Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
I was driving to my home from work when I noticed an excessive knocking sound coming from the front of the truck. I pulled into my driveway looked at the front suspension and around both tires. That's when I saw that the passenger side front upper shock mount had broken free from the frame. The shock was just banging freely against the frame. The truck is 15 years old so I know its not under warranty, but that's just poor construction. The truck has been my daily driver and has never been offroad. Judging from the other complaints regarding the frame cracking and/or breaking that I've read, I'm assuming GM isn't going to do anything about it. It's just sad. Regardless, I think NHTSA should issue a recall because this is a safety concern. The excess bounce can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
While pulling into a driveway at 7 MPH consumer depressed the brakes and vehicle did not slow down and collided with another vehicle already in the driveway. No injuries were reported. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that left front hub was defective and needed to be replaced.
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. …
My complaint is the new front wheel bearing hubs. These units are used on my 1999 Chevy truck. The bearing hub assembly is a prelubed unit. I was on the high-way running at about 70 MPH. I started to hear a hi pitch noise from the front end of my truck. I stopped to check this out. I returned home very slow. My investigation turned up,that the wheel bearing was bad. I would like to see g.m. Redesign this unit so that it can be lubed. I also feel that this is a safety issue. There was no warning. I also feel that maybe the type of lube used should also be changed. I have been driving Chevy cars or trucks for the pass thirty years. I must stress that the item in question is on the front end, if a person were to lose control ,that person will harm others.
Brake failure. ABS activated on my 1999 Silverado pickup and truck would not stop and rolled into traffic lane from gas station. This has happened a number of times, necessitating pulling of the ABS fuse in engine compartment thus rendering ABS inoperative. Had wheel hub bearing unit replaced at a cost of $377.00 and the day after the ABS activated again and vehicle would not stop. Pulled fuse again and have not replaced. Checked around the country in ny and OK., and had sons check with dealers and they asked why do you want to know if a problem. Dealer here says not a problem but I feel it should be looked into before maybe more people have problem and are killed.
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.
Consumer was driving about 10-15 MPH applied brakes and ABS just pulsated, and there was no braking action. Upon inspection of vehicle consumer found out wheel bearing hub and ABS were connected. When wheel bearings were worn out ABS would fail. Dealer stated Chevrolet was aware of this problem. Consumer hit a barrier post due to the faulty ABS brakes damaging the front end of vehicle, even though GM is aware of problem they will not pay damages, when the hub wears the antilock sensor reads falsely leading to no brakes.
Hello im reporting a problem I have noticed about rust on the under bodies of the Chevy and GMC pick ups. It is a widespread problem and needs to be resolved. There are too many vehicles reporting this problem to make it a coincidence. I myself have this problem where my frame has now cracked for the second time. People are complaining more and more and our safety is at stake. Please whatever can be done to bring GM to recognize this problem can and will save a lot of lives as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thank you
Dt: the contact stated ABS brakes kicked in at low speeds. The contact's vehicle was having the same problems as described in recall 05V379000. The contact stated the state of wisconsin was not included in the recall. He had it repaired about one year and half ago, in February 2004. They told him the hubs were corroded, and had to have the left hub assembly replaced. Now, he was having the same problem with the right hub assembly. ABS light did not come on. He started having the problems in November 2003.
Dt: the consumer stated the brakes failed at low speed, less than 20 MPH. This was an intermittent problem. The vehicle had been taken to the dealership, the first time they said it was due to rust on the rotors. They replaced the rotors, but that did not fix the problem. The bearing hub assembly was replaced, the problem ceased for about a year. The bearing hub assembly hwas been replaced three times. The problem recurred. There was no accident.
Suspension complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 107 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 6% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is front (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.