2001 Chevrolet Silverado Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on the brakes: antilock activation at walking speeds on dry pavement and steel brake lines that corrode through and leak fluid. Owners also describe tailgate cables that break or go slack, tire tread separation at fairly low mileage, and occasional engine stalling or loss of power while driving. Reports mostly arrive between roughly 20,000 and 80,000 miles, with brake-line complaints coming in at much higher mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed, lengthening stops

   • 252 complaints (29%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (202 state mileage)
   • 28 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners describe the antilock system cutting in while braking at very low speeds, often below 10 mph and usually on dry pavement, with the pedal dropping toward the floor or feeling hard and the truck taking much longer to stop. Complaints link the behavior to corroded or dirty front wheel speed sensors and, in some cases, the ABS control module, and several owners say pulling the ABS fuse restored normal braking. Many note the vehicle was not covered by the antilock-brake recall because of its VIN, and dealers reportedly cleaned sensors, replaced hubs and speed sensors, or said the condition was not covered. A few complaints describe the Hydro-Boost unit failing and leaving the pedal hard with no power assist. Reported from near-new up to about 200,000 miles, though most complaints fall between roughly 20,000 and 80,000 miles.

   Recall 05V3790003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive slowly in a lot and brake gently to a stop on dry pavement, watching for the pedal pulsing, dropping, or the truck rolling past the intended stop. Ask whether the front wheel speed sensors or hubs have been replaced, and check whether the ABS light is on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The antilock brakes failed to allow vehicle to stop. Abs engaged itself on dry pavement at low speed. After trying to repeat the problem, I found it occured intermittently; and if it did it was while braking at 7 MPH. The only way to stop the vehicle in ABS mode is firmly press pedal to floor and allow 3 times the stopping distance. I have since removed the ABS fuse and the truck stops normally.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091364, filed 2004-09, 27,500 miles

   “Anti lock brakes failure at low speeds. Changed wheel barrin with sencor in it, failed less than a year later. Bad brake calliber I was driving the truck I applied the brake and the bolt holding the calliber to the frame broke resulting in the wheel locking up.”

   NHTSA complaint #10120181, filed 2005-05, 36,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rusted steel brake lines leaking fluid

   • 42 complaints (5%)
   • median 102,733 mi at 11.9 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little warning, sometimes followed by the discovery of fluid spraying or dripping from a steel line under the truck. Owners report the lines are corroded along their length, that the reservoir empties within days of refilling, and that the truck had to be stopped with the parking brake. Several say the dealer or a local shop told them the lines were a known problem and that pre-formed replacements were hard to obtain, with repairs costing several hundred dollars or more. Mostly reported on trucks with 60,000 to 200,000 miles, often in states that use road salt.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look along the frame rails and above the rear axle for swollen, flaking or wet brake lines, and check the fluid reservoir level. A shop inspection of the hard lines before purchase is worth the cost on a truck from a salt-belt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On saturday 12/13 my wife was driving our 2001 chevy Silverado. While hitting the brakes for a stop sign, the brake pedal went to the floor and she ran through the stop sign as the vehicle could not be stopped in time. Fortunately there was no accident. This occurred about a mile from our home and when she arrived home, she was extremely upset. I checked the vehicle and the brake fluid was low and I found the fluid was leaking out of the hydraulic brake line under the vehicle. I checked and learned there was no recall for this dangerous defect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10664360, filed 2014-12, 58,000 miles

   “The brake lines are rusting out. I have spoke to two other people one with a 2002 chevy avalanche and another 1993 Silverado their brake lines have already rusted and failed. How many injuries or deaths are you going to let happen before you make GM recall the 1999 to 2006 GM trucks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10583483, filed 2014-04, 90,800 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and sidewall damage

   • 40 complaints (5%)
   • median 31,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners describe vibration and thumping that traces back to uneven, bulging tread on the original equipment tires, with some finding tread separating or a sidewall bubble at relatively low mileage. A few complaints describe a sidewall blowing out at highway speed or tread peeling away, and one owner replaced all four tires pre-emptively. Owners generally say the tire maker attributed the damage to road hazards and that alignment or replacement was at their own expense. Mostly reported between about 16,000 and 45,000 miles, often within the first few years of ownership.

