Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that when the pickup box was removed, there was excessive rust on the brake lines and fuel tank straps. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the two rear brake lines and the rear fuel tank strap had excessive rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The fuel gauge sending unit failed (I go by mileage to know if I need fuel or not). Driver's side seat belt locks up when you go to look to change lanes (dealer couldn't reproduce the problem--so it's never been fixed). Passenger seat belt locks up if you just lean forward to roll down the window (was told this was a mechanism for a baby seat--didn't think car seats were supposed to be in the front seat). Right side daytime running lamp burned out a long time ago. ABS module failed (had to pull the fuse so the pump wouldn't burn up) therefore the truck no longer has ABS. Driver's side front wheel hub failed due to lack of grease in the non-consumer maintainable bearing (the whole hub had to be replaced). The water pump has already failed (replaced that). The transmission is starting to slip here & there. …
Fuel gauge works off and on mostly off. I purchased truck in spring of 2002 and problem started immediately after purchase , so I am guessing that the dealer knew of the problem just got lucky that I didn't notice till after the deal was done . Have talked to several people with Chevrolet trucks all years within 1999 through 2004 and all have had the same problem. And I have talked to several dealers and was told it would cost upwards of 600 hundred dollars to repair. Sounds to me as there is definitely a problem and it isn't the car owner's that are at fault. There should be a recall on this problem.
I was driving at around 35 MPH when I tried to brake and the brakes did not work. I tried the emergency brake and that wouldn't work either. I rolled to a stop and called a towing company. When I got out of the vehical there was break fluid leaking on the drivers side of the car. The vehical was towed to the dealership where I was informed that the brake line had bust. I was also told that the feul line was about to bust. The entire break and fuel lines were corroded and had to be replaced. It took the dealership 2 week to repair. The cost was over $2000.
Have had issues with power loss while driving and lose steering and brakes capabilities. Have replaced fuel pump and fuel connectors 2 times and now again having fuel pump problems as the truck again lost power while driving and steering and brakes did not operate, causing me to nearly hit a pedestrian because of this. This is very dangerous. Dates of these incident are 12/21/03, 7/13/04 and the latest was 6/5/06. Previous repairs were done 12/23/03, 7/13/04 and have not yet brought it in to repair again as last incident happened last night.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. Whenever the contact drove various speeds, he heard a squeaking sound coming from the front passenger side suspension. The sound has been present ever since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 114,000. Updated 8/7/09 the consumer stated the right front upper control arm was the reason for the noise. Also, the gas gauge malfunctioned. It would come on and go off reading low fuel. Updated 08/11/09.
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.
There is a chronic fuel level sending unit failure, fuel gauge fails. This unit located in the fuel tank fails due to "contaminated fuel in the area attacking and corroding the unit causing it to fail." this is the same response dealers are instructed to give when customers complain about this problem. I have heard this from different parts of the country from dealers from el paso, texas to northern new Mexico.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle made a whistling noise since purchase and would stall at an idle without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where it was determined the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The pump was not replaced, and this component is inoperable and the vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic.
Fuel line failed while sitting in driveway due to extensive corrosion after repairing the fuel line and running the truck to check for leak I applied the brakes and the forward brake line failed. The entire under carriage is rusty and all fuel lines and brake lines are completely rusty and will need to be replaced.
Fuel System complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 2% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
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.