CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN · model year

1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN

22 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999CHEVROLETCHEVY VAN carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 CHEVY VAN is air bags with 2 filings, followed by engine (2) and steering (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1999 CHEVY VAN, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

22
Complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE2
STEERING2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
SEATS1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY1
EQUIPMENT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recent Complaints

20150924SERVICE BRAKES

PUSHED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES. REAR BRAKE LINES LEAKING. ALL RUSTED BERAK LINES ON THIS 1999 CHEVY SILVERADO

Mileage: 142,356

20140623CrashAIR BAGS

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY & STEERING KNUCKLE DEFECTIVE UPDATED 10/21/14*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE STEERING. UPDATED 7/8/2015 *JS

Mileage: 210,000

20140623CrashSTEERING

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY & STEERING KNUCKLE DEFECTIVE UPDATED 10/21/14*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE STEERING. UPDATED 7/8/2015 *JS

Mileage: 210,000

20130314FireSTEERING

I AM A FATHER OF 7 KIDS BOUGHT 2 CHEVY VENTURE VANS . ONE IS 2003 ON 06/12 AND 1999 ON 10/13 THE 2003 VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ME AND MY 7 KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE VAN START SLOWING THE SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE START SMOKING AND THE HOLE TRANSMISSION FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY MY KIDS START SCREAMING AFRAID THEY WE ALL GOING TO DIE. I AM STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HILL IS GOING OWN I CALLED THE POLICE AND THE TOWING TRUCK AND TOW MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND ME AND MY KIDS TOOK A TAXI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AT 10:00PM AT KNIGHT .IN THE MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE CANT START THE CAR & SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM & THE STEERING AND THE STARTER & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNS THERE NO WAY TO BE FIX SO MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER ANY OF DAMAGES .I WAS AT A COMPLETE SHOCK BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS IN A VERY GOOD SHAPE I DO MY OIL CHANGE ON TIME I DO

Mileage: 95,645

20130314FireENGINE

I AM A FATHER OF 7 KIDS BOUGHT 2 CHEVY VENTURE VANS . ONE IS 2003 ON 06/12 AND 1999 ON 10/13 THE 2003 VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ME AND MY 7 KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE VAN START SLOWING THE SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE START SMOKING AND THE HOLE TRANSMISSION FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY MY KIDS START SCREAMING AFRAID THEY WE ALL GOING TO DIE. I AM STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HILL IS GOING OWN I CALLED THE POLICE AND THE TOWING TRUCK AND TOW MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND ME AND MY KIDS TOOK A TAXI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AT 10:00PM AT KNIGHT .IN THE MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE CANT START THE CAR & SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM & THE STEERING AND THE STARTER & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNS THERE NO WAY TO BE FIX SO MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER ANY OF DAMAGES .I WAS AT A COMPLETE SHOCK BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS IN A VERY GOOD SHAPE I DO MY OIL CHANGE ON TIME I DO

Mileage: 95,645

20130314FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I AM A FATHER OF 7 KIDS BOUGHT 2 CHEVY VENTURE VANS . ONE IS 2003 ON 06/12 AND 1999 ON 10/13 THE 2003 VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ME AND MY 7 KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE VAN START SLOWING THE SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE START SMOKING AND THE HOLE TRANSMISSION FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY MY KIDS START SCREAMING AFRAID THEY WE ALL GOING TO DIE. I AM STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HILL IS GOING OWN I CALLED THE POLICE AND THE TOWING TRUCK AND TOW MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND ME AND MY KIDS TOOK A TAXI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AT 10:00PM AT KNIGHT .IN THE MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE CANT START THE CAR & SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM & THE STEERING AND THE STARTER & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNS THERE NO WAY TO BE FIX SO MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER ANY OF DAMAGES .I WAS AT A COMPLETE SHOCK BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS IN A VERY GOOD SHAPE I DO MY OIL CHANGE ON TIME I DO

Mileage: 95,645

20130314FirePOWER TRAIN

I AM A FATHER OF 7 KIDS BOUGHT 2 CHEVY VENTURE VANS . ONE IS 2003 ON 06/12 AND 1999 ON 10/13 THE 2003 VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING ME AND MY 7 KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE VAN START SLOWING THE SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH SUDDENLY OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE START SMOKING AND THE HOLE TRANSMISSION FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY MY KIDS START SCREAMING AFRAID THEY WE ALL GOING TO DIE. I AM STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HILL IS GOING OWN I CALLED THE POLICE AND THE TOWING TRUCK AND TOW MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND ME AND MY KIDS TOOK A TAXI IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY AT 10:00PM AT KNIGHT .IN THE MORNING THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT HE CANT START THE CAR & SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM & THE STEERING AND THE STARTER & THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY BURNS THERE NO WAY TO BE FIX SO MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER ANY OF DAMAGES .I WAS AT A COMPLETE SHOCK BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS IN A VERY GOOD SHAPE I DO MY OIL CHANGE ON TIME I DO

