Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tranny, ABS, cooling system, tailgate, etc. I bought the truck 2003 didn't exchange title until later recall when I first bought it under 50,000 mile warranty. I file an complain recall repair still having same problem. Sad thing my father is an retired employee in dallas location. Researched the recalls from previously and present same results. They have until 2 days to contact me @ [redacted] in going to the warehouse and return the vehicle to the owner, cfo, ceo whomever and ask for a full refund or I'm filing an complaint and small clams for 30 yrs worth. [redacted]
While friving on a street I 8nserted a cig lighter in to cig lighger socket. And pulled it out right away. Smoke started.coming oug from dash and vents. I pulled 9ver and poured water into socket due to fire .n9 my battery light and odometer lights do jot turn 9ff wheb key is off. And now I start it and it keeps stalling. Where do I start?
We purchased a 2001 Silverado ext in 7-01. Truck had about 16,000 miles on it, when we bought it new/used. Parking brake seemed to be really soft, but lot assured us, nothing was wrong with it and that the new technology we had with vehicle's, made it easier for elderly people and such. Yes the brake works great on level ground, but wait until you really need it like on a sloped driveway............. Or getting the vehicle inspected! This is when they really give you the works!!dealership wanted to charge us almost $200 to fix a 15 minute job, which should have been fixed while it was under warranty. We had an unfortunate incident, which resulted in the death of another person. To make a long story short, I feel it May have been prevented, if these(so called) great anti-lock brakes on GM vehicles did what they are supposed to do. …
In about 2006, the fuel gauge in my husband's truck stopped functioning. It showed empty when tank was full. No recall notice was issued to us. When he had diagnosed, the diagnosis was a bad chip or electrical problem, or switch. It would be expensive to fix.at this time I was diagnosed with breast cancer & underwent surgery $ mos. Of chemo. My husband,military retiree, stayed with me in hospital. After my chemo, he had both hips replaced and was being treated until 2013 for spinal injections. In July 2013, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer & passed away in August. In the meantime, when he drove the truck he recorded mileage after a fill in order to keep track of amt. …
Nothing but problems with truck. First was the slip yoke in the drive shaft, felt like tranny was slipping from take off at start position. Replaced under warranty. Anti-lock brakes would come on with every stop. Usually at very slow speeds, causing truck to exceed 5-10 ft further than it should have. Had front wheel bearing replaced, fixed for some time doing it again. Also in the mean time, had to have all brakes and rotors replaced. Brake system is awful. This could cause accidents. Also, has cold engine knock, very loud knock, not a normal knock. Something isnt right with this. Done this since a little over 20,000 miles, worse when temperatures outside are low. Had to have 4x4 switch on dash replaced. Kept getting service 4wd unit. Out of warranty at this time. I know of at least 4 other with all same problems. Still nothing done with GM, something should be done. …
The fuel sending unit in my truck failed at ~ 41K miles and sends faulty signals to the gauge in the instrument cluster. The level indicated on the gauge fluctuates but usually reads empty which leads to a very bright yellow "low fuel" indicator in my message center. I know of at least 4 other individuals who own the same make/model from 1999-2001 that have the same problem. This is a safety issue because 1) I never know how much fuel is really in my trucks gas tank and could be left stranded on the side of any highway at any time, and 2) the bright yellow "low fuel" indicator in the message center that stays on nearly constantly is extremely distracting while driving at night. My acquaintances and I have all notified the Chevrolet dealer of our problem and have been told "Chevy knows about the problem but will not issue a recall" (paraphrasing).
I purchase my Chevrolet 1500 pickup new in 2001 and have maintained well. For no apparent reason, the on board computer warning light will indicate my fuel tank is empty and the fuel gauge needle will go to empty. The light and gauge will remain this way until I turn the vehicle off. At that time it May work or it May not. I currently have 72,300 miles on the vehicle. This occurrence began around 35,000 miles. I have had the vehicle into the dealer several times and their response has been that it doesn't happen when it is in the shop so they cannot do anything about it. I am concern with the current safety recalls with the ignition switch and the possibility that the impact bag May not deploy in an accident May also be an issue with my vehicle. I have not worried about this until the recent problems have been made public.
Brake rotors corroded completely , emergency brake rusted completely , massive rust under truck , brake calipers rusted , power steering went out ,a.c. Fan went out, short in wiring in door locks and windows, this a 2001, 56,000, miles, low mileage truck to have so many problems, the dealership said they had not seen this problem before, I looked it up, there is rusting and total corrosion of the brake rotors in many different states, over along period of time, even when the rotors are replaced they are rusting completely again. Chevy is selling an expensive truck, and then profiting again on the replacement of the defective parts, and making a premium profit on that too.! They are not bothering to fix a defect that has been going on for a long time. Very disgusted with the Chevy Silverado, my first and last Chevy.
The stalk for the combination turn signal, windshield wiper, cruise control, broke resulted in unreliable operation of the windshield wipers and unreliable turn singal operation. In the case of the 2001 Silverado the windshield wipers activated when the turn signalwas selected. Since this same control was used for several critical functions, including turn signals, wipers, and cruise control activation and deactivation, I expect certain failure modes could present a serious safety issue. Researching this issue, it seems to be a common problem on this model Silverado and other GM vehicles that use the same combination control.
We own a 2001 Chevy z71 pickup. We are having a recurring and possible common Chevy problem of the check engine light staying on and the truck failing to start unless the security system is reset. We took it to the dealer and they unhooked the after market remote start a couple of years ago, saying that it was confusing the security system. This did not help. We desperately need a recall issued because we cannot afford to get it fixed otherwise. This has been rough on my husband, because he works away from home and I have had to pick him up in the middle of the night many times.
Electrical complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 5% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.