VehicleVerdict

1999 Chevrolet Express problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 82 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Express year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 32 Express years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (13), tires & wheels (11), and transmission (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

82

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Express years?

Express NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted102 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 20 complaints1997: 35 complaints1998: 27 complaints1999: 82 complaints2000: 102 complaints2001: 60 complaints2002: 77 complaints2003: 75 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 33 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 23 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 18 complaints2013: 31 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 12 complaints2016: 20 complaints2017: 30 complaints2018: 17 complaints2019: 8 complaints2020: 20 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 5 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Express NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Express years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Express problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1316%
Tires & Wheels1113%
Transmission810%
Electrical System79%
Body & Structure67%
Engine67%
Other56%
Lighting56%
Steering56%
Airbags45%
Visibility & Wipers45%
Speed Control22%
Seat Belts11%
Latches & Locks11%
Suspension11%
Fuel System11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Seats11%

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

00V085000SteeringMarch 16, 2000 · 10,468 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BRAKES ARE EXTREEMELY SPONGY AND FADE SIGNIFICANTLY REQUIRING FAR GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN ANYTHING I'VE EVER DRIVEN. PUMPING THE PEDAL SEEMS TO HELP BUT PUSHING FIRMLY ACTIVATES THE ABS WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO LURCH TOWARD WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF YOU. I'VE NEVER DRIVEN A VEHICLE WHERE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“TIRE HAD COMPLETE CASTASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SIDE WALL WHILE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING 54 MPH. THE ENTIRE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT. THIS TIRE HAD LESS THAN 15 DAYS DRIVING TIME ON IT SINCE IT WAS THE SPARE THAT WAS REPLACED ON MONDAY, 21 MAY. THE ONLY OTHER TIME IT WAS USED WAS FOR 2 DAYS LAST SUMMER. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 2, 2001

“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,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 12, 2005

“WIRING HARNESS UNDER FUSE BLOCK AT DRIVERS FEET NOT PROPERLY SECURED BY S-CLIP AND WIRES RUB AGAINST ACCESS HOLE IN SHEET METAL CAUSING SHORT IN TURN SIGNAL OR 4-WAY FLASHER CIRCUIT CAUSING FIRE. VEHICLE IS MARK III CONVERSION. *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 11, 2003 · fire

“HINGES ON REAR SIDE DOOR STICKS. BAD DESIGN. UNABLE TO GREASE THOROUGHLY. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD THIS WILL LOCK AND THE HINGE WILL DETACH FROM THE SIDE OF THE VAN. THIS IS THE SECOND OF THE TWO SIDE DOORS THE ONE CLOSER TO THE REAR OF THE VAN.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 13, 2003

1999 Chevrolet Express — common questions

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Express reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 82 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 32 Express years. It is one of the Express years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Express problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (13 complaints), tires & wheels (11 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 1999 Chevrolet Express have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Express years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Express years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2001, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2017, 2015. The cleanest record among Express years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.