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 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Unknown Lost my truck to fire I was shopping and when I came out of the store the fire department had already put the fire out. They had said the fire started under the hood on the driver side.
We were traveling south on I-5 when we stopped in medford, oregon to fill up our 2001 chev. Duramax pickup with diesel. After filling up, we noticed smoke and a burnt smell coming out from under the hood. We opened to hood to find wires smoldering. We immediately moved the pickup away from the fuel tanks at the gas station and re-opened the hood. My husband removed the plastic shroud containing what looked to be enclosed wires which were smoldering. I got the fire extinguisher from the gas station attendant. As my husband was trying the separate the wires that were smoldering which were also burning his fingers, flames erupted. We used the fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames. We took the pickup to the dealer in junction city, oregon (guaranty). They diagnosed the problem as the glow plug/intake heater relay assembly failure which caused the fire. It was replaced with a new one. …
The electrical wiring harness connected to the turn signal lever was found to be defective causing the low beam headlamps to malfunction and not perform during night time hours. Basically, the low beam headlamps would blink out and not light while the vehicle is being driven. The technician found several wires had burn and disconnected from the main wiring housing causing the low beam headlamps to malfunction. This wiring harness is a dealer only part and has the potential of causing a fire within the instrument panel of the vehicle. I strongly feel there should have been a manufactures recall on this wiring harness since it is a safety item.
While driving down the highway @ 75mph the vehicle shut off. This has now happened multiple times and is a safety issue. While in traffic vehicles are having to make quick adjustments to avoid hitting my vehicle and for their safety. I called this into our local Chevy dealership here in colorado springs co along with calling Chevrolet recall center to be told that my vehicle is not on their list. Well apparently it should be along with all the other 2001 2500 hd Silverado's that are experiencing this problem.
Truck just shuts off while driving. As if the key was turned off and then won't turn back on. It has happend 3 times in the last 3 weeks where I am driving and it completely just shuts off. Can't get it to start back up and have to tow it home, it will then turn on and run for a few days and shuts off while driving
Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a stop, driving 5 MPH and applying the brakes, the anti- lock brake system activated. This caused an increased stopping distance. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. Upon inspection the speed sensor hub was corroded due to road salt and was replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V379000, regarding the service brakes, anti-lock. The consumers vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. The alternator failed. The rotors and brakes had to be replaced due to the rotors rusting from the inside. The rotors could not be turned because they were heavily rusted. The left power window failed, the manufacturer used a steel cable for the assembly, which allowed water to seep in which caused corrosion. The left rear outside axle was leaking. The A/C idler pulley and tensioner was making a loud noise. The right power window failed. …
I own a Chevrolet 2500hd equipped with a 8.1 liter engine and allison transmission. My problem began with the engine refusing to start after being driven a short while. This problem did not occur every time but was frequent enough to be of concern. After several attempts lasting some 2 to three minutes the engine would start. The problem escalated to the engine stalling while driving on the highway, sometimes on the interstate at speeds up to 70 MPH. During these stalls the engine would sometime restart on its own without turning the key or shifting out of gear. During times of stalling the only way to maintain some control of the vehicle is to shift into neutral and turn the key to attempt a restart. At these times the engine turning over provides enough compression to allow the power steering and brakes to be affective as long as the starter is engaged.
Alternator does not charge after startup on days when outside temp.<30 deg f. Takes up to 90sec. Depending on temp. To start charging... I am afraid it won't charge one of these times, and leave me stranded. Dealer says this is normal for new vehicles, although I or other mechanics I've brought it to have ever heard of this. I am the second owner of this vehicle (40K mi) and my warranty is up in 1000 mi.so I would like this to be taken care of now, before something happens, but Chevrolet dealer won't acknowlege the problem. Although they did replace one of the batteries when my mechanic found it to be bad. I had to bring it back twice to the dealer before they admitted one of the batteries was leaking, corroded, tested bad , and replaced it, thought that might solve the charging problem but did not.
While driving at any speed, engine will suddenly shut off, requiring me to pull off the road (without the use of the power steering) and to wait a few minutes to restart the engine. Had one close call, as someone behind me had not noticed my truck slowing suddenly. They had to make a quick adjustment to avoid me. This engine failure has happened about 10 or twelve times. Doing research has found the problem to almost certainly be the crankshaft positioning sensor. Chevrolet tells me that my VIN number is not on the recall list. As this is a safety problem, why would only a certain number of trucks be recalled to be fixed?
My 2001 Chevy with the 8100 engine would stall at speed and also at idle. The at-speed stall would restart on its own within 3 or 4 seconds. The at-idle stall would require some engine cranking but it would restart.(odometer reading was 105,000km)there is a recall for this engine (crank positioning sensor)however my VIN is outside of the recall. Dealer not sure what to do. I had them replace the sensor at my expense. This move resolved the stall problem. It has never stalled again. Question: why would my VIN not be included in the recall....same symptoms ...same solution as the recall !
Electrical complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 7% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries 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.