Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,573 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

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

1999 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #68

May 262014

Silverado 3500

  • 142,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving home on memorial day 2014 pulling my boat and trailer. Traffic was stopped outside crivitz, wi and I had to hit my brake pedal. It went right to the floor - no brakes at all - contrary to the GM info in an article I read on yahoo. I quickly hit the shoulder, fortunately wide and hard, and coasted into a MINImall in crivitz. Down shifted as I went and hit the emergency in the mall lot. Feel very fortunate that my wife and I are alive as well as those in front of us. Both back brake lines were blown as well as a front. Truck is maintained every 3-4 months. GM is full of beans. I have driven numerous Chevrolet cars in excess 0F 180,00 miles without any brake line issues. This to me is faulty engineering. $1100+ to repair.

- Hobart, WI, USA

problem #67

Nov 142014

Silverado 3500

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 35 mph and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard when depressed. The contact had to quickly shift the transmission in order to stop the vehicle safely. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact determined that the ABS hydraulic unit would need to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was not informed if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V345000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and NHTSA campaign number: 00X001000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #66

Oct 062013

Silverado 3500

  • 107,345 miles
While approaching a red light at 28mph and pressing the brake, the pedal went completely to the floor and the vehicle did not slow down. I pumped the pedal repeatedly and only slight braking action could be achieved. I went through the intersection just narrowly missing two crossing cars and turned onto a nearby side street. After finally getting the vehicle to stop, I got out and saw a puddle of brake fluid forming a few feet behind the driver side front wheel. Further inspection found all break lines severely rusted and a brake line had ruptured just above the frame rail. I did not experience any warning light prior to the failure. I was under the impression that vehicles have two brake systems (fount and rear) and if one failed you still had the other to stop you? I contacted my car dealer and was informed that there was no recall related to ruptured brake lines due to rust or complete failure of a brake system. I was just lucky no one was killed. People driving these vehicles should be contacted and warned!!! after reading report after report of the same thing happening to others driving the 1999 Silverado, I can not understand why there has not been a warning sent out to owners and/or a recall!!!!

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #65

Oct 012013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1999 Chevy silveraido the frame has broke. The truck is mint everything but the frame and the brake lines.I have ordered a new frame and will replace.Chevy will do nothing.

- New Preston, CT, USA

problem #64

Mar 212012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 101,107 miles
On 3/21/12 I exited my driveway in my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and stopped at my mail box to get the morning paper. While stopped with my foot on the brake pedal, the pedal suddenly went to the floor. Several pump attempts failed to achieve a firm pedal. Upon inspection I noticed a large puddle of fluid under the driver"?S side just behind the front wheel. Later that evening I had my wife pump the brakes and witnessed a significant stream of brake fluid spewing from a bundle of metal brake lines located on the outside of the frame rail, opposite the ABS control module. Upon further investigation, I noticed all of the metal brake lines were visibly, and significantly, corroded/rusted. The location of the line rupture was nowhere near a joint, fitting, or line bend. I purchased this truck used in October of 2008 from a Chevrolet dealership in danville, Indiana with approximately 89,979 miles on it. The body, wheels, and interior are in excellent shape and would lend you to believe that the truck was generally well maintained and regularly garaged. This truck had 101,107 miles at the time of the brake line incident. I've driven the truck 11,128 miles since purchase, it's always stored in a garage. There were no visible leaks or indicators prior to brake line rupture. Had I been actually driving on the road, or worse yet towing a trailer or heavy load, this story could have had a significantly more ominous outcome. The internet is full of similar stories to mine. It appears these types?" incidents are more common than I would have thought. There appears to have been some GM product deficiencies and I believe there should be a mandatory safety recall with restitution being made by GM. Something needs to be done about this situation. Please act before someone gets killed when their rusty brake lines fail at the wrong time.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

problem #63

Jun 232010

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 104,040 miles
While on vacation in the outer banks North Carolina the brakes went out on my truck. There was a lot of fluid left under the truck on the drivers side around the beginning of the bed. I was able to see brake fluid squirt out from the brake line when my wife would press on the brake pedal. I was able to get the truck to outer banks Chevy for repair. They told me that all of the brake lines were very rusted and needed to be replaced. I had them make the repair for around $1500. On the trip back to my home state the brakes became very soft and caused the return trip to take very long. I needed to take the truck to my local Chevy dealer for more repair. The local dealer stated that the original repair was not done correctly and needed to be fixed again. I thought GM would cover the cost because of the fact the original repair was completed at a Chevy dealer. That was not the case. I contacted the corporate office and was told after many conversations that the second repair was not covered because the replacement parts were not GM parts. The repair of the brake lines is custom because GM does not make replacement brake lines and a service tech is required to manually bend aftermarket lines. I was required to pay additional money to have the repair completed again and I am now out over $2000. The brakes have been ok since the second repair.

