10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,144 miles

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problem #16

Jun 232005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles
I bought this truck in Ohio for my wife [xxx], she reported that the ABS brake would simply not work on accasion and the pedal would go straight to the floor.we took the vehicle in to the dealer but he could not find the problem. At lows speeds I was able to reproduce the problem. Dealers down here say the sensor is bad. We pulled the fuse to disable the brakes when the vehicle was new because a delphi engineer told me that would at least keep the brakes working. I have 58000 miles on my truck and we have replaced the calipers the rotors and even some of the brake lines have rusted rupturing and causing a loss of brakes. The power steering hose line rusted at the cooler radiator.. yesterday the Chevy dealer in gainseville called me to the shop to see how the frame is being eaten away, I believe the vehicle either wasn't proberly prepared when built or the protective paints and coating were deffective. The records at jim douglas chevolet evidence the expenses we have incuured to keep the truck operational. The ABS module and the loss of break lines seem to relflect extemely poor metal coorosion resistance, even both my tailgate cable rusted and broke.each time I have taken in to the Chevy dealer for repair they are amazed at the corrosion problems. Even the tire jack in the passenger compartment was rusted and it was never used. The screws inside the center console were rusted. I spent between $2500 and $3000 in just the brake problem and that is without trying to fix the defective sensor module. I assure absent a forced recall I suspect GM will not fix this problem. GM conumer relatios suggested I get a recall number and maybe they could be of further assistance. Thus I am send you my complaint. Sincerely [xxx]. our VIN is [xxx] our model is CK15753 the car was assembled at fort wayne. June 6,1999. Note I selected 25 failures as an estimated of failed componets in the unrecarrage including the brakes and the ABS module. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA),

- High Springs , FL, USA

problem #15

Jun 112005

Silverado 3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Tailgate cable on my 1999 Chevy Silverado snapped. Appears to be correded. There is a active recall for this same issue for 2000-2004 Silverado's but not for the 1999 model. No damage to vehicle or injuries.

- Zion, IL, USA

problem #14

Mar 042005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 161,000 miles
There has been a failure by breakage in one of the tailgate support cables, which completely fractured after corrosion. As a result of this happening I observed the second support cable, and see it is weakened by corrision, and will fracture the same way. This breakage occurred after opening the truck tailgate, and fortunately occurred before I was going to jump into the box of the truck. Breakage of the second cable will result in the tailgate dropping off, causing possible injury.

- Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 00, USA

problem #13

Apr 222003

Silverado 3500

  • 84,000 miles
A client of mine, Mr. Herman katzel, sustained neck injuries when the tailgate straps of his 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500, 33D ext cab failed.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #12

Apr 052005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tailgate cable recall for 1999 Silverado. I understand that an investigation is under was for the 1998 and 1999 Silverado for tailgate cable failure. Just to advise you that I had to replace of the cable because of metal fatigue in the cable. (rusted right through it). GM has refused to replace the cable as they said that my vehicle was outside of the current recall. My vehicle is the new body style Silverado and is identical to the 2000 model. I hope this adds somthing to your investigation.

- Rockland, Ontario, 00, USA

problem #11

Jan 242005

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
While driving the safety latch on the drivers side door failed. The consumer almost fell out of the vehicle. The consumer was driving over a rail road track and the door opened and would not close. The tailgate locks are broken. The consumer had to drive home holding the door. 3 out of 4 locks failed.

- Blanchester, OH, USA

problem #10

Nov 282004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
I do not receive any re-calls and recently saw where there is one now for tail gates. I replaced one on my own. Also, I went to stop and there were no brakes. After taking it to the garage, it was a hub. Was there a recall on this also that I did not receive? I have a 1999 Silverado Z71 and only have a little over 50K miles on it. Please inform me if there have been re-calls that I am not aware of. We could have all been killed from this hub incident.

- Marion, OH, USA

problem #9

Aug 022004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 119,000 miles
We were loading some boxes in the truck I jumped up on the tailgate to move them forward and the cable just snapped into. Causing me to lose my ballance and fall to the ground. The truck is currently at the dealer because of a failure in the front spindle. I have may them aware of these defect, but as usual they start the ole ho hummmm we'll have to see. Then of course when they get it all torn down then they denie any responsibility and then tell you want to take it somewhere else"???? yea I want to pay 2 wrecker bills ontop of the repairs ?????"

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 052002

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • miles
The cables that hold the tailgate up on my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup are encased in plastic. This plastic holds moisture in and causes the cable to corrode and at the same time hides the corrosion. I was standing on my tail gate and the cables broke, causing me to fall. Luckily, I was not hurt, but I could have very easily been hurt.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #7

May 202004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
3 months ago the drivers side tailgate cable totally disentegrated and seperated in two parts. Knowone was injured, but this could have injured whoever was working on or sitting on the tailgate, not to mention damage the truck. The passenger side tailgate cable in still intact. The failing cable gave no signs of separating beforehand, however no looking at the exposed cable, it appreas rusted through, thus causing the failure.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 252004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Tailgate strap broke. Have not replaced as of yet, being careful not to load weight on tailgate.

- Bethel, OH, USA

problem #5

Jul 012004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
We purchased a 1999 Chevy Silverado on 03-27-01. We have never used it for heavy-duty work. On 7-1-04, my husband, driving on a county park road at 15-20 mph, went over a speed bump and the tail gate opened and the right rear cable on the tailgate broke in two. The tailgate, hanging from the left cable, was damaged as it was dragged about 10 ft. The cable, which is covered with plastic, was completely rusted under the plastic cover. The top of the cable cover did not appear to have any open access to water, so it is doubtful that an inspection of the cable would have shown any wear. The dealer told us there was a cable recall for model years 2000 and on, but not the 1999. Repair work was our responsibility. He referred us to GM customer assistance. I spoke with a manager, robert beckett, who opened a complaint file#1-232-773-551. He also said there was nothing we could do since we were outside our new vehicle warranty. It was simply a maintenance/wear item. He said he inspects his tailgate cables every time he changes his oil. A man I know who worked for GM for 20 years and has owned pick-up trucks all of his life said he never checks the tailgate cables on any of his trucks, has never heard of anyone who does, and thinks that this manager's implication that it was negligence on our part is unfounded. We purchased two new cables a GM parts dealer and installed them. We still have the defective cable. We feel this accident was a result of a part defect and that GM should be responsible for the entire repair as a result of this accident. Fortunately it didn't break when someone stood on the tailgate, as has happened to other truck owners, resulting in bodily injury, or in heavy traffic or on a highway. This GM manager said there was nothing further I could do. He gave me the address to mail a complaint (Chevrolet, po box 33170, detroit, mi 48232) but that it was pointless because the letter would end up on his desk. Please help.

- Olney, MD, USA

problem #4

Mar 182004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 87,000 miles
Consumer complained about the tailgate support cable. It was replaced 3 times already.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #3

Jul 232003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Our Chevrolet Silverado's tailgate fell off while driving down the road!

- Sandwich, IL, USA

problem #2

Oct 012003

Silverado 3500

  • 63,000 miles
While driving tailgate opened without warning.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 282001

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tailgate would not stay closed, intermittently it would open. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that inside handle and arm of door was rusted, causing tailgate not to latch properly.

- Rockford, MI, USA