2000 Chevrolet Silverado Body Problems

94 owners have reported body & structure problems with the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado to NHTSA — 7% of all 1,305 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 55,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 22 Silverado model years for body complaints (a typical year has 14). 2 related recalls have been issued.

94complaints
55ktypical miles
2related recalls
0crashes
0fires
7injuries

Which parts fail

  • Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
    52
  • Body
    10
  • Body › Door
    6
  • Frame and members
    5
  • Frame and members › Underbody shields
    5
  • Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
    4

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    48%
  • 25k–50k
    1838%
  • 50k–75k
    1021%
  • 75k–100k
    613%
  • 100k–150k
    613%
  • 150k+
    48%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was having the exhaust changed when I was notified that one of the cross members for the frame had rusted completely through and needed to be repaired. It has been repaired, but I was informed that excessive rust is in various locations on the rear of the frame and will need to be watched closely. Keep in mind that these cross members support the fuel tank and if one would break, it looks like it could cassette fuel tank to fall off. The truck has 100,500 miles on it, which is not excessive for the year. The truck spent most of its life in michigan, but now resides in illinois. I have read several forums having the same complaints for the 99-2007 model year vehicles. There are several holes placed on these cross members by the manufacturer that allow moisture in, with no place for the moisture to go once it is place. …

Body · 101,000 miles · Dec 2015

My brakes failed, I replaced my brakes and I was never informed by general motors that there was a recall. 8/22/02: replaced front disc pads, replaced front brake rotors, cleaned caliper slides and hardware, replaced rear disc pads, replaced rear brake rotors, cleaned caliper slides and hardware on back also. Also replaced left rear emergency brake band/cable and hardware. 8/21/03: replaced tailgate handle. 7/5/05: replaced tailgate cable because it had broke in half. 7/13/05: replace u-joints. 11/1/05: had transmission serviced-filter and flush and was told that the transfer case select module needs to be replaced. …

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 42,000 miles · Aug 2002

I live in connecticut and I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado k1500 ext cab 5.3l truck with 198000+ miles on it. The truck has been garaged just about its whole life since I bought it brand new. Last week my wife was driving the truck to the store. While coming to a stop sign just down the street the brakes failed. Fortunately she was coming to a stop and wasn't going fast with no one in front of her. She walked back to the house and I went down to find that a brake line had busted behind the drivers wheel on the frame rail before it goes over the frame to the ABS module. I had the truck towed back to my house and put in the garage to inspect it. I am amazed on how much that all of the brake lines are rusted. Some areas of the line when I touched it just fell apart in my hands. …

Body · 198,000 miles · Jun 2013

Was driving my 2000 1500 and had brake failure. Upon inspection not only did I find extensive rust on lines but my rear shackles are rotting through and some places on the frame. Started to think there no way this should not be happening to this truck. Only 140000 miles this has got to be a case of poor quality. Not only is this a safety issue and should be checked on but it is an expensive fix. I did slide off the road but I came to a safe stop in a field luckily my e-brake worked and nobody else was around. Could you please investigate this and take care of it. Chevrolet should stand by their product but they don't care about us, they just want their money. Also there is a lot of rust on body of truck, like actual holes in bedside and passenger side rocker panel is bad. Thank you for your time and consideration ,sincerely Chevy truck owner:(

Body · 140,000 miles · Feb 2013

Tailgate fell off pickup Chevy.Silverado pickup truck .ttailgate dropped down while I was driving. Cable on passenger side broke causing tailgate to drop off truck.driver side didn't break,however tailgate was dragged on road untill I was able to pull over.traveling about 10 miles per hour. I was making a right hand turn. Tailgate damage $ 178.00 bill from collision shop two new cables $ 29.23 bill from Chevy dealership ideal chev. Geneseo ny. New cables need to be replaced when GM comes out with new replacements. Contacted Chevrolet moters at [phone] on June 1,2004. Sr31-222651780 advised that parts & damaged not covered at this time. Cables were rusted. I have broken cable. Chevy Silverado 2000 no one hurt however very upsetting when it occured can you help? Thank you.

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 59,000 miles · May 2004

Dt: the consumer stated the rotors rusted on the vehicle and ripped the brake pads off. The vehicle had 30,000 miles on it. The brakes started to squeal when the steel backing was rubbing against the rotors. The dealership would not fix the problem under warranty; it was 1 year out of warranty. The consumer had to pay for the problem himself. The manufacturer stated it was normal wear and tear for the brakes to go out at 30,000 miles. Consumer isn't exactly sure when the brakes started going bad, but it was approximately 9 months ago. This same vehicle the tailgate support cable broke on the passenger side, broke. There is a recall for this, NHTSA #04V129000, but his vehicle was not part of the recall. The consumer noticed that the cable was broke approximately 1-2 months ago.

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 30,000 miles · Oct 2004

Ltr fm audrey wissinger (pa) concerned about the problems she experienced with her 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Both front/rear rotors had to be replaced. The old brake linings were replaced with new ones. The rotors were literally falling apart-inferior metal. Dealer stated this was the result of the vehicle not being driven enough. There was a terrible "kluncking" sound in the rear end or drive shaft. This happened in a downshift or upshift. The dealer stated it was normal play in the drivetrain. All four wheels had to be replaced at 6000 miles because they were rusted. Tailgate strap broke at 17000 miles. When the 4-wheel drive was engaged, it made a terrible growling that didn't seem normal.

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 12,000 miles · Aug 2003

Dt*: the contact stated the frame fractured about 2" in front of the towing package on both the driver and passenger sides. The dealership alerted the manufacturer. The dealership took digital pictures of the cracked frame. The contact is only towing 3,875 pounds which is under the maximum towing specifications of 8,000 pounds. General motors has agreed to give the contact a loaner vehicle; awaiting their decision to remedy the problem without charge. The maximum towing specifications for a 5300 v8 is 8,000 pounds with a maximum tongue weight of 1,000 lbs. Updated 05/10/06

70,000 miles · Apr 2006

Recall campaign 04V129000 concerning tailgate support cable. Consumer received notification from the manufacturer in regard to this recall. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was informed that hew would have to repair the defect himself. The service technician fixed one cable, and handed the second cable to consumer, telling him that he would have to fix it by himself. Also, they claimed they were not a body shop, and he would have to get this fixed on his own.

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 120,000 miles · Jan 2005

I was sitting on the tailgate of my 2000 Silverado pickup with my girlfriend, when both cables snapped and the tailgate dropped and we fell to the ground. The tailgate received a dent from hitting the bumper. Luckily, we were not hurt, but now I don't feel safe loading my lawn tractor on the tailgate ramps. Both cables appeared rusted within their plastic sheathing and snapped in the middle where the cable bends when tailgate is closed.

Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments · 62,000 miles · Aug 2003

Related recalls

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 06V-066 · Mar 8, 2006 · 805,368 vehicles

Certain pickup trucks have galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position. Over time these cables can corrode and fracture when loads are applied to them.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables. In addition, dealers are to inspect the tailgate hinge and replace it, if necessary.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position May corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through October 29, 2004.

Body complaints in other Silverado years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’1711871084945336192511623141412151491636
Body complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado.

Frequently asked questions

How common are body problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado?

NHTSA has 94 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the model year's 1,305 complaints. The component named most often is body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (52 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Silverado body problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-066 (hinge and attachments, Mar 8, 2006); NHTSA recall 04V-129 (hinge and attachments, Mar 17, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Silverado body problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to body & structure 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.