The 2021 Chevrolet Express has 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (3 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints13filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Safety recalls