2011 Chevrolet Express problems
The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.
In production for a single generation since 1995, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.
Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).
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Common 2011 Chevrolet Express problems
The 2011 Chevrolet Express 2500 has been associated with several common problems based on complaints from owners. One of the most frequently reported issues is related to the transmission system. Transmission problems can manifest as shifting delays, jumping or grinding during acceleration, car shaking, or the presence of whistling noises or a burning smell coming from under the hood.
Another issue that has been reported is related to the fuel system. The 2011 Chevrolet Express 2500, when converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) by Impco Automotive, may have a pressure relief vent pipe assembly that was built incorrectly. This can lead to a situation where the pressure relief vent pipe assembly may not function properly, potentially causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
The 2011 Chevrolet Express 2500 has also been associated with problems related to the braking system. A damaged brake hose may reduce the effectiveness of the rear brakes and increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Additionally, there have been reports of issues related to the airbag system. In certain frontal impacts below the airbag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury due to the instrument panel not sufficiently absorbing the impact.
Lastly, there have been reports of problems related to the steering system. The 2011 Chevrolet Express 2500 may experience issues with the power steering system, making it difficult to steer the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
It is important to note that not all vehicles of the same year, make, and model will be affected by these issues. To determine if a specific vehicle is affected, the vehicle identification number (VIN) should be used to check for recalls and safety issues.
How many miles does a Chevy Express get?
Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 20 MPG, offering 620 miles of range out of the 31 gallon tank. Gas costs are similar to other vans, at $369 per month. Value 8/10 – The 2019 Chevrolet Express is cheaper than a lot of other full size vans with reasonable depreciation rates, making it an attractive value.
What is the recall on the Chevy Express van?
Recall # N202325160 Date: 03/18/2021 Recall: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with 6.6L gasoline engines. The positive battery cable terminals may contact a fuse block assembly attachment post and cause an electrical short circuit.
How long do Chevy Express engines last?
If you have a 4.3 V6 250,000 miles would be good. If you have a 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L V8 all are LS based engines. Those engines if cared for properly 300,000 is not uncommon. If you drive it like you stole it all the time you will be lucky to make 150,000 miles.
Are Chevy Express vans reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 1500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $963 which means it has poor ownership costs.
Are Chevy Express vans reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 1500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $963 which means it has poor ownership costs.
How long do Chevy Express engines last?
If you have a 4.3 V6 250,000 miles would be good. If you have a 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L V8 all are LS based engines. Those engines if cared for properly 300,000 is not uncommon. If you drive it like you stole it all the time you will be lucky to make 150,000 miles.
What engines are in the Chevy Express?
6.6L V8. Max trailering weight of up to 9,600 lbs.
When did they stop making Chevy Express?
2025
The Chevrolet Express will Be No More in 2026
GM is considering electrifying the future of its commercial fleet, so the last Chevrolet Express will stop being manufactured after 2025.
2011 Chevrolet Express complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Chevrolet Express.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2011 Chevrolet Express recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2011 Chevrolet Express.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: 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, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
- Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: 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 the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
- Consequence: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2011 Chevrolet Express car reviews
Positive 2011 Chevrolet Express car reviews
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I've had this van since 2006. It's been great! Personally, I find it more comfortable and attractive than the Fords. It's also very easy to maintain.
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This is actually my second Express van and I must say, I'm really happy with it. I have the 12 passenger van which is just the right size for me. The 08 model has been given many upgrades over older models, which is great. The seats can easily be removed, and you can almost put your whole house in there! My previous Express van was trouble free and I'm happy to say that my 08 came with no defects, so it's off to a good start.
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This van is a pleasure to drive! Despite being warned that it would handle like a tractor trailer, I found it to be quite manageable. It has great visibility, handles well, and has an impressive turning radius for its size. The only downside is that it doesn't fit in my garage, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for such a great vehicle.
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Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with my Chevrolet Express G3500 extended wheelbase 15 passenger Van. This is actually my second one! My first van was a 2002 model and it still looks and runs like it's brand new, even with over 62000 miles on it. I recently upgraded to a 2005 model and I'm happy to report that it's just as excellent as my first one. In my opinion, these Chev Vans are much better than their Ford counterparts in terms of handling and reliability. The 6.0 L engine on my 2005 model is also more fuel-efficient than the 5.7 on my 2002, which is great news for my wallet! On long highway trips, I'm getting around 18-19 mpg at 55 mph. Overall, I'm really pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend this van to anyone in the market for a reliable and efficient vehicle.
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It's great to hear that you find the vehicle comfortable to drive with excellent handling. The engine and transmission are very smooth and powerful, and it's impressive that it's so efficient with up to 19 mpg on the highway and averaging over 16 mpg for all driving combined. The cruise control is also very efficient. It's good to know that this vehicle is much more comfortable to drive and handle than the Honda Pilot that it replaced.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2011 Chevrolet Express problems:
Q&A: 2011 Chevy Express Van - Electrical Problems & Cargo ...
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Top 2011 Chevrolet Express 1500 Problems · Fuel Level Sensor Failure. 54 people have reported this. 23 · Reduced Power and Check Engine Light. 23 people have ...
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Mar 7, 2017 ... these are common failure items on gm vehicles and cause many different issues with the vehicle.
Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems and Complaints - 22 Issues
Top Chevrolet Express 3500 Problems · Tail Light Wiring in Cargo Area May be Damaged · Fuel Level Sensor Failure · Replace Fuel Filter Every 30,000 to Prevent Fuel ...
I'll buy dinner for whoever can solve the problem with my 2011 ...
Nov 17, 2017 ... I have a 2011 Chevrolet Express 3500 LT van with the 6.0 liter engine (flex fuel) As of now I am having an usual problem as the van will at ...
Other years of Chevrolet Express
Are you having problems with your 2011 Chevrolet Express?
Riley Hirthe 2025-01-29
I have experience driving several different vans of this model, ranging from '06 to '09. The engine provides excellent power, and the AWD system really helps with road grip. However, the gas mileage could be improved, as the best I've ever gotten is 17mpg (on 87 octane gas). I did find the traction control system to be a bit unnerving, as it shuts off all power for several seconds if you lose traction, which can be concerning when pulling out onto a busy intersection. On the other hand, I appreciate some of the features, such as the on-board tire pressure monitors and the oil life percentage. Overall, I think it's a good van. The only issue I've had was an oil filter gasket leak, which was likely due to an installation fault by the garage.
Cullen Hintz 2024-11-13
Hi there! I borrowed this vehicle for my growing family and unfortunately, it didn't quite meet our needs. Within just 5 minutes, we noticed that the kids had to duck under seat belts to get to the 3rd row and there were no headrests for the back rows. Additionally, we felt every bump in the road. It's a shame that the engineers didn't think this through more thoroughly. We're now saving up for a Mercedes Benz Sprinter which we hope will be a better fit for us!
Johnny Toy 2024-10-25
While the engine and transmission of these vehicles are superior to those of Fords, the rest of the vehicle falls short. The old 1975-1992 Econoline has more room, feels better, drives better, handles better, and has a more solid body. The interior of the Express is uncomfortable and made of hard plastic that creaks and feels like it might break. The front seating is cramped and less roomy than Ford. The ride is not very smooth and can be a bit rough. The sliding door rattles and shakes when closed gently. All doors, controls, seats, and dash feel cheap compared to Ford. However, we understand that everyone has different preferences and priorities when it comes to choosing a vehicle.
Durward Kuhn 2024-09-04
We bought the van because we outgrew our Grand Caravan, and we absolutely love the fact that we can tow anything we want. I've only owned it for three months, but I already love the room and power it provides.
Josue Keeling 2024-08-06
This is a fantastic van!