YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Express Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

79/100

#5 most-complained of 20 Express years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Chevrolet Express has 10 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 79 out of 100 — #5 highest of 20 Express model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (3 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 2 injuries.

Complaints
10
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2009 Chevy Express problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags3 (30%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (30%)
  3. Electrical System1 (10%)
  4. Engine1 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body1 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
2009 Chevrolet Express complaints: complaints filed per month1Jul 2011Dec 2012Aug 2014Feb 2016Oct 2020
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2011 to Feb 2025; peak Jul 2011 (1).

2009 Chevrolet Express recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V267000Apr 26, 2018Other6,154 vehicles

    Equipment

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

    Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

  2. NHTSA 14V117000Mar 17, 2014Airbags303,013 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

    Risk: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.

  3. NHTSA 12V169000Apr 17, 2012Other34 vehicles

    Equipment adaptive/mobility

    Main mobility is recalling certain conversion vans built on model year 2008-2010 chevrolet express, 2009 gmc savana, and 2010 ford transit connect chassis, and fitted with certain braun wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the wheelchair liftâ’s outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

    Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairâ’s occupant could fall and sustain injury.

    Remedy: Main mobility is working with braun to notify owners, and braun dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. Main mobility has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

See all 7 recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Express →

2009 compared with other Express years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution5317414.5
2008Good26141014
2009Avoid79107—
2010Avoid100155—
2011Best2112512.5

All Chevrolet Express years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Express a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Chevrolet Express ranks #5 of 20 among Express model years (Complaint Index 79/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 10 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (3 complaints), suspension, wheels & tires (3 complaints), and electrical system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 51,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Express, most recently reported 2018, covering other, airbags, and hvac.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.