Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2009 Chevrolet Express with NHTSA between 2011 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 25 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% 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
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
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
327.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,000 mi
Tires
218.2%
Median failure at 40,700 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
218.2%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 126,116 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Body & Structure
19.1%
Electrical System
19.1%
Median failure at 160,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
440.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
330.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
150,000+ miles
220.0%
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.
Jul 2011peak 2Feb 2025
Recalls on the 2009 Chevrolet Express
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202321025,587 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain vehicles, an unused wiring harness for a rear HVAC blower motor, located in the left B-pillar area, could become damaged if exposed to moisture or contaminants. If this happens, the wires could short circuit. Note: This recall only affects cutaway chassis incomplete vehicles. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to seal the wiring for the rear HVAC blower motor at the left B-pillar.
Recall 201408325,710 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201 - Occupant Protection. During a frontal impact below the airbag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head were to impact the instrument panel where the passenger airbag is located, it could decelerate at a rate higher than what is allowable by the standard. This could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will install energy absorbing trim pieces on the passenger side of the instrument panel, and on 2012-2014 model year 1500 series vehicles, dealers will also replace the front passenger seat belt retractor.
Recall 20100721,414 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
Certain vehicles were built with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control knobs that may fracture and spin on the control shaft. If this happens, the driver may no longer be able to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle. This may affect the defrost system, decreasing driver visibility, and creating the risk of a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace all HVAC control knobs.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 229,000 milesRuby, SCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FEW CUTS ON THE KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
NHTSA complaint #10654755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 30,000 milesCanyon Lake, CA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11644633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesCanyon Lake, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11644633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesDanvers, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED SAME THNG HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME 7 MONTHS LATER.
NHTSA complaint #11364173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMidland Park, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET (1180 GOFFLE RD, HAWTHORNE, NJ 07506, (973) 453-2564) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SCHEDULED FOR A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO CONTAMINATION ON THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 14515, AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11222451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crofton, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHITE 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF CAR. IT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE WINDOWS FIRST AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. WE NOTICED SOME "DIMPLING" IN THE PAINT ON THE LIFT GATE AS WELL. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM (CHEVROLET) AND HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A "DIAGNOSTIC" EVALUATION. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN EXPOSED TO NATURAL ELEMENTS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN ONLY 6 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10837304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 229,000 milesRuby, SCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FEW CUTS ON THE KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
NHTSA complaint #10654755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesMentor, OH
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #10621426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,116 milesFort Lauderdale, FL
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TIRE SIDE WALL FAILED, CAUSING BLOW-OUT. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON07/6/2012. BLOW OUT HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 13,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10503643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesShepherdsville, KY
TIRES:VALVE
DRIVING 55 MPH OR SO TIRE LIGHT CAME STOPPED TO CHECK AND VALVE STEM BLEW OUT OF TIRE,THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND POSES A GREAT DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10488861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,790 milesBuffalo, NM
AIR BAGS
BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN PARKING LOT!VAN WAS LOCKED!
NHTSA complaint #10447384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,400 milesHudson, NY
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE TPMS BROKE - FILED BY JIFFY LUBE.
NHTSA complaint #10414830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.