2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Routine

Owners filed 72 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

55 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes13
200
Engine and Engine Cooling9
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
000
Engine6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine5
111
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
000
Tires1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Interior Lighting01V220000
Filed Jun 26, 200138,863 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.

Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2024NC

Front right brake overheated.

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2023NC

While driving engine cuts off intermittently, usually will restart. This is caused by the Crank position sensor. Once replaced, the issue was resolved. This vehicle was NOT covered by NHTSA recall 07U521000.

Engine
Filed Apr 25, 201833,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER (F.H. DAILEY CHEVROLET, 800 DAVIS ST, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V521000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 20, 201749,376 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06016 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,376.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 15, 2017156,000 milesNC

THE DIMMER SWITCH FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING IS PRONE TO FAILURE. WHEN IT FAILS, ALL DASH AND GAUGE CLUSTER ILLUMINATION WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION, CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AFTER DARK. THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE ANY GAUGES OR CLIMATE CONTROL FEATURES, WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 201790,000 milesNY

MY 2001 CHEVY ONE TON SILVERADO PICK-UP WITH 90,000 MILES ON IT , HAS MAJORLY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I BLEW A BRAKE LINE. WHEN I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT LINE IT WAS,I WAS AMAZED AT HOW BADLY ALL THE LINES WERE RUSTED. MY MECHANIC QUOTED ME LIKE $ 1400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE LINES,AND GUARANTEE HIS WORK. I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL GM TRUCKS FROM 2000 TO 2009 HAD THIS MAJOR PROBLEM . I HAVE FOUND AN AFTER MARKET LINE KIT FOR $ 280 WITH ABOUT 3 DAYS LABOR FOR A DIY GUY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 201680,000 milesIN

BRAKES FAILED. RUPTURED BRAKE LINE & BARELY AVOIDED ACCIDENT. ON A STREET, VEHICLE MOVING.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 201576,700 milesIL

BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE TOWING LOAD. 76000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE 2004 AND HAVE PARKED IT INSIDE SINCE OWNING IT. ANNUAL INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE ON DRIVE TRAIN BY MECHANIC. NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. BRAKE LINE OVER REAR AXLE LEAKING FLUID. HAD THE BOAT/TRAILER TOWED HOME BY FRIEND AND TOOK TRUCK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 201558,345 milesOH

CAME CLOSE TO HITTING AN SO CRUISER IN BACK WHEN FRONT BRAKE LINES BLEW OUT ON LEFT FRAME AND AT FRONT WHEEL ,WONDERING IF GM IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,BEEN READING ON GOOGLE THAT IT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME THING GOING ON LOOKED AT REST OF LINES AND THEY ARE ALL ALMOST RUSTED AWAY ,I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS I HAVE A 1996 S10 BLAZER AND THE LINES ARE JUST FINE ON THIS OLD OF A VEHICLE ,I CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ? *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 18, 201557,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE SES WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. .....UPDATED 03-03-15 *BF

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 201569,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/12/2015*JS

Engine
Filed Jan 21, 201510,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 04/16/15*LJ

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2014120,000 milesMI

I WAS PREPARING TO HOOK MY 5TH WHEEL AND WHILE POSITIONING MY TRUCK I HAD LOSE OF ALMOST ALL BRAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NOTICED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER MY DRIVERS DOOR. I THEN TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE LINES AND I HAD TO PAY $1400,00. I BABY MY TRUCK BUT THE RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS BAD, THE BODY AND INTERIOR IS PRISTINE. WE COULD HAVE DIED IF THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AFTER MY 5TH WHEEL WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! I WANT GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GIVE ME OUR MONEY! I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FROM THE CHELSEA CHEVY DEALER. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 21, 2014144,000 milesMD

