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GMC SavanaModel year report

2001 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 GMC Savana. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (16% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and brakes (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 318 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 50 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Trouble starting: turn key, vehicle turns over fine,than shuts off. Been to dealer six times they can not find any problems. At first they (dealer) thought it was the key. Issued new key oem. Still problem exsisted.what we do now we flip the key and try to start vehicle and sometimes it will start.this problem does not always happen but when it does it's frustrating. The most recent problem happened before the new year 2004. But this time it was being driven.the loss of all power is scary but able to restart vehicle. Gmc why can't you figure this problem out.”

NHTSA complaint #10051557, filed 2004-01

Air bags: “Purchased 2001 Gmc savanna 2500 van on 3-31-05 ( no warranty); noticed service engine soon light and air bag light were on. Had van serviced on 4-6-05. Mechanic cleared up all problems except the scan tool could not communicate with the air bag module. When the mechanic started the engine back up, the engine was on for approx. 5 - 10 seconds, and the passenger side air bag went off! Luckily no one was sitting there at the time.”

NHTSA complaint #10118205, filed 2005-04, 47,796 miles

Brakes: “Steering wheel was vibrating when brakes were applied, dealer found warped rotors. Dealer only willing to pay for part, wants consumer to pay for labor.”

NHTSA complaint #882934, filed 2001-03

Body and structure: “Both cables to the liftgate broke due to rust and corrosion. Dealer was contacted. Dealer informed consumer that the truck was not covered under a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10095332, filed 2004-11, 50,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,796 and 65,779 miles.

13%0–1013%10–2513%25–5038%50–7513%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

200120022003200452005200620122025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121613$5,150
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 GMC Savana in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 318 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 318 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2001 GMC Savana as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (16% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 2001 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2001 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,796 and 65,779 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.