- Upperco, MD, USA

problem #62

Feb 222012

Silverado 3500

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the brakes were applied and the pedal extended to the floor board. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into a low gear and driving onto the emergency lane. The contact noticed that the vehicle was also leaking brake fluid and there was corrosion on all of the brake lines. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed nor was it repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 107,000.

- Stafford , VA, USA

problem #61

Mar 272012

Silverado 3500

  • 190,000 miles
My 1999 Chevy Silverado Z71 had a catastrophic brake failure last night. As I was driving home, I applied the brakes to slow down for my upcoming exit ramp. The pedal went all the way to the floor...maybe had 10% brake performance. Luckily, this was later at night, and there was very little traffic. I was able to go through a traffic light that was green. If it had been red, I would have had to go through the intersection, and could have caused an accident. I pulled in to a parking lot after using the emergency brake and shifting to lower gear. I inspected, and all of the brake lines are severely corroded, with one of them having a hole. The fluid was pouring out. All of the brake line will need to be replaced before the truck is operational and safe. I expect GM to make this right. This is an extremely dangerous condition, where inferior materials were used. Lives are in danger as a result.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #60

Mar 102012

Silverado 3500

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. While parked, the contact noticed that the brake lines had ruptured and was leaking brake fluid. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were corroded. The contact replaced the brake lines. There was an investigation open under NHTSA action number: EA11001 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Gum Spring, VA, USA

problem #59

Feb 172012

Silverado 3500

  • miles
After researching the internet found that there was a recall on my 1999 for the brake lines. The brake lines are corroded and will need to be replaced. This recall would have fell under 00V345000. I would like to see if the recall is still in effect so that I can get these lines replaced.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #58

Jan 272012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle went from normal braking to taking much longer to stop without warning. The pedal felt softer, and fell further to the floor. With pumping I was able to stop. Further more the brakes didn't seam to hold. I had to lift and reapply or the truck would roll. The brake light didn't light until after it initially failed to stop normally. On investigation I found a leak in one of the brakes lines that goes under the cab. It is part of a cluster of brake likes on top of the frame rail. This may be related to NHTSA action number : EA11001 mileage is unknown because the electronic display for it has failed.

- Corydon, IA, USA

problem #57

May 162011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The brake lines on the truck had rusted/corroded to the point of failure. Luckily, one of the lines ruptured after applying the emergency brake while stationary and that led to identification of the other lines before an accident occurred. All of the line on the truck had to be replaced.

- Downs, IL, USA

problem #56

Jan 212012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 69,652 miles
As slowed down to stop for a light the brakes completely failed with no warning. Luckily no one was in front of us or collision would have occurred. Mechanic said that brake line "exploded" due to major corrosion that should not be so extensive on a vehicle of this condition and mileage. Very scary situation.

- Annville, PA, USA

problem #55

Jan 062012

Silverado 3500

  • 308,000 miles
Brake lines rusted and leaked. Driving and applied brakes and they went to floor.

- Geneva, NY, USA

problem #54

Oct 142010

Silverado 3500

  • 98,000 miles
Multiple brake line ruptures under drivers side of cab due to rust. As each failed line was replaced another ruptured during the "bleeding process." All four (4) lines replaced due to failure at point where lines cross frame rail. Chassis is also extremely rusty.

- Hillsville, VA, USA

problem #53

Dec 062011

Silverado 3500

  • 200,000 miles
The brakes failed when pulling into a turn lane to exit off a busy main highway. No warning, no brake light came on to indicate trouble. There were no brakes at all. Although there is high mileage, the brakes should still function and should provide some indication that there is a problem. This could have caused a serious accident.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #52

Dec 102011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 114,877 miles
Plain and simple..I hit the brakes pedal went to the floor and I ran off the road and up a hill in a field to stop..there was no warning of any kind..the rear hard line on the drivers side was rusted through.

- Christiansburg, VA, USA

problem #51

Nov 212011

Silverado 3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system would activate when driving at low speeds and cause an increase in stopping distance. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V379000 (service brakes: Hydraulic: Antilock) and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 50,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

- Fitchburg, WI, USA

problem #50

Sep 152011

Silverado 3500

  • 228,000 miles
Rusted brake lines failed on my 99 Chevy Silverado and I crashed into my garage door pulling in. There was no brake warning light until I hit the brake and there was none the pedal went to the floor. The only reason why my truck has so many miles is because it was used to tow a trailer across country for 5 years for the last 7 it has been used as a as needed truck.

- Bargersville , IN, USA

problem #49

Nov 262011

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
All brake line are rusting out. Truck is kept indoors and not driven in snow.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?