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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado equipped with cooper discovery a/t tires, size: 265r75r16 (na). While driving approximately 80 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle veered to the right independently and rolled over multiple times. The contact was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a broken arm, neck, back, and shoulder, six broken ribs, a punctured lung, and nerve damage to the left leg. The driver sustained a broken arm that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. It was determined that the tread separated from the rear passenger side tire and caused the crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dot number and VIN were unknown. The approximate tire failure mileage was unknown and the vehicle failure mileage was 159,000.
While driving consumer was towing a trailerthe driver's side rear tire treads separated from the trailer. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and collided into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained head injuries, and was transported to a hospital by an ambulance. Vehicle and trailer were totaled.
To: <[email]> subject: owner assistance: p. Adams subject: customer has serious issues mossy Chevrolet date: Monday, September 19, 2005 4:59 pm to Chevrolet: management and customer relations:from: [email] sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 10:14 pm subject: GM 2001 Firestone steeltex a/t custom alloy wheels w/a/t tires. That makes 8 rims but end result was the tires where Firestone lt245/75-16 steeltex a/t. 50psi.load range c spec. Or numbers on tires 108/104rm/s tpc spec.2313 (00 8008) (08162 0r5) (lt245/75-r16) Firestone steeltex a/t tires on customers truck where defective and sight of sidewall deformations customer given incorrect response to request before warranty expired it was brought to mossy Chevrolet that customer advising service writer of continuous problems with vehicle tires [peeling] GM in their 'commitment to safety' warranties such defects I will be filing for …
On August 15, 2003, the right rear Firestone steeltex r4s tire on my 2001 Chevy Silverado suffered complete tread separation, commonly referred to as "capping", on the interstate. I filed a claim with GM since the truck was still under mfr warranty. GM referred me to Firestone and I filed a claim with them, incident report #826379. Sent the tire to Firestone for evaluation per their instructions. Firestone refused to honor my claim stating the tire was "underinflated for some period of time before the failure". I know this to be false because I checked the tire before leaving home on the trip and it had 80 psi (recommended pressure) and it still had 70 psi when I pulled over to check the tires after the tread separated. Tire went flat only after I drove to a safe area to change it, while I was removing the spare from its carrier. …
While driving north on hwy 89 to paulden, az. At about 70 MPH I noticed a severe vibration coming from my front end. I drive a 2001 Chevy 2500 Silverado which had Firestone steeltex r4s tires all the way around with approximately 32000, miles on them. The tread life looked like maybe 10000 more miles. Before I had a chance to pull over, my front left tire blew. I swerved into the south bound lane and luckily no oncoming traffic was coming and I was able to slow down and stop on the north bound shoulder. The tread had separated from my tire causing a blow out. My mirror broke and also my fender guard got partially torn off and the truck has damage from the tire thread hitting the side of the truck. I found pieces of shattered mirror inside my truck from when the treads hit my mirror. I had my window open and am fortunate that none of that mirror went into my eyes.
2001 Chevy Silverado 2500hd crew cab, with pickup camper, towing light catamaran sailboat on trailer. Temperatures 85-90. Had been on freeway for 1 1/2 hours, driving 75 MPH, all of a sudden lots of noise from back of vehicle. Thought a trailer tire May have gone. Stopped on side of freeway immediately. Saw right rear tire carcass with no tread. Tread had separated and was in about 6 pieces on roadway. Tread had whipped around wheel well & done significant damage to vehicle. ($4,500 repairs). Thank god it wasn't a front tire that failed!! Put on spare and replaced all 4 tires at next closest town. Had checked tire pressure before leaving home & all was to spec. Tires were original. I still have the failed tire. Firestone has refused three times to take responsibility, claiming under inflation & I'm fastidious re: maintaining my vehicles.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle has steeltex radio a/t tires, size t245-75r16 e120l (na). The tires were purchased in 2005 and, at 30,000 miles, the contact began to feel a strong vibration from the front tires. The tires were inspected and he realized that there was strong tread separation in both front tires. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 03t002000 (tires:tread/belt); however, the manufacturer stated that his tire size was not affected. The contact believes that the tires should be included in the recall if the failures are identical. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Dt: contact stated the tread separated from the rear driver side tire, almost causing loss of control of the vehicle. The driver side rear fender was damaged because of the tread separation. Consumer was not aware of any indication that there was a problem with the tire. Two months prior to the incident the tires were rotated. At that time, there were no problems with the tires. The tires have not been inspected by a certified Firestone dealer. The vehicle was purchased new in 2001, the tires were the original ones on the vehicle. On original tire had to be replaced because it developed a bubble in its sidewall.
Dt*: the contact stated the spare tire was damaged while stored in the well of the vehicle. There was a hole in the sidewall due to the tire not being securely attached to the vehicle. Although the tire pressure had been monitored by the contact on a regular basis, three to four times a year, the contact never released the tire from the well. He only checked the pressure while the tire was still attached to the vehicle, therefore, the contact was unaware that the tire was not securely attached. The owner's manual did not provide instructions on how to remove the spare tire for regular inspection.
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the model year's 877 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Silverado wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.