Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 599 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 192 | 32% |
| Service brakes | 114 | 19% |
| Structure | 33 | 6% |
| Seats | 24 | 4% |
| Power train | 17 | 3% |
| Suspension | 16 | 3% |
| Air bags | 15 | 3% |
| Steering | 12 | 2% |
| Tires | 11 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Driving 65 miles and I rear ended another vehicle from behind. The air bags did not deployed.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 1999 Cherverolt Silverado equipped with tire band Cooper tire line Discoverer HTP tire size 235/70R16 DOT not available. The contact noticed that the front driver-side tire had a sidewall compound on i
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated during the failure. The contact was ab
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The frame and suspension has overly corroded. The frame is falling apart so bad that when I shut the driver's door chunks of metal fall to the ground. I've had it assessed and they say it should not be this bad. Even
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND WHEN THE GARAGE WENT TO LIFT THE TRUCK THE FRAME BUCKLED. THERE WAS SO MUCH RUST DAMAGE THAT THE FRAME WAS SOFT IN NUMEROUS PLACES. THE 1999 SILVERADO Z71 1500 TRUCK IS AN LT WITH ONLY 10
NHTSA complaint: Structure
BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. FIRST THE REAR BRAKE LINE BURST. A FEW MONTHS LATER A FRONT LINE BURST. BOTH TIMES VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 CAMP
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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 CE
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
| Reliability | 43 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 61 | average |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 599 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 192 of them (32%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 43/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 61/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.