Check a VIN

2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is brakes, typically around 90,000 miles. It has 3.7 times the complaints of a typical Silverado 2500 model year.

Year to avoid3.7x the typical complaints
Year score
28/100
Owner complaints
388
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
295
Worst area
Brakes
Typical repair
$2,000

The worst 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Stalling 61Brake failure 60ABS 38Tire blowout 21Power steering loss 17Loss of power 11Check engine light 9Knocking 9Won't start 8Engine failure 7Fuel gauge 5Misfire 5

Recalls 1

Interior lightingReported June 26, 2001 · 38,863 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. In addition, when the brake fluid is low, the vehicle may not meet the partial system requirements of fmvss no. 105.
Risk
These conditions could result in reduced braking capability, which could lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began july 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.

Recall number 01V220000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Defect investigations

Crank position sensor failure - stallOpened September 14, 2006, closed November 9, 2007

In a letter dated november 7, 2007, general motors (gm) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v‑521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before november 15, 2000.according to gm, the ckp can fail intermittently or permanently.a permanent ckp failure would result in an engine stall without restart.an intermittent ckp failure could cause the service engine soon light to illuminate, the vehicle to run rough or the engine to stall but allows restart.as a remedy, an improved ckp will be installed in the subject vehicles.the recall campaign will start in december 2007. During the preliminary evaluation (pe06-016), and this ea investigation, gm and odi independently conducted detailed reviews of certain field data to understand the nature and rate of subject vehicle stalling due to ckp failures.gm and odi reviewed gm's warranty claims for the ckp with the objective of ascertaining an estimate of those claims representing an engine stall while driving.the ckp warranty claims without verbatim text were the largest segment of warranty claims.using those claims, gm surveyed vehicle owners to gather additional information to determine if the claim was associated with a stall while driving event.based on the survey, gm estimated that approximately 49% of all warranty repairs for the ckp involved a stall while driving.odi?s review of gm's survey data produced a higher estimate (71%) for stall while driving.gm further estimated the rate of stall while driving for the subject vehicles over time.it estimated stalling while driving rates of 1.6%, 4.6% and 8.9% at 1, 3 and 6 years in service respectively.odi's review of the gm's survey data finds higher estimated stall while driving rates of 2.2%, 6.8% and 13% at 1, 3 and 6 years in service respectively. Odi also conducted a survey of vehicle owners using consumer complaints reported to both odi and gm.the objective was to ascertain the potential safety consequences of an engine stall due to the alleged defect.with respect to the ability to restart the vehicle after a stall, 11% reported immediate restart, 69% reported delayed restart and 20% reported no restart.over half noted at least one engine stall incident at speeds in excess of 40mph. About one-third noted the vehicle was stranded either partially or fully in a lane of traffic after the engine stall.all of the consumers surveyed noted multiple stalling events prior to proper diagnosis and replacement of the ckp.based on gm's decision to conduct a safety recall, this investigation is closed.

EA06016

Hydraulic pump failresOpened April 30, 2004, closed February 28, 2005

Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.

EA04012

Hydraulic pump shaft failuresOpened January 8, 2004, closed April 30, 2004

The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury 2004.therefore,odi has expanded the scope to include the additional model years.odi's is concerned because thisisa sudden failure that affects two critical systems of the vehicle, brakes and steering, at the same time.the ability of the operator to handle the dual failures is a concern. Further, these vehicles tend to be work vehicles, with some over 10,000 pounds gvwr and many equipped to pull large trailers.dual failures of heavily loaded vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers further increases the safety risk.odi plans to conduct testing to quantify the braking and steering performance degradation and the impact on safe vehicle control, when a hydroboast pump fails.

PE04004

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 295

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 295 bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

What 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 30, 2025 · Engine · OH

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.

Filed Jun 12, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · CA · fire

Unknown Lost my truck to fire I was shopping and when I came out of the store the fire department had already put the fire out. They had said the fire started under the hood on the driver side.

Filed Apr 2, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 180,000 miles · OH

Gear selector lights and mileage lights dont illuminate on dash, intermittently.

Filed Dec 9, 2020 · Airbags, Body · MT · crash · 1 injury

Single occupant black ice-induced head on high force impact tree collision while with no pre-tensioner or air bag deployments of one-owner vehicle

Filed Dec 18, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 200,000 miles · ID

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

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · VT

This vehicle has ABS activating between 3mph and 10mph when applying the brakes. There is no condition warranting the need for ABS (e.g. Wet or icy roads) when this happens. There is no codes or dashboard lights for this issue. This issues does increase the stopping distance of the vehicle, especially on dirt roads, or when hauling heavy loads. Gm is aware of this issue and it is caused by rust around the ABS sensors. There is a recall (the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v379000) for vehicles with this issue, but despite matching the make, model, year, geographical location and the very specific symptoms, this vehicle is not included in the recall for some reason. Gm has told me to pay for the repairs and hope that maybe someday the recall will be updated to include my vehicle.

Filed Jun 18, 2018 · Body, Brakes · 40,000 miles · OH

Extreme rust, tailgate cables broke in use, had to replace. Tailgate still won't latch properly, dropping open while driving/hauling fairly often; brake line rusted out, replaced before had accident; whole frame rusted - under carriage//tire wells/drive shaft/around reece hitch so I worry about pulling trailer/hailing. Horn has rusted off. Only 77,000 miles as I do not drive it daily, just to work around my place or pickup/haul/trailer something. Gm needs recall to address this rust issue because it is a major safety issue.

Filed Jan 31, 2018 · Body, Fuel system · 15,500 miles · CA · crash

My truck was parked outside my house and this drunk driver hit my truck in the middle of the night.and mest up all of one side of the truck including my engine,baby seats and tires and windows.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Brakes · 204,000 miles · VA

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).'

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Engine · NJ

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 before you buy

Compare the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Silverado 2500 vs Ford F-250 SDSilverado 2500 vs Ram 2500Silverado 2500 vs GMC Sierra 2500

Other model years

199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Owners have filed 388 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3.7 times a typical Silverado 2500 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 year score?

The 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 scores 28 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

Brakes, with 181 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is engine (102).

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

1 recall, covering interior lighting.

What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (247 complaints), 2002 (212 complaints) and 2001 (181 complaints).

Share your experience with the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN