RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
468
Latest Dec 15, 2025
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.
53
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Feb 13, 2001

What this page shows

Our database holds 468 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 468 · page 1 of 19

BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 15, 2025
Crash reported

ABS locks up because of faulty wheel speed sensors known problem locking up brake pedal resulting in loss of control of vehicle causing collisions and dangerous situations.

NHTSA ID
11705043
Incident
Dec 24, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jun 2, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

STRUCTURAL FAILURE & AIRBAG FAILURE Crash on the bend of a dangerous Utah road. Lost control and vehicle crossed center line striking another vehicle headon. The cab separated from the frame of the truck. The airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID
11664379
Incident
Apr 25, 2021
Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2024

The gm/gmc trucks with abs are unsafe and dangerous to the drivers and other pedestrians and vehicles on all roads. The Abs module light comes on and the brake warning light after driving normally and occasionally on its own and after a bump in the road. The abs system is unavailable/disabled when the light is on, the abs system has stopped and the light turned on when applying the brakes hard to avoid other vehicles and other actions such as steering away to avoid an accident arenecessary. While doing research on this problem I discovered that many gm/gmc pickup trucks have this problem with abs failure and the only sure repair being to replace the abs/ebcm module, there are codes stored for the abs system showing it has failed and stopped working. This problem is so large that an aftermarket industry has grown to address this issue providing rebuilt modules. I worked for a chevrolet dealership for 19 years and am an ase master technician and tested my own silverado and have had to replace my abs module, at my own cost as nearly all other owners, to ensure that I and my wife will be safe while driving. Please make the manufacturers responsible and liable for repairs/replacement so that the truck owners and others sharing the roads stay safe and alive.

NHTSA ID
11628812
Incident
Feb 22, 2024
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 21, 2023

My spare tire hoist cable broke causing the spare tire to fall away from vehicle into traffic.

NHTSA ID
11533584
Incident
Jul 21, 2021
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 8, 2023

The exterior of the wheel well separated from the interior cylinder of the wheel well. The issue appears that the wheel well (usually one piece) has cracked/separated into two pieces, likely due to rust. The car was parked at a store and made a loud popping sound, which could be heard from inside the store. The popping sound came from the loud separation of these pieces as shown in the attached images. This separation was powerful enough to bend and distort the entire exterior of the wheel/hub cap. The vehicle required a tow. This issue could have been a lot worse if the car was driving while the incident occurred. Upon inspection, the other wheel wells are likely to have the same thing occur due to similar appearance. For further details please see file number 529550.

NHTSA ID
11531069
Incident
Jul 3, 2023
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jun 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Edge, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: PJUYJH1R1918. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, there was a loud boom sound that came from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had exploded. The contact stated that there was an excessive amount of rust between the rim and the tire. An independent mechanic was sent to the location and a spare tire was placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the explosion of the tire caused the rim to be bent. The was concerned that the tire had been mounted improperly. The defective tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA ID
11529550
Incident
Jun 28, 2023
Mileage
154,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed May 27, 2023

Break line and break system has been giving issues and failure has occur. To the point of almost causing an accident. Steering issues several times. Pick-up truck suspension since newer truck has had big issues. Please remediate.

NHTSA ID
11524127
Incident
May 27, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light, low fuel warning light, and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11510964
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 31, 2022
Crash reported1 death reported

Vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle collision where this vehicle struck another in an offset head-on manner. The cab completely separated from the frame of this vehicle. The cab came to final rest on the roadway separated from the frame, with the bed remaining attached to the frame.

NHTSA ID
11491596
Incident
Oct 15, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jul 16, 2022
Crash reported2 injuries reported

Head on collision. No airbags deployed. Front of truck was completely crushed in, but no airbags.

NHTSA ID
11474313
Incident
Jul 16, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2022

The parking brake will fail without warning. The only way that it will work is with continuous adjustment. It has been repaired by a mechanic only to fail again. This has been a recurring problem since I purchased the vehicle in 2011.

NHTSA ID
11470850
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2021

My tires have very little wear because I drive far less now. On I-75 in FL recently, while coming off the ramp and increasing speed, the steering wheel began to wobble back and forth violently. As the road surface was wet, I lost control briefly. Once home, I began investigating the problem. I went back to Pep Boys and they inspected and said the tire was separated and they would give me a credit, but they've discontinued that model tire and I'd have to buy 2 new tires. I could not afford that. So they placed it on the rear and I left mad. A month later the steering wobble returned. I then went elsewhere to have it investigated and they said two more were separated. It turns out 3 of the 4 tires I bought are separated so much they are unsuitable for use on the front and make noticeable vibration in the rear when placed there. Date codes on all of my tires are within two sets of weeks of each other, 1717 and 2717 and all are from the same factory. I placed the best two of the 4 on the back and have to replace them all now as there's no way to use any on the front as it's dangerous. They've discontinued this line, but it needs a recall. Pep Boys is coping out of their responsibility. It is Pep Boys Futura Scrambler A/P, 265/75R16. The DOT code is U973PAM1717 and 2717.