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND ON BOTH MY CHEVY TRUCKS THE ABS MODULE WILL INTERMEDIATELY MALFUNCTION AND WHILE THE LIGHT COMES ON THE ABS BRAKE DO NOT WORK. WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I95 IN RICHMOND VA I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING WITH TRAFFIC, WHEN A CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY OVER CONFUSION OF THE EXIT SIGNS FOR I895. THE 2013 AVALANCHE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED HARD AND WAS ABLE TO TURN AWAY FROM THE STOPPED CAR, MY FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WHICH RENDERED STEERING AWAY USELESS. I HIT THE AVALANCHE IN THE RIGHT REAR WITH MY LEFT FRONT. THIS CAUSE $8,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND $5700 IN DAMAGE TO HIS. LATE LAST YEAR MY 2002 SUBURBAN STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE GM DEALERSHIP I WENT TO TOLD ME IT WAS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM AND WANTED $1,200 TO REPLACE THE "DEALER ONLY SUPPLIED" PART. THIS IS A PART THAT CAN WORK/ NOT WORK AT ANY MOMENT. MY ABS KICKED IN THEN LOCKED UP WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHILE THE ACCIDENT WAS HAPPENING. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 20, 2014198,000 milesMD

I WAS HIT HEAD ON IN MY 2001 CHEVY DUAL WHEEL TRUCK, BOTH VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING APPROX 40/50MPH, MY TRUCK SHUT OFF ON IMPACT. MY AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. I HAD A NECK INJURY AND NEED AN OPERATION. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 201498,000 milesIL

WHY ISN'T NHTSA FORCING GM TO RECALL ALL THESE TRUCKS AND SUV'S WITH BADLY RUSTING BRAKE SYSTEMS??? MY 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 HAS MAJOR BRAKE ISSUES DUE TO RUST/CORROSION. I WAS TRAVELING THE INTERSTATE AND WENT FOR MY EXIT, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR, NEARLY A NO BRAKE SITUATION, FORTUNATELY I STILL HAD MY FRONT BRAKES WORKING. THIS TRUCK SPENDS IT'S NIGHTS IN THE GARAGE, AND IS WELL CARED FOR WITH LOW MILEAGE FOR A 2001 (ONLY 98,000) MILES, MY 2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN HAS 210,000 MILES! AND I'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH BRAKE-LINE RUST/CORROSION. I DON'T FEEL SAFE TAKING MY TRUCK ON LONG VACATIONS OR USING IT TO TOW A TRAVEL TRAILER (WHICH IS WHY I BOUGHT IT) AND IT ONLY HAS 98,000 MILES, BUT MY TRUSTY GRAND CARAVAN GIVES NO PROBLEMS WITH ITS BRAKE PERFORMANCE EVEN WITH 210,000 MILES. *JS

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 16, 2014117,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT REPORTED NO INJURIES DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE INCIDENT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Caliper
Filed Dec 10, 2012104,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THIS MALFUNCTION HAS ALSO CAUSED THE LEFT REAR REAR BRAKE CALIPER TO FAIL. THE CALIPER HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 02/08/2013*JS

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 2012VA

I OWN A 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 EXTENDED CAB 8' BED 4X4 AND HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LINES RUST OUT TO WHERE THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE FUEL LINES RUST TO THE POINT OF LEAKING. I AM HAVING TO COMPLETELY REPLACE BOTH SETS OF LINES. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AS TO THIS ISSUE? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 201260,000 milesTN

DRIVING APPROX 35 MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, PEDAL WAS SPONGY AND NO REAL BRAKING POWER. FOUND BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU AND OTHER SIGNS OF CORROSION UNDER BODY. REPLACE TWO LINES. ON OCTOBER 24, 2012 TRUCK LOST BRAKING POWER AGAIN. FOUND MORE RUSTED OUT LINES. *TR

20 of 72 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20262300Routine
202512120Routine
202449302Fatalities reported
202315100Routine
202227310Routine
202140510Routine
202042810Routine
201922700Routine
201819600Routine
201713600Routine
201651600Routine
201552730Routine
201410310Routine
201326410Routine
201223401Fatalities reported
201129500Routine
20102501Fatalities reported
200910610Routine
200831410Routine
200739520Routine
200652031Fatalities reported
200546100Routine
200441100Routine
200342110Routine
200250200Routine
2001 — this page72210Routine
200080210Routine
199947100Routine
199867120Routine
199761110Routine
19961000Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every Silverado 3500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.