10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,310 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.

problem #32

Nov 012010

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that there was excessive corrosion on the frame. The contact also mentioned that due to the corrosion, the brake lines failed. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that all of the brake lines needed to replaceddue to corrosion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 91,000. Also, the emergency brake needed to be replaced. Updated 01/10/12

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #31

Jun 132010

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 27,990 miles
Chassis engine failed on single lane highway hill climb. Seemed like engine cut off allowing driver to quickly turn into" hole in the wall "quick stop store parking area. Engine turned over but would not run. The consumer stated he experienced two parking brake failures within 3,000 miles of travel. Each repair, consisted of replacing switches and adjustments. The last repair consisted of the replacement of the drum associated with the brake pads, switches and wheel brake disc. It was also discovered that the park assembly had burned up, when the brake assembly failed to release. In addition, a 10 amp fuse had blown when a short was discovered in a pressure switch. The park brake assembly and both pressure switches were replaced. Updated IVOQ 12/19/12 the consumer stated while filling re-fueling the motor home, a passerby informed him gasoline was draining from the motor home. He quickly removed the hose and saw a large puddle of fuel under the gas tank. The consumer was not sure, where it was coming from, but it did appear to flow from a connecting pipe at the very rear of the motor home filling section and about 4 inches at the tank interface. The consumer stated the motor home is currently in storage. Updated 04/30/13

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #30

Sep 082006

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
: the contact stated the adjustment nut for the emergency brake was missing on the passenger side rear. Two GM dealerships informed the contact the part was unavailable to purchase separately.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #29

Jul 062006

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
: the contact stated the parking brake would not hold. When the parking brake was engaged and the vehicle was placed in drive, the vehicle would roll forward and backward. There were no lights illuminated on the dash when this occurred.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #28

Apr 062006

Silverado 3500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
1999 Chevy Silverado pick up parking brake issue. There is currently a safety recall for manual transmission models only. This recall involves replacement of the parking brake shoes and installation of a revised spring clip. Why is this not applicable to vehicles with automatic transmissions "? I realize the parking brake is more critical in a manual transmission vehicle. However, does this make it right to exclude automatic transmission vehicles from such a safety issue?" there is too many occurrences of this safety related problem in numerous model years for it not to be properly addressed by GM as a recall/covered repair!

- Avon, NY, USA

problem #27

Apr 172006

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 69,000 miles
: the contact stated while parking the brake will not hold. A NHTSA recall, # 05V161000 was performed on the vehicle concerning the parking brake however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #26

Jun 011999

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Parking break wore out prematurely. Dealer said the noise I heard was from something else. Took truck back several times to no avail. Finally, dealer said I had been driving around with parking brake on. Not true, can't drive 1999 Silverado with parking brake on and not notice; bell rings.

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #25

Jan 012001

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
The contact stated the parking brake failed to stop the vehicle. At first the parking brake failed intermittently, but now, it has failed completely. There was a recall on the parking brake, but this VIN was not included in the recall because the contact's vehicle did not have manual transmission. The parking brake linings have been replaced by the dealership, but he was unsure of how long this will correct the problem. Updated 02/13/06.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #24

Aug 142000

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
My trucks parking brake system has been inoperative since 15,000 miles. I have never driven with the brake on and never used the brake in an inappropriate way. I see that there is a recall for trucks like mine with manual transmissions. I feel this is unfair to owner of automatic transmission vehicle. The transmission type should have nothing to do with the parking brake. I have read several other complaints of owners with the same problem as mine.... no holding power when parking brake is applied. The repair cost is very high, and I hate to spend the money if it will only last another 15,000 miles!

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #23

Apr 212005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Emergency brake failed three times. The consumer contacted the manufacturer. While driving consumer tried to down shift and the vehicle would not go into gear. The brakes locked up and the anti-lock braking system did not work. The emergency brakes also failed to work causing the driver to hit a tree. The driver or passenger side air bag did deployed. The driver's seat ejected off of the floor with the driver strapped into the seat. The vehicle had caught on fire upon the side impact. Consumer has had trouble shifting threes times previously and the transmission along with the clutch had been replaced once before.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #22

Apr 102005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
Parking brake on my truck wore out prematurely causing vehicle to fail Texas safety inspection. Truck is a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado and had less than 65,000 miles on it at the time of the failed safety inspection. Parking brake shoes were replaced at a cost of about $200. A recall has been issued by Chevrolet, but it is only for the manual transmission vehicles, not the automatic transmission. Recall number for manuals was 05V161000

- Forney, TX, USA

problem #21

Jan 012001

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,934 miles
Parking brake has never been effective to hold vehicle, at 66000 miles the rear axle pinion bearings wore out. At 68 K000miles the ABS controller stopped working/ fuse had to be pulled to stop motor. [should there have been a recall on this part as a lot of Silverado have the same problem] 73000 miles front axle housing split in two halves literally/ had to remove axle. 50000 miles battery corroded and leaked at positive terminal tailgate straps broke, luckily one first.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #20

May 282003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
Whenever the engine warmed up it caused the accelerator pedal to stick intermittently, the accelerator pedal had to be depressed hard to get the vehicle to accelerate from a stop position. And the emergency parking brake would not hold properly when parked on an incline. Vehicle continued to roll. The dealer was notified.

- Cato, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 172004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
The parking brake was defective and wore the drum out. This was discovered after the vehicle rolled back. The consumer was inside the vehicle when this occurred. The clip which held the brake shoe was defective.

- Locust Fork, AL, USA

problem #18

Mar 312004

Silverado 3500

  • 71,000 miles
The parking brake did not work properly. Vehicle was inspected, and the attendant informed the consumer of the parking brake failure.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Jan 212004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 95,000 miles
Consumer complained about a parking brake problem. The parking brake wore out on one side.

- Mojave, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 012003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Parking brake failed, vehicle did not pass inspection. Service technicians report this is a common problem, emergency brake pad is continually engaged due to product defect. Defective unit was replaced with redesigned unit for over $200.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 282003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • miles
For about a month, the park brake did not hold on hills. An appointment was made on 7/7/2003 with the dealer to repair the park brake.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 012003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
When the parking brake was depressed, it did not hold, due to a failure with the pads. The parking brake would not release.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #13

Jan 302003

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Emergency brake adjustment problem has caused excessive brake rotor wear, affecting brake operation. Ts....

- La Porte, TX, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »