Owners have filed 627 complaints
about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2025.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 32 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 — 43
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
24.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 23
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado 1500
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
81.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
51.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
387.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
479.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
9619.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
9118.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
12525.4%
150,000+ miles
8316.8%
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 2001peak 23Dec 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA04011Opened 9 Apr 2004Closed 10 May 2005PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING...
PE03057Opened 8 Dec 2003Closed 9 Apr 2004PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENT...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spanish Fork, UTCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11664379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spanish Fork, UTCrash2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11664379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, IACrash1 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11491596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Rapids, IACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11705043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spanish Fork, UTCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11664379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spanish Fork, UTCrash2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11664379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11628812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Elmo, MN
WHEELS
My spare tire hoist cable broke causing the spare tire to fall away from vehicle into traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11533584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, MO
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11531069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesKansas City, MO
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11529550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesKansas City, MO
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11529550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11524127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11524127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11524127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesPorter, TX
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11510964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesPorter, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11510964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, IACrash1 killed
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11491596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sulphur, LACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
Head on collision. No airbags deployed. Front of truck was completely crushed in, but no airbags.
NHTSA complaint #11474313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanceville, AL
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11470850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cape Coral, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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.
NHTSA complaint #11433034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesMadison, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE PARKED AT PRIVATE RESIDENCE. TAILGATE DOES NOT OPEN. SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THERE IS NO ACCESS TO REPLACE BAD BRAKE LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #11414705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesBowling Green, KYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #11387097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lauderhill, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRACKED DASHBOARD
NHTSA complaint #11349202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 283,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
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 CONTROL MODULE WAS REPAIRED/REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID WAS EVACUATED, FLUSHED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR BRAKE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TYPE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES THAT IT IS EXPERIENCING. BECAUSE OF VIN FOR THIS VEHICLE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM RECALL FOR VEHICLES HAVING THESE PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #11319127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHacknensack, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11269327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesMoselle, MSCrash1 injured
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11235344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.