RoadVitals

2011 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.
12
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
5
Latest Apr 26, 2018
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Express, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,694 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

  • Engine423.5%
  • Fuel system317.6%
  • Powertrain (other)317.6%
  • Brakes317.6%
  • Suspension15.9%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
18V267000

EQUIPMENT

Apr 26, 2018
6,154 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 18146View on NHTSA.gov
14V500000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

Aug 13, 2014
3,345 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
The risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14321 / 14758View on NHTSA.gov
14V117000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Mar 17, 2014
303,013 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
The risk: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14082View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Fuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2026

Vehicle broke down with a crank no start condition. Verified no fuel pressure. Diagnostics revealed no continuity between tank fuel pump positive lead at fuel pump relay, and ground. Removed fuel tank, disconnected fuel pump wiring harness, and found burned pin at positive terminal of fuel pump and mating harness connector. Harness displayed significant distortion and charring consistent with a poor connection.

NHTSA ID
11756037
Incident
Aug 10, 2026
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Express. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 93,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 143,000 in 2024.

NHTSA ID
11725025
Incident
Mar 16, 2026
Mileage
143,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 3, 2019

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDDLE VIBRATES AND THE CAR SHIFTS FORWARD A LITTLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A WINDING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
11286632
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 4, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY DOWNSHIFTED, THE BRAKE PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY DEPRESSED, AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HARD UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA MOTORS (300 S UNIVERSITY DR., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 362-9458) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11091693
Incident
May 3, 2018
Mileage
115,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 19, 2018

UPON INSPECTION OF THE COIL SPRING CRADLES ,IT WAS FOUND THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS CRACKED WHERE THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING SEATS. THIS IS THE SECOND CRACK IN THE COIL SPRING AREA THAT WAS FOUND ON AN AMBULANCE PACKAGE VEHICLE.THIS UNIT HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AS WELL DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.

NHTSA ID
11088965
Incident
Apr 19, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STABILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH A BEEPING SOUND. IN ADDITION, THE POWER REDUCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE VEHICLE IDLED VERY ERRATICALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10949157
Incident
Jan 5, 2017
Mileage
109,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2016

2011 CHEVY EXPRESS CUTAWAY WITH THOMAS BUS BODY HAD EXCESSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO STRUCTURAL FLOOR SUPPORT BEAM IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF REAR WHEELS. ENTIRE BEAM HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10818988
Incident
Sep 8, 2015
Mileage
94,036 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2015

I WAS PULLING BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY VAN STARTED IDLING VERY ROUGH AND ERRATIC. THE VEHICLE DISPLAY READ "ENGINE POWER REDUCED. SERVICE TRACTION. ESC OFF." I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK SO I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF. I STARTED MY CAR UP AGAIN AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND IT RAN FINE AGAIN BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" WAS STILL ON. THE NEXT DAY I WAS HEADED TO WORK AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE SAME MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DISPLAY AND THE VAN LOST POWER. I HAD TO PULL OVER SO NOT TO BE A NUISANCE FOR OTHER DRIVERS. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE VAN UP AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. WHEN I GOT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE OF COURSE. I LEFT IT RUNNING AS I RAN INSIDE TO GET A TECH. HE CAME OUTSIDE AND SEEN THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON. HE BROUGHT OUT THE SCANNER AND SAID THAT IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS ALSO A GM PRODUCT, 2001 GMC SAVANNA 2500. I'VE HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH IT. SEEMS LIKE 10 YEARS LATER YOU GUYS SHOULD IMPROVE THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10683380
Incident
Feb 5, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIT6247B

This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIT6400A

This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.

PIP4902U

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

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
2011Viewing125054.4
2010155053.7
2009107049.4
20081410040.9
2007174057.5
20061216067.9
2005239063.5
2004217156.6
20035811264.3
2002550137.1
2001452152.7
2000841144.5
1999682044.7
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.