6.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,228 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Jun 031999

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A piece of metal fell out of steering column. Also, front end needed alignment due to drifting/pulling right/ 4-wd light keeps coming on. When shifting into gear, rear end would pop, and ABS brakes went out when applied. When vehicle is turned off it would still be running. Would restart it and it turned off.

- Childress, TX, USA

problem #25

Oct 112000

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure, transmission's clanking, hard to accelerate, jerking, slipping, and shifting erratically.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #24

Oct 112000

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission failure, transmission's clanking, hard to accelerate, jerking, slipping, and shifting erratically.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #23

May 042000

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
5 service calls on transmission / replaced twice & still venting fluid

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #22

Sep 152000

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Transmission completly failed. Explanation from the dealer was metal seperated in the transmission and that they didn't know why.

- Brooklet, GA, USA

problem #21

Feb 012000

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission emits an intermittent howling noise during which time torque transfer from engine to drive train is reduced. Noice may last from 10 minutes to 10 hours. Transmission also occasionaly does not engage when starting from a full stop. Dealer first diagnosed as possible faulty transmission pump but did not repair or replace.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 251999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
3rd transmission related failure

- Loysville, PA, USA

problem #19

Jan 252000

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
Truck has been at dealer for repair total of 35 days before 1st anniv. Of ownership with over 20 separate problems, 5 of which are unresolved to this date. Vehicle is at dealer now for final repair before tn lemon law can be implemented. Worst and current problems are front end alignment (pulls to right), front brake squealing (pads replaced twice, rotors turned once), rear end vibration at any speed and clanking sound over bumps(all 4 tires, both rear leaf spring stacks, all 4 shocks replaced. One shock had broken shaft), engine backfires & knocks at startup (dealer reprogrammed comp. W/no results except to improve power, but accel. Pedal sticks now!), trans. Slips from dead stop for few seconds about once per week, 4WD transfer case slipped in low in deep snow (replaced fluid and did reprogram. Results??), ext. Cab pop out windows replaced due to poor fit (one exploded upon removal & dealer had to repaint side of truck. New ones are no better than originals!), rear seat missing rubber mounts(dealer replaced, but now seat makes popping noise due to rear cab wall flexing!), drive shaft makes loud clanking sound when shifting from park(dealer says this normal!). problems repaired: Rear brake line loose & in harms way(missing mount replaced), steering box loose and steering column rattled and loose around any turns(box tightened and column shaft replaced), drivers side window switch sticking in down posit.(switch replaced), all door weatherstrips and drip rail molding loose (replaced all), rear license plate light broken and replaced, door lock levers fell out of both doors(replaced both). Lemon, lemon, lemon!!!!!!!!!!( dot number: )

- Antioch, TN, USA

problem #18

Mar 272000

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When placed in 4WD mode the truck makes a groaning/moaning noise at approx 9 mph on. If the steering wheel is turned the truck jerks and shudders. This happens on dry pavement and sheet ice, we drive on both a lot up here in Alaska. I have a lot of prior experience with 4X4 vehicles and this is abnormal to the point of being dangerous. I have taken it in to the dealer and they have contacted GMC. The service mgr told me that he had talked with a "bob" at "tan" and got no assistance, but was told that this was normal for all 4X4 trucks. The dealer agrees with me that this is not normal and they told me that mine is the third truck in the last few weeks to have this problem, all with no help from GMC. The dealers solution is to not use 4WD unless absolutely vital. But 4WD is absolutely vital driving on the roads here in Alaska most all winter, and part of spring. The erratic control feel is very bothersome and I believe a serious safety issue!

- Kenai, AK, USA

problem #17

Jun 021999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slips out of gear on occasions, on two occasions the key was removed and consumer was exiting vehicle at time of slippage.

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

problem #16

Sep 301999

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vibrations have occurred since the day of purchase. Have not been corrected in 3 attempts at dealership. I requested from the Chevrolet customer assistance that the regional service manager be involved in repair of my vehicle, Chevrolet denied this service.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #15

Dec 221999

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Onsumer is not satisfied with this vehicle. Dealership had vehicle for thirty days over two month period. Consumer heard a grinding noise underneath the hood. Front four wheel drive differential was replaced. Also, steering wheel had a lot of play, and was replaced with upper and lower shaft/ transmission wouldn't shift into second and third gears. Dealership reprogramed PCM, and the transmission still doesn't operate at all. The back window flew open from the third door.

- Burlington, IA, USA

problem #14

Dec 011998

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission does not shift out of 2nd gear when outside temperature is below 30 degrees.

- Owego, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 221999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle vibrates between 0 mph to 22 mph. More pronounced when towing trailer. Dealer and GM contacted, were advised is common problem, no fix available as of 12-6-99. Engineers working on problem.

- Arnold, CA, USA

problem #12

Jul 141999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine pings or has spark knock under acceleration or while towing a trailer. Also a spark knock when starting after being warmed up. Transmission will not stay in one gear while towing even on leavel road. Has had no luck with dealer. Dealer always states ( could not duplicate customers concern.) a G.M. tech. Rep road tested this vehicle and stated all parameters are within factory specs.

- Greenbrier, AR, USA

problem #11

Oct 131999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
Reprogramed pcmwith update.overdrive comes in at 51mph.fuel milage down to 12mpg.this is just a quick fix by Chevy.

- Otisville, NY, USA

problem #10

Jan 281999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
Exhaust: Sounds like exhaust leak when accelerating from approx 4omph, dealer said it was smog pump. Drive shaft: Clunking sound from rear of vehicle on take off, dealer said it was drive shaft and was normal. Transmission: Shifting hard from 1st to 2nd and sometimes to 3rd. Windshield: Clacking noise coming from windshield area at 50+mph. Dealer said it was trim and replaced it 3 times, not fixed.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 171999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
On 3 occasions, once around 1200 miles and twice at around 5500 miles, went to accelerate from a standstill, and the truck did not move. Engine revved, then slammed into gear, and then truck was able to move. No specific pattern to this, just random. Dealer "cannot duplicate the problem".

- Three Oaks, MI, USA

problem #8

Sep 281999

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
ABS: While braking over semi-rough/rough surface, brakes seem to slip or disengage, causing extreme vibration. Transmission: While pulling trailer or accelerating uphill, excessive vibration occurs. Steering: While speeds 45 mph+, moderate vibration in front-end and sterring column. Suspension: While tiurning wheels maximum left or right, or driving over uneven surfaces, hear a clicking noise in front-end. Rear window: Latch does not securely tighten window causing excessive wind noise.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 231999

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Vibration in drivetrain at speeds less than 45mph. Engine only runs 1,000-1,100 RPM's at speeds less than 45mph. Transmission shifts into 3rd at approx. 20mph and 4th at approx. 30mph. Engine feels like it is struggling at speeds less than 50mph. Two different dealerships stated there was a problem, but said that everything was electronic and nothing could be adjusted. A/C is not cooling sufficiently. It only cools on full cool with re-circulation and fan on high. Even then, air coming directly from center vent does not get below 48 degrees. I tested two other vehicles and both blew 40 and 42 degrees from center vent. Two different dealerships admitted there was a problem, but stated there was no fix. Driver-side outside mirror vibrates. Dealer replaced twice and both manufacurer and dealer refuse to replace again. Weather stripping along ouside bottom of both driver and passenger windows is defective. Dealer and manufacturer both refused to correct problem because other stock units look the same.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »