Most common 2009 Chevrolet Express problems
Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Express complaints by model year
Best Express years: 2025, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
2009 Chevrolet Express recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 lift's outer barrier May become bent or misaligned.
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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 conversion vans built on Chevrolet express and GMC savana chassis from October 2007 through May 2010 and fitted with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts.
Remedy: Main mobility will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers free of charge. A software solution for this safety defect is under investigation.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet express and GMC savana vehicles for failing to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield wiping and washing systems." these vehicles were built with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control knobs that May fracture…
Remedy: Dealers will replace all HVAC control knobs free of charge. The safety recall began on March 11, 2010. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463 or at the owner center at…
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet express and GMC savana vans manufactured between April 1, 2005 and June 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
Show 1 more recall
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet express and GMC savana vans manufactured between April 1, 2005 and June 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
What 2009 Chevrolet Express owners say
Wheels & tires
Driving 55 MPH or so tire light came stopped to check and valve stem blew out of tire,this is the second time this has happened and poses a great danger to me and my passengers and others.
While driving on the highway the tire side wall failed, causing blow-out. New tires were purchased on07/6/2012. Blow out happened with less than 13,000 miles.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet Express. While driving approximately 62 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the driver side door of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a few cuts on the knee that did not require medical attention. The passenger from the other vehicle sustained a broken collar bone and a head injury, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 229,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning. The dealer could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
2009 Chevrolet Express engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Express a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Express rates better than average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Express at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
The wheels & tires — 3 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about pressure monitoring and regulating systems. Next are the air bags (3) and body & structure (1).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Express have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Express, the most recent from April 26, 2018 (equipment). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Express?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999 and 2002. See the full Chevrolet Express years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Express problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.