RoadVitals

1999 Chevrolet Express

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
68
Latest Sep 15, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 68 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Express, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 96 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1317.1%
  • Tires & wheels911.8%
  • Electrical79.2%
  • Body & structure67.9%
  • Engine67.9%
  • Powertrain (other)56.6%
  • Steering56.6%
  • Airbags45.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
00V085000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Mar 16, 2000
10,468 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE THAT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FLUID FLOW SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THREE SCREW CLAMPS TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE JOINTS. IF THE CLAMPS ARE NOT THE SCREW TYPE, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLAMPS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00028View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 68
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2010

WITHOUT WARNING ALL HEADLAMPS WENT OUT DRL,LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORKED OK. NOT FUN AT NIGHT TO HAVE OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355692
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
79,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 17, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. SHE NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCK PINS WOULD FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED OF THE PROCEDURE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE PERFORMED IN ORDER TO MAKE REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10320433
Incident
Mar 18, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 22, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN I CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE DOING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. IMPACT WAS MAINLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT END. I WAS DRIVING AN CHEVY 1999 EXPRESS 1500 VAN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10145904
Incident
Nov 21, 2005
Steering
Filed Oct 25, 2005

DT : THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT BROKE INSIDE THE PUMP ON JULY 14, 2000, THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2005 IT BROKE AGAIN, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY DID REPLACE IT. HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED THE CONSUMER $636.00. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THAT WAS HOW CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAPPENED ON A DRY PAVED ROAD AND IN WARM WEATHER. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10137980
Incident
Sep 23, 2005
Mileage
93,595 mi
Filed Oct 7, 2005

1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE SPARE TIRE WAS ATTACHED WITH A STEEL CABLE TO THE REAR UNDERSIDE OF THE VAN. WHEN THE STEEL CABLE BROKE THE TIRE BOUNCED UNDER THE TOW TRAILER BENDING IT'S AXLE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE CABLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN STRONG ENOUGH. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139939
Incident
Sep 24, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Aug 10, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 VAN. THE HINGE ON THE DOUBLE DOORS ON THE SIDE FROZE, THEY WILL NOT OPEN ANYMORE. PREVIOUSLY, THEY WHERE HARD TO OPEN, AND NOW THEY ARE CRACKING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS BAD DESIGN. ALSO, DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS BACK ORDER ON THE HINGES. OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER RAN A DAY CARE CENTER. IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR CHILDREN TO GO FROM THE FRONT OF THE VAN TO THE BACK. IN AN EMERGENCY IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE VAN FAST ENOUGH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10132279
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2005

DT: 1999 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE SHAFT ON THE POWER STEERING UNIT BROKE. THE CONSUMER STATES THE POWER STEERING INSTANTLY QUIT WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC DID NOT TELL HIM WHY THE SHAFT BROKE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10128567
Incident
Jul 24, 2003
Mileage
77,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 14, 2005

AFTER TRAVELING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ON A HIGHWAY AND THEN SLOWING TO A STOP ON THE EXIT, THE VEHICLE HARD SHIFTS IN GEARS 1-2. IF YOU SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, IT APPEARS OK UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OK. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 47500 MILES. HAD MECHANIC CHECK AND GETS COMPUTER CODE 1870, WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON. NUMEROUS POSTS ON THE WEB HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON CHEVY/GM VEHICLES WITH 4L60E TRANSMISSION, BUT NO RECALL TO DATE. MAY NOW HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
10125317
Incident
Jun 12, 2005
Mileage
47,469 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-NA-144

SERVICE BRAKES

This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.

PIT3665M

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIT3665L

SERVICE BRAKES

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIT3665J

SERVICE BRAKES

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Express by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026030—
2025040—
2024100—
2023210—
2022410—
2021132055.4
2020161052.5
2019840—
2018116048.4
2017206047.6
2016156052.0
2015831—
2014147048.6
2013228046.1
2012136064.6
2011125054.4
2010155053.7
2009107049.4
20081410040.9
2007174057.5
20061216067.9
2005239063.5
2004217156.6
20035811264.3
2002550137.1
2001452152.7
2000841144.5
1999Viewing682044.7
1998232046.4
1997292049.8
1996153055.0
1995100—
1994000—
1993000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.