Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Edge, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: PJUYJH1R1918. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, there was a loud boom sound that came from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger's side tire had exploded. The contact stated that there was an excessive amount of rust between the rim and the tire. An independent mechanic was sent to the location and a spare tire was placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the explosion of the tire caused the rim to be bent. The was concerned that the tire had been mounted improperly. The defective tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
My tires have very little wear because I drive far less now. On I-75 in FL recently, while coming off the ramp and increasing speed, the steering wheel began to wobble back and forth violently. As the road surface was wet, I lost control briefly. Once home, I began investigating the problem. I went back to Pep Boys and they inspected and said the tire was separated and they would give me a credit, but they've discontinued that model tire and I'd have to buy 2 new tires. I could not afford that. So they placed it on the rear and I left mad. A month later the steering wobble returned. I then went elsewhere to have it investigated and they said two more were separated. It turns out 3 of the 4 tires I bought are separated so much they are unsuitable for use on the front and make noticeable vibration in the rear when placed there. …
The exterior of the wheel well separated from the interior cylinder of the wheel well. The issue appears that the wheel well (usually one piece) has cracked/separated into two pieces, likely due to rust. The car was parked at a store and made a loud popping sound, which could be heard from inside the store. The popping sound came from the loud separation of these pieces as shown in the attached images. This separation was powerful enough to bend and distort the entire exterior of the wheel/hub cap. The vehicle required a tow. This issue could have been a lot worse if the car was driving while the incident occurred. Upon inspection, the other wheel wells are likely to have the same thing occur due to similar appearance. For further details please see file number 529550.
I've had multiple extremely dangerous situation with this vehicle over 2 years. One of the first concern was my headlight daytime bulbs melted to the harness and the one on the passenger side melted thru the number so I started carrying a fire extinguisher behind the driver seat. But one of the most dangerous indecent happened while driving down the highway when my wheel bearing hub gave out n there is nothing else to support the tire onto the truck so my front driver tire went flying off n my truck coming to a complete stop into the ground causing damage to my self, my finder, the wheel sensor, n the driver door. After getting all that fixed I'm afraid of the other hubs giving out. Also when I hit my brakes it seems like there is air in the pedal n the truck will not stop. …
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]
I was pulling into parking space and there was no brakes also happened when I was pulling out of parking lot of store .I took to GM dealer and was told that both hub bearings were loose and that is what caused me to lose all my brakes. I hit a concrete handicap sign was lucky not another car in front of me. Why would GM make a truck that would lose its brakes if a bearing was loose I am afraid to drive truck that the same thing might happen again and maybe the next time I won't be so lucky. There was no sign of anything wrong with the exception of 4 days earlier my ABS light flickered on then off 1 time. Remained off after that.
I was in a car accident. While driving, I don't know what happened but something caused my truck to roll over. Earlier that day I remember that my parking brake would not work. I also had some trouble putting the gear into park. My airbags didn't deploy during this accident, and I was driving with cruise control on if that has any bearing on this. Also, my front tires were always needing air.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 40 MPH, the spare tire disengaged from the vehicle onto the road without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 247,000.
My spare tire hoist cable broke causing the spare tire to fall away from vehicle into traffic.
Someone ran a red light and creamed into us at about 50-55 MPH. The impact area was the passenger wheel well area and the impact was so violent that it smashed everything over and including the starter... Our air bags did not deploy and I always wondered if it was because the crash smashed the starter and had something to do with the GM recalls now. Both my son and I have never been the same after that crash and neither of us can even sleep in a bed from neck and back pain... We both had brain injuries and mine was rather severe where I lost my superior intelligence and photographic memory...and had severe language and speech problems... It was almost like I was dyslexic and I have never been the same. Both our health deteriorated since... …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 6% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to wheels & tires 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.