Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated after leaving the vehicle idling there was a loud boom sound heard. The temperature that day was 47 degrees below zero. The contact did not notice a problem at first because the vehicle was still working. After driving to a filling station, there was a fuel leakage discovered under the vehicle. There was a visible split in the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The dealer was unable to determine the exact cause of the failure. The fuel tank, pump and heat shield were replaced. The contact noticed the original fuel tank had a crack three feet long in the top. There were wires around the fuel pump that had melted. Although the fuel tank had never been replaced the fuel pump was replaced in October of 2005.
Fuel gauge will drop to empty and fuel lights light comes on even though there is more than a half tank of gas I usually keep tank once it drops to below a half tank. Sometime I jingle my keys and it will go back up sometimes nothing.
I own a 2001 Chevy Silverado 4.8l pickup, purchased new in May 2001. For the past year, whenever I fill the fuel tank the gauge immediately goes to empty and the low fuel light comes on. The only way to accurately know how much gas is in the tank is to reset the trip odometer at each fill up. This apparently is a common problem on Chevy pickups as I've talked to numerous Chevy truck owners who have experienced the same problem. This occurs on several diufferent model year trucks. This is a known problem to Chevy service departments, who suggest owners live with the problem until you need to replace the fuel pump, because the sending unit is inside the gas tank along with the pump. This repair is in the hundreds of dollars because it involves either dropping the gas tank or removing the bed to get to the affected parts. …
There was no fire, but given the yes or no....there very well could have been given the location of the problem. So I had the transmission removed because of an earlier fault with the transmission and a line blow out...and with the transmission removed I could see clearly that the 3 gasoline lines were badly rusted. Given that these lines run from the fuel tank, along the frame than up and over the transfer case and transmission in the area of the muffler as well and than behind the engine to up and over and into the engine,...these gasoline lines were clearly not made of stainless steel and they should be...the extreme danger of a gasoline line leak, explosion and fire is very real. There is no excuse for not having safe fuel lines on these vehicles. I already seen what can happen with Chevy's side mounted fuel tanks. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 Silverado pickup. The contact stated that every 2000 to 3000 miles while driving at 50 MPH the engine would lose power momentarily, and then start back up. The contact would sometimes have to pull over on the road and restart the vehicle. The failure became more and more frequent. He took the vehicle to three or four different dealers, and they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact determined that the failure was due to the ignition and had it repaired, after being told he would be reimbursed the contact has not received the reimbursement. Also the brake light and ABS lights turn on intermittently when driving without applying the brakes. This failure had occurred ten times. The transmission, fuel gauge sending unit, the right power window all had to be replaced. The engine light illuminated. Updated 03/07/07.
Beginning spring 2004, the fuel gauge in our 2001 Chevy pick-up began suddenly dropping to empty reading/low fuel indicator lights despite having a full tank of fuel. It is intermittent, dropping to empty then jumping back up to correct reading. I have taken it to a dealer for diagnosis and hopeful repair and was told the fuel tank sending unit is to blame. They also tested the wiring between the sending unit and fuel gauge and the gauge itself. It is scheduled for replacement (sending unit), but as I thought about this, it seemed an odd thing to have break in such a young vehicle (41K miles). I began researching recall information online, but have found it for only the Jeep wrangler and Nissan xterra. This is a pricey repair to be so common but not acknowledged as a manufacturer's defect.
Purchased the used vehicle originally at 42000 miles. Have taken impeccable care of it. Actual dates of incidents are unknown due to the fact most have been ongoing. Brakes failed due to ABS. Fixed twice by GM under the safety recall. Both fixes were bandaids (dealer cleaned and applied a "special" grease twice, they never replaced the ABS sensors. Third fix I paid out of pocket to replace the sensors, and since then the ABS has been OK. Brakes failed due to rust and corrosion (all lines and 2 calipers had to be replaced. Fuel pump failed, fuel lines failed due to excessive corrosion, fuel tank straps failed due to excessive rust and corrosion. Slow leaks in 3 of 4 wheels due to excessive rust and corrosion in the rims.
Gas gauge has started to act up - bounces around, dumps down to empty and low fuel sensor light in dash comes on even though tank May be full. Began doing this after 60,000 miles. Did have it do this once before but did not repeat until recently so I never had it checked out. I have been to my mechanic (who's GMC truck is also doing the same thing) and was told this is a common problem. Dealer tells me $600.00 to repair but I feel this May be a recall issue after getting on line and reading numerous complaints from other 1999 - 2001 Silverado owners. I also have (2) Chevy vans that are company vehicles where I work that are experiencing the same problem - (1) began at 60,000 also.
The ABS light and brake light come on at any time during normal driving. However, it can never be checked because it does not save it in the computer memory when the vehicle is turned off. According to the owner's manual, this means I have no anti-lock brakes. The second problem is very serious also. The fuel gauge is erratic and inaccurate. I fear that I May run out of fuel at some point because of this. Then I May be stuck on the side of the road. I currently have to track my mileage with the trip meter to make sure it doesn't happen. Through research on the internet, I realize these are very common on this vehicle and GM refuses to recall it.
Purchased brandnew and babied since. Fuel pump failed 4 years after, no complaints, it happens, dealer replaced with same lasted 9 months, dealer did not warrant pump, dealer replaced with acdelco ( I made sure) lasted 1.5 years and left me stranded. Another pump lasted 2 years, this time the dealer offered aftermarket, I stuck with ac delco and failed last year 2010. Another ac delco in the tank and today 2011 dec 25 it failed. My truck is like brand new, and only use hi test gas, the only problem I have is the fuel pumps, a major issue for me.
Fuel System complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, 5% of the model year's 877 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 4 recalls 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.