Owners have filed 51 complaints
about the 1999 Chevrolet Pickup with NHTSA between 1999 and 2010.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Pickup. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 20
3.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
60% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1999 compares with every other Chevrolet Pickup
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
Jul 1999peak 6Sep 2010
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Homer, AKCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THOTTLE HAS STUCK 15-20 TIMES - VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 500 TIMES. TWICE IT STUCK AS WE APPROACHED HIGHWAY CROSSSTREET AND ONCE IN ANCHORAGE AT AN INTERSECTION. OTHER TIMES THERE WAS NO TRAFFICE AROUND. DEC 23,'99, JOHN WAS BACKING UPHILL WITH A PIANO IN THE PICKUP - 5 PEOPLE WERE WITNESSES-HE CREPT BACK UP AN INCLINE TOWARD THE DECK AND PUT ON THE BRAKES - THE TRUCK CONTINUED UPHILL WHILE HE PUSHED ON THE BRAKES. ALL FIVE PEOPLE YELLED, "STOP" BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND HE RAN INTO THE DECK AND STEPS, WHICH BROKE THE RAILING. THREE TIMES I HAVE HAD IT INTO CHEVY DEALERS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #742433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homer, AKCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THOTTLE HAS STUCK 15-20 TIMES - VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 500 TIMES. TWICE IT STUCK AS WE APPROACHED HIGHWAY CROSSSTREET AND ONCE IN ANCHORAGE AT AN INTERSECTION. OTHER TIMES THERE WAS NO TRAFFICE AROUND. DEC 23,'99, JOHN WAS BACKING UPHILL WITH A PIANO IN THE PICKUP - 5 PEOPLE WERE WITNESSES-HE CREPT BACK UP AN INCLINE TOWARD THE DECK AND PUT ON THE BRAKES - THE TRUCK CONTINUED UPHILL WHILE HE PUSHED ON THE BRAKES. ALL FIVE PEOPLE YELLED, "STOP" BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND HE RAN INTO THE DECK AND STEPS, WHICH BROKE THE RAILING. THREE TIMES I HAVE HAD IT INTO CHEVY DEALERS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #742433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 211,000 milesNewark, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 3500 CHEVROLET PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT NOTICE BY LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE LINE HAS CORROSION ON IT AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NOR CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED A SERIOUS CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
NHTSA complaint #10353373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesMuskegon, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER HAD BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE SHOES REPLACED ON 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO DUE TO RUSTED ROTORS. *TS (11/17/05) THE FRONT SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH LASTED FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE BEARINGS. THE ROUTERS WERE RUSTY AND WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SHOES DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DISENGAGING THE BRAKES WHICH WERE NOT ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO CLEAN UP THE ROUTERS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK AS THE NEW ROUTERS STARTED TO RUST. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE BEGUN TO STOP PROPERLY. THE DOORS WERE ALSO RUSTY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD JUMP AS IF IT WERE GOING INTO AN ANTI-LOCK STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10143204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesMuskegon, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HAD BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE SHOES REPLACED ON 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO DUE TO RUSTED ROTORS. *TS (11/17/05) THE FRONT SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH LASTED FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE BEARINGS. THE ROUTERS WERE RUSTY AND WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SHOES DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DISENGAGING THE BRAKES WHICH WERE NOT ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO CLEAN UP THE ROUTERS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK AS THE NEW ROUTERS STARTED TO RUST. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE VEHICLE BEGUN TO STOP PROPERLY. THE DOORS WERE ALSO RUSTY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD JUMP AS IF IT WERE GOING INTO AN ANTI-LOCK STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10143204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,500 milesRutland, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE FROM 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SOFT. CONSUMER REFILLED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM A LOOSE LINE.*JB BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10096873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centuria, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. *PH THE PART WOULD ALSO RUN FREQUENTLY. THE FUSE HAD TO BE PULLED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE MODULE FROM RUNNING WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE MODULE WAS FAULTY. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 795.00 TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10068567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centuria, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. *PH THE PART WOULD ALSO RUN FREQUENTLY. THE FUSE HAD TO BE PULLED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE MODULE FROM RUNNING WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE MODULE WAS FAULTY. