Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
While driving at any speed the vehicle drifted to the left and right. The owner made contact with the dealer multiple times, however the problem still existed. The vehicle pulled to the right and left while in motion. The right wiper did not clean the windshield. There was a rattle noise which had come from the dash area on the left side while the vehicle was in motion. The dealer found four missing bolts under the steering. Due to the vehicle going to the left, the front calipers were removed, to check movement, the rear drums for dragging, binding, adjust and reassemble.
Dt: 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The rear backing plates that hold the back rotors in place were completely rusted and had to be replaced. The consumer contacted the dealership, and they gave him the number to GMC. The consumer then contacted GMC, and they accepted the complaint and said that they would see if they could do anything to help. GMC called the consumer back a couple days later and stated that they could not do anything. There were no accidents. The consumer recently received a recall on the front hub bearing assembly and wheel speed sensor. (11/29/05)
Contact states: 2001, Chevrolet Silverado. Having problems with the anti-lock brakes. When driving 40-50 MPH everything seems fine, but once the car comes almost to a complete stop while traveling 5-10 MPH the brake fail. Happens in any road condition. The first time it happened the car was taken to the dealer, and they said it was the wheel assembly ,and fixed the brakes. Currently, , it happened again, but the car has not been taken to the dealer yet. No warnings prior to or after the failure.
Front tire prematurely worn on one side dealer replaced rack &pinion ,steering gear that was leaking dealer set toe refused to do full alignment.rotated tires.at18,100 front tire again worn on one side different dealer installed another remanufactured rack & pinion,steering gear an did a full alignment . Vehicle then had slight vibration transmitted through steering wheel when taken back next day dealer said tires needed replaiced .
Power assist steering faded to nothing while driving. Dealer replaced major front suspension components, including tires, but the steering failure still persisted. The cause of the failure had not been determined. Manufacture rwas not claiming any responsibility at this time.
While driving at highway speeds the vehicle started to shake severely which made it difficult to control the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealership and the consumer was informed by the mechanic that all four(4) tires were out of round and would need to be replaced.
Brand new truck,at 639 miles 2 tires found to be out of round. There has been a vibration from 38-45 miles per hr. In the body of the truck. Tires rotated and balanced at 7,420 miles, problem still there. Truck taken to a Chevrolet dealer tires needed balanced again at 9,705 miles. Problem still there, truck taken to a Firestone dealer at 11,366 miles. Problem still present. Its due to go back to the dealer for the third time, for the same problem, plus another thing for the third time. There is no way tires should have to be balanced this many times on a brand new truck that has never been taken off road or abused. On in the body of the truck around 38-45 mlies an hr. Dealer put on two new tires. I now have 11,000 miles on truck, the tires have been balanced 3 times, not counting what the dealer did at 639 miles. …
Transmission seemed to be in neutral after stopping and applying brake then accelerating. Dealer picked up with wrecker. When wrecker arrived, condition could not be duplicated. Dealer has valve body ordered to replace in transmission. Second problem: rear leaf springs shift causeing a knock when going up uneven grades or speed bumps. Third problem: looseness in transfer case and rear axle cause a clunk when downshifting to stop and sometimes when transmission shifts. Dealer claims normal. Large aluminum driveshaft transfer sound. Just excuse for poor quality product. This clunk or knock also sounds when rear axle moves on uneven grade with axle shifting and driveshaft stationary.
When stopping, brake pedal was down to the floor. ABS brakes locked up and vehicle slid before coming to a stop. Took vehicle to dealer who could not duplicate the problem. Dealer replaced leaking master cylinder and deglazed the rotors. Transmission experienced slipping, clunking and would not shift into 1st gear, dealer replaced transmission. Rear end is noisy, u-joints have been replaced, however noise reoccured, consumer states Chevrolet has a u-joint and bearing problem.
This trk drifts left within about 40 ft your off the road I took it in they set the front end 3 or 4 times the last time they went past manuf.spects to compensate and set toe in out trk still drifts at about 60 to100 ft and now tires are wareing on the inside this trk should not be doing this and I find there are others after talking to a alinement shop the dealers taking them there befor someone buys it so they May not notice theres a problem.
Suspension complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the model year's 877 complaints. The component named most often is rear (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.