The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: body structure
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Ford E-Series 502016 Ford Transit 402016 Ford Transit Connect 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V387000 (visibility), 18V655000 (electrical) and 18V295000 (visibility) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 1291 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…”?
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 11 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 1K to 36K miles (2K to 58K km) on the car (9 of all 11 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 2016 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1291 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may comment that the vehicle has reduced acceleration at low speed and/or…
- This informational bulletin provides information on how to inspect the upper valve body to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Visibility · recall issued 2019
One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass.
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.
Show all 6 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2018
These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher.
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
These vehicles are required to have either an inside rearview mirror or both left and right-hand flat exterior rearview mirrors.
- Tires · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles were shipped to final stage manufacturers without a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
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 G23405 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Express Cargo G23705 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,600–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.0L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Express year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-express/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Chevrolet Express reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Express reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 16; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Express year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Express problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (27%), suspension (18%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have?
6 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Express get?
12 to 13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Express cost in fuel a year?
About $4,600 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have?
6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Express year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
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