Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Purchased wind deflectors for front and passenger windows for Chevrolet suburban 1999 ls from mcneil automotive products, 1 mcneil court, bolingbrook, il 60440 (phone [phone], fax [phone]). Front right window deflector separated from car after a month of driving and crashing to the ground missing the motorcyclist behind me. Shipped 1/27/13 installed week of 2/4/13 drove at speeds up to 80 MPH on ih 130 with windows closed and up to 55 MPH with windows open or cracked. Weather was good during that period in central texas for driving with open windows. Right front wind deflector departed car 3/8/13 on mopac south access road just north of duval. I was in the right lane and luckily the deflector fell on the curb and gutter and did not hit the motorcycle behind me. Removed the left front wind deflector for safety. Complained to mcneil automotive products on 4/5/2013 via phone. …
I was slowing down to drive around a sharp bend, when I pressed on my brake pedal and it dropped to the floor. I then down shifted, but could not stop. Before my truck plummeted down a wooded hill ( the hill being approx 50-60 yards long) I jumped from my truck, but got caught between my truck and a stationary vehicle. I was then crushed, as my truck proceeded to plummet down the hill. This all causing the stationary car to have scrapes, and a dent where my body was, and causing severe bruising, swelling and abrasions of my upper legs, hips, and buttock, and I was unable to walk for 3 days after the incident because of leg weakness, every time I would put weight on my right leg it would give out, and cause a severe shooting pain up my leg into my lower back, and was unable to work for a week.
Was driving and noticed that the brake pedal felt sloppy. Upon investigation I had to replace all rear brake lines, and one of the front do to rust. As I was replacing these I noticed that the frame was rusted and cracked on the drivers side under the door. I had a patch put in, but just the other day I also noticed a new spot on the frame where it bends on the passenger side right behind the motor. The frame is so weak in this spot, I don't believe that it can be repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump and a loud noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle without warning. The contact observed that the rear shock detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the frame was fractured and the vehicle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.
The frame rail on the left side is broken in 2 places under the cab area. The frame broke while driving. Now the cab sags 1 in lower where the cab meets the box. Body lines no longer match up. There is no reason a 18 yr old truck with a mint condition body and only driven approx 17500 km per year should break the way it did. This perfectly good step side truck is now useless and completely unsafe to drive.
We have had several rust problems with this vehicle from brakes lines rusting through, gas tank straps rusting through. Now we have fuel line leak and our torsion bar has cracked due to rusting through and they will not repair unless the frame is replaced which is not cost effective due to the amount of rust throughout the vehicle. Unless frame is replaced it is unsafe to drive.
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.
The full size spare tire that is mounted under the rear of vehicle fell off into traffic while making a slow turn, on a flat, smooth concrete city street at 4 MPH.the tiny cable that holds the wheel rusted completely through. This is a deadly hazard! Someone will get killed by this flaw eventually
Body complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 9% of the model year's 587 complaints. The component named most often is body (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. 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 Silverado 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 134,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to body & structure 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.