MotorDeets

2011 Chevrolet Express: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2011 Chevrolet Express: 5 recalls, 12 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.

5vehicle recalls
12owner complaints
0mention a crash
17best combined mpg
2011 Chevrolet Express
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Fuel system (other), Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #13V080000 · 2013 · 48 vehicles

What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the pressure relief vent pipe assembly May have been built incorrectly.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #13V225000 · 2013 · 1,791 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: A short at the connector May cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.

The fix: 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.…

Airbags Vehicle recall #14V117000 · 2014 · 303,013 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "occupant protection in interior impact."

Why it matters: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

The fix: 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…

Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #14V500000 · 2014 · 3,345 vehicles

What's wrong: The affected vehicles May leak natural gas from the cng high pressure regulator.

Why it matters: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.

The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013.

Equipment Vehicle recall #18V267000 · 2018 · 6,154 vehicles

What's wrong: 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 force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:…

Why it matters: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Gm will notify owners, instructing them to contact kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Transmission & drivetrain3
Brakes3
Engine & cooling2
Engine2
Fuel & propulsion2
Fuel system (diesel)1
Other / unknown1
Body & structure1

What owners describe

The 2011 Chevrolet Express has 12 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 31 Express model years for complaints (well below the 21 average). Complaints peaked in 2013 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 94,036 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (15 complaints, 5 recalls), 2012 (13 complaints, 6 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
4.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive152017Regular
5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive131815Gasoline or E85
5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive131714Gasoline or E85
5.3 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdAll-Wheel Drive131714Gasoline or E85
4.8 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive111713Gasoline or E85
6.0 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive111613Gasoline or E85
6.0 L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive101612Gasoline or E85

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Chevrolet Express.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2011 Chevrolet Express manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2011 Chevrolet Express manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2011 Chevrolet Express manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2011 Chevrolet Express manual

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FAQ

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Express. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Express problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (3), brakes (3), engine & cooling (2).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Express get?

EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2011 Chevrolet Express repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Express years

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