10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,225 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 #36

Jun 252007

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost speed and the gears began to spin. The vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact attempted to switch gears, but the vehicle failed to move. The transmission was diagnosed as the cause of failure and was replaced. The contact stated that a transmission should not fail at 40,000 miles. The current mileage was 42,692 and failure mileage was 40,000.

- Livermoore, CA, USA

problem #35

Jul 092006

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
- the contact owns a 2001 Silverado pickup. The contact stated that every 2000 to 3000 miles while driving at 50 mph the engine would lose power momentarily, and then start back up. The contact would sometimes have to pull over on the road and restart the vehicle. The failure became more and more frequent. He took the vehicle to three or four different dealers, and they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact determined that the failure was due to the ignition and had it repaired, after being told he would be reimbursed the contact has not received the reimbursement. Also the brake light and ABS lights turn on intermittently when driving without applying the brakes. This failure had occurred ten times. The transmission, fuel gauge sending unit, the right power window all had to be replaced. The engine light illuminated. Updated 03/07/07.

- Ashland, MO, USA

problem #34

Sep 282006

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
Since ownership of vehicle, reverse has not worked properly. Complete failure 9/28. Vehicle when put into reverse, does not move. Vehicle has been to the dealer 4 times. I am being told they will not cover the fix. Vehicle has 52,000 miles on it.

- Kingston, NH, USA

problem #33

Nov 112005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,600 miles
To: 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: Webmaster.fss@gsa.gov 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 'reimbursement' claim, along those grounds. May I suggest that you familiarize yourselves with what and how you sell. Denying or misrepresenting any terms of those agreements are fraud. My time was mis-used and wasted along with me and any passengers in vehicle where in unnecessary jeopardy from these practices. [plus the general public] if a serious accident would have occurred. The price of your actions [should have] anything more serious happened (you can't put a price on life) other than me losing the front tire and grinding to a stop on rim is not worth it. Learn this know it.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #32

Sep 152005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,600 miles
[5] major problems Chevrolet Silverado Z71 extended cab 4 door lt 350cu.in 5.7 liter. This truck came with the tow haul equip. And was sold with improper tires for the use described. Tires where Firestone 245/75-16. Steeltex A/T #108/104R M/S new vehicle sticker also. To me. This fraud #2) next failure: Lost all braking going down a slight grade. Brake pedal went flat to the floor. I released pressure. Pushed again. Down to the floor but with pulsing felt through pedal. Released again same...used both legs on one brake pedal other on parking brake. Engine shaking during this. Approx. Stopping distance 600-700-yards.! informed dealer when next service due at 15.000mi. No comment no issue #3) next failure: GM crap exhaust system manifold cracked in two@17,156mi. And converter blockage due to breakage of manifold fragments. #4) next failure: Same as #2 above. Breaking loss for brief 90-200 seconds. Enough time to be seriously injured or cause one. $17,982.47 mi #5) 20 mi round trip on way home on freeway sudden decrease in speed and the RPM gauge is at 6,000 RPM it does not go any higher. Then it grabbed and sped way up. Let off gas and sling shot type erratic speeds with same pressure on gas next pedal. Same [xxx] time. I will never reach that space in time or miles before this unreliable defect laiden poorly designed piece of shody merchandise kills me or someone else. The service dept wants me to authorize take down of transmission and dissemble the unit and said needed to notify GM. Also they mentioned 66,790. Is this a form or a charge?. I called them back only to get a recording. I said (my exact words) I authorize GM/ dealer to repair this vehicle now at their cost and deliver it asap. Come Monday this will be 4 days no truck. This will force me to use very harsh civil complaints for these interruptions. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #31

Jan 012002

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Parking brake will not stay adjusted, leading pickup to only be held by the automatic transmission "park" pawl when stopped.

