3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,450 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #11

Feb 152007

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
2001 Silverado 4-wheel drive truck with gas gauge fluctuated when the gas tank fell below half full.* the consumer was told she would need to purchase an entire module which included a fuel pump because according to the two Chevrolet dealerships the consumer went to, in order to get to the gas gauge, the fuel pump would have to be removed so the dealer would just replace everything as a module.

- Hoffman, NC, USA

problem #10

Dec 012004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Contact stated the fuel gauge on her vehicle was not working properly. Also, a light stayed on in the dashboard. The contact ran out of gas three times because of this problem.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #9

Jul 182005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Millville, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jun 152004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
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. I believe that Chevrolet should order a recall on this problem and repair it at no charge to owners. A non functioning gas gauge is an annoyance at the least, and dangerous at the worst if drivers were to run out of fuel on a crowded street or highway, or be stranded without fuel in extreme weather conditions. The fact that this is a known problem and has been for some time indicates GM is unwilling to correct the problem. I believe they should pay for the owners' repairs. Thank you.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #7

Sep 092004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
While sitting still or driving fuel gauge moves back and forth between full and empty, reguardless of amount of fuel in tank.fuel light comes on when it moves to empty. Problem started at about 65,000 miles.

- Mt Carmel, TN, USA

problem #6

May 122005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
Consumer states: Something was wrong with the sensor in the gas tank. Was told this by the dealer. The light came on indicating low fuel, and the gauge showed low fuel but actually there was a full tank of gas.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 172004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles
Low fuel gauge comes on all the time, at first it would show full then empty, now its starting to stop at 3/4 of a tank when it is full of gas, I called the dealer here in cali and they have never heard of it, it should be a recall, sounds like alot of people are having this problem.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #4

Jul 202001

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
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.

- Smithfield, VA, USA

problem #3

Jun 262004

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
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 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.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #2

Jun 162004

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 67,450 miles
The fuel gauge in my 2001 Chevy pickup does not work correctly. I can fill it up completely with gas and my gas gauge reads empty. So I never know whether or not I have any gas! this should not be an issue on a late model truck!.

- Gracemont, OK, USA

problem #1

Sep 152001

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Consumer states that vehicle gas gauge stopped working. Vehicle has been at the dealer several times.

- Rogers, AR, USA