4.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,226 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 #14

Feb 022006

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
The head gasket on the motor leaks antifreeze. This has been noted several times on vehicles that use the extended life antifreeze. The cost to fix the problem is not cheap due to the cost of labor required to remove the head from the motor and replace with new seal.

- Bay Port, MI, USA

problem #13

May 152003

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,228 miles
The contact's husband vehicle stalled without warning while being driven. There were no warning lights to indicate any problem. The vehicle was towed. It was taken to the dealer for service, where they added insulation to an air conditioning line and replaced the distributor cap. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 1/19/2006 - the second time the vehicle stalled the dealer advise the consumer to remove the distributor cap and remove the corrosion from the cap and rotor. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken to the dealer for service.

- Washington, NC, USA

problem #12

May 202002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Around 40,000 miles the engine began ticking and tapping after start-up when the rngine is cold. Now its happening all the time when you start it up. I heard from other owners its called (piston slap). I took ithe vehicle to the dealer and they said they had quite a few complaints about this and said the manufacture is working on the problem. Does'nt look like anything will be done about it!!!! please help?

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #11

Sep 182003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
Throttle linkage sticks, ongoing problem, itermittently, mostly sticks from idle, but recently did not return to idle, had to reaccelerate and then it returned. Mechanic contacted Chevrolet dealer and was told it is a problem in around 50% of the throttle bodies in this type of vehicle. Refused to provide correction for problem and stated that it is a major problem.(not dealer where purchased)

- Reedsburg, WI, USA

problem #10

Oct 092003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 49,929 miles
1. ABS motor started running while driving, then kept running, even when vehicle was shut off. 2. engine turns over but is hard to start if it sits longer than 15 minutes and less than 6 hours 3. while idling, engine occasionally shakes and sounds like it's going to die.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #9

Oct 012002

Silverado 3500

  • 38,000 miles
The engine stalled and had to be replaced at 38,000 miles.

- Sturgis, KY, USA

problem #8

Sep 011999

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Vehicle shut off without prior warning while traveling on highway. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Davis, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 042001

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Component crank sensor replaced each time. Vehicle continues to have electronic/fuel related problem.R

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 182001

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Right rear was hanging from under the mounts. When going over a bump it was hard to keep control.

- Carrollton, MO, USA

problem #5

Aug 301999

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
From the very begining, the engine, (5.3L), has made a ticking/knocking noise at start up (similar to what "noisy lifters). I was told by the dealer some time ago, that is was faulty pistons, ("piston slap"), with no solution yet. I have since also heard this from addtional automotive resources. It has continued to get worse. I spoke to the dealer again today, and am meeting with him tomorrow, leaving my truck so they can start it in the morning. I just anticipate a lot of problems. He has told me that they have had many trucks come back for the same reason, and have even replaced entire engines. But he also said it could be "carbon build up". I don't think so, because it was doing this from the first day off the lot. I hope I am wrong, but expect a very difficult battle to get the engine replaced. Any information or help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have talked to numerous other truck owners with the same problem. Some have had major repairs like new lifters, without success. But those who let the dealer do major repair, then later were told Chevrolet would not take the motor back and put a new one in, because the dealer had already "broke" into the engine. (didn't mean to write a book, but really would like some help/support. This is a very new and expensive truck, and I should not have an engine knocking with 40,000 miles on it, particularly from day one. I take meticulous care of this truck and change the oil like clock work every 3500 miles. Thanks so much for any help or direction you can provide! sincerely, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ste. Geneveive, MO, USA

problem #4

Jun 011999

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Consumer heard a tapping noise coming from motor area. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic replaced engine lifters. But, problem has continued.

- Biddesord, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 012000

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Accelerator or throttle hangs up from dead stop, causing the vehicle to lunge upon acceleration - fuel gauge goes to full mark will not move until fuel tank is almost empty - engine has a sound like the valves are rattling after vehicle has set for 30 minutes or more - vehicle has a bad miss in the engine as if it will stop running this is intermittent most noticeably on inclement days - exhaust has a loud hum at 35 to 45 mph and any time you accelerate to pass or merge into traffic.( dot number: 029056 tire size: P22570R16 )

- Pineville, LA, USA

problem #2

Mar 172000

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Every morning when starting vehicle up engine makes noise, and big cloud of smoke comes through the tail pipe.

- Belen, NM, USA

problem #1

Sep 211999

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Started up the vehicle and was running rough when out on the highway, vehicle just stopped. Had to be towed to the dealer. Had been diagnosed that the #3 and #4 engine cylinders had misfired. Also, replaced the fuel injectors #3 and #4, and spark plugs. Several days later the same problem. This time the #4 engine cylinder again failed. Contaminated fuel, replaced the fuel pump. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.

- Edgewater Pk Twnshp, NJ, USA