Most common 2011 Chevrolet Express problems
Share of the 12 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 →
2011 Chevrolet Express recalls (5)
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.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013.
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.
Fuel system, other
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.
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.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
What 2011 Chevrolet Express owners say
Engine & cooling
I was pulling back into my driveway my van started idling very rough and erratic. The vehicle display read "engine power reduced. Service traction. ESC off." I didn't know what to think so I immediately shut the car off. I started my car up again after letting it sit for about 10 minutes and it ran fine again but the "check engine light" was still on. The next day I was headed to work and it happened again while driving on the interstate. The same message popped up on the display and the van lost power. I had to pull over so not to be a nuisance for other drivers. After a few minutes I started the van up and I was able to make it to a nearby dealership. When I got the dealership the car was running fine of course. I left it running as I ran inside to get a tech. He came outside and seen the "check engine light" on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving various speeds, the stabilitrack and traction control service warning indicators illuminated along with a beeping sound. In addition, the power reduce warning indicator illuminated and the engine power reduced. The vehicle idled very erratically. The contact had to restart the vehicle in order for it to operate normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving and slowing down, the vehicle aggressively downshifted, the brake pedal independently depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was concerned about the hard upshifts and downshifts of the transmission. When the engine was turned off and restarted after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to vera motors (300 s university dr., pembroke pines, fl 33025, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the fuel control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving various speeds, the stabilitrack and traction control service warning indicators illuminated along with a beeping sound. In addition, the power reduce warning indicator illuminated and the engine power reduced. The vehicle idled very erratically. The contact had to restart the vehicle in order for it to operate normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
Vehicle broke down with a crank no start condition. Verified no fuel pressure. Diagnostics revealed no continuity between tank fuel pump positive lead at fuel pump relay, and ground. Removed fuel tank, disconnected fuel pump wiring harness, and found burned pin at positive terminal of fuel pump and mating harness connector. Harness displayed significant distortion and charring consistent with a poor connection.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving and slowing down, the vehicle aggressively downshifted, the brake pedal independently depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was concerned about the hard upshifts and downshifts of the transmission. When the engine was turned off and restarted after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to vera motors (300 s university dr., pembroke pines, fl 33025, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the fuel control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
2011 Chevrolet Express engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Express a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Express rates average: 29% 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 2011 Chevrolet Express?
The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › diesel. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet Express problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 11% 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.