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 795.00 TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10068567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellenwood, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE, CALLED COLD ENGINE KNOCKING. MANUFACTURER STATED NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HAD BEEN FOUND DUE TO THIS KNOCKING. *AK AS STATED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN, THIS MAY OCCUR WHEN IT'S 50 DEGREES OUTSIDE OR IF THE VEHICLE HAVEN'T BEEN STARTED IN SEVERAL DAYS. THE NOISE MAY BE CAUSED BY INTERACTION OF THE PISTON AND CYLINDER WALL. GM POWERTRAIN ENGINEERS CONFIRMED THE NOISE ISN'T DETRIMENTAL TO PERFORMANCE, RELIABILITY, OR DURABILITY OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT REPLACING THE ENGINE WOULDN'T ELIMINATE THE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10040314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buckhorn, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK WAS LEAKING LAST WINTER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. A USED GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED, AND IT HAS BEEN LEAKING. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS WERE CONTACTED AND NONE HADTHE PARTS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10024245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesWoodbridge, VA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING. NO ROAD HAZARDS OR ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. TIRE MADE A NOISE, PIECES OF RUBBER WERE FALLING ON THE ROAD, TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED AS I PULLED OVER. TREAD WAS PARTIALLY OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. I HAVE ELECTRONIC PICTURES. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761431
NHTSA complaint #10009194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moline, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE THROTTLE WILL STICK AND THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bulverde, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILS. WELL DOCUMENTED PART FAILURE. VERY EXPENSIVE, SO MOST GO UNREPAIRED, I.E. UNPLUG ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #767427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE EBCM MODULE FOR THE ANTI LOCKING BRAKES HAS A CIRCUIT THAT IS STUCK OPEN, THUS RENDERING MY ABS INOPERABLE ON MY TRUCK. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT SIR WALTER CHEV. IN RALEIGH, NC TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND THAT THE REPAIR WILL BE ABOUT $1000.00. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT CHRIS LEITH CHEV IN WAKE FOREST NC TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME BECAUSE OF HIGH MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH TIME HAS NOT EXPIRED ON MY WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY WARRANTY IS OUT. HE SAID HE HEARD RUMORS ABOUT A CAMPAIGN TO FIX SAME BUT DOES NOT KNOW IF IT WILL OCCUR. ( AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR SAME I LEFT. I TURNED AROUND AND WALKED BACK IN TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO DEFEAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND CAUGHT THEM OFF GUARD. IT APPEARED THEY WERE LAUGHING KNOWING I WAS GOING TO BE SCREWED OUT OF $1000 DOLLARS)I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND MESSAGE BOARDS GALORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALL WERE PISSED OFF THAT CHEV. WILL NOT FIX SAME. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM AND I NEED YOUR HELP. THE ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS A VERY STICKY THROTTLE BODY THAT IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #766134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE EBCM MODULE FOR THE ANTI LOCKING BRAKES HAS A CIRCUIT THAT IS STUCK OPEN, THUS RENDERING MY ABS INOPERABLE ON MY TRUCK. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT SIR WALTER CHEV. IN RALEIGH, NC TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND THAT THE REPAIR WILL BE ABOUT $1000.00. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT CHRIS LEITH CHEV IN WAKE FOREST NC TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT WORK WITH ME BECAUSE OF HIGH MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH TIME HAS NOT EXPIRED ON MY WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY WARRANTY IS OUT. HE SAID HE HEARD RUMORS ABOUT A CAMPAIGN TO FIX SAME BUT DOES NOT KNOW IF IT WILL OCCUR. ( AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER BEING TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR SAME I LEFT. I TURNED AROUND AND WALKED BACK IN TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO DEFEAT THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND CAUGHT THEM OFF GUARD. IT APPEARED THEY WERE LAUGHING KNOWING I WAS GOING TO BE SCREWED OUT OF $1000 DOLLARS)I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND MESSAGE BOARDS GALORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALL WERE PISSED OFF THAT CHEV. WILL NOT FIX SAME. THIS IS A REOCCURING PROBLEM AND I NEED YOUR HELP. THE ONLY OTHER PROBLEM IS A VERY STICKY THROTTLE BODY THAT IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #766134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Plains, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ENGINE FAILS TO DECELERATE UPON RELEASE OF ACCELERATOR - STAYS AT LAST RPM 5-10 SECONDS (VARIES). THIS REQUIRES ADDITIONAL BRAKING. PROBLEM IS CONSTANT. VEHICLE MUST BE IN MOTION FOR FAILURE TO OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #763084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY City, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HELLO,I'VE RECENTLY PURCHACED THIS VEHICLE USED,AND I'VE DISCOVERED IT HAS "ENGINE BEARING KNOCK NOICE".I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A DEALERSHIP.FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINES WERE PUT TOGETHER WITH THE WRONG SIZE BEARINGS.I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED.THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY RESPONCES. STEVE CATHCART.
