FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2009 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Express 3500 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2017. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Express 3500 All 2009 cars
C

FaultScore 41/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Express 3500.

How this is worked out

The numbers

11

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

59,747 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

27%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 35 vs 50 Severity 47 vs 50 Early failure 46 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 35
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express 3500. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2009 compares with every other Chevrolet Express 3500

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2009 Chevrolet Express 3500

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Fuel & Propulsion 3 27.3%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

Tires 2 18.2%

Median failure at 32,500 miles

Electrical System 2 18.2%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 9.1%

Median failure at 59,747 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 9.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 123,000 mi

Body & Structure 1 9.1%

Median failure at 92,000 miles

Airbags 1 9.1%

Median failure at 59,747 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 27.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 27.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 18.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 27.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2010 peak 2 Feb 2017

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 123,000 miles Morganfield, KY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS ON; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH NO DRIVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #10786278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 92,000 miles Alexandria, LA

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTERIOR PAINT PEELS & FLAKES OFF IN SHEETS AS OF NOT ADHERING TO THE METAL. PEELS OFF BOTH WHILE DRIVING & WHEN PARKED. FLAKING OF PAINT IS CONTINUOUS.

NHTSA complaint #10954471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Morganfield, KY Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE ENGINE WAS ON; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WITH NO DRIVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #10786278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,747 miles Lawrence, KS

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROLL OVER SENSOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,747.

NHTSA complaint #10760744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,747 miles Lawrence, KS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I TOOK THE VAN IN TO A DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER PAYING $60.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK, (WHICH I STILL DON'T LIKE) THEY TOLD ME THE ROLLOVER SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A CRIMINAL $700.00 WHICH I WILL NOT PAY. SOUNDS LIKE A GM ISSUE TO ME SO I CALLED THE HOT LINE AND A WEEK LATER THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY $200.00 OUT OF THE $700.00 BECAUSE I WAS A GOOD GM BUYER. WRONG ANSWER. SO I FILLED OUT THE BBB COMPLAINT FORMS, WROTE AN ARTICLE ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, FILLING OUT THIS FORM, DROPPING OF THE PAPER WORK TO MY ATTORNEYS OFFICE TOMORROW, THEN HEADED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 10/01/15*LJ UPDATED 12/13/2017

NHTSA complaint #10744743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Phoenix, NY

TIRES

VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. TOOK TO [XXX] INC.IN SYRACUSE, NY FOR ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD VEHICLE WAS IN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD THAT THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRES WERE BAD DUE TO TIRES BULGING ON THE OUTSIDE AND INDENTED IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TIRE ROTATION. ALL 6 TIRES ARE EFFECTED. THE WORSE TIRE PASSENGER FRONT WAS USED IN THE DATA COLLECTED BY THIS SITE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10605027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Seguin, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED A NEW KEY WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10588522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Seguin, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED A NEW KEY WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10588522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Saratoga, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN REFUELING THIS VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE DOES NOT FLOW WITH EASE THROUGH THE INTAKE TUBES. IT BACKS UP, OVERFLOWING THE FILLER PIPE, SPILLING OUT OR SHUTTING OFF THE GAS NOZZLE REPEATEDLY. IT CAN TAKE TEN MINUTES TO PUT TEN GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY TIME WE PUT GASOLINE IN THE TANK. NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT FOR SURE. THIS IS ON THE CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 WHICH HAS BEEN MADE INTO A 2009 ROADTREK MOTORHOME VERSATILE 210.

NHTSA complaint #10416916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Saratoga, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

WHEN REFUELING THIS VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE DOES NOT FLOW WITH EASE THROUGH THE INTAKE TUBES. IT BACKS UP, OVERFLOWING THE FILLER PIPE, SPILLING OUT OR SHUTTING OFF THE GAS NOZZLE REPEATEDLY. IT CAN TAKE TEN MINUTES TO PUT TEN GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERY TIME WE PUT GASOLINE IN THE TANK. NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT FOR SURE. THIS IS ON THE CHEVY EXPRESS 3500 WHICH HAS BEEN MADE INTO A 2009 ROADTREK MOTORHOME VERSATILE 210.

NHTSA complaint #10416916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Goodman, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

CHEVY EXPRESS 4500 DIESEL CUTAWAY. FUEL OIL HEATER (FOH) IS AN AUXILIARY HEATER LOCATED UNDER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND EXHAUSTS IN THE SAME AREA. ODOR OF PARTIALLY BURNED FUEL AND A STRONG EXHAUST SMALL WOULD ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE DURING LOW SPEED OPERATION IN COLD WEATHER. DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT CHARACTER OF THE ODOR A HOME CO MONITOR WAS PLACED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID ALARM, PROMPTING THE VEHICLE TO BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND SENT FOR REPAIR. THE FOH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10373566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Canton, ME

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT. IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AT THE END OF JAN '10 I HAD 3 TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE VALVE CAP TO CHECK AIR PRESSURE THE TOP OF THE STEM BLEW RIGHT OFF. I'VE REPLACED THREE AND THE ONE REMAINING FACTORY VALVE STEM IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. I'M IN FEAR OF MY LIFE DRIVING WITH THIS EQUIPMENT. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FAILS WHILE I'M DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY ??

NHTSA complaint #10308730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.