- Templeton, CA, USA

problem #30

Mar 212005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,892 miles
Received letter from GM regarding possible engine light coming on. When it did come on several times, went to dealer, and they replaced fuel pressure regulator on GM. A month later, at freeway speeds transmission failed and went to neutral, almost causing an accident with several trucks. Limped home after several occurrences of same thing by stopping and totally restarting and moving on until another failure. (approx. 15 times) went to dealer and GM now replaced the injector pump assembly. Brought the vehicle home, parked it for 5 days and then started it up the transmission wouldn't engage and then suddenly "clanked" into gear and then disengaged into neutral. Stopped engine, restarted and then drove to dealer, who said GM wouldn't participate, saying it was now transmission problem and no longer warranted. The dealer installed a drain back kit in the transmission at my expense. The dealer had a bulletin from GM regarding this very problem. It is my contention that the engine (fuel pump regulator, injector pump assembly) problem put exsessive pressure upon the transmission and the computer kicked it into neutral causing the failure of the drain back, requiring a modification kit. I contacted GM, explained the situation and they flatly refused to participate in the repair.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

problem #29

Nov 032004

Silverado 3500 4WD Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Universal joint broke. It was taken for repair since it was under warranty. Three weeks later the transfer case broke, and transmission went out preventing the vehicle from moving. GMC sent an appraiser to check vehicle.

- Allegan, MI, USA

problem #28

Jun 062004

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Emergency brake on, vehicle gear in park, vehicle began to roll down hill. * bf council for consumer stated that injuries were sustained as a result of the failed brake. Consumer placed the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle leaving two minor children inside. The consumer noticed that the vehicle was rolling and attempted to catch the vehicle. The consumer fell and the vehicle rolled over her body. The consumer sustain severe bodily injuries. The vehicle struck a tree causing injuries and damages.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #27

Oct 022003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
While driving the vehicle it failed to shift gears. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the cable assembly needed to be replaced, and replaced it. Consumer still having trouble with transmission.

- Juneau, AK, USA

problem #26

May 242004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
While driving at high speeds vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart vehicle, and drove it to dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate or resolve the problem.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #25

Feb 172004

Silverado 3500

  • 7,000 miles
While driving at 50 mph consumer pressed the gas pedal, but vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer could hear a whistling sound coming from the engine. Dealer examined the vehicle, and informed the consumer that a new transmission was needed. On another occasion vehicle would not go into 2nd gear or reverse. Another transmission was replaced. On yet another occasion the solenoid and wiring harness were replaced, and the computer was reprogrammed. Finally, another transmission was replaced.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #24

Apr 102003

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The transmission failed. The manufacturer shared the cost of the bill.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #23

Sep 032002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Rebuilt transmission still slipping now also is geared wrong and clunking when shifting from P/R/N/D was not happening befor rebuilding it. Handed bulleten stating it was normal. Engine has knocking and pinging all the time. GM will not do anything about it is normal. They gave us a 100,000 mile 6 yr warranty except there is a clause that states it does not cover pre existing conditions and they refuse to send us something stating this is not considered a pre exisiting condition it's in our file and said they would do notthing more for me said good bye and hung up. Engine is also losing gas mileage, power and is missing. We are concerned that it may cause problems while we are towing our boat based on your service bulletin number 01058 builetin sequence number 620. We are concerened that it may cause serious injury or loss of life.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #22

Sep 052001

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The problem was brought to the attention of the dealer. GMC responded that there were not enough complaints and would not fix the problem. No safety defect mentioned.

- Coventry, CT, USA

problem #21

Jul 082002

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While placing vehicle in drive transmission will slip. This problem has occurred on several occasions. Consumer will contact dealer.

- Edgewood, TX, USA

problem #20

May 132001

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When shifting from first to second and second to third, feels like going over bumps. Took to dealer, and they replaced transmission, but problem got worse. Consumer can hardly shift..

- Magnolia, MS, USA

problem #19

Mar 222002

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
The problem is when coming to a stop (under braking) if you don't come to a complete and total stop and you decide to switch back to the accelerator, the truck free revs for about half a second and then dumps the transmission in gear. While this has yet to cause me any dangerous problems, I believe it very well could in the rain or ice/snow. If you're not prepared for it, sometimes it hits hard enough that for a moment you're somewhat disoriented, representing a dangerous situation if there's other traffic around.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #18

Aug 012001

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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.

- Black Canyon City, AZ, USA

problem #17

Mar 082002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer had raised vehicle with bigger rims and tires, then, had experienced transmission low power. Often there was low fluid. Dealer said they could not determine what was causing leakage. In time, transmission could not be engaged.

- Banning, CA, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »