RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Express 1500

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.
5
Latest Jan 24, 2011
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.
1
Latest Oct 24, 2007
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Express 1500, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 63 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

  • Engine120.0%
  • Interior & seats120.0%
  • Exterior lighting120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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

1 campaign 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
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 24, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 EQUIPPED WITH TBC SIGMA SHADOW TIRES, SIZE P235/75/R15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE LEFT REAR SIDE TIRE BEGAN MAKING NOISES AND THERE WAS A LOUD TUG. AFTER STOPPING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ABOUT 95% OF THE TREAD WAS OFF THE TIRES. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10378420
Incident
Jan 22, 2011
Mileage
56,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 7, 2010

WIRING DEFECT IN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSES BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10329270
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 4, 2010

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE CONTINUES TO SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT RISER FRAME. THE SEAT BASE HAS BEEN REPLACED 7 OR 8 TIMES BY THE DEALER SINCE 2004. IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN AND HAS BEEN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. I HAVE ONLY 048409 MILES ON THIS VAN AND I AM THE ONLY DRIVER SINCE NEW. I WEIGH ONLY 200 LBS. AND I DON'T THINK IT IS MY FAT ASS CAUSING THE SEAT TO COME APART. AFTER GIVING A FRIEND A RIDE INTO TOWN A FEW WEEKS AGO, HE TOLD ME THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. HE WAS CORRECT, THE PASSENGER SEAT IS IN THE SAME SHAPE AS THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BROKEN! I NEED HELP PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297941
Incident
Jan 9, 2004
Mileage
15,638 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 15, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND REQUIRED ALL OF THE CONTACT'S STRENGTH TO MANEUVER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT SNAPPED OFF INSIDE THE STEERING. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THIS SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10273842
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
111,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2007

2001 CHEVY EXPRESS VAN/45,000 MILES (PURCHASED WHEN NEW).ANTIFREEZE LEAKING OUT BECAUSE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. ALTHOUGH SVC. BULLETINS/DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS EXIST FOR THIS PROBLEM, DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. STATES EXTENSIVE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR ANY CHEVY/GM WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT. CHEVY CUSTOMER (PHONE) ASSISTANCE CONFIRMS THIS IS A NOTED PROBLEM W/THIS VEHICLE'S YEAR/MODEL BUT REMAINS NON-COMMITTAL REGARDING COVERING COSTS TO REPAIR IT FOR ME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182567
Incident
Feb 14, 2007

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

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 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014100046.9
2013000—
2012200—
2011320—
2010400—
2009500—
2008900—
2007510—
2006500—
2005101043.9
2004121041.2
2003181147.7
2002101030.1
2001Viewing510—
2000610—
1999410—
1998000—
1997000—
1996400—

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.