2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Express problems
The 2018 Chevrolet Express is a commercial van that has been praised for its high towing capacity, powerful engines, and overall owner satisfaction. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems reported by owners.
- Fuel Level Sensor Failure: The most widespread complaint about the 2018 Chevy Express van is the fuel level sensor failing, which occurs at around 20,000 miles. This issue is caused by the sensor wearing out as it ages, leading to an inaccurate fuel gauge reading. Replacing the sensor with a new one costs around $450, depending on local labor rates.
- Burnt Out Tail Lights: Another problem mentioned by Express owners is burnt out tail lights within the first 10,000 miles. The original bulbs burn out quickly and have to be replaced frequently. However, there are aftermarket bulbs available that last longer and cost around $10 per bulb to swap out, making it a relatively easy DIY project.
- Intake Manifold Gasket Leak: Some 2018 Chevy Express models experience an intake manifold gasket leak at around 70,000 miles. This problem is caused by the gasket starting to leak coolant and oil as the van ages. Replacing the gasket fixes the issue, but it is a labor-intensive process that costs around $950.
- Recalls: The 2018 Chevy Express has six recalls, with the most serious one being for the climate control module wiring, which may short out and cause a fire. Chevy will remove the wiring insulation from a connector within the CCM to solve the problem for free. Other recalls cover the backup camera and the tire pressure monitoring system.
- Tire Recall: In addition to the recalls, there is a tire recall affecting certain 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express vehicles, where the tires were cured for too long during production, leading to a potential break in the sidewall or belt edge separation. This issue can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
In conclusion, while the 2018 Chevy Express has been praised for its features and overall owner satisfaction, it is not without its common problems. These issues include fuel level sensor failure, burnt out tail lights, intake manifold gasket leaks, and various recalls. However, these problems are similar to those found in other large vans on the market, leading to average repair costs as the vehicle ages.
Is the Chevy Express van reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 3500 Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 13th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $1,013 which means it has poor ownership costs. The frequency of repairs is average, but when issues do arise, they are more likely to be severe than with other models.
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 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.
What is the gas mileage on a 2018 Chevy Express 2500?
Estimated fuel economy comes in at 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. 2500 series models come with a 4.8-liter V8 as the standard engine, which produces up to 280 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
Is the Chevy Express reliable?
The Chevrolet Express 3500 Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 13th out of 21 for commercial vans. The average annual repair cost is $1,013 which means it has poor ownership costs. The frequency of repairs is average, but when issues do arise, they are more likely to be severe than with other models.
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 is the gas mileage on a 2018 Chevy Express 2500?
Estimated fuel economy comes in at 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. 2500 series models come with a 4.8-liter V8 as the standard engine, which produces up to 280 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
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.
2018 Chevrolet Express complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Chevrolet Express.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2018 Chevrolet Express recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 2018 Chevrolet Express.
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
- Manufacturer: Unicell Body Company Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: Unicell Body Company Inc. (Unicell) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna, 2018-2019 Hino 155, Ford Econoline and Transit and Isuzu NPR, and 2018 Ram ProMaster-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
- Consequence: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Unicell will work with ASA Electronics to notify owners and offer a remedy, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service 1-800-384-4400 or Unicell at 1-716-853-8628.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- Consequence: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192218960.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.
- Consequence: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. 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 18299.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles with certain combinations of front-tire and gross-vehicle-weight option codes. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be incorrectly calibrated, causing the TPMS warning lamp to illuminate when tire pressure reaches 37 PSI, not 41 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
- Consequence: If the low tire pressure telltale is not illuminated at the correct tire pressure, the driver may have less time to react to a low-tire-pressure situation, which could affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle in certain situations and could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will check the PSI information on the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) and tire placard match, and if the information is different the RCDLR will be reprogrammed. This repair will be done free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2018. 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 18255.
- 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.
Negative 2018 Chevrolet Express car reviews
Positive 2018 Chevrolet Express car reviews
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Great for hauling kids, dogs, and everything. Also, the 300hp is great for pulling our 31 ft. 7800 lb. camper. It looks tough too.
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The paint is peeling off due to improper application or inadequate surface preparation.
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This Ford model offers more room than any other.
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Superb!!!
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The Express is far superior to Ford's version and superior to all others I tried before I purchased it. I found it to be quiet, very powerful, comfortable, stylish, and with excellent workmanship. These features really stood out to me when comparing it to other options.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Chevrolet Express problems:
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Aug 3, 2023 ... It runs good very comfortable and very reliable. Only negative thing about this vehicle is body painting, it is peeling off so that is ...
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May 2, 2016 ... Its a common problem w all chevys . When ur driving and air is blowing cold . Then it just starts blowing warm or hot . Pull over shut the ...
Beau Bergstrom 2024-05-28
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with this vehicle. As someone with a growing family, I was really excited to borrow it. However, I quickly realized that it wasn't the best fit for us. Unfortunately, the kids had a hard time getting to the 3rd row because of the seat belts, and there were no head rests for the back rows. Additionally, we felt every bump in the road, which made for a pretty uncomfortable ride. Overall, I don't think the engineers thought this through very well. That being said, I'm currently saving up for a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, which I've heard great things about. Thanks for listening!
Ryleigh Torphy 2024-04-26
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.
Akeem Hickle 2024-04-01
Our family van is our second express. The first one was a 1999 12-passenger van, and the current one is a 2011 15-passenger van. We have no reason to sell it other than the fact that it's a little old to take on cross-country trips. It's great for local trips to Lowe's with the seats out or to a family event with all or some of the seats back in. We drive it every day, but we don't want to pay the sticker price of a new one, especially since they haven't really changed over the years.
Alec Stanton 2024-03-15
I recently purchased three new 2017 GMC vans to replace our existing Ford vans for business purposes. Unfortunately, we have experienced some issues with the vans and they have required warranty work and recalls a total of 12 times in the last year. While I am not a fan of the new Ford Transit vans, I may have reconsidered my decision if I had known about these issues beforehand. It's important to do your research and make an informed decision to avoid any potential issues.
Enoch Bailey 2024-03-07
The vehicle described in this review is not up to par with modern standards. The suspension is lacking and the interior is made of cheap materials. It is surprising that this car was released in 2018. A better option would be to test drive a Ford Transit before considering this vehicle.