1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500: common problems

Owners of the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 filed 47 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 47
involving a crash: 1

What fails most often

1 Service brakes 47% of all complaints
2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
3 Steering 13% of all complaints
4 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
5 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
7 Suspension 6% of all complaints
8 Tires 6% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Service brakes: 22 complaints (47% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (13% of all).
Steering: 6 complaints (13% of all).
Fuel system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (9% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 47 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

fuel system, fuel smell4 · 9%
knocking, grinding or other noise3 · 6%
overheating, coolant loss3 · 6%
stalls while driving3 · 6%
brake failure2 · 4%
won't start2 · 4%
smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 4%
vibration2 · 4%
engine failure or replacement1 · 2%
hesitation when accelerating1 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Service brakes	22	1
Engine and cooling	6	0
Steering	6	0
Fuel system	4	0
Vehicle speed control	4	0
Powertrain	3	0
Suspension	3	0
Tires	3	0
Electrical system	2	0
Latches, locks, linkages	2	0
Wheels	2	0
Engine	1	0
Equipment	1	0
Parking brake	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

I need to know if this vehicle is a gmc or chevy because I have taken it to the mechanic many occasions and I always have problems with parts that don't fit. No I have always had problems with the steering it's very hard to control while driving I picking up two mechanics different times relating that issue and they…
Steering · 2018-04-05 · NHTSA complaint #11083359
It will not start just cranks . I have to let the truck sit for about 10 to 15 minutes then it may start. This problem has cost me (2) new fuel pumps at the gm dealers stranded me in the parking lots in the desert towing etc. After researching they say it is a pass lock problem something about security/ theft.
Electrical system · 2018-03-06 · NHTSA complaint #11076499
The contact stated that there had been extreme hesitation with the engine power. The service engine warning light randomly illuminated for years and the part failed to function properly.
Engine · 2016-06-17 · NHTSA complaint #10874829
While driving approximately 30 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact stated that she waited approximately 15 minutes and the vehicle started. The failure was intermittent. Chevrolet replaced the engine in may of 2002 at 63,000 miles.
Engine and cooling · 2010-09-03 · NHTSA complaint #10353731
Chassis engine failed on single lane highway hill climb. Seemed like engine cut off allowing driver to quickly turn into" hole in the wall "quick stop store parking area. Engine turned over but would not run. The consumer stated he experienced two parking brake failures within 3,000 miles of travel.
Service brakes · 2010-06-21 · NHTSA complaint #10339300
Paint peeling on hood and bed, submitted to gm for manufacture deffect and to repaint truck , it was denied due to age of truck , mileage of truck is 71,000.
Structure · 2008-03-12 · NHTSA complaint #10220866
The dealer stated that the rear drive axle oil seals failed and caused the oil leak. As of august 23, 2007, no repairs have been made. The current and failure mileages were 52,000.
Powertrain · 2007-08-23 · NHTSA complaint #10200561
The dealer stated that the fuel pump failed. As of august 3, 2007, the dealer has not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 20,000. Return usps, made 2nd attempt 08/03/07 failed.
Fuel system · 2007-08-03 · NHTSA complaint #10198394

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19999
200013
20016
20021
20032
20042
20052
20062
20072
20081
20103
20131
20161
20182

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 5,507 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Silverado 3500 has 34 complaints (32 years in the data). This year has 47, above average.

What to check before buying

Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, steering. Total complaints: 47. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (9%), knocking, grinding or other noise (6%), overheating, coolant loss (6%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1999 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.