10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
123,862 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 2500:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

May 012013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
ABS activates when stopping at slow speeds, greatly increasing stopping distance. I quoted GM safety bulletin number 05068C to the local dealer, and was told it does not apply to my VIN. Dealer could not provide info on why my VIN is excluded.

- Oakhurst, NJ, USA

problem #19

May 012013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 200,500 miles
I drove my truck earlier in the morning, to run an errand. I returned home, and after about an hour I headed back out. As I was backing out of my driveway, I noticed the brake pedal felt soft. I drove down one house and applied the brake again, and the pedal went to the floor. Upon returning to the house, I observed a puddle in the driveway, and upon investigation under the truck, saw fluid had been leaking from corroded lines under the drivers side of the cab. I took my wife's vehicle to work and did some research. I found that this has happened quite a bit to Silverado owners. I had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic and am waiting to hear what the bill is going to run. Regardless of what the bill runs, I am thankful there were no kids running around in the neighborhood, as it was a school day, and that I was not on I-95 when the brakes failed. This could have ended much worse. The fact that the truck is paid off is only going to keep me from buying a new vehicle, (I'm thinking Ford?) for so long if the issues keep up.

- Pooler, GA, USA

problem #18

Apr 152013

Silverado 2500

  • 84,235 miles
My home is the last one on a dead end road. When applying the brake to turn into the drive, the driver side brake line burst by the caliper. The truck carried my wife, son and myself into a 200 ft. Deep ravine as a result of this. The truck had just been tuned up for a trip to nashville tn. If this would have happened in the mountains, I wouldn't be alive today. After repairing the truck, the passenger side brake line burst as the new brakes were being bled. Both calipers needed replaced as well, due to falling apart from rust. Bleeder screws completely rusted in half, rubber brake hoses bursting, metal brake lines rusting and springing leaks everywhere, and still no recall? GM should have to pay for these repairs at the very least. I myself, still have to figure out how to deal with my newly fused spine due to this accident.

- Plainfield , IN, USA

problem #17

Oct 012012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 145,210 miles
I was traveling down hill on a four lane road, two lanes oncoming traffic when a vehicle in front of me brake suddenly. I applied the brakes, but my foot pushed the pedal down to the bottom of its travel. The vehicle slowed down enough that so that I avoided colliding with the vehicle in front of me. With the help of an auto mechanic, it was determined that the brakes failed because the brake lines had completely rusted out. I had all of the brake lines (front and rear) replaced by an independent mechanic. Currently the vehicle runs fine but there are some issues with the ABS locking up in 4 wheel mode (not sure if the brake line failure is the cause). Note: Did not report this incident to the authorities because there was no resultant accident.

- Nottingham, MD, USA

problem #16

Feb 222013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Went out to get into my truck to go to work. We had just had a snow storm and when I backed out of my drive I got stuck trying to get to the street. I went to put the truck into drive from reverse. So I hit the brakes so that I could shift into drive and when I hit the brakes they went to the floor. I tried pumping them with no success. So I pulled the truck back into the drive and noticed a big puddle of brake fluid under the truck. I parked it and drove my Tahoe to work. Came home from work that day and pulled the truck into the garage and looked underneath to see what had caused the issue. I found all the brake lines had just crumbled to pieces. Thankfully I was not on the highway or in heavy traffic when this failure occurred. I have ordered a prevent stainless steel replacement set to replace all the brake lines with. This is clearly an issue GM must deal with.

- Derby, KS, USA

problem #15

Jan 152005

Silverado 2500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact noticed a noise coming from under the hood while parked. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the anti-braking motor remained in operation while the engine was powered off. The contact disconnected the battery in order to power off the anti-braking motor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the anti-braking motor would have to be replaced. Some time later while the contact was driving approximately 5 mph and depressing the brakes, the brakes would not respond. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was included and previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 00V345000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). They would not provide any assistance in repairing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #14

Oct 152012

Silverado 2500

  • 280,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph when the brakes were applied and they abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were corroded, which would require replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact replaced the brake lines himself. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 280,000.

- Manchester, KY, USA

problem #13

Nov 052012

Silverado 2500 6-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph she noticed a burning smell and a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed the rear brakes were smoking. The vehicle was taken to the independent dealer where the contact purchased the vehicle a day prior for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the rear brakes were replaced. After the repair the brakes continued to smoke. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed the vehicle was purchased as it was and no further assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. Updated 12/21/12 updated 1/9/2013

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #12

Sep 272012

Silverado 2500

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for brake service and was informed that the frame and brake lines were completely rusted. The contact was also told that the vehicle could no longer be driven. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 59,000.

