2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: sudden loss of power

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 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 Sep 27, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 8,000 miles · MI · fire

While driving the truck would experience a shut down and loss of power.merolllis chevrolet in east pt., michigan, became very defiant,and refused to acknowledge that there was a problem.before [xxx] became ceo, [xxx] contacted her office via handwritten communique.iris contact [xxx] in dec,2013,and an appointment was to be arrange w/engineer but never happened. [xxx] stopped driving vehicle,excellent condition w/19000 miles.[xxx] was in fear of life while operating vehicle..updated 10/22/14 -bf information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) updated 4/8/2015*js

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · MI

My 2001 chevy silverado 2500hd with the 8.1 engine will stall at anytime. It has happened when sitting idle, taking off from a light, and I've even had it happen doing 50 MPH. I refuse to let someone borrow my truck because I'm afraid they will panic and get in an accident. It is especially dangerous since you lose power steering and basically have no control of the vehicle. Sometimes I can drive for 50 miles and not have a problem and other times it will stall twice in 30 minutes. So there seems to be no rhyme or reason. I do not understand why there has not been a recall issued for this problem.

Filed Sep 27, 2009 · Engine · 52,469 miles · OH

The events leading up to the failure, this failure mode has happened five times, twice while pulling a 12,000 lbs. Camper and three times during normal driving. When hauling the camper the transmission was in the 'tow / haul' mode. The failure, the 8.1 l engine suddenly looses engine power and stalls and will not immediately restart. After a minute or two the engine has restarted and normal travel resumed. How often it occurs, since july 24th 2009 this failure has occurred on five occasions. The only common factor that I have been able to isolate is that the failures have all occurred within the first twenty minutes of driving. Its consequences, there have been no crashes but several near misses have been associated with the failures. September 3rd 2009, once again I was pulling my 12,000 lbs. Camper along a state highway 202 in ohio when once again the engine suddenly stalled and I lost all power to the engine, power steering and hydraulic assisted brakes. We were going up a hill and traffic behind me had to suddenly take evasive action since I was no longer accelerating and was loosing speed at a rapid rate. Luckily, there was just enough shoulder width that allowed me to pull over within 300 feet. The engine restarted after a brief cool down period but again I had no idea at this time why the engine had died. There were no service engine soon (ses) indicators being shown. What was done to correct the failure; I.e, parts repaired or replaced (and if old part is available), at this time nothing has been done to correct the failure and the truck is not being used. I feel that gm does not have containment of this failure and that additional VIN numbers including mine need to be added to the recall. From searching the internet, I have found several other failure occurrences outside the containment range. The old part is available and gm should replace the defect before an accident does occur causing injury, death, and/or litigation.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Engine · 119,000 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet silverado 2500 hd. The contact experienced intermittent losses of power with his vehicle. The failure occurred numerous times while driving at both low and high speeds, but was originally noticed at 60 MPH. There were no warning indicators prior to the vehicle losing power. Occasionally, the vehicle would shut down and immediately restart, but other times, it would take longer to do so. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall pertaining to this failure. The contact called the manufacturer's customer service line and was informed that there was no recall for this failure; however, he was also informed that his VIN was not included in the recall because his check engine warning light did not illuminate prior to the failure. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 121,000 and failure mileage was approximately 119,000. Updated 7/3/08

Filed Nov 21, 2007 · Engine · 22,990 miles · KY

Truck died at 60 MPH. Lost all power for few seconds then started again. Then would not start for 2 weeks. Finally got it to start and put on scanner it said to replace crankshaft position sensor. Replaced it myself and truck running great.mc

Filed Feb 8, 2007 · Brakes, Steering · 53,800 miles · CA

Found fluid on floor underneath motor area. Checked power steering reservoir and found it to be full. I found I had lost power steering, when I put vehicle in gear to move out of garage area, I found that I had also lost my brakes. (pedal went to the floor) I was thankful that I was not on the highway pulling a trailer at this time. No power steering and no brakes. I contacted power chevrolet in valencia and they told me not to drive the vehicle but to have it towed to their location. When the vehicle arrived at the dealership and was removed from the tow truck, a service representative was able to move the vehicle. He stated that it had both power steering and brakes. The service representative drove the truck around the lot several times to demonstrate that everything was working fine. At the conclusion of his last trip around the lot, the brake pedal went to the floor. I received a call from the service department suggesting that I change the power steering pump. I was not comfortable about this suggestion since I had also lost my brakes. The one component part that affects both power steering and brakes is the hydro-booster. I had them replace the power steering pump and hyro-booster. They claim there have not been any recalls on either of these parts.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

The federal safety agency action number pe06016 2001 chevy 2500 hd 4x4 with 8.1 l; stalling at highway speeds, loss of power steering and brakes. Battery/security light comes on when vehicle stalls; vehicle may or may not start for about 10-30 min after stall; cranking but not starting. Additional, after vehicle is parked it will crank but not start. Replaced fuel filter, cap and rotor, wires & plugs; had injectors cleaned and the problem has not been fixed.

Filed Aug 15, 2006 · Engine · 122,000 miles · MN

Motor completely shut off at 70 MPH, lost power steering and power braking. Motor would not start in neutral. Had to cross through traffic to the shoulder and stop before motor would start again. Happened 4 times in 3 days. Brought vehicle to dealer and dealer told me it was the crank sensor, they have had to do it before.

Filed Oct 18, 2004 · Engine · 20,050 miles · OH

While driving 55 MPH the vehicle lost power and the check engine sensor light illuminated. Please provide additional information.