2011 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Chevrolet Express ranks 16th of 20 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 21 and 12 complaints logged, earning a Best verdict relative to other Express years. It carries 5 recalls, mostly tied to the CNG fuel system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 21/100
- #16 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 12.5
- 10.5 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (33%)
- Brakes3 (25%)
- Fuel System3 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (25%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission abruptly halting the van or lunging forward at low mileage, sometimes requiring a shift to park to reset.
- Engine power reduction warnings appear along with erratic idling, stabilitrack and traction control alerts, and a need to restart the vehicle to clear the issue.
- Ambulance-package owners describe false DEF tank level readings that threaten to trigger limp mode despite a full tank.
- A rear brake line was found leaking fluid at a steady pace when the brakes were applied.
- One owner found a structural floor support beam rusted through in front of the rear wheels on a cutaway van.
- A cracked upper control arm was discovered near the coil spring seat on an ambulance package unit.
2011 Chevrolet Express recalls
5 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 14V500000Aug 13, 2014Fuel System3,345 vehicles
Fuel system, other
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
- 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.
2011 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 10.5 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 12.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet Express a reliable year?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Express has a complaint index of 21, the second-lowest among 20 model years, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Express years.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2011 Express, covering the CNG fuel system, airbags, and a fire extinguisher replacement campaign; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the top problem area for the 2011 Express?
- Engine complaints are the largest category, making up 33% of complaints, followed by brakes, fuel system, and transmission issues each at 25%.
- How does the 2011 Express compare to the 2010 and 2012 model years?
- The 2011 Express (complaint index 21) reports far fewer problems than the 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 95) model years, both of which carry an Avoid verdict.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2011 Express?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints for the 2011 Express is 94,036 miles, with engine complaints median at 89,050 miles.