Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
GM 1999 Silverado anit lock brake unit would not shut off even when truck was shut off. I tried to disconnect battery and burned fingers. To correct the failure pulled the fuse, but brakes do not stop good I have to press real hard to stop. The problem with the ABS brake is that the pump motor is producing voltage spikes and the amplifier shorts and won't shut off drawing high current and anti lock brake failure and over heating of battery terminals causing burns when touched. This was so hot that the post came out of the battery. To correct the problem GM needs to change the amplifier to original failed 75 amp pump motor power amplifier with a double duty rated 104 amp (360 amp surge) device. Add a 600 watt high speed voltage suppressor to protect the ebcm and the new amplifier set from voltage spikes created by the pump motor and jump starts. …
I woke up to a dead battery yesterday on my 1999 z71 Silverado. I jumped the vehicle and drove to the local auto parts store to replace the battery since it was the original and I did not want to get stranded in 0 degree weather. In route, my ABS light came on and a loud motor sound came from under the vehicle. This noise did not cease once I turned the vehicle off. I replaced the battery & drove to my dealer. He opened the hood and pulled the ABS fuse and said "you can fix it this way or the expensive way for $1500." I plan on keeping the vehicle for a couple more years and drive three small children in this vehicle so safety is of my utmost concern. The dealer replaced the ecbm for over $1100. There are many complaints on this site as well as numerous other forums. This is not an isolated problem. …
I have been having trouble with the brakes on my pickup truck causing my truck to want to go into a spin when I try to stop. The truck pulls to either the left or right when slowing to a stop. I brought it to the dealer to have the problem checked out and they told me the brakes just needed cleaning. The problem continued after the cleaning and recently I noticed the ABS system kicking in also. I heard about a recall involving 1999 vintage GM pickup trucks having a problem with the ABS brakes so I inquired with GM about the recall. I was told that there were no recalls on my vehicle; a 1999 Chevy Silverado 3500. I also read a couple of news articles that said GM wasn't finding enough evidence here in the us to justify a recall on these vehicles. …
Dt: the contact states he was working on a vehicle in customer car shop in miami. He was taking the doors off when within 15 minutes to a 1/2 hour he smelled smoke. The whole dashboard underneath the steering wheel was on fire. Everything under the hood caught on fire. The fire spread from the dashboard to the back of the car. The fire department seem to think it was electrical. The whole shop burned down because of the vehicle fire. The fire department was called. Two fire marshals came and they questioned the wiring. The police department was also called. This happened on 9-22-05.
Parking brake has never been effective to hold vehicle, at 66000 miles the rear axle pinion bearings wore out. At 68 k000miles the ABS controller stopped working/ fuse had to be pulled to stop motor. [should there have been a recall on this part as a lot of silverados have the same problem] 73000 miles front axle housing split in two halves literally/ had to remove axle. 50000 miles battery corroded and leaked at positive terminal tailgate straps broke, luckily one first.
I drive a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. On a rainy day trying to do a stop the vehicle lost control luckily there was no other vehicles around. Later I learned that the anti-lock brake system was failing. I learned later that many people with the same vehicle have had many familiar incidents. I have not fixed the problem because GM charges an extremely high price and this is not covered by any type of insurance of warranty not even the dealers.
The transmission was serviced more than four times while under warranty for the vehicle revving and sticking in gear. The vehicle has been maintained as it should have been. The manufacture offered no help. The engine had come on, the fuel gauge did not read correctly, transmission slipped, the c control would not engage and a green and white wire at the pin circuit was loose, and the sensor in the washer jug was bad.
The rotors rusted. The manufacturer stated that repairs were not covered since the consumer lived in new england. Salt from the snow caused the problem. The pedal had gone to the floor, c/c light would stay on until the vehicle was shut off, the gas pedal would stick/throttle body, and there was a clinging noise, the master cylinder was inoperative, and the rear rotors were pitted and rusting.
1999, Chevrolet, Silverado, at 45000 miles the ABS light came on. The ABS motor continued to run even when the engine was turned off. It seemed like this was a safety issue and numerous incidents of this problem occurred. The module was replaced by the dealer. This problem made the ABS inoperative. The problem was diagnosed as an electrical failure.
While driving, heavy smoke came from dash. I pulled off to the side of the road. When I looked under the dash I could see wires melted together coming from the brake light sending unit. It melted up into the main wire harness. I unplugged the wires , burning my hand. If I would not of, I believe the truck would have caught on fire!
Electrical complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 5 recalls for other components. 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.