Home · 2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 15 Pass · Complaints

What 14 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 15 Pass

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (14)Crash / fire / injury (2)Brakes (4)Fuel system (4)Airbags (3)Body & structure (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Electrical system (1)Steering (1)Tires (1)

Newest first · 14 complaints

Jul 8, 2026AirbagsBody & structureBrakesFire

Vehicle Caught Fire while driving on the highway. This is the third Chevy express 2021 that caught fire in last three months. 1GB0GRFP9M1249499 - 2021 Chevy Express 3500 - Date of Fire - July 6th 2026 1GB0GRF72N1218998 - 2022 Chevy Express 3500 - Date Of Fire - April 16th 2026 1GB0GRFP0M1249665 - 2021 Chevy Express 3500 - Date Of Fire - April 18th 2026

NHTSA ODI 11749127

Jul 8, 2026AirbagsBody & structureBrakes

Vehicle Caught Fire while driving on the highway. This is the third Chevy express 2021 that caught fire in last three months. 1GB0GRFP9M1249499 - 2021 Chevy Express 3500 - Date of Fire - July 6th 2026 1GB0GRF72N1218998 - 2022 Chevy Express 3500 - Date Of Fire - April 16th 2026 1GB0GRFP0M1249665 - 2021 Chevy Express 3500 - Date Of Fire - April 18th 2026

NHTSA ODI 11749131

Mar 16, 2026Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Express 3500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle was pulled over into the right lane. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the front wheels were smoking. Additionally, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake fluid seemed to be boiling. The contact was on a trip, and the vehicle was driven to a campground. The vehicle was later driven to a dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V189000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,300.

NHTSA ODI 11724714

Mar 8, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

My 2021 Chevrolet express van with an 8L90 transmission has failed after only 80k miles, willing to have it inspected. Check engine codes show P0700 and P2714 on 02/08/25. No prior warning lamps. This product has put my safety at risk due to overheating and making the vehicle go into limp mode while on public roadways. The product is known to fail for trucks alike with the same transmission but has yet to be reported for the Chevrolet express. Has only been confirmed via OBDii scanner from parts shop.

NHTSA ODI 11647184

Mar 5, 2025Brakes

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to pull to the left, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder off the roadway. After a visual inspection, the contact stated there was smoke coming from the driver's side front brakes. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 18,000.

NHTSA ODI 11646583

Jan 4, 2025Brakes

This is a Forest River Sunseeker Motorhome on a 2021 Chevrolet Express chasis. On Friday, [XXX], after being in stop and go traffic for 10-15 minutes on [XXX] driving at 65 mph, a smell of burning brakes started filling up the motorhome. Then the vehicle started to wobble and the ABS light came on. Pulled over to the side and while applying brakes the vehicle shook/wobbled. Drove to a NTB tire store and the manager indicated it was not the tires but smelled like the brakes burning and advised not to drive it. Had it towed to Monument Chevrolet and they reported they could not replicate the problem. No repair. On [XXX] after numerous trips in RV, the exact same thing occurred. This time drove it to Monument Chevrolet with dash lights on: ABS, brakes, etc. and demanded a repair. They replaced left front speed sensor for $406.00. On [XXX], coming off of a mountain, the exact problem happened again: wobble, ABS light, and this time the Stabilitrak sensor on. The dealer in Arkansas ran a history report and said the right front speed sensor had failed. No repair available because of the size of the vehicle. Now scheduled to return to Monument Chevrolet 01/09/2025 to hopefully be repaired. Chevrolet has recalled 638,000 of the vehicles with identical issues but mine not on recall list. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11634050

Oct 3, 2024Fuel system

Fuel Pump Control Module failed in vehicle with only 26,000 miles. No warning light came on. No previous issue. Vehicle stalled while driving speed limit, all control of steering and braking was lost and vehicle did not restart. Needed to have vehicle towed. Vehicle was diagnosed by a dealership. Part unavailable, backordered and have been without vehicle for over 2 weeks. Awaiting invoice for repair

NHTSA ODI 11617913

May 7, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

When I come to stop in traffic the drivetrain suddenly jolts and pushes the vehicle forward potentially pushing me into the car or traffic in front of me unless I put it in neutral or press hard on the brakes approaching the stoplight. Happens everyday.

NHTSA ODI 11587552

Dec 11, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH the contact was crashed into by a deer, the contact stated that the deer struck the driver's side front headlight and then the driver's door. The contact stated that the left headlight was fractured and the grill was damaged by the deer strike. The contact stated that both side curtain air bags had deployed. The contact stated that the impact of the side air bag caused his left arm to pull down on the steering wheel which caused the vehicle to veer out of the lane and into oncoming traffic. The contact was hauling an 18-foot box trailer. The contact stated that he turned the steering to the right to get back into his lane, however, he had overcompensated and the vehicle left the roadway and into a ditch and stopped. The contact stated that the vehicle frame and undercarriage had extensive damage. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and a report was filed. The contact declined medical treatment and stated that he had abrasions and bruises on both arms and legs and had a scrape on the left side of his face from the air bag. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11559558

Dec 6, 2023Fuel system

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated while driving out of the driveaway, the vehicle shut off inadvertently and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the failure recurred. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Auto Gallery Chevrolet Buick GMC (1415 Lafayette Pkwy, LaGrange, GA 30241) and the contact was informed that the dealer could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would be towed to another dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558742

Sep 5, 2023Fuel system

The fuel pump power control module in this vehicle has caused the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, interrupting the flow of fuel to the engine. When the engine does not receive adequate fuel, the vehicle has unexpectedly stalled. This has happened several times. At times has seen a check engine light or experienced a rough running engine. The vehicle may also be A vehicle stall without warning could increase the risk of a crash, especially at high speeds. This vehicle has been taken to a GM or Chevrolet service center twice for this problem. The first time, the fuel pump module was replaced. The second time, there was wiring that was bad that had to be traced down that was related to the fuel pump module failing. It has now happened a third time, while driving down the road, the vehicle suddenly shuts off. It has less than 5,000 miles on the engine. This vehicle has been out of service to the owners for an inordinate amount of time since ownership. It was in the shop 38 days the 2nd time. It is now taking a very long time with GM customer care for them to even find a place to work on it and to have it towed there. This has happened several times. I have created a log of events. I will enter the first time that this happened below and then provide other data.

NHTSA ODI 11542691

Apr 29, 2023Fuel system

While driving engine inexplicably shut off leaving us without power steering or brakes and unable to safely navigate off of the roadway. Fault: Fuel Pump Control Module GM representative stated they are seeing numerous failures of these components

NHTSA ODI 11519585

Dec 16, 2022Steering

The contact rented a 2021 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was slowed to 10 MPH for the contact to regain control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering gears were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23.

NHTSA ODI 11497723

May 1, 2022Tires

TPS monitoring system displayed front right tire pressure low. Seconds later tire blew-out where sidewall meets tread. We luckily were traveling at low rate of speed (25mph). This is new van with 100 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11462943

Working with the data? Download all 14 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 15 Pass verdict →