2001 Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Express 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine428.6%
- Tires & wheels321.4%
- Brakes214.3%
- Electrical17.1%
- Body & structure17.1%
- Fuel system17.1%
- Steering17.1%
- Airbags17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE "PCM"-PUMP CONTROL MODULE LOCATED ON THE INJECTION PUMP THAT IS IN CHARGE OF OPERATING AND COORDINATING PUMP OPERATIONS FAILS AFTER 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING--NO BRAKES OR STEERING SIMILAR TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLES. GM LIKES TO GET 1,400 TO FIX, AFTER THE TOW. THANKS [XXX] A BETTER FIX NEEDS TO BE MADE HERE RATHER THAN INSTALLING ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL THE 6.5 DIESEL MOTORS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE REAR MAIN SEAL, FRONT HARMONIC SEAL AND POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT SEAL ARE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP LAST WEEK TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED. NEED HELP VERY EXPENSIVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 EQUIPPED WITH DEXTERO DHT2 TIRES, SIZE: LT245/75R/16 (NA). WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AMERICAN CUSTOM TIRE INC (1300 W MAIN ST, QUARTZSITE, AZ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL SIDEWALL FAILED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CARCASS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LINES SEVERELY CORRODED AND RUSTED AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED TO RENEW SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 VAN. THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ENGAGED MOMENTARILY AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER SENSOR MAY POTENTIALLY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WERE KEEPING THE BRAKE LINES CLOSED WITHOUT ALLOWING PRESSURE TO RELEASE AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,419. UPDATED 10/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/10
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE "PCM"-PUMP CONTROL MODULE LOCATED ON THE INJECTION PUMP THAT IS IN CHARGE OF OPERATING AND COORDINATING PUMP OPERATIONS FAILS AFTER 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING--NO BRAKES OR STEERING SIMILAR TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLES. GM LIKES TO GET 1,400 TO FIX, AFTER THE TOW. THANKS [XXX] A BETTER FIX NEEDS TO BE MADE HERE RATHER THAN INSTALLING ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL THE 6.5 DIESEL MOTORS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REINFORCEMENT TO THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE REINFORCEMENT BAR WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE REDESIGNED SO THAT IT WILL NOT DETERIORATE IN A SHORT TIME. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE "PCM"-PUMP CONTROL MODULE LOCATED ON THE INJECTION PUMP THAT IS IN CHARGE OF OPERATING AND COORDINATING PUMP OPERATIONS FAILS AFTER 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING--NO BRAKES OR STEERING SIMILAR TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLES. GM LIKES TO GET 1,400 TO FIX, AFTER THE TOW. THANKS [XXX] A BETTER FIX NEEDS TO BE MADE HERE RATHER THAN INSTALLING ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN ALL THE 6.5 DIESEL MOTORS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR MAIN SEAL, FRONT HARMONIC SEAL AND POWER STEERING PUMP SHAFT SEAL ARE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP LAST WEEK TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED. NEED HELP VERY EXPENSIVE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12/14/06 AT 7:30 PM ON A CLEAR EVENING A SECOND VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE AT 55 MPH WITH THE 2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A DITCH HEAD ON AT 50 MPH. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, HE DIDN'T SPEAK WITH AN OFFICER BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A BROKEN PELVIS, AND OTHER INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID RESTRAIN HIM, BUT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT IS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 - *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .