Verdict
2011 Chevrolet Express: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2011 Chevrolet Express — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Not enough federal data to rank this one yet.
Complaint data for this model year is still being compiled. Power Train leads the reports (17%). 5 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2011 vans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
18
Reports to NHTSA, 2011
Safety recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
14
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Peer ranking not yet available for this model year.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (17% of 18 reports), followed by service brakes (17%).
+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 18 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11091693, ODI 10949157, ODI 10525882.
Recalls(5)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Fuel SystemAug 2013 · 13V080000Details +Close −
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Express vehicles converted by Impco Automotive to run compressed natural gas (CNG), manufactured between November 23, 2010 and December 23, 2010 and equipped with a four tank configuration using a pressure relief device (PRD) and pressure relief vent pipe assembly. In the affected vehicles, the pressure relief vent pipe assembly may have been built incorrectly.
Risk: If a pressure relief device activates with an improperly assembled vent pipe, compressed natural gas may be vented into the passenger compartment. If an ignition source is present, an explosion or fire may result.
Remedy: Impco Automotive, in cooperation with General Motors will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the pressure relief device and vent pipe assembly. The safety recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Fuel System · 13V225000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Risk: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
Air Bags · 14V117000Details +Close −
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.
Fuel System · 14V500000Details +Close −
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.
Equipment · 18V267000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express 1500 2WD Cargo | 4.3L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| Express 1500 2WD Cargo | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 |
| Express 1500 AWD Passenger | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Express 1500 AWD Conversion Cargo | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Express 1500 AWD Cargo | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Express 1500 2WD Passenger | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Express 1500 2WD Conversion Cargo | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Express 2500 2WD Passenger | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 16 | 13 |
| Express 2500 2WD Passenger | 4.8L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 17 | 13 |
| Express 3500 2WD Passenger | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 16 | 12 |
| Express 3500 2WD Cargo | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
| Express 2500 2WD Conversion Cargo | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
| Express 2500 2WD Cargo | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2011 Chevrolet Express: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2011 Chevrolet Express?
Owners filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Express. Among the 16 model years of this Express, that ranks #9 by complaint volume, where #1 has the fewest.
What are the most common problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Express?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (17% of complaints) and service brakes (17%).
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have?
5 recalls have been issued that affect the 2011 Chevrolet Express, covering components such as fuel system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Express get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Express between 12 and 17 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.