Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1999 Chevrolet C/K Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
872.7%
5 crashes, 0 fires · median 95,000 mi
Lights
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 280,000 mi
Airbags
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
350.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
116.7%
150,000+ miles
233.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2001peak 2Oct 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Chevrolet C/K Series
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA04011Opened 9 Apr 2004Closed 10 May 2005PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING...
PE03057Opened 8 Dec 2003Closed 9 Apr 2004PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENT...
EA01013Opened 22 May 2001Closed 15 Dec 2002SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE
ODI UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO CONDUCT A FULL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, INCLUDING TESTING.THE TESTING AND ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT A TORN DIAPHRAGM IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE.THE TEAR PROPAGATES IN A SLOW METHODICAL MANNER AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS SIMILAR TO AN UNTORN UNIT UNTIL THE TEAR EXCEEDS 1/2 INCH.ODI'S TESTING INDICATES THAT TEARS GREATER THAN 1/2 INCH REQUIRED INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT.HOWEVER, AS THE LENGTH OF THE TEAR INCREASED BEYOND 1/2 INCH, A HISSING SOUND COULD BE HEARD EMITTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER PLUNGER PASSED THROUGH THE FIREW...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 130,000 milesKings Mtn., KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRIED TO STOP FOR CAR STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TOWARD FLOOR MORE THAN USUAL. IMPACTED SAID CAR BEFORE GETTING TRUCK STOPPED. FOUND RUPTURED, CORRODED BRAKE LINE TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLLUID. HAD BRAKE LINE REPLACED. LATER HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE DO SAME THING.. HAD ALL LINES REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10453564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPatchogue, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION, CAUSING REAREND COLLISION. UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE UNEXPECTEDLY. NO REPAIRS MADE YET. ABS DEACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #10283131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blairsville, PACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE HIT A DEER AND RAN INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THEN A TREE STUMP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CHEVROLET C/K 1500. *NLM *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Falls, NYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #894860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Falls, NYCrash1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #894860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Concord, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING IN WINTER CONDITIONS LAST YEAR, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO CONSUMER VEHICLE'S LANE. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE PEDAL HAD NO RESISTANCE BEHIND IT. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKE SHOES WER NOT WORN, BUT WERE "COMING APART". PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #891601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 280,000 milesLafayette, TN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I CAME HOME FROM WORK PULLED INTO DRIVE WENT TO PUT TRUCK IN PARK AND LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT. BOTH LOW BEAMS AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10480088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesKings Mtn., KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRIED TO STOP FOR CAR STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TOWARD FLOOR MORE THAN USUAL. IMPACTED SAID CAR BEFORE GETTING TRUCK STOPPED. FOUND RUPTURED, CORRODED BRAKE LINE TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLLUID. HAD BRAKE LINE REPLACED. LATER HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE DO SAME THING.. HAD ALL LINES REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10453564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesWest Chester, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ABS FAILING AT LOW SPEED,IE WHEN EVER I APPLIED THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSATE AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE BY THREE TO FIVE CAR LENGTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10404066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 222,000 milesTularosa, NM
PARKING BRAKE
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS NO BRAKE I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED HOWEVER THE BRAKE SHOULD NEVER GO TO THE FLOOR AND NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MAKERS OF THIS VEHICLE IT IS A 1999 CHEVY Z71 4 X 4 VIN NUM [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10366771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPatchogue, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION, CAUSING REAREND COLLISION. UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE UNEXPECTEDLY. NO REPAIRS MADE YET. ABS DEACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #10283131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesEAU Claire, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE ABS ACTIVATES INCREASING THE STOPPING DISTANCE AND ALMOST CAUSING MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US AT STOP SIGNS OR STOP LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10120519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blairsville, PACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE HIT A DEER AND RAN INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THEN A TREE STUMP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CHEVROLET C/K 1500. *NLM *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10021600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Falls, NYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #894860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Falls, NYCrash1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. BRAKE LIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #894860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Concord, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING IN WINTER CONDITIONS LAST YEAR, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO CONSUMER VEHICLE'S LANE. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE PEDAL HAD NO RESISTANCE BEHIND IT. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKE SHOES WER NOT WORN, BUT WERE "COMING APART". PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #891601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Concord, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
WHILE TRAVELING IN WINTER CONDITIONS LAST YEAR, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT INTO CONSUMER VEHICLE'S LANE. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE PEDAL HAD NO RESISTANCE BEHIND IT. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKE SHOES WER NOT WORN, BUT WERE "COMING APART". PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #891601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.