The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Ford E-Series 172011 Ford Transit Connect 30
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V267000 (equipment), 14V500000 (fuel system, other) and 14V117000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Chevy sent dealers 1712 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/hummer/pontiac/saab: oil consumption and/or exhaust…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 74K miles (8K to 121K km) on the car (5 of all 5 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.4M views · 1996–2024 Chevrolet Express
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors641K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2003-2021 Chevy Express 3500TRQ · 185K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door607K views
How to Replace Main Temperature Blend Door Actuator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 132K views · 10 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
How to replace the handle on a sliding door of a 2007 Chevy Express VanPriesty Boys · 175K views · 6 videos - Cooling system392K views
How to Replace Water Pump 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 122K views · 6 videos
Show 3 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical374K views
How to Replace Starter 2003-2021 Chevy Express Van 3500TRQ · 103K views · 8 videos - Steering & suspension186K views
How to Replace Upper Ball Joint 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank173K views
How to Replace Fuel Pressure Regulator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 83K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 CHEVY EXPRESS TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMSJoe Dixon · 162K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Express 2500 Van 2003-2025 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 52K views
How Reliable is a 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van POV Test DrivePOV Nelson · 20K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1712 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/hummer/pontiac/saab: oil consumption and/or exhaust…
- There is an intermittent engine light on due to five possible internal trouble codes
- There is a vibration when driving at highway speeds and there could be a transmission fluid…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Equipment · recall issued 2018
These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety.
Show all 7 recalls
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2013
The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, the pressure relief vent pipe assembly may have been built incorrectly.
- Brakes · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." S…
- Suspension · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VE…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Express recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express Cargo 1500 VAN AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Express Cargo 1500 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Express year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2003–2003, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Express years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-express/?y=2011" title="Chevrolet Express reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-express/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Chevrolet Express reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Express reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 6; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Express problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (40%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and fuel system, diesel (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have?
7 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Express get?
12 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Chevrolet Express cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet Express year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet Express years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works