- Anoka, MN, USA

problem #11

May 052012

Silverado 2500

  • 87,000 miles
I have a 1999 Chevy Silverado and at low speeds my anti-lock braking system engages which causes my truck to stop later or further than anticipated. This has been an ongoing problem for about 6-8 months. I called General Motors to see about a recall and was told that there wasn't a recall. My boss has a 2002 Silverado and he is experiencing the same problem. The only thing we can do is to pull the fuse and the brakes will act like conventional brakes.

- Dover, OH, USA

problem #10

Sep 142010

Silverado 2500

  • 39,000 miles
I as driving my 1999 Silverado to work. Approaching a traffic signal, I applied brakes and felt the line let go as my pedal went to the floor. My mechanic was shocked at the amount of rust under my truck with only 40000 miles. I had already replaced rotted rotors, ABS sensors, etc. More recently I had two other brake lines fixed.really dont feel safe driving this anymore. GM should recall pronto before someone gets killed.

- Saugus, MA, USA

problem #9

Aug 132012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 117,916 miles
At slow speeds the antilock brakes fail dramatically. Your stop is accelerated, until such point that the brakes actually revert to "regular" braking and the antilock brake annunciator light illuminates on the instrument panel. The wheel sensors are less than a year old as I have had both front wheel hubs replaced.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #8

Mar 162010

Silverado 2500

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal was engaged and there was no response. In order to come to a complete stop the gear was shifted into a low range and the emergency brake engaged. The failure occurred when braking at low speeds. There was recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The manufacturer was notified of the problem and they informed the contact that the VIN was ineligible for the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #7

Jul 282012

Silverado 2500

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact was traveling 55 mph when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic confirmed that the brake line ruptured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.

- Feasterville, PA, USA

problem #6

Jul 162012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 135,500 miles
Complete and total brake failure, without warning, from burst brake lines caused by rust in the lines from master cylinder to the junction box under driver's seat. I had this problem previously in the brake line from junction box to passenger front wheel two years ago. The previous rupture was in the same area, but not the same spot as this failure. I have kept visual checks for extensive rust on the other lines since then. However this new failure was where the line went through the cab to the frame, out of clear sight and behind inner fender liner. I had backed vehicle and a trailer down boat ramp to recover ski boat. Vehicle stopped normally at water edge and boat was loaded. Upon applying brakes to take vehicle from park to drive, brake pedal went completely to floorboard. I drove vehicle and boat up the ramp slowly into parking lot where I attempted to stop on flat ground. Vehicle rolled to a stop with brake pedal completely on floor. In order to get home, I removed fender liner and made emergency repairs with store bought brake lines and splice connectors. Only the line from the firewall side of the master cylinder originally failed, however in attempting to remove that broken line, the front line also had extensive rust and also started leaking. The break in the second line was within an inch of the other break. It appears the driver's side front wheel throws water, salt and debris on all lines where they run down frame through body cavity and along frame rails. Most extensive rust is located in plastic clips that stabilize brake lines to the frame. Brake lines are vital safety features, not wear items and should not fail for the life of the vehicle, in my opinion.

- Frankfort, KY, USA

problem #5

Jun 272012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
I was pulling into a parking place and as I stepped on the brake pedal it moved up and down real fast and it got real hard. The brakes failed to stop. I hit the car. The same exact thing happened to my wife and she hit a handicap sign. I contacted Chevrolet and was told that my truck is not in the recall. The recall described the exact problem that our truck is having.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #4

Jun 252012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 171,000 miles
Brake lines sprung a leak and drained fluid while driving at least I was only going 20 mph.

- Rosemount, MN, USA

problem #3

May 042012

Silverado 2500

  • 155,000 miles
Brake lines along frame rail rusted through causing brake pedal to go to the floor and loose braking power.

- Winneconne, WI, USA

problem #2

May 102012

Silverado 2500

  • 105,803 miles
While driving my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado on Friday, May 10, 2012, at approximately 15 mph, I attempted to stop at a stop sign. The brake pedal went to the floor and I needed the emergency brake to come to a complete stop and return to my residence (fortunately only approximately 1/2 mile away). I was able to get an appointment to have the truck examined at classic Chevrolet (approximately one mile away in bellevue, pa) on May 15, 2012. I was then informed all the brake lines needed replaced due to corrosion along with the two front calipers. Total cost to me was $1,228!

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1

May 102012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
I started the vehicle, depressed the brake pedal(normal) to shift into a forward gear, subsequently applied the brake pedal, but this time the pedal traveled all the way to the floor. Brake efficiency was drastically reduced, but did stop the vehicle after several feet, albeit from a very slow speed. Subsequent inspection revealed that all brake lines leading into the ABS module, located on the left underside of the vehicle just aft of the driver's door, were severally corroded; one of the lines leading to the module was ruptured. When the brake pedal was depressed, brake fluid streamed from the ruptured line.

- Louisville, KY, USA