Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I was driving down the road and I heard a clunk. I lost all power and coasted into a farmers field. The dash board said lost power, nothing else. I had no warning. Oil pressure was where it should be until is quit. Keller Chevrolet contacted us and told us the engine blew. The connecting rod broke and the piston come apart. I had service done on my truck 4 days prior. I always service my vehicle every 3,000 miles or 3 months which ever comes first. I have about 121,000 miles on my 2001 pickup. It has always been serviced at either Bob Schmidt Chevrolet or Keller Chevrolet. We are in the process of getting a new engine from GM and having it installed at Keller Chevrolet. You can contact them for more information.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle idled roughly, causing the engine to stall. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that the VIN was not included under NHTSA campaign number 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 hd. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and the battery warning light also illuminated. The contact had to wait for the engine to cool down before the vehicle could be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet 2500 hd. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
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
Crankshaft position failed completely.. The vehicle stalled while driving down a mountain pass, would not re-start until after it cooled down. No power steering or power brakes were available during this time due to engine failure. Same issue as your recall campaign #07V521000 and the GM recall campaign #06083
Engine stops running in all kind of traffic and speeds, causing a loss of brakes and control of vehicle. It takes many tries to restart. I have found that nhtsaea06016 has called for recall, but dealers will not address this safety problem.this vehicle has the 8.1 engine that is named in your write-up.12
Turck engine has a knock that I was told by the dealer and GM that it was simply a cold start knock. However, I was told by a personal friend at the GM tech center that it is really a piston slap, and is a result of the pistons being too small for the bore which could lead to engine seizure/failure, and that GM is aware of it! The truck knocks even when engine is warm. I have begged for a repair under the trucks warranty but have been denied. I am concerned that at some point the engine could seize and cause a serious accident and harm to myself and others. GM seems to think if they pretend it is a different problem, and if they cross their fingers they will save money and avoid a recall. The dealer indicated to me that they know what the problem is and so does GM but there is nothing they can do for me. …
2001 Chevrolet 2500hd. 8.1 liter motor, allison transmission. The truck has multiple problems that the dealer is refusing to acknowledge and fix. -hard starting when hot. When the vehicle is driven and parked for 10 minutes, it will not start. Engine turns over, but does not fire. After an additional 2-3 minute wait, it will eventually start. This happens on a regular basis. Dealer had the truck for 1 week and claims he can not reproduce the problem. They suggested replacing parts with no garantee of the fix. -exhaust failing. The exhaust was replaced under warranty due to loose baffles. It is failing again with the same problem. Dealer again claims the noise is normal. -excessive oil consumption. I had it in for this problem. The dealer changed the oil and had me come in every 500 miles to check the oil level. It used 1 1/2 quarts in 3,000 miles. This is normal to use this much oil. …
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
Engine complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 26% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is engine (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.