2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 468 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
90,000 milesMedian miles at failure

382 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes122
1603
Service Brakes, Hydraulic78
700
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip39
412
Fuel System, Gasoline22
000
Parking Brake19
000
Tires11
000
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System11
000
Engine10
000
Electrical System9
120
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module8
100

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Dec 15, 2025IA

ABS locks up because of faulty wheel speed sensors known problem locking up brake pedal resulting in loss of control of vehicle causing collisions and dangerous situations.

Unknown or OtherCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 2, 2025UT

STRUCTURAL FAILURE & AIRBAG FAILURE Crash on the bend of a dangerous Utah road. Lost control and vehicle crossed center line striking another vehicle headon. The cab separated from the frame of the truck. The airbags did not deploy.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 4, 2024NC

The gm/gmc trucks with abs are unsafe and dangerous to the drivers and other pedestrians and vehicles on all roads. The Abs module light comes on and the brake warning light after driving normally and occasionally on its own and after a bump in the road. The abs system is unavailable/disabled when the light is on, the abs system has stopped and the light turned on when applying the brakes hard to avoid other vehicles and other actions such as steering away to avoid an accident arenecessary. While doing research on this problem I discovered that many gm/gmc pickup trucks have this problem with abs failure and the only sure repair being to replace the abs/ebcm module, there are codes stored for the abs system showing it has failed and stopped working. This problem is so large that an aftermarket industry has grown to address this issue providing rebuilt modules. I worked for a chevrolet dealership for 19 years and am an ase master technician and tested my own silverado and have had to replace my abs module, at my own cost as nearly all other owners, to ensure that I and my wife will be safe while driving. Please make the manufacturers responsible and liable for repairs/replacement so that the truck owners and others sharing the roads stay safe and alive.

Wheels
Filed Jul 21, 2023MN

My spare tire hoist cable broke causing the spare tire to fall away from vehicle into traffic.

Wheels
Filed Jul 8, 2023MO

The exterior of the wheel well separated from the interior cylinder of the wheel well. The issue appears that the wheel well (usually one piece) has cracked/separated into two pieces, likely due to rust. The car was parked at a store and made a loud popping sound, which could be heard from inside the store. The popping sound came from the loud separation of these pieces as shown in the attached images. This separation was powerful enough to bend and distort the entire exterior of the wheel/hub cap. The vehicle required a tow. This issue could have been a lot worse if the car was driving while the incident occurred. Upon inspection, the other wheel wells are likely to have the same thing occur due to similar appearance. For further details please see file number 529550.

Tires
Filed Jun 29, 2023154,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Edge, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: PJUYJH1R1918. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, there was a loud boom sound that came from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had exploded. The contact stated that there was an excessive amount of rust between the rim and the tire. An independent mechanic was sent to the location and a spare tire was placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the explosion of the tire caused the rim to be bent. The was concerned that the tire had been mounted improperly. The defective tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 27, 2023FL

Break line and break system has been giving issues and failure has occur. To the point of almost causing an accident. Steering issues several times. Pick-up truck suspension since newer truck has had big issues. Please remediate.

Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2023200,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light, low fuel warning light, and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Structure › BodyCrash1 killed
Filed Oct 31, 2022IA

Vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle collision where this vehicle struck another in an offset head-on manner. The cab completely separated from the frame of this vehicle. The cab came to final rest on the roadway separated from the frame, with the bed remaining attached to the frame.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 16, 2022LA

Head on collision. No airbags deployed. Front of truck was completely crushed in, but no airbags.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2022AL

The parking brake will fail without warning. The only way that it will work is with continuous adjustment. It has been repaired by a mechanic only to fail again. This has been a recurring problem since I purchased the vehicle in 2011.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 15, 2021FL

My tires have very little wear because I drive far less now. On I-75 in FL recently, while coming off the ramp and increasing speed, the steering wheel began to wobble back and forth violently. As the road surface was wet, I lost control briefly. Once home, I began investigating the problem. I went back to Pep Boys and they inspected and said the tire was separated and they would give me a credit, but they've discontinued that model tire and I'd have to buy 2 new tires. I could not afford that. So they placed it on the rear and I left mad. A month later the steering wobble returned. I then went elsewhere to have it investigated and they said two more were separated. It turns out 3 of the 4 tires I bought are separated so much they are unsuitable for use on the front and make noticeable vibration in the rear when placed there. Date codes on all of my tires are within two sets of weeks of each other, 1717 and 2717 and all are from the same factory. I placed the best two of the 4 on the back and have to replace them all now as there's no way to use any on the front as it's dangerous. They've discontinued this line, but it needs a recall. Pep Boys is coping out of their responsibility. It is Pep Boys Futura Scrambler A/P, 265/75R16. The DOT code is U973PAM1717 and 2717.

