VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Express 1500 years?

Express 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted21 complaints1996: 4 complaints1999: 5 complaints2000: 10 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 21 complaints2004: 15 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 6 complaints2007: 6 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 3 complaints2014: 15 complaints
Express 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Express 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags133%
Brakes133%
Lighting133%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V275000BrakesMay 6, 2011 · 7,593 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A CLEARANCE CONDITION IN WHICH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE TIRE OR WHEEL RIM. IF THE BRAKE HOSE REPEATEDLY CONTACTS THE TIRE OR WHEEL RIM, A HOLE COULD BE WORN IN THE BRAKE HOSE.

Consequence

A DAMAGED BRAKE HOSE MAY REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKES AND INCREASE THE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL SECURE THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

11V007000SuspensionJanuary 6, 2011 · 30,566 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND IT WAS PROBABLY RELATED TO THE FRONT AIR BAG SENSORS. WHEN I EXAMINED THE SENSORS I FOUND THAT THE ALUMINUM ALLOY BODY AND THE PLASTIC SHIELD SURROUNDING IT HAD SPLIT WIDE APART WHERE THE STEEL MOUNTING SCREW PASSED THROUGH THE SENSOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 30, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 CARGO VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS HAD FAILED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE HEAD LAMPS EACH TIME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 1, 2012

“WE DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT LEAK IN A REAR BRAKE LINE OF OUR VAN. THE LEAK DID NOT LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL, BUT THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS NEARLY EMPTY WHEN I DISCOVERED THE ISSUE. THE LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BASED ON A LARGE SPOT LEFT ON OUR DRIVEWAY UNDER THE VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS PROBABLY DRIVEN ABOUT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 22, 2020

2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.