Most common 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Share of the 587 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 complaints by model year
Best Silverado 1500 years: 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2019, 2021, 2014, 2022, 2024. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:
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…
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
What 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners say
Brakes all 373 →
As I turned into the driveway, the brakes pushed all the way to the floor and the ABS system kicked in (on dry pavement). Vehicle was not stopping so I ran it into the frame of the garage door to stop, otherwise I would have ran through the garage door. The shop could not determine why the ABS light stayed on. Brake lines were totally rusted. Truck has a good engine, but terrible rust on brake lines, frame, lower body panel behind doors. Paint pealing off hood and roof.
While braking hard for an animal in the roadway, the brake system failed. The brake pedal, when applied suddenly and hard, went to the floor. The brakes were ineffective at stopping the vehicle. The animal was struck. An inspection revealed that the front to rear brake line had rusted and burst. Further inspection revealed very rusty brake lines which appear ready to fail in many locations.
Body & structure all 53 →
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.
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
Seats all 30 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to stop for a traffic light, the locking mechanism for the driver's side seat fractured, causing the seat to slide forward and pin the contact between the seat and the steering wheel. The contact sustained minor bruising to the knees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the front driver seat was leaned forward and when the seat was returned to the original position, the seat failed to secure causing the seat to move while driving. The contact observed metal and plastic fragments under the seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?
Based on 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Silverado 1500 rates average: 23% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Silverado 1500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The brakes — 373 complaints, 64% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the body & structure (53) and seats (30).
How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2021, 2014, 2022 and 2024. See the full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 111,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.