1999 Chevrolet Silverado LS from North America - Comments

I own a 1999 Chev Silverado 4wd 5.3L.

At 70,000 miles the ABS and brake light started coming on, on the dash. I haven't experienced buzzing from the frame area, though. Just so I can't see the lights, I took the dash apart and used model paint to paint over the idiot lights. You can't even tell I did it, but it's nice not seeing lights every time I drive. ($5 and 20 minutes of my time)

At 90,000 miles the fuel gauge started acting up. It would go from working to not working about 10 times just on my 7 mile drive to work. Then eventually, it work one day and not the next. ($340 for new unit; wholesale price)

At 105,000 miles the service 4wd light started coming on in the message center. I bought a replacement relay switch from a Chev dealer ($65) and that solved the problem.

At 135,000 miles my transmission went out and had to be rebuilt. I was backing down my drive way at about 3 mph when a loud crunch occurred followed by a whining sound. I had no reverse. Because reverse and 1st are the same... wasn't moving forward very well. Truck as never had a load over 500 lbs in the bed, and the trailer I have towed has 1 jet ski, not exactly heavy. Lucky for me my buddy owns 5 tranny shops and did the work for me. ($1,600 and he installed the fuel pump above for me for free)

I understand that this is the first year for the chassis and engine, so problems are expected. But for GM to ignore some of these issues is not helping to retain customers. But like most companies customer satisfaction is #2, PROFIT is #1. Sorry guys!!!

I Have a 1999 Chevy Z71 truck with 5.3 engine. I bought it used in 2000. Until the last couple of years it was a great truck. At 125,000 miles I started have instrument panel issues. My gas guage would not always work, my odometer and shifter lights would go off and on. After a while they just quit working. Last year I spent $850 replacing the instrument panel cluster and the tow/haul switch. Now the service 4 wheel drive is coming on. The ABS & brake lights are coming on. The security light is coming on. My cruise turns off when I turn on my blinker and sometimes doesn't work at all. I just replaced the fuel pump/sending unit assembly. These trucks seam to have major electrical issues. I still love this truck but I think my next truck will be a Toyota.

1999 Chevy Silverado LS 4x4 with 4.8L and 5-speed.

Have the various recalls done.

Rear brakes completely gone at 50,000, replaced by dealer for $1500.

Front brake rotors and pads replaced at 70,000 by dealer for $150. (yes 150 vs 1500)

Both power front window regulators failed (cables came off pulleys because of worn bushing on pulleys). I DIY replaced at $90 each (plus about 1 hour of my time).

E-brake has failed 3 times, first time was a little arm that broke under warranty, 2nd time was the same, 3rd, the cable broke and the whole parking brake pedal was replaced.

Hood release plastic thingy broke in -20f (i was opening the hood to detatch the plug-in engine block heater).

Also around 70,000, the heater blend door actuator failed. Common problem on suburban. Fixed myself for $50 in parts.

Steve.

I have a 1999 Silverado with all the same problems as everyone else. ABS at 22,000. Fuel pump constantly, and now the transmission.

Today I have 72,000 gentle freeway miles and I would never buy this truck again. I wanted a Chevy all my life after 2 Datsuns (380,00 miles total, 20 years service).

A side note, I fixed the ABS module myself, easy job, using the www.absfixer.com, cost about $100 and it's got a 5 year warranty.

Also the butterfly t.b. cleaner trick is the way to go.

The thing about this truck is just like a great looking lady, nice to look at but very HIGH maintenance.

I too am buying a new truck, and will NOT go with America's truck again.

Well, what can I say, bought my 99 LS Z71 4x4 in 04 and it had been taken well care of, now here I am 2008 with 128k and I just had to get all rotors replaced after driving home from work one day and finding out that the brakes suddenly don't work. The ABS works half the time, and the service 4wd light has come on as well. Chevy says I need a new 4wd transfer case, don't think I've used 4wd but a dozen times in the past 4 years, but it is now suddenly locked in 4hi. They say 600 bucks. I told them to pack it after they already robbed me of around $1500 from previous fixings of their wonderous work, so if anybody has a clue, please help thanks - Shawn.

I have owned my 99 Chevy Silverado for 8 years, but the sticky gas pedal annoys me. A mechanic told me that the intake hose gets all gummy and needs cleaned out. Before I spend money on this, has anyone else had this problem and had it fixed?

I have a 1999 Silverado... cleaning the throttle body does take care of a sticky pedal. You may find that if you run higher octane fuel in it that it will take care of itself.

I've got the 2001 GMC 2500HD and just picked it up.

It has 201,000kms on it and runs good, but has a weird intermittent engine misfire (or so it seems).

If I start truck after it has sat for a while, it will run fine and I can drive away.

But If I start it, let it idle for a little while, it will all of a sudden start to shake as if a bad misfire is happening.

Anyone have any ideas?

No check engine light being emitted.

--> Also have the infamous ABS problem

--> Tow/Haul was not working, but I spliced the orange wire in the column as suggested and it works now. (Thank you)

Seems like a solid truck, but I would love to know how to fix this random misfire issue I'm having...

She's got all new plugs and wires.. Any ideas?

I have a 99 LS Z71... answer to the comment above, I too had a problem with it seeming like a misfire, and the idle would sputter and go up and down at a stop.

After 3 years of trying to get mechanics to fix it, one an uncle, I was out about $1500 and nothing was solved.

Took it in to get a new battery that was under warranty, and the mechanic said my fuel pressure regulator was leaking, why any other mechanic couldn't figure it out I don't know. But I put a new FPR on and it starts and idles fine now, it was about $50 at O'Reillys and took 2 minutes to put on.

So I would try that before spending what I did at a shop. I've also had the gauge problems everyone is talking about. It's the fuel, battery, temp, sometimes oil gauges that would just go out and come back intermittently and the security, ABS, low fuel, and battery lights would come on. I think it's finally out because it hasn't come back on for 5 days now.

I wish Chevy would take better care of their customers, this is ridiculous and I won't pay 700-1200 to fix it, it's just not worth it.

159k on it and these are the only problems I've really had with it, knock on wood.

I'm going to try and test my alternator and check to see if there are any loose connections anywhere. I'll get back with any results, don't hold your breath though.

I also have a 1999 Chevy Silverado Z71. It has 125,000 miles on it and I have had a few of the irritating problems happen that have been mentioned so far.

Around 97,000 miles the gas gauge went crazy, and it sometimes reads right and sometimes doesn't. I was told it was an expensive fix, so I haven't tried to find the solution.

Although now I think I am ready, it's just so annoying. All I have to do is drop the truck in neutral whenever it reads low fuel, and it usually reads right then. It's more aggravating trying to keep up with how much fuel I actually do have in my tank when it really does get low.

I have had the throttle body cleaned because of the sticking gas pedal. And just recently, the digital mileage and gear selection instrumentation randomly won't light up upon start up. I just smack the top of the dash and then it lights up. Another very annoying issue.

I wish Chevrolet would fix all these problems, under warranty or not. I'm not to proud of their work on this particular model.

Other than that, no other issues as of yet. "knock on wood"!