NHTSA ID
11433034
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Body & structure
Filed May 1, 2021

VEHICLE PARKED AT PRIVATE RESIDENCE. TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN. SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THERE IS NO ACCESS TO REPLACE BAD BRAKE LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID
11414705
Incident
May 1, 2021
Mileage
230,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2021
Crash reported

THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON MY 2001 CHEVT 1500 SILVERADO RUSTED INTO. IS WAS NOT A SALT CORRISON. MANY TRUCKS HAVE THIS ISSUE. I WORK IN A PARTS STORE AND A MAN CAME IN LAST WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS KNOW THESE CHECY TRUCKS IN THIS YEAR DO THIS. I HOPE U CAN TAKE THIS SERIOUS AND HAVE GM TO CORRECT IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. I RAN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO IT BREAKING AND SLIDE UPON A FENCE. WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE . I HAD NOTHING NO BRAKES AT ALL. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11387097
Incident
Nov 12, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
Filed Aug 14, 2020

CRACKED DASHBOARD

NHTSA ID
11349202
Incident
Apr 13, 2016
Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2020

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 REAR BRAKE LINE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING. OWNER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH ON DIRT ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE USING 4WHEEL DRIVE LOW. BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED 9/18/2018 AND THE MECHANIC NOTED HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SNAP LIKE THAT BEFORE WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF DIRECT DAMAGE. ON INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID WAS CORRODED DESPITE HAVING BEEN RECENTLY CHANGED OUT. BRAKE SYSTEM SECOND FAILURE: ON APRIL 16, 2019 VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP WHILE OWNER WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE SLOWED BUT DIDN'T STOP DESPITE BRAKES APPLIED. OWNER WAS TICKETED FOR FAILURE TO STOP. OWNER ON TURNING VEHICLE ON AFTER TRAFFIC STOP SAW ABS LIGHT NOW ON (WASN'T ON PRIOR TO THIS) AND ON BRAKING TO TURN VEHICLE THEN FAILED TO BRAKE COMPLETELY AT WHICH POINT BOTH ABS DASH LIGHT AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. OWNER AGAIN STOPPED VEHICLE USING 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW. OWNER IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED VEHICLE'S BRAKE FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW DESPITE HAVING JUST BEEN SERVICED ON APRIL 10, 2019 WITH ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE INSPECTION. OWNER ADDED FLUID, LOOKED FOR LEAKS AND ON "PUMPING UP THE BRAKES" FELT SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THEN TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED THE ENGINE AND INSPECTED BRAKES 6 DAYS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED BY LICENSED MECHANICS AND DETERMINED TO HAVE HAD ABS MODULE FAILURE, BRAKE FLUID FAILURE (AGAIN) AND COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS REPAIRED/REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID WAS EVACUATED, FLUSHED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR BRAKE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TYPE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES THAT IT IS EXPERIENCING. BECAUSE OF VIN FOR THIS VEHICLE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL FOR VEHICLES HAVING THESE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID
11319127
Incident
Apr 16, 2019
Mileage
283,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES SLIPPED AND THE PEDAL WAS STIFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED PARAMUS CHEVROLET (94 NJ-17, PARAMUS, NJ 07652, (201) 261-7100) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11269327
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 28, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

I'VE HAD MULTIPLE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER 2 YEARS. ONE OF THE FIRST CONCERN WAS MY HEADLIGHT DAYTIME BULBS MELTED TO THE HARNESS AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MELTED THRU THE NUMBER SO I STARTED CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. BUT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INDECENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WHEEL BEARING HUB GAVE OUT N THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO SUPPORT THE TIRE ONTO THE TRUCK SO MY FRONT DRIVER TIRE WENT FLYING OFF N MY TRUCK COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP INTO THE GROUND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY SELF, MY FINDER, THE WHEEL SENSOR, N THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER GETTING ALL THAT FIXED I'M AFRAID OF THE OTHER HUBS GIVING OUT. ALSO WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AIR IN THE PEDAL N THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BC THE SENSOR GOT DAMAGED OR IF THE ABS BOX IS DAMAGE FROM CORROSION AND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER SEEM TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE REPLACED MANY OF PARTS ON THIS TRUCK N WHEN I DO IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

NHTSA ID
11235344
Incident
Nov 22, 2017
Mileage
230,000 mi
Filed Jul 26, 2019

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH INTERMITTENT STARTING. I HAVE POWER TO EVERYTHING BUT WILL NOT START WHEN KEY IS TURNED. BEEN STRANDED TWICE. ONCE IT STARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES THE NEXT TIME IT TOOK 26 HOURS.

NHTSA ID
11235108
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Mileage
196,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2019

THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE OF BRAKE LINES. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
11230242
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2019

BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING LINE TO RUPTURE WHILE IN OPERATION, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN LAST 9 MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
11191188
Incident
Mar 24, 2019
Mileage
76,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE AND BRAKE LINE WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE HIMSELF. THE CONTACT CALLED MCCARTHY CHEVROLET LEE'S SUMMIT (945 SE OLDHAM PKWY, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64081, (816) 356-6610) AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

NHTSA ID
11173937
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NIX AUTO CENTER INC. (700 S GEORGE NIGH EXPY, MCALESTER, OK 74501) IN JULY OF 2015 TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4865333314. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID
11155232
Incident
Nov 16, 2018
Mileage
138,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2018

PARKING BRAKE NOT WORKING ON 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HAS ROLLED WHEN PARKED AND IN GEAR. HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID
11153577
Incident
Nov 15, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2018

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED APPROX. ON 10/2016. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS. I FOUND THE FUEL LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE. LAST WEEK A BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT. THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. A LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM THE ABS PUMP TO THE REAR AXEL. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THE REST OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE IN VERY POOR CONDITION. THE COST TO REPAIR WILL EXCEED THE VALUE OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
11149886
Incident
Oct 25, 2018
Mileage
177,000 mi

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.

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