Chevrolet Express · model year

2009 Chevrolet Express

11 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 7 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
11
Recalls
7

The verdict

The 2009 Chevrolet Express posts top-quartile complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.

Top 17%
fewest complaints, own model years
7
recall campaigns

The 2009ChevroletExpress carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2009 Express is air bags with 3 filings, followed by tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems (1) and tires:valve (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2009 Express, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

11
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2009 Chevrolet Express

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS3
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
TIRES:VALVE1
WHEELS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT1

Recalls (7)

18V26700026/04/2018

EQUIPMENT

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pin

12V16900017/04/2012

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, 2009 GMC SAVANA, AND 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CHASSIS, AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE WHEELCHAIR LIFT’S OUTER BARRIER M

14V11700017/03/2014

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a fr

10V20500013/05/2010

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CHASSIS FROM OCTOBER 2007 THROUGH MAY 2010 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "

10V09600012/03/2010

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) CONT

09V27200006/07/2009

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD N

09V27000006/07/2009

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD N

Recent Complaints

20250224POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20250224POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

20201013VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED SAME THNG HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME 7 MONTHS LATER.*JB

Mileage: 61,000

20190625ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET (1180 GOFFLE RD, HAWTHORNE, NJ 07506, (973) 453-2564) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SCHEDULED FOR A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT DUE TO CONTAMINATION ON THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: 14515, AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20160220STRUCTURE:BODY

WHITE 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF CAR. IT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE WINDOWS FIRST AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. WE NOTICED SOME "DIMPLING" IN THE PAINT ON THE LIFT GATE AS WELL. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM (CHEVROLET) AND HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A "DIAGNOSTIC" EVALUATION. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN EXPOSED TO NATURAL ELEMENTS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN ONLY 6 YEARS.

20141113CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FEW CUTS ON THE KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.

Mileage: 229,000

20140811AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Mileage: 51,000

20130319WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TIRE SIDE WALL FAILED, CAUSING BLOW-OUT. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON07/6/2012. BLOW OUT HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 13,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 126,116

20121215TIRES:VALVE

DRIVING 55 MPH OR SO TIRE LIGHT CAME STOPPED TO CHECK AND VALVE STEM BLEW OUT OF TIRE,THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND POSES A GREAT DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

20120210AIR BAGS

BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN PARKING LOT!VAN WAS LOCKED! *TR

Mileage: 44,790

20110723TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE TPMS BROKE - FILED BY JIFFY LUBE. *TR

Mileage: 30,400

Compare 2009ChevroletExpress to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Express have?
The 2009 Chevrolet Express has 11 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
Yes, the 2009 Chevrolet Express has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Express?
The most-complained component for the 2009 Chevrolet Express is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS and TIRES:VALVE.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Express safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2009 Chevrolet Express; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.