2011 Chevrolet Express: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2011 Chevrolet Express
On the 2011 Chevrolet Express, the failure owners report most often is control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure, with 4 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 100,000 miles. Overall it scores 62 out of 100, high risk for a 2011.
High risk for a 2011 — 273rd riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. 18 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 9 named failure modes on the 2011 Chevrolet Express, and the three most-reported carry 56% of everything filed.
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure leads with 4 reports and about 0.2 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other engine problem follows with 4 reports, median 90,000 miles.
Steering column or shaft failure follows with 2 reports.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (4), engine (4) and steering (2).
At what mileage it happens
13 of the reports on the 2011 Chevrolet Express came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 100,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 8% by 50,000 miles and 62% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, which alone holds 23% of the dated reports.
8% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, so this is mostly a story about older, higher-mileage cars.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Nothing in the reports on the 2011 Chevrolet Express mentions a crash, a fire or an injury. That is the ordinary case and it is worth stating: most defect complaints are about a car that stopped working, not one that hurt somebody.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.94, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure at $700–$3,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, steering column or shaft failure at $600–$2,500 and brake line, hose or caliper failure at $250–$1,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
28% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 4 | 3 | — | 115k | — | 0.2 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 4 | 4 | — | 89k | — | 0.2 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 56k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 640 | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 109k | — | 0.1 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 98k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 1 | 1 | — | 94k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 2 | 1 | — | 75k | — | 0.1 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2011 Chevrolet Express draws about 1.1 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 78th percentile of complaint rates among 2011 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 16,834 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2011 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet express. While driving and slowing down, the vehicle aggressively downshifted, the brake pedal independently depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was concerned about the hard upshifts and downshifts of the transmission. When the engine was turned off and restarted after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to vera motors (300 s university dr., pembroke pines, fl 33025, (954) 362-9458) where it was diagnosed that the fuel control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet express. While driving and slowing down, the vehicle aggressively downshifted, the brake pedal independently depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was concerned about the hard upshifts and downshifts of the transmission. When the engine was turned off and restarted after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to vera motors (300 s university dr., pembroke pines, fl 33025, (954) 362-9458) where it was diagnosed that the fuel control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Other engine problem
This ambulance over the past thirty days has been displaying false mileages with messages that the DEF tank was almost empty and the vehicle was going to go into limp mode. Mileages varied from lows in the 150's to highs of 2430 during the same ambulance transport. We took the vehicle to watson chevrolet in tucson. Their solution was to replace the DEF tank for $3600. The service writer denied any knowledge of a tbs on this problem. I contacted the chevrolet customer assistance center and was told by rose that the problem was emission related and should have been covered by warranty. The service request number was 71-1202349549. I was later called by anthony at extension 11483. He said they were unaware of any problems like this and they would not pay for repairs. When I told him the dealer quote was way over twice the cost of the same repair in show low az. He said every dealer was able to set their own labor rates. I told him there were dozens of similar complaints on the internet he had no comment. I have a feeling this is a widespread problem that they are trying to cover-up. I'm very afraid someone could die in our ambulance…
While transporting a patient in this ambulance the dash warning notice came on warning the DEF tank level was low and the vehicle would soon go into limp mode. The DEF tank had just been filled to full. Strange readings continued to appear warning of either just a few miles or over 2000 miles.I was afraid of having a patient die in our ambulance if the ambulance went into limp mode on a long transport to phoenix so I took the ambulance to the dealer who replaced the DEF tank for $1547.33. I was told by rose at the gm customer complaint line that emissions problems should have been covered by warantee but I cannot get my money back. Gm states they have no reports of this problem occurring but the internet is full of similar complaints.
Recalls on the 2011 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2011 Chevrolet Express, affecting an estimated 17,418 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover equipment, fuel system, other and air bags:frontal. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
EQUIPMENT
6,154 vehicles 2018-04-26- Defect
- 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 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough…
- Consequence
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
3,345 vehicles 2014-08-13- Defect
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
- Consequence
- A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
303,013 vehicles 2014-03-17- Defect
- 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 frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal…
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1,791 vehicles 2013-05-15- Defect
- General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
- Consequence
- A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
48 vehicles 2013-03-08- Defect
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Chevrolet Express vehicles converted by Impco Automotive to run compressed natural gas (CNG), manufactured between November 23, 2010 and December 23, 2010 and equipped with a four tank configuration using a pressure relief device (PRD) and pressure relief vent pipe assembly. In the affected vehicles, the pressure relief vent pipe assembly may have been built incorrectly.
- Consequence
- If a pressure relief device activates with an improperly assembled vent pipe, compressed natural gas may be vented into the passenger compartment. If an ignition source is present, an explosion or fire may result.
- Remedy
- Impco Automotive, in cooperation with General Motors will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the pressure relief device and vent pipe assembly. The safety recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2011 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2011 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2011 — 273rd riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 23 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1996 comes out best at 54 and 2021 worst at 79, with 2011 itself at 62.
If the model year is negotiable, 1996, 2004 and 1997 score lower than 2011 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2008–2014 generation specifically, 2011 is the strongest year at 62 and 2013 the weakest at 75.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2008-2014 generation, 2011 Chevrolet Express scores best at 62 and 2013 Chevrolet Express worst at 75.
Where these figures stop being useful
18 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 18 reports, 13 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 72% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Express?
The most-reported failures are control module (ecm/pcm/bcm) failure (4 reports, median 115,000 miles), other engine problem (4 reports, median 90,000 miles) and steering column or shaft failure (2 reports). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Express reliable?
It scores 62 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 273rd riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2011 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Chevrolet Express is best?
Within the 2008–2014 generation, 2011 scores best at 62 out of 100 and 2013 worst at 75. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed