2009 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Chevrolet Express carries a complaint index of 79 and ranks 5th worst out of 20 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. It has 10 complaints, 7 recalls, and the top problem area is Airbags at 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 79/100
- #5 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 10
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2009 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags3 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (30%)
- Electrical System1 (10%)
- Engine1 (10%)
- Structure & Body1 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (10%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a crash at highway speed, leaving occupants without protection.
- Airbags deployed without warning while driving around 35 mph with no diagnosable cause found by the dealer.
- Tire valve stems blew out at highway speed, causing sudden air loss and loss of tire pressure warning.
- Tire sidewalls failed and blew out despite tires being recently purchased.
- The vehicle stalled repeatedly with the check engine light on, matching symptoms of a recall campaign the vehicle was excluded from.
- The transmission was diagnosed as faulty and required full replacement after the check engine light came on at startup.
2009 Chevrolet Express recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 liftâs 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 wheelchairâs 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.
2009 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet Express reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2009 Express a complaint index of 79, the 5th worst of 20 model years, resulting in an Avoid verdict. Airbags and suspension/wheels/tires each account for 30% of complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
- Owners most often reported airbag issues, including non-deployment in a crash and unexpected deployment, along with suspension, wheel, and tire failures like valve stem blowouts and sidewall failures.
- Does the 2009 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Express, covering airbags, HVAC controls, wheelchair lift equipment, and a fire extinguisher replacement, none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Chevrolet Express should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2010 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2021 at 89, 2012 at 95, and 2020 at 84; the 2009 model, with an index of 79, also carries an Avoid verdict.
- Which Chevrolet Express model years are rated best?
- 2011 and 2015 both carry a Best verdict, with complaint indexes of 21 and 16 respectively, the lowest among the 20 model years with data.