Chevrolet Express Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chevrolet Express years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2021, based on NHTSA complaint index scores of 79, 100, 95, 84, and 89. The best years are 2011 and 2015, with complaint indexes of 21 and 16, and the lowest recall counts.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2012Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Best 2011Best 2015
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 248
- Recall campaigns
- 54
- Crashes reported
- 12
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Brakes
Express Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Express problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 47 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 8 | Brakes | 14.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 42 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 16 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 53 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 14.5 | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 26 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Brakes | 14 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 79 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | Best | 21 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 12.5 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 95 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 12.5 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 68 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 8 | Brakes | 13 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 32 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Airbags | 13 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 16 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 13 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 58 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 6 | Brakes | 13 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 63 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | 13 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 37 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 6 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 74 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 84 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 89 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
Express years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Chevrolet Express Index 100 · 15 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2010 Express has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year and ranked worst overall. Engine problems make up 33 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 41,750 miles. Owners report stalling at low speed with warning lamps illuminated, burned electrical connectors near the fuel tank, and a crash that caused multiple injuries. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including the same fire extinguisher and airbag campaigns that cover the 2009 model.
2012 Chevrolet Express Index 95 · 13 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Express has a complaint index of 95 and ranks 2nd worst, with 2 reported deaths among its complaints. Brakes account for 31 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 14,500 miles. Owners report a parking brake cable rubbing against the hydraulic brake line, seat belt reels that seized shut, and a steering-related crash. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including one covering the CNG fuel system's high pressure regulator.
2021 Chevrolet Express Index 89 · 13 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 Express has a complaint index of 89 and ranks 3rd worst. Brakes and fuel system issues each account for 31 percent of complaints, with median failure mileages of 18,000 and 5,000 miles respectively. Owners report a tire blowout on a nearly new van, a power steering malfunction that made the wheel difficult to turn, and vehicle fires reported by multiple owners. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns, one requiring owners to park outside due to a battery cable fire risk.
2020 Chevrolet Express Index 84 · 17 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2020 Express has a complaint index of 84 and ranks 4th worst. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate, making up 53 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 99,376.5 miles. Owners report unexpected stalling with the check engine light on, brake assist that would not disengage on level ground, and unsecured wiring and fuel lines underneath the vehicle. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this year, covering tire inspection and replacement.
2009 Chevrolet Express Index 79 · 10 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2009 Express has a complaint index of 79 and ranks 5th worst out of 20 model years. Airbags and suspension/wheels/tires each account for 30 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 51,000 miles. Owners report airbags that failed to deploy in crashes and airbags that deployed without warning at low speed. Tire valve stems have blown out and sidewalls have failed on the highway. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including one for a fire extinguisher replacement and one for airbag instrument panel modification.
Most common Chevy Express problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes66 (27%)
- Electrical System47 (19%)
- Engine36 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (15%)
- Airbags28 (11%)
- Fuel System26 (10%)
- Structure & Body25 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires24 (10%)
- Other12 (5%)
- Steering10 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chevrolet Express years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2021 Express. The 2010 model has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, and the 2012 model's complaints include 2 reported deaths.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Express?
- The 2011 and 2015 Express rank as the Best years, with complaint indexes of 21 and 16, the lowest among the 20 model years covered. The 2014 and 2018 Express also rank Good, with indexes of 32 and 37.
- What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Express?
- Across all years, brakes account for 27 percent of complaints (66 total), followed by electrical system issues at 19 percent (47 total), and engine and transmission/powertrain problems each at 15 percent (36 total each).
- Does the Chevrolet Express have a lot of recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns across all Express model years covered, ranging from a fire extinguisher replacement to a battery cable fire risk requiring owners to park outside.
- Why is the 2009 Express rated Caution instead of based only on its complaint index?
- The 2009 Express is not capped; its complaint index of 79 and 5th-worst ranking directly drive its Avoid verdict. Other years like 2005, 2006, and 2008 were capped to Caution because of 8, 16, and 10 recall campaigns despite lower complaint indexes.