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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While on my way home from work my 1999 Silverado s ABS brakes went off and would not stop. Hit my house. Called GM said they never herd of their trucks doing this. Well did some reseach and found their was a problem with corrosion on the ABS sensor which would set off the ABS 4 no reason. It was scary and is a huge GM problem.. Found my truck was fixed at one point but it still happend again.. It is fixed again. But I know it will happen some time in the near future.. Which is scary to think I could have ran into a school bus or kid and killed them. GM did fix my truck. And pay 4 the house to be repaird.. I dont want to sue or be compensated any further!!!!! I just want them to have to fix these trucks or pull them off the road!! I did not know at the time of incodent that you guys exhisted.. So this is why I am reporting now.. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the technician informed the contact that the frame was severely fractured and needed to be replaced. The failure happened without warning. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,000. Updated 1/14/16 ln updated 02/12/16
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle started making a loud cracking noise causing the vehicle to drive abnormal. The contact noticed that the frame was fractured in two areas. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.
I came out to my truck one day and the cab was touching the back of my box. I look under it and the frame was broken and rusted out on both side by the gas tank. Vehicle I'd beyond repair and not drivable. Only has 181xxx miles on it.
I was on a float trip in the southeastern part of missouri. I lent my truck to one of my fraternity brothers to drive to the back of the campsite to get a paper so that we could board the bus. My tailgate was down while he was driving and on the way back, driver's side cable on the tailgate snapped and the tailgate fell from the truck. The passenger side cable remained secure to the tailgate and it was drug behind the truck for about 300 yards. There was damage to the tailgate itself on both sides from the rocks it was drug over. It scraped off the spray on bed liner that was on the tailgate and, because one of the cables was still attatched, beat against my bumber causing many little dents on it. I talked to GM and they said they would not fix anything because it was not under warranty and it had not been recalled. …
Truck was taken to dealer for regular maintenance, when raised on the hoist the frame started to collapse and brake. Service people pointed out the problem and told me and to consider getting a new truck and advised I probably should not drive this one anywhere as it could brake apart. They stated they haven't seen this in a truck maintained as this one has been. In looking on-line I now see this is a very common problem in 1999 to 2002 Silverado's, with 100's of complaints. GM won't talk about it and states any recall has to come from your agency. This is serious, not sure if any injuries are attributed to this (yet) but there surely will be. I can't believe this is not be looked at with the number of on-line complaints and reports.
While loading lumber into my 1999 Chevy k1500 Silverado the tailgate support cables broke releasing the tailgate. The weight of the lumber caused the tailgate to rest on the rear bumper causing minor damage to the tailgate. The lumber itself nearly knocked myself and a friend to the ground. The replacement cables cost me $31.00 dollars from the dealer, but then I find out that the 2000-2004 Silverado's have been recalled for the exact problem I have and the replacement cables sold to me by the dealer are the same faulty cables I had to begin with and that I am not eligible for the recall.
I parked my 99 Chevrolet Silverado z71 outside for 2 evenings. When I came out to my truck 2 days later, I realized that I did not close the tailgate. But then I noticed that the tailgate was hanging down further than it should be, resting on the bumper of the truck. It turns out that both of the cables that hold the tailgate in place had sheared off and dropped the tailgate onto the bumper. The cables had rusted straight through and caused damage to the tailgate because of it. I am currently in the process of replacing the broken cables, and will save the cables for future reference.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact was rotating the tires when he noticed excessive frame rust. The contact stated that the rust fractured the frame in two and could have caused a crash while driving on the highway. The contact called the manufacturer and they informed the contact that they only warranty the frame up to 100,000 miles. They also informed the contact to drive to the dealer and make a report. The contact stated the manufacturer would not provide any assistance on repairing the frame. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Opened tailgate and both support cables snapped, one after the other. Had some one been standing or moving equipment on the tailgate, serious injury May have occurred. Because the cable was rubber coated, you were not aware of the problem until failure. The deal indicated that failures of these cables are well known, and 200-2004 trucks were recalled, however 1999 (new body style) with same tailgate arrangement were not recalled. With both cables failing within minutes of each other why did GM not recall like designed components?
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
Certain pickup trucks have galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position. Over time these cables can corrode and fracture when loads are applied to them.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables. In addition, dealers are to inspect the tailgate hinge and replace it, if necessary.
Body complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 5% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-066 (hinge and attachments, Mar 8, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Silverado body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries 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.