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 Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Was going to work at about 3:40 pm about 15 miles from my house had stopped at 2 stop signs and 3 red lights was going down hill towards 4th stop light cars were slowing down in front of me speed limit was 45 I was slowing my vehicle at about 25mph or less lost all brakes pedal went completely to floor was not able to stop vehicle hit truck in front of me no one was injured thank god this vehicle was bought brand new buy us at shelor motor mile Chevrolet in christiansburg virginia it came with lifetime inspection by them had always been inspected by them last inspection 7 month this year last day of month never got any call of recall notice from GM or check brake line information from them I think GM should pay to have my truck brake lines replaced and be held liable for damages to my and the other persons truck this is a much more severe problem then ignition switch cutting off I think …
Brakes: since approximately 136,000 miles to present miles, the vehicle has exhibited an ABS and brake warning light intermittently on the dash. This is a known GM issue that was recalled in certain states, but not all. It stems from faulty soldering points in the ABS control module and can affect the vehicles ability to stop correctly which could result in an accident. Engine/ emissions: the passenger side exhaust manifold bolt has broken off. This is a known issue with this 5.3l engine as well as the 4.8l and 6.0l engines. GM has failed to recall in spite of having thousands of complaints. The issue can cause failed emissions and potentially engine fires. Engine: as of 164,000 miles, the engine is experiencing loud "piston slap". This is a known issue which GM addressed through redesign in later models. It leads to excessive engine wear and potential engine failure. …
My problem is similar to the problems that I have read about related to NHTSA recall campaigns 05V379000 . At slow speed ABS will activated, but the truck with not stop. This truck was not included in the recall which seemed weird since it had the same problems as described in the recall, and I live in a state which has salt on the roads almost half of the year. When I brought truck in to the Chevrolet dealer, who stated that they needed to replace the entire hub assembly for both the right and left. To fully fix the problem they could not simply apply a rust inhibitor as the recall above suggested. I did some internet research and found that other consumers experienced the same problem. Many who brought their trucks in under the recall also had to have the hub assembly replaced. …
Pulling into a gas station with my son from a road with a 45 MPH speed limit. Slowed down to attempt to park on side of building and about the last 50-75 feet the ABS brake system pulsates and brake pedal is slammed down as hard as could and there is absolutely no brakes. Truck hits corner of gate damaging bumper,grille,hood and small dent in door from gate. Taken to dealership to have recall campaign 05068 looked at and damage accessed. Dealership says damage not due to recall campaign. They also state that there are other components that caused crash and I am charged $220.00 to fix these. Called Chevrolet hot line and of course they do nothing but deny responsibility for products they have problems with. They insult my good faith in them by asking me how tall I am (they probably think that I am a short person and inadvertantly stepped on gas pedal instead of brake).
My home is the last one on a dead end road. When applying the brake to turn into the drive, the driver side brake line burst by the caliper. The truck carried my wife, son and myself into a 200 ft. Deep ravine as a result of this. The truck had just been tuned up for a trip to nashville tn. If this would have happened in the mountains, I wouldn't be alive today. After repairing the truck, the passenger side brake line burst as the new brakes were being bled. Both calipers needed replaced as well, due to falling apart from rust. Bleeder screws completely rusted in half, rubber brake hoses bursting, metal brake lines rusting and springing leaks everywhere, and still no recall? GM should have to pay for these repairs at the very least. I myself, still have to figure out how to deal with my newly fused spine due to this accident.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle failed to slow down. He crashed into the trash cans and the vehicle sustained minor damages. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic that stated the failure was related to the rusting of the anti-lock sensor. The vehicle was repaired. Recently, the failure recurred. The authorized dealer advised the contact to pay for a diagnostic test. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved with this malfunction. The failure mileage was 45,000 and current mileage was 85,000. Updated 07/29/08 the consumer stated the problem was due to a rusty speed sensor and the repair that the dealer performed was only a temporary fix. Updated 08/07/08.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH she noticed a burning smell and a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed the rear brakes were smoking. The vehicle was taken to the independent dealer where the contact purchased the vehicle a day prior for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the rear brakes were replaced. After the repair the brakes continued to smoke. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed the vehicle was purchased as it was and no further assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. Updated 12/21/12 updated 1/9/2013
I was driving home on memorial day 2014 pulling my boat and trailer. Traffic was stopped outside crivitz, wi and I had to hit my brake pedal. It went right to the floor - no brakes at all - contrary to the GM info in an article I read on yahoo. I quickly hit the shoulder, fortunately wide and hard, and coasted into a Mini mall in crivitz. Down shifted as I went and hit the emergency in the mall lot. Feel very fortunate that my wife and I are alive as well as those in front of us. Both back brake lines were blown as well as a front. Truck is maintained every 3-4 months. GM is full of beans. I have driven numerous Chevrolet cars in excess 0f 180,00 miles without any brake line issues. This to me is faulty engineering. $1100+ to repair.
While vehicle was under warranty I complained of fading brakes while traversing rough spots in roads.dealership mechanics said it was the ABS system. He said I could disconnect it?but I chose not to. Now my 1999 Silverado has an even bigger problem. While performing a gentle stop the brake pedal becomes hard and vehicle will not stop unless I stand on the brake pedal. I crashed through my garage door the last time this happened. My brakes were inspected and they are all in good order. The mechanic did however notice that the ABS was on constantly. ( so does someone have to die before action is taken on this matter) there is numerous complaint about the ABS system in this truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 35 MPH hauling a trailer, the front and rear brake hydraulic lines failed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by using the brakes on the trailer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact, an experienced mechanic, diagnosed and replaced the brake lines. On a separate occasion while driving 50 MPH, a plastic component of the driver's seat fractured and caused the seat to slide back and forth into the steering wheel. The failure was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles May experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas.
Remedy: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel…
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings May wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section.
NHTSA investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
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…
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia,…
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…
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Brake complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 1,003 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 60% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (534 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-379 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Aug 29, 2005); NHTSA recall 05V-161 (parking brake, Apr 22, 2005); NHTSA recall 00V-345 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Oct 30, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 56 crashes, 2 fires and 24 injuries 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.