← New search

2009 Chevrolet Express 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Express 3500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 9 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.

  • Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. 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.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

9 reports
92,000 miles · Feb 14, 2017
Structure

EXTERIOR PAINT PEELS & FLAKES OFF IN SHEETS AS OF NOT ADHERING TO THE METAL. PEELS OFF BOTH WHILE DRIVING & WHEN PARKED. FLAKING OF PAINT IS CONTINUOUS.

NHTSA ODI #10954471

123,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS ON; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH NO DRIVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS ON; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH NO DRIVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10786278

59,747 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROLL OVER SENSOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROLL OVER SENSOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,747.

NHTSA ODI #10760744

59,747 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I TOOK THE VAN IN TO A DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER PAYING $60.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK, (WHICH I STILL DON'T LIKE) THEY TOLD ME THE ROLLOVER SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A CRIMINAL $700.00 WHICH I WILL NOT PAY. SOUNDS LIKE A GM ISSUE TO ME SO I CALLED THE HOT LINE AND A WEEK LATER THEY SAID…

Read full complaint

I TOOK THE VAN IN TO A DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER PAYING $60.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK, (WHICH I STILL DON'T LIKE) THEY TOLD ME THE ROLLOVER SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A CRIMINAL $700.00 WHICH I WILL NOT PAY. SOUNDS LIKE A GM ISSUE TO ME SO I CALLED THE HOT LINE AND A WEEK LATER THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY $200.00 OUT OF THE $700.00 BECAUSE I WAS A GOOD GM BUYER. WRONG ANSWER. SO I FILLED OUT THE BBB COMPLAINT FORMS, WROTE AN ARTICLE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, FILLING OUT THIS FORM, DROPPING OF THE PAPER WORK TO MY ATTORNEYS OFFICE TOMORROW, THEN HEADED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10744743

14,000 miles · Jun 22, 2014
Tires

VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. TOOK TO [XXX] INC.IN SYRACUSE, NY FOR ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS IN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRES WERE BAD DUE TO TIRES BULGING ON THE OUTSIDE AND INDENTED IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TIRE ROTATION. ALL 6 TIRES ARE EFFECTED. THE WORSE TIRE PASSENGER FRONT WAS …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. TOOK TO [XXX] INC.IN SYRACUSE, NY FOR ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS IN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRES WERE BAD DUE TO TIRES BULGING ON THE OUTSIDE AND INDENTED IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TIRE ROTATION. ALL 6 TIRES ARE EFFECTED. THE WORSE TIRE PASSENGER FRONT WAS USED IN THE DATA COLLECTED BY THIS SITE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605027

110,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED A …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED A NEW KEY WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10588522

18,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN REFUELING THIS VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE DOES NOT FLOW WITH EASE THROUGH THE INTAKE TUBES. IT BACKS UP, OVERFLOWING THE FILLER PIPE, SPILLING OUT OR SHUTTING OFF THE GAS NOZZLE REPEATEDLY. IT CAN TAKE TEN MINUTES TO PUT TEN GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED …

Read full complaint

WHEN REFUELING THIS VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE DOES NOT FLOW WITH EASE THROUGH THE INTAKE TUBES. IT BACKS UP, OVERFLOWING THE FILLER PIPE, SPILLING OUT OR SHUTTING OFF THE GAS NOZZLE REPEATEDLY. IT CAN TAKE TEN MINUTES TO PUT TEN GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY TIME WE PUT GASOLINE IN THE TANK. NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT FOR SURE. THIS IS ON THE CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 WHICH HAS BEEN MADE INTO A 2009 ROADTREK MOTORHOME VERSATILE 210. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416916

82,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Fuel System, Diesel

CHEVY EXPRESS 4500 DIESEL CUTAWAY. FUEL OIL HEATER (FOH) IS AN AUXILIARY HEATER LOCATED UNDER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND EXHAUSTS IN THE SAME AREA. ODOR OF PARTIALLY BURNED FUEL AND A STRONG EXHAUST SMALL WOULD ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION IN COLD WEATHER. DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT CHARACTER OF THE ODOR …

Read full complaint

CHEVY EXPRESS 4500 DIESEL CUTAWAY. FUEL OIL HEATER (FOH) IS AN AUXILIARY HEATER LOCATED UNDER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND EXHAUSTS IN THE SAME AREA. ODOR OF PARTIALLY BURNED FUEL AND A STRONG EXHAUST SMALL WOULD ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION IN COLD WEATHER. DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT CHARACTER OF THE ODOR A HOME CO MONITOR WAS PLACED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID ALARM, PROMPTING THE VEHICLE TO BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND SENT FOR REPAIR. THE FOH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373566

51,000 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Tires

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AT THE END OF JAN '10 I HAD 3 TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE VALVE CAP TO CHECK AIR PRESSURE THE TOP OF THE STEM BLEW RIGHT OFF. I'VE REPLACED THREE AND THE ONE REMAINING FACTORY VALVE STEM IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TI…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AT THE END OF JAN '10 I HAD 3 TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE VALVE CAP TO CHECK AIR PRESSURE THE TOP OF THE STEM BLEW RIGHT OFF. I'VE REPLACED THREE AND THE ONE REMAINING FACTORY VALVE STEM IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. I'M IN FEAR OF MY LIFE DRIVING WITH THIS EQUIPMENT. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FAILS WHILE I'M DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY ?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308730

Official recalls

2

14V706000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Nov 5, 2014

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

09V456000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Nov 19, 2009

CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.

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.