Model year record

1999 Chevrolet Express recalls & problems

The 1999 Chevrolet Express has 2 safety recalls and 68 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints68filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SteeringMar 16, 2000

Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

Recall 00V08500010,468 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, POWER STEERING FLUID COULD FLOW ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Express 1500/2500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Express 1500/2500 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Express 1500/2500 2WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	11	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	9	0	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit; Manual transmission	8	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition	7	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	6	0	0	0	68,612 mi
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments	6	0	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections; Steering wheel/handle bar	5	0	0	0	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	4	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	1	0	2	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	3	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Turn signal	3	0	0	0	—
Interior lighting	2	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Exterior lighting
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
Sep 1, 2010 · 79,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages
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.
Mar 18, 2006 · 100,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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
Nov 21, 2005
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
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
Sep 23, 2005 · 93,595 miles
Unknown or other
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
Sep 24, 2005
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
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
Apr 1, 2005
Steering
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
Jul 24, 2003 · 77,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Jun 12, 2005 · 47,469 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.