2011 Chevrolet Express problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (2) · Power Train (2) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Express model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (5)
Equipment 2018-04-26 · campaign 18V267000 · 6,154 vehicles
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,
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Other 2014-08-13 · campaign 14V500000 · 3,345 vehicles
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.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2014-03-17 · campaign 14V117000 · 303,013 vehicles
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Other 2013-05-15 · campaign 13V225000 · 1,791 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Risk: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2013-03-08 · campaign 13V080000 · 48 vehicles
Defect: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Express vehicles converted by Impco Automotive to run compressed natural gas (CNG), manufactured between November 23, 2010 and December 23, 2010 and equipped with a four tank configuration using a pressure relief device (PRD) and pressure relief vent pipe assembly. In the affected vehicles, the pressure relief vent pipe assembly may have been built incorrectly.
Risk: If a pressure relief device activates with an improperly assembled vent pipe, compressed natural gas may be vented into the passenger compartment. If an ignition source is present, an explosion or fire may result.
Fix: Impco Automotive, in cooperation with General Motors will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the pressure relief device and vent pipe assembly. The safety recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Service bulletins (1,696)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-04 · PIT6247B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for police and special service vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-16 · PIT6400A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,696 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 signif…”
2026-03-17 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 143,000 mi“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.…”
2019-12-03 · Steering“when applying brakes to stop the brake peddle vibrates and the car shifts forward a little and the steering column makes a winding noise.…”
2018-05-04 · Service Brakes · 115,000 mi“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 minute…”
2018-04-19 · Suspension“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.…”
2017-02-02 · Power Train · 109,000 mi“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 …”
2016-01-08 · Structure:body · 94,036 mi“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.…”
2015-02-13 · Engine · 80,000 mi“ 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…”
2014-11-04 · Service Brakes · 55,800 mi“vehicle was noted to be leaking fluid while parked in driveway. further investigation revealed that the back driver's side brake line was leaking brake fluid. brake fluid level noted to be very low (just above the minimum line). noted that when brakes are applied brake fluid leaks at a steady and significant pace. *tr…”
2013-08-14 · Fuel System, Diesel · 98,100 mi“this ambulance over the past thirty days has been displaying false mileages with messages that the def tank was almost empty and the vehicle was going to go into limp mode. mileages varied from lows in the 150's to highs of 2430 during the same ambulance transport. we took the vehicle to watson chevrolet in tucson. their solution was to replace the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.