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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 587 owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (220) and service brakes (126). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2007
Owner complaints
587
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment

Free remedy

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

EquipmentReported Oct 24, 2007NHTSA 07E088000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 19, 2006NHTSA 06E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

587 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1998 – Oct 2023
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic220
  2. Service brakes126
  3. Structure52
  4. Seats30
  5. Suspension28
  6. Power train26
  7. Electrical system25
  8. Air bags19
  9. Vehicle speed control18

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Silverado 1500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1999587
2018522
2022663
2026132
Crashes reported
43
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

220 reports16 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS IN FIRST GEAR WERE SHATTERED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2018Service brakes, hydraulic, Power trainODI 11122077

Service brakes

126 reports10 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 800 (1500). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEIZED ABRUPTLY AND THE VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK A TREE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER BEING NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE SYMPTOMS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. JEFF BARNES CHEVROLET (6110 SYKESVILLE RD, ELDERSBURG, MD 21784, (410) 970-6363) MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR PROMPTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2019Service brakesODI 11185743

Structure

52 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that there was a gap between the cab and the bed of the vehicle, and that the subframe of the vehicle was corroded. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact did not believe that the diagnostic result was not relative to the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that there were rust spots underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2023StructureODI 11518858
All 1999 Silverado 1500 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Silverado 1500 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Silverado 1500 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Silverado 1500 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Silverado 1500 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Silverado 1500 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Silverado 1500 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Silverado 1500 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
Silverado 1500 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131615$4,150592
Silverado 1500 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
Silverado 1500 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Silverado 1500 questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

Owners filed 587 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (220), service brakes (126), structure (52). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026