) and they even said that they was having a problem with the ABS pumps failing on the silverados. Attempted to contact the main office for Chevy and they give the same runaround about having problems but will not fix the problem. Somebody please explain this problem or if that Chevrolet will ever make a recall! Also for a good note- my next door neighbor just found out yesterday his went out as well!
The antilock brake system has failed on my 1999 Chevrolet with less than 49000 miles. The vehicle id is [redacted] I bought this vehicle new and have never abused it. Berglund Chevrolet in roanoke estimated the cost of fixing this at $1000 dollars. How long would this fix last? How safe is a vehicle that will not go 50000 miles without a major component on the brakes failing???I searched the internet and found a forum with several complaints on this problem. Updated 07/17/2012
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engaged while applying brake pressure at speeds of 10mph or less. The vehicle was seen by a dealer and the front brakes were replaced. Although the problem persisted, no further repairs were made. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
NHTSA investigations
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake…
Vacuum brake booster
Alleged that the vacuum brake booster can fail resulting in loss of brake effectiveness and extended stopping distances.
Brake complaints in other C/K Pickups years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, 65% of the model year's 37 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet C/K Pickups brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 1 death to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.