Structure › Body
Filed May 1, 2021230,000 milesAL

VEHICLE PARKED AT PRIVATE RESIDENCE. TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN. SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THERE IS NO ACCESS TO REPLACE BAD BRAKE LIGHTS.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 7, 2021125,000 milesKY

THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON MY 2001 CHEVT 1500 SILVERADO RUSTED INTO. IS WAS NOT A SALT CORRISON. MANY TRUCKS HAVE THIS ISSUE. I WORK IN A PARTS STORE AND A MAN CAME IN LAST WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS KNOW THESE CHECY TRUCKS IN THIS YEAR DO THIS. I HOPE U CAN TAKE THIS SERIOUS AND HAVE GM TO CORRECT IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. I RAN OFF THE ROAD DUE TO IT BREAKING AND SLIDE UPON A FENCE. WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE . I HAD NOTHING NO BRAKES AT ALL. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 14, 2020FL

CRACKED DASHBOARD

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2020283,000 milesCO

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 REAR BRAKE LINE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING. OWNER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH ON DIRT ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE USING 4WHEEL DRIVE LOW. BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED 9/18/2018 AND THE MECHANIC NOTED HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SNAP LIKE THAT BEFORE WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF DIRECT DAMAGE. ON INSPECTION BRAKE FLUID WAS CORRODED DESPITE HAVING BEEN RECENTLY CHANGED OUT. BRAKE SYSTEM SECOND FAILURE: ON APRIL 16, 2019 VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP WHILE OWNER WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP SIGN. VEHICLE SLOWED BUT DIDN'T STOP DESPITE BRAKES APPLIED. OWNER WAS TICKETED FOR FAILURE TO STOP. OWNER ON TURNING VEHICLE ON AFTER TRAFFIC STOP SAW ABS LIGHT NOW ON (WASN'T ON PRIOR TO THIS) AND ON BRAKING TO TURN VEHICLE THEN FAILED TO BRAKE COMPLETELY AT WHICH POINT BOTH ABS DASH LIGHT AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. OWNER AGAIN STOPPED VEHICLE USING 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW. OWNER IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED VEHICLE'S BRAKE FLUID LEVELS AND FOUND FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW DESPITE HAVING JUST BEEN SERVICED ON APRIL 10, 2019 WITH ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND BRAKE INSPECTION. OWNER ADDED FLUID, LOOKED FOR LEAKS AND ON "PUMPING UP THE BRAKES" FELT SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THEN TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED THE ENGINE AND INSPECTED BRAKES 6 DAYS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED BY LICENSED MECHANICS AND DETERMINED TO HAVE HAD ABS MODULE FAILURE, BRAKE FLUID FAILURE (AGAIN) AND COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE ABS

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 201960,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES SLIPPED AND THE PEDAL WAS STIFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED PARAMUS CHEVROLET (94 NJ-17, PARAMUS, NJ 07652, (201) 261-7100) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 28, 2019230,000 milesMS

I'VE HAD MULTIPLE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER 2 YEARS. ONE OF THE FIRST CONCERN WAS MY HEADLIGHT DAYTIME BULBS MELTED TO THE HARNESS AND THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MELTED THRU THE NUMBER SO I STARTED CARRYING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT. BUT ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INDECENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WHEEL BEARING HUB GAVE OUT N THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO SUPPORT THE TIRE ONTO THE TRUCK SO MY FRONT DRIVER TIRE WENT FLYING OFF N MY TRUCK COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP INTO THE GROUND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY SELF, MY FINDER, THE WHEEL SENSOR, N THE DRIVER DOOR. AFTER GETTING ALL THAT FIXED I'M AFRAID OF THE OTHER HUBS GIVING OUT. ALSO WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AIR IN THE PEDAL N THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BC THE SENSOR GOT DAMAGED OR IF THE ABS BOX IS DAMAGE FROM CORROSION AND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NEVER SEEM TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE REPLACED MANY OF PARTS ON THIS TRUCK N WHEN I DO IT SEEMS LIKE ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 26, 2019196,000 milesOH

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH INTERMITTENT STARTING. I HAVE POWER TO EVERYTHING BUT WILL NOT START WHEN KEY IS TURNED. BEEN STRANDED TWICE. ONCE IT STARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES THE NEXT TIME IT TOOK 26 HOURS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2019135,000 milesMN

THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE OF BRAKE LINES. COMPLETE REPLACEMENT.

20 of 468 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202693310Do not drive
202598040Routine
2024306200Above average
2023373360Above average
2022619660Above average
20218178110Above average
20207281290Above average
20191,0781080Above average
2018516741Fatalities reported
20177116120Do not drive
201679311101Do not drive
20151,10411141Fatalities reported
20141,4346184Fatalities reported
2013301200Above average
2012216210Above average
2011563441Fatalities reported
2010362310Above average
2009444360Above average
2008914391Fatalities reported
20078492142Fatalities reported
20063590150Above average
20055250342Fatalities reported
2004797081Fatalities reported
2003805070Above average
2002509051Fatalities reported
2001 — this page468053Fatalities reported
2000614053Fatalities reported
1999587252Fatalities reported
19983612110Above average
19975552131Fatalities reported
19967001Fatalities reported
19953000Routine
199410010Routine

Compare every Silverado 1500 year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.