Total Complaints
379 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 · model year
379 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 carries 379 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 4 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SILVERADO 2500 is service brakes with 55 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (44) and engine and engine cooling (34). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SILVERADO 2500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
379 filings
Crashes Reported
14 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 55 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 44 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 34 |
| ENGINE | 22 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 19 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 18 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 8 |
| TIRES | 8 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 |
INTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. I
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
STEERING
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS
I was driving down the road and I heard a clunk. I lost all power and coasted into a farmers field. The dash board said lost power, nothing else. I had no warning. Oil pressure was where it should be until is quit. Keller Chevrolet contacted us and told us the engine blew. The connecting rod broke and the piston come apart. I had service done on my truck 4 days prior. I always service my vehicle every 3,000 miles or 3 months which ever comes first. I have about 121,000 miles on my 2001 pickup. It has always been serviced at either Bob Schmidt Chevrolet or Keller Chevrolet. We are in the process of getting a new engine from GM and having it installed at Keller Chevrolet. You can contact them for more information.
GEAR SELECTOR LIGHTS AND MILEAGE LIGHTS DONT ILLUMINATE ON DASH, INTERMITTENTLY.
Mileage: 180,000
GEAR SELECTOR LIGHTS AND MILEAGE LIGHTS DONT ILLUMINATE ON DASH, INTERMITTENTLY.
Mileage: 180,000
TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN WON'T TURN BACK ON. IT HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS WHERE I AM DRIVING AND IT COMPLETELY JUST SHUTS OFF. CAN'T GET IT TO START BACK UP AND HAVE TO TOW IT HOME, IT WILL THEN TURN ON AND RUN FOR A FEW DAYS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING
Mileage: 200,000
TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN WON'T TURN BACK ON. IT HAS HAPPEND 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS WHERE I AM DRIVING AND IT COMPLETELY JUST SHUTS OFF. CAN'T GET IT TO START BACK UP AND HAVE TO TOW IT HOME, IT WILL THEN TURN ON AND RUN FOR A FEW DAYS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING
Mileage: 200,000
I OWN A 2001 2500HD CHEVY SILVERADO AND LAST MONTH I HAD THE LEFT REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE RUPTURE AND AS A RESULT I LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. NEITHER THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AND THE PROPORTIONING VALVE DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY DURING THIS MALFUNCTION SINCE FRONT BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE ROAD WAS CLEAR, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS AROUND. THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED MARGINALLY SINCE I WAS CARRYING A LOAD OF WET SOIL HOME. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFEAT WITH THIS GM TRUCK. THE VERY NEXT DAY I HAD THAT REAR LEFT BRAKE LINE REPLACED AND THE GARAGE TECHNICIAN SAID ALL THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES ARE IN A SIMILAR STATE. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Mileage: 204,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO RECOMMENDED SOLUTION OTHER THAN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION FAILED COMPLETELY.. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS, WOULD NOT RE-START UNTIL AFTER IT COOLED DOWN. NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WERE AVAILABLE DURING THIS TIME DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. SAME ISSUE AS YOUR RECALL CAMPAIGN #07V521000 AND THE GM RECALL CAMPAIGN #06083
Mileage: 36,041
THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS FAILED THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH. THE ENGINE STALLS, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.
Mileage: 83,500
MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE PRICE TO FIX WAS $2,130.00 , I WATCHED A NEWS REPORT AND EVEN A SINGLE OWNER OF SIMILAR TRUCK WHO HAD IT WASHED EVERY WEEK HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH A GUARD PROTECTING THE BRAKES.
Mileage: 61,000
MY 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD WITH 111,000 MILES HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE MOVING THE TRUCK FROM ONE SPOT TO ANOTHER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRUCK THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND THE AREA UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS WET WITH BRAKE FLUID. INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES FOUND SEVERE CORROSION ON THE LINES. THERE WAS NO PARTIAL BRAKING EFFORT, BRAKING WENT TO ZERO. I WAS READY TO PICK UP A NEW 7600LB TRAVEL TRAILER THIS WEEK AND WE CAME CLOSE TO A TRAGEDY. LOCAL DEALER IN GETTYSBURG, PA SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL OR "SILENT RECALL".
Mileage: 111,645
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL DOWN BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Mileage: 35,000
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, WHILE AT LOW SPEED, USING THE BRAKES ENGAGES THE ABS SYSTEM AND STEERING BECOMES SUDDENLY DIFFICULT.
Mileage: 147,000
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP, WHILE AT LOW SPEED, USING THE BRAKES ENGAGES THE ABS SYSTEM AND STEERING BECOMES SUDDENLY DIFFICULT.
Mileage: 147,000
HERE I AM 2016 AND THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE RUSTED CORROSIVE BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES. THIS TIME I ONLY PUT 3500 MILES ON THE TRUCK SINCE THE LAST TIME. THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OR BLOWING OUT, THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY DID AND LUCKY WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE FUEL LINE IS GONE AGAIN ALSO. WHY??
Mileage: 35,000
HERE I AM 2016 AND THE THIRD TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE RUSTED CORROSIVE BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES. THIS TIME I ONLY PUT 3500 MILES ON THE TRUCK SINCE THE LAST TIME. THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OR BLOWING OUT, THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY DID AND LUCKY WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE FUEL LINE IS GONE AGAIN ALSO. WHY??
Mileage: 35,000
ENGINE STOPS RUNNING IN ALL KIND OF TRAFFIC AND SPEEDS, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT TAKES MANY TRIES TO RESTART. I HAVE FOUND THAT NHTSAEA06016 HAS CALLED FOR RECALL, BUT DEALERS WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.THIS VEHICLE HAS THE 8.1 ENGINE THAT IS NAMED IN YOUR WRITE-UP.12
Mileage: 66,000
WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD I SOUNDLY AND WITHOUT WARNONG LOST MY POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. . STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKES WERE ALMOST NOT FUNCTIONAL. I TOOK A GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPLY THE BRAKES TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. IF I WAS TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I COULD NOT CONTROL AND SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE.. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. SO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED (BROKEN SHAFT) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY.. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION AFFECTED BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO WARNING. I FEEL THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. MINIMALLY THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF WARNING WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND OR POWER BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURS WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILS. THE BELT WILL FAIL WHEN THE BELT TENSIONER DOES. AGAIN NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS.
Mileage: 331,000
WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD I SOUNDLY AND WITHOUT WARNONG LOST MY POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. . STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKES WERE ALMOST NOT FUNCTIONAL. I TOOK A GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND APPLY THE BRAKES TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. IF I WAS TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I COULD NOT CONTROL AND SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE.. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. SO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED (BROKEN SHAFT) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY.. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION AFFECTED BOTH THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO WARNING. I FEEL THIS IS A POOR DESIGN. MINIMALLY THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF WARNING WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND OR POWER BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURS WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILS. THE BELT WILL FAIL WHEN THE BELT TENSIONER DOES. AGAIN NO WARNING WHEN THIS OCCURS.
Mileage: 331,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOBBLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,173 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Mileage: 151,173
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.