Mileage: 95,645

20130307ENGINE

PERSONALLY I THINK THE WHOLE VAN IS GARBAGE AND UNSAFE TO BE EVEN ALOUD ON THE ROADS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS STARTING WITH HEAD GASKET~ THE ELECTRICAL IS A NIGHTMARE, VAN DIES EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR A REASON THAT 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS CANT FIGURE OUT & I HAVE BOUGHT 6 BATTERIES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. MY POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, MY POWER WINDOWS MOVE VERY SLOW & I HAVE TO HELP PULL AND PUSH THEM DOWN AND NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DON'T EVEN MOVE. MY FUEL WAS LEAKING BY INTAKE. MY CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAGS, BRAKES, BATTERY LIGHTS COME ON & OFF. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND FOGGY, FORGET TURNING SIGNALS. I REPLACED THEM AND THEY JUST GO OUT AGAIN. STARTER WENT, JUST REPLACED WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM & NOW THE COOLING SYSTEM, FANS ARE GOING HAYWIRE! LOUD BANGING NOISE LIKE SOMEONE IS UNDER THE HOOD TRYING TO GET OUT BUT CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. GM SHOULD REALLY HAVE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES FOR SAFETY REASONS FOR SURE. *TR

20130307ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PERSONALLY I THINK THE WHOLE VAN IS GARBAGE AND UNSAFE TO BE EVEN ALOUD ON THE ROADS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS STARTING WITH HEAD GASKET~ THE ELECTRICAL IS A NIGHTMARE, VAN DIES EVERY FEW MONTHS FOR A REASON THAT 4 DIFFERENT MECHANICS CANT FIGURE OUT & I HAVE BOUGHT 6 BATTERIES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. MY POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, MY POWER WINDOWS MOVE VERY SLOW & I HAVE TO HELP PULL AND PUSH THEM DOWN AND NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DON'T EVEN MOVE. MY FUEL WAS LEAKING BY INTAKE. MY CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAGS, BRAKES, BATTERY LIGHTS COME ON & OFF. HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND FOGGY, FORGET TURNING SIGNALS. I REPLACED THEM AND THEY JUST GO OUT AGAIN. STARTER WENT, JUST REPLACED WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM & NOW THE COOLING SYSTEM, FANS ARE GOING HAYWIRE! LOUD BANGING NOISE LIKE SOMEONE IS UNDER THE HOOD TRYING TO GET OUT BUT CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. GM SHOULD REALLY HAVE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES FOR SAFETY REASONS FOR SURE. *TR

20061010POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE SKIPS TIME OR MISFIRES FIRST TOLD WAS DUE TO SPARK PLUGS WIRES , THEN DISTRIBUTOR GEARS BROKE AND EMBEDDED IN CAM SHAFT 4000 MILES LATER SAME PROBLEM NOW SAYING CAM SHAFT BENT 2800.00 TO REPLACE ALREADY SPENT CLOSE TO 2000.00 ALSO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 1 & 2ND WAS TOLD TO HAVE REBUILT. *JB

Mileage: 95,349

20061010UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SKIPS TIME OR MISFIRES FIRST TOLD WAS DUE TO SPARK PLUGS WIRES , THEN DISTRIBUTOR GEARS BROKE AND EMBEDDED IN CAM SHAFT 4000 MILES LATER SAME PROBLEM NOW SAYING CAM SHAFT BENT 2800.00 TO REPLACE ALREADY SPENT CLOSE TO 2000.00 ALSO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 1 & 2ND WAS TOLD TO HAVE REBUILT. *JB

Mileage: 95,349

20061010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE SKIPS TIME OR MISFIRES FIRST TOLD WAS DUE TO SPARK PLUGS WIRES , THEN DISTRIBUTOR GEARS BROKE AND EMBEDDED IN CAM SHAFT 4000 MILES LATER SAME PROBLEM NOW SAYING CAM SHAFT BENT 2800.00 TO REPLACE ALREADY SPENT CLOSE TO 2000.00 ALSO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 1 & 2ND WAS TOLD TO HAVE REBUILT. *JB

Mileage: 95,349

20050228CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

COMPLAINT WITH PASSLOCKII SECURITY SYSTEM.HAVE EXPERIENCED 10000+ DAMAGE TO CAR BECAUSE OF TOWING.CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES.SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES.DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX.CAR DAMGED TWICE BY ROADSIDE.DEALER REPLACED SECURITY MODULAR,.I HAVE AT LEAST 15 REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY DEALER.DAMAGE TO CAR AT ONLY 9000 MILES.CAR NOW HAS 24000 MILES.YOU CAN SEE THE CAR IS BARELY DRIVEN.ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT AND WITH SUCH DAMAGE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.AS OF TODAY 3/1/05 MY CAR WOULDNT START.DEALER HAS ALL RECORDS OF ATTEMPTS AND THE NUMEROUS TOWS ETC...THE BODY SHOP HAS MADE ALOT OF MONEY ON ME.AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DROPPED CAR DEALER FIXED AND GAVE ME CAR BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I ALWAYS GET A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR

Mileage: 9,000

20050228CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

COMPLAINT WITH PASSLOCKII SECURITY SYSTEM.HAVE EXPERIENCED 10000+ DAMAGE TO CAR BECAUSE OF TOWING.CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES.SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES.DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX.CAR DAMGED TWICE BY ROADSIDE.DEALER REPLACED SECURITY MODULAR,.I HAVE AT LEAST 15 REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY DEALER.DAMAGE TO CAR AT ONLY 9000 MILES.CAR NOW HAS 24000 MILES.YOU CAN SEE THE CAR IS BARELY DRIVEN.ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT AND WITH SUCH DAMAGE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.AS OF TODAY 3/1/05 MY CAR WOULDNT START.DEALER HAS ALL RECORDS OF ATTEMPTS AND THE NUMEROUS TOWS ETC...THE BODY SHOP HAS MADE ALOT OF MONEY ON ME.AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DROPPED CAR DEALER FIXED AND GAVE ME CAR BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I ALWAYS GET A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR

Mileage: 9,000

20050228CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

COMPLAINT WITH PASSLOCKII SECURITY SYSTEM.HAVE EXPERIENCED 10000+ DAMAGE TO CAR BECAUSE OF TOWING.CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES.SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES.DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX.CAR DAMGED TWICE BY ROADSIDE.DEALER REPLACED SECURITY MODULAR,.I HAVE AT LEAST 15 REPAIR ATTEMPTS BY DEALER.DAMAGE TO CAR AT ONLY 9000 MILES.CAR NOW HAS 24000 MILES.YOU CAN SEE THE CAR IS BARELY DRIVEN.ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF ACCIDENT AND WITH SUCH DAMAGE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.AS OF TODAY 3/1/05 MY CAR WOULDNT START.DEALER HAS ALL RECORDS OF ATTEMPTS AND THE NUMEROUS TOWS ETC...THE BODY SHOP HAS MADE ALOT OF MONEY ON ME.AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DROPPED CAR DEALER FIXED AND GAVE ME CAR BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.I ALWAYS GET A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR

Mileage: 9,000

20040730POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET 1500 EXPRESS CARGO VAN IN 1999. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VAN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR AXLE AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ABS WITH MY BRAKES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VAN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM WOULDN'T FIX THE WARRANTY WORK LEAVING MY VAN DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IN MY RESARCH I AM FINDING THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS I AM WITH THEIR AXLE AND THEIR BRAKES. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE REASON THE AXLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS IS DUE TO GENERAL MOTORS ARE PUTTING LIGHT DUTY AXLES ON HEAVY DUTY VANS. I FEEL THERE IS A NEED FOR AN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PROBLEM. WILL YOU HELP?. *AK

Mileage: 1,000

20040730EQUIPMENT

I PURCHASED A CHEVROLET 1500 EXPRESS CARGO VAN IN 1999. SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VAN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR AXLE AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ABS WITH MY BRAKES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VAN. THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED MY VAN FROM WOULDN'T FIX THE WARRANTY WORK LEAVING MY VAN DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IN MY RESARCH I AM FINDING THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS I AM WITH THEIR AXLE AND THEIR BRAKES. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THE REASON THE AXLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS IS DUE TO GENERAL MOTORS ARE PUTTING LIGHT DUTY AXLES ON HEAVY DUTY VANS. I FEEL THERE IS A NEED FOR AN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PROBLEM. WILL YOU HELP?. *AK

Mileage: 1,000

20040521AIR BAGS

ON THE BELOW DATE, EMPLOYEE PLACED KEY IN IGNITION AND WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED ON THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING THE EMPLOYEE AND THRUSTING HIM INTO THE SEAT BACK, CAUSING HEAD, NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE FAILURE APPARENTLY WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG DRIVER, WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT, UNDER A RUBBER MAT WITH A FABRIC INSULATION. DRIVER AND AIR BAG WERE BOTH REPLACED. CORROSION WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY ROCK SALT AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE INFUSION, AS THESE ARE VERY HEAVILY USED AS DE-ICING AGENTS IN THE AREA.*AK

Mileage: 24,864

20030625SEATS

DEALER HAD TO REPLACE TWICE THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SEAT BOLTS. WHICH BROKE. LAST WEEK THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BOLTS BROKE OFF AGAIN. THIS IS VEHICLE WAS NOT ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

20011228SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BRAKES GRIND AND RUB. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. ALSO, THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED FOUR TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Compare 1999CHEVROLETCHEVY VAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN have?
The 1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN has 22 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN?
The most-complained component for the 1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN is AIR BAGS with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and STEERING.
Is the 1999 CHEVROLET CHEVY VAN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.