Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 equipped with cooper dean mud terrain radial sxt, size: 119/116n. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started to wobble and made a loud abnormal noise under the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driver side tire blew out. An independent mechanic replaced the tire. The tires were replacement tires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 149,910 and the tire failure mileage was unknown. Ma 10/23/15
I am not sure what happened. I was driving along on a relatively straight stretch of road and the next thing I knew I was having an air-bag for brunch. The investigating officer and the insurance adjuster both said that the left front tire looked suspicious. It appeared to have blown out the sidewall and tread area.due to the restraints and vehicle design I was fortunate to not be seriously injured however I did total a fairly new vehicle when I hit a concrete culvert abutment.( dot number: not avail. Tire size: lt24575r16 )
Firestone steeltex class action status request. While pulling a fifth wheel trailer at about 50 MPH, the driver heard a loud thump from the rear of the vehicle. The consumer stopped and noticed that eh rear tire had separated and the loose tread end was hitting the mud flap and curled the panel upward into the wheel well. Upon request the consumer sent the tire to Firestone on May 18, 2004. On June 8, 2004 the consumer received a letter from a law firm indicating that his claim for reimbursement had been denied.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle has b.f. Goodrich t/a, size p245/75r16 tires. While driving 40 MPH, the front passenger side tire blew out where the tread meets the sidewall. The rim was damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not determine the cause of the failure. The dot number was unknown. The current mileage was 151,000 and failure mileage was 140,000.
Wilderness at model # p265/75r16 lft/rear tire disintegrated on the sidewall. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that it was probably because of air pressure. While driving 75 MPH, the truck suddenly dropped to the left with indications of a blowout. The consumer discovered the tread on the tire had separated.
While driving through an open field that had just recently be harvested for soy beans. I was making a left turn when the right front tire suddenly went flat. This caused the right front rim to plunge into the ground. This resulted in the truck rolling over. (tiresize: p265/75r16)( dot number: tire size: p265/75r16 )
Left front tire (still attached to tire: brakes, u-joint, tie rod) came off vehicle while driving 45mph, lost control, struck another vehicle and rolled. Truck has been totaled by insurance. GM contacted on 1/20/00 but no follow up.
While driving 40 MPH front driver side tire sidewall separated. Consumer managed to pull over and changed the tire. Manufacturer was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Firestone, wilderness, at p215/75r16.
The tire split from bead to tread when I ran over a pvc pipe at less than 1/2mph. The pipe was not broken so there were no sharp edges and the impact did not break the pipe. When I contacted the local dealer he refused to replace the tire saying it was a road hazard. I asked for a number to call and was refered to an office in nashvilletn. I called and talked to a person who identified himself as rock. I told him what happened and he refused to authorize the replacement of the tire saying it was a road hazard. I told him that these were off road tires that should not have so easily ruptured. He told me that they had to make the sidewalls thin because people like me wanted their truck to ride smooth and the vehicle manufacturers made them build them that way. I told him that I did not believe that. …
I had just entered onto the interstate and had gone about 5 miles when my front right tire blew sending me to the side of the road. I have always rotated these tires every 6000 miles and kept 32-34 pounds of air pressure in them. When the tire blew the whole tread from around the tire separated leaving only the two sidewalls attached to a severely damaged mag-alloy wheel. I was the only one in the vehicle and suffered no apparent injuries. However it is a little unerving to have this happen at 65 miles per hour. I went to the Firestone dealer and was told that this paticular tire was under no recall and there are no complaints. I am sure I will have no luck getting reimbursed for the tire/tires and rim but feel it necessary to at least make a complaint regarding this tire. …
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, 6% of the model year's 1,660 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Silverado wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to wheels & tires 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.