Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact heard an abnormal knocking noise while starting the vehicle. In addition, the driver and passenger side plastic rollers were fractured and caused the seats to move. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 142,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Upon entering the driver side of the vehicle and sitting down, the seat moved and failed to lock in place. The dealer stated that the part was no longer available to repair the seat. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at an intersection, the steering locked up, and the steering wheel could not be turned to the left. This was accompanied by the the sound of hydraulic resistance. The vehicle was not taken in for service. Second, a piece of plastic fell off the interior of the vehicle. Causing the driver seat to slide freely on the adjuster track when the contact sat in the seat. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who was unable to determine the problem. Third, the contact replaced the daytime running lights twice. The lights only worked for 3 to 6 months at a time before having to be replaced. The lights were not addressed by a dealer or a private repair shop. Fourth, the headlamp switch constantly became excessively hot during operation of the headlamps. The vehicle was not taken in for inspection of the switch. …
Manual drivers seat adjuster/lock failed allowing driver to be slammed into steering wheel on braking. Seat would not lock in any position and would slam to the rear of the adjustment rails with slightest acceleration. This created a completely unstable platform from which to drive and presents an extremely unsafe situation if/when the vehicle is used. I have gone online to research this situation and found that there have been large numbers of similar complaints, some with accidents resulting from the situation. I have also learned that the problem is a plastic part in the locking mechanism which breaks/fails. Some have reported that the vehicle owners must pay $400.00 or so to get the necessary repairs. …
Sunday, October 11, 2009 I pulled the manual release lever to release the driver's side seat and load material into the extended cab of my pickup. A plastic piece with metal components inside the track (quoted from dealer as a seat adjuster) fell out of the right side track. My driver's side seat would not and continues not to lock into place, causing me to have to drive with one foot on the floorboard, and use the other to accelerate and brake continuously. When driven, the seat freely moves forward and backward with centrifugal force. Note: the seatbelt is attached to the seat completely, not anchored to the sidewall and floor of the vehicle, so there is nothing to keep a driver from sliding all the way to the steering wheel if and when this piece fails. I immediately stopped driving the unsafe vehicle, and transported it to a local Chevrolet dealership, fivestar, in aberdeen, wa. …
1999 Chevy Silverado. On 1/21/11 I pulled the manual release lever to release the driver's side seat and load material into the extended cab of my pickup. A plastic piece with metal components inside the track (quoted from dealer as a seat adjuster) fell out of the right side track. My driver's side seat would not and continues not to lock into place, causing me to have to drive with one foot on the floorboard, and use the other to accelerate and brake continuously. When driven, the seat freely moves forward and backward with centrifugal force. Note: the seatbelt is attached to the seat completely, not anchored to the sidewall and floor of the vehicle, so there is nothing to keep a driver from sliding all the way to the steering wheel if and when this piece fails.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that he quickly applied the brakes while driving 55 MPH and the front driver's seat disconnected from its seat tracks. The contact suffered minor bruising on his knees as a result. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the plastic parts on the seat adjuster fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 02/17/12 the dealer informed the consumer it would cost $ 816.oo to fix the problem. Updated 02/22/12
The seat latch on my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 broke allowing the seat to move freely. My 16 year old son was driving at the time and nearly had an accident because of it. The exact same condition occurred when the truck was nearly new (I am the original owner). The dealer fixed the seat adjuster the first time. This is a very dangerous defect. The replacement parts must be more robust. After reading all of the incidents of the same problems online, I cannot believe there has not been a recall. Are you waiting for a fatality?
Seat complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the seats of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 5% of the model year's 587 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › power adjust (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats 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 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seats 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.