2001 Chevrolet Silverado

Typical pattern

13.3% of complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (314 complaints), typically at 4.7 yr or about 50,000 miles.

Complaints: 941
Median age at failure: 3.9 yr
Median mileage: 50,000 n=594
Crash / fire / tow: 13.6% of reports
Safety recalls: 10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System

0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y

Service brakes, hydraulic

314 reports · 50,000 mi

4.7 yr

9.9%

Engine cooling

79 reports · 43,900 mi

2.0 yr

1.3%

Power train

59 reports · 49,000 mi

2.5 yr

10.2%

Tires

49 reports · 32,000 mi

3.7 yr

10.2%

Parking brake

47 reports · 42,000 mi

4.1 yr

8.5%

Air bags

46 reports · 54,000 mi

1.5 yr

93.5%

Structure

45 reports · 46,000 mi

3.3 yr

15.6%

Service brakes

40 reports · 99,000 mi

12.8 yr

Electrical system

33 reports · 59,000 mi

4.1 yr

12.1%

Steering

32 reports · 32,663 mi

2.9 yr

6.2%

Speed control

31 reports · 45,000 mi

2.5 yr

16.1%

Fuel system

31 reports · 61,400 mi

4.7 yr

9.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E025000 2009-05-11

Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07

Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08E050000 2008-08-11

Exterior lighting:headlights

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E106000 2007-12-17

Wheels:hub

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07V521000 2007-11-07

Engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.

IF THE SENSOR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING AND WILL NOT RE-START. EITHER OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

07E066000 2007-08-28

Equipment:electrical

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

06E075000 2006-08-28

Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN GUIDE REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. 16526133 AND 16526134, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1 TO JULY 11, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1999-2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCKS. THE HEADLAMP FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

TOO MUCH LIGHT IN CERTAIN POINTS OF THE HEADLAMP COULD CREATE A DISTRACTION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E060000 2006-06-29

Exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

06E057000 2006-06-23

Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 332-1182L-AS AND 332-1182R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 1999-2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADOS. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E042000 2006-05-22

Exterior lighting:headlights

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, MODEL NOS. GM159-B001L AND GM159-B001R, SOLD FOR USE ON 1999-2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO MODEL VEHICLES. THE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

THE HEADLAMPS HAVE DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Speed control mileage not reported 0 mo in service

SET CRUISE @ 67MPH LEVEL GROUND (APPORX 1900RPM) RUN FOR ~10-15 MINS. GO UP SUFFICIENT GRADE FOR CC TO FORCE DOWNSHIFT TO NEXT LOWER GEAR AND INCREASE IN RPM TO 3000+. UPON CRESTING HILL AND GOING DOWN GRADUAL DOWNGRADE THE VEHICLE WILL UPSHIFT BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL RESET ITS SETPOINT TO ~ 4-5 MPH GREATER THAN ORIGINAL. SUBSEQUENT HILLS WILL KEEP REPEATING UNTIL TEST TERMINATED ABOVE 75MPH. REPEATABILOITY IS VARIABLE BASED UPON GRADES OF SUBSEQUENT INCLINES. FIRST RESET TO +4 MPH IS CONSISTENT.

Speed control mileage not reported 2 mo in service

WHEN PRESSING ON GAS IT DOES NOT ENGAGE, IT IS STICKING IN THROTTLE BODY. WHEN IT DID ENGAGE, IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF AT A RAPID ACCELERATION. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY CLEANED THROTTLE BODY, AND PROBLEM STOPPED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Speed control mileage not reported 8 mo in service

I WAS INFORMED BY MY DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL & IS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILDING UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH CAUSES THE THROTTLE TO SEIZE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE 1999 MODELS & HAS CONTINUED UNTIL THE PRESENT MODEL. IT IS DEFECTIVE, HAS BEEN FOR YEARS, THEY ARE AWARE OF IT, & THEY DON'T CARE. THEY RECCOMMEND THAT & HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED OUT ABOUT EVERY 4000 MILES AT MY OWN EXPENSE, EVEN THO IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAY THIS IS A SERVICE MATTER & THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER NORMAL SERVICE. WHAT A RIP OFF!

Electrical system mileage not reported 1.8 yr in service

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH VEHICLE WILL SPUTTER,/BARELY IDLING, AND THEN STALL IN MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER 3 TIMES, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

Other Silverado model years

How to read this

This is what owners reported, not a reliability rating. People file with NHTSA about alarming failures, not routine ones, and complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold.
Failure ages come from the incident date on each complaint, populated on about 83% of records. Mileage is shown where reported — NHTSA’s 2021 system change cut mileage capture to roughly 15%, so it thins out sharply after MY2020.
Every rank compares this vehicle only against others of the same model year. A 2025 car has not had time to accumulate five-year failures, so comparing early-failure share across years is meaningless.
Fourteen make-months distorted by media storms and mass recalls — Toyota in February 2010 ran 11× normal volume across 33 models — are excluded.
Recalls are manufacturer actions and authoritative; complaints are not. A recall listed here may already have been performed on any individual car. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.