NHTSA complaint #762250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center Harbor, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MODULE FAILED- MOTOR IN UNIT KEPT RUNNING KILLING BATTERY-DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR UNIT SAYING IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #761814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, IA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS VEHICLES WHOSE OPERATORS OBVIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED ON THEIR VEHICLE. AS AN OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO COME UPON CARS AND TRUCKS ALIKE THAT WHEN BRIGHT/LIGHT BUT RAINING, SNOWING, OR FOGGY HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS ON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE PROCEDED TO FLASH MY LIGHTS AT THEM IN THE HOPES THAT THEY WOULD TURN THEIR LIGHTS ON FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS MINE AND ALL OTHER USERS OF THE ROAD BUT TO NO AVAIL. IHAVE HOWEVER FOUND UPON PASSING THESE VEHICLES THAT THEY HAVE . THEIR HEADLIGHTS ON . MY VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP ON A DIME BY ANY MEANS AND I FEEL THAT UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO MAKE ALL LIGHTS COME ON AUTOMATICALLY OR LET THE DRIVER MAKE THE WHOLE DECISION AS TO WETHER LIGHTS ARE WARRENTED. FURTHER TO ADD TO MY POINT I OWN A 2000 CHEVY S10 PU THAT, UNTIL OWNING IT FOR ALMOST A YEAR. MY HUSBAND DID NOT KNOW THAT HE HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS UNTIL THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON. THERE IS NO WAY TO FIND THIS OUT UNLESS SOMEONE TELLS YOU BECAUSE THE RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED UNTIL YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE. THEREFORE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT AND SEE THAT ONLY THE FRONT LIGHTS ARE ON. IF THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL TRY TO EXPLAIN BETTER ( ITS REAL HARD TO TELL WHAT YOUV WRITTEN WHEN YOU CAN ONLY SEE THE LAST FEW WORDS AS YOU TYPE) MERRY CHRISTMAS.
NHTSA complaint #755678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chico, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, CAUSING POOR DRIVING VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS TO USE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT SWITCH ASSEMBLY INSIDE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8000801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buda, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MODULE FAILURE, ABS SYSTEM INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #755336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chico, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETLY OUT CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS TO USE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN, AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED IT HAD A BAD CONNECTION AT A PLUG DOWN THE STEERING COLUMN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #899482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brenham, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ABS SYSTEM IS COMPLETLY OUT. DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #893895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairmont, IL
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DASH LIGHTS STAY ON. *AK CONSUMER STATES PUMP RUNS AT ALL TIMES WITH KEY ON OR OFF, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS WAY TO HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #893085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cochran, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING AFTER TRUCK WAS CUT OFF AND KEY WAS REMOVED.THE FUSE WAS REMOVED. DEALER SAID SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1600.00 GM WAS CALLED BUT WAS NO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #748061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cochran, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT STOP RUNNING AFTER TRUCK WAS CUT OFF AND KEY WAS REMOVED.THE FUSE WAS REMOVED. DEALER SAID SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1600.00 GM WAS CALLED BUT WAS NO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #748061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.