Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
5 reports
56,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Tires
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 NOTI…
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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 ODI #10378420
80,000 miles · May 7, 2010
Exterior Lighting
WIRING DEFECT IN TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSES BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10329270
15,638 miles · Jan 4, 2010
Seats
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 …
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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 ODI #10297941
111,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Steering
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 T…
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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 ODI #10273842
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 CUSTOME…
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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 ODI #10182567
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Chevrolet Express 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year