2009 Chevrolet EXPRESS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
51,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 |
| Tires:Valve | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 1; Tires:Valve: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10414830 · 2011-07-23 (July 23, 2011)
WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE TPMS BROKE - FILED BY JIFFY LUBE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10414830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447384 · 2012-02-10 (February 10, 2012)
BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN PARKING LOT!VAN WAS LOCKED! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,790 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10488861 · 2012-12-15 (December 15, 2012)
DRIVING 55 MPH OR SO TIRE LIGHT CAME STOPPED TO CHECK AND VALVE STEM BLEW OUT OF TIRE,THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND POSES A GREAT DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503643 · 2013-03-19 (March 19, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TIRE SIDE WALL FAILED, CAUSING BLOW-OUT. NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON07/6/2012. BLOW OUT HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 13,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 126,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10621426 · 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654755 · 2014-11-13 (November 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FEW CUTS ON THE KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND A HEAD INJURY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 229,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10837304 · 2016-02-20 (February 20, 2016)
WHITE 2009 CHEVROLET EQUINOX PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF CAR. IT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE WINDOWS FIRST AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. WE NOTICED SOME "DIMPLING" IN THE PAINT ON THE LIFT GATE AS WELL. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM (CHEVROLET) AND HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A "DIAGNOSTIC" EVALUATION. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN EXPOSED TO NATURAL ELEMENTS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN ONLY 6 YEARS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10837304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222451 · 2019-06-25 (June 25, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET (1180 GOFFLE RD, HAWTHORNE, NJ 07506, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SCHEDULED FOR A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222451 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V270000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V272000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V096000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Reported: 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) CONTROL KNOBS THAT MAY FRACTURE AND SPIN ON THE CONTROL SHAFT. THE DRIVER MAY NO LONGER BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL HVAC CONTROL KNOBS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V205000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2010-05-13 (May 13, 2010)
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CHASSIS FROM OCTOBER 2007 THROUGH MAY 2010 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.
Consequence: WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V169000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2012-04-17 (April 17, 2012)
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, 2009 GMC SAVANA, AND 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CHASSIS, AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.
Consequence: A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIRS OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.
Remedy: MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH BRAUN TO NOTIFY OWNERS, AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. MAIN MOBILITY HAS NOT PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V117000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. 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."
Consequence: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 this recall is 14082.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V267000 · Equipment
Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. 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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
NHTSA campaign record ↗