   What to check: Check the DOT date codes and look for bulges, cupping or wavy tread across all four tires plus the spare; original tires of this age should be replaced regardless of tread depth.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “(1)high vibration felt especially at slower speeds. Steering pulling firmly to the right.(2)tread very bumpy aroung all four tires. Thumping on tread ,causes hollow sound in various places around circumference of tires. (3) due to the history of firestone tires and reported failures of these tires, I had them replaced before catastrophic failure occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10082744, filed 2004-07, 43,170 miles

   “While driving consumer was towing a trailerthe driver's side rear tire treads separated from the trailer. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and collided into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Passenger sustained head injuries, and was transported to a hospital by an ambulance. Vehicle and trailer were totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10079979, filed 2004-08, 18,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls and loses power while driving

   • 41 complaints (5%)
   • median 47,800 mi at 4.9 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2014

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at speed, sometimes with the battery or service-engine-soon light appearing first and power steering dropping away with it. Owners report the truck restarting after a short wait or a key cycle, and some describe repeated dealer visits where the problem could not be reproduced or diagnosed. Others point to ignition, fuel filter or injector work as the eventual fix, and one complaint notes a dealer advising against a particular fuel brand. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 95,000 miles, with stalls occurring at both highway and in-town speeds.

   Recall 07V5210002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft position sensor, ignition switch and fuel filter have been replaced, and take a highway test drive watching for a momentary drop in power or a warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at highway speeds the engine shut down and caused loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken repeatedly to the dealer. The vehicle was taken back again and the dealer did not find the problem. The GM technician informed the consumer to not use chevron gas. After GM advised the dealer what to do, the problem was resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10019376, filed 2003-09, 43,900 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated while driving at 70 MPH the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and found to have a faulty fuel filter. After, the filter was changed the vehicle was fine. The second incident occurred while driving again the vehicle lost power. The dealer changed the fuel injectors. The vehicle was having no problems at this time. He talked to GM, and they offered no free repair or remedy.”

   NHTSA complaint #10140868, filed 2005-10, 92,583 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Tailgate cables break or go slack

   • 60 complaints (7%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2005

   Owners describe the tailgate support cables breaking or developing slack, letting the tailgate drop onto the bumper and, in some cases, bend the hinges or scratch the paint. A few complaints mention the tailgate latches releasing on their own so cargo shifted out while driving. Owners report being told the slack condition was normal or that repairs were not covered, and at least one had hinges and a tailgate replaced; a service bulletin describes the cable slack condition and advises against parts replacement. Mostly reported on trucks with roughly 14,000 to 47,000 miles, frequently a few years into ownership.

   Recall 04V1290003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Lower the tailgate and look for stretched or frayed cables and rust at the attachment points, then check that the latches hold when the gate is slammed shut. A replacement cable set is inexpensive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Support cables for my tailgate both broken withen 3 years of purchase of vehicle. I blamed my son of letting it drop but after reading a article in the grand rapids press I realize it is a major defect and g.m. Owes me replacment parts and a apology.”

   NHTSA complaint #10058889, filed 2004-02, 33,000 miles

   “The tailgate cables failed constantly. The tailgate straps broke and bent the hinges. Both hinges were replaced and a new tailgate was installed. The left rear tail gate broke. The tail gate fell on the bumper and bent both hinges on the right side scratching the tail gate. The plastic seal leaked. The cable was rusted. The right strap had too much slack and was not holding any weight on the tail gate.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106625, filed 2004-12, 14,000 miles

Buying note. Have a shop inspect the brake system closely, especially the steel lines on any truck from a salt-belt state, and test low-speed braking on dry pavement before buying. Records for brake, transmission and tailgate work plus a look at tire age tell you most of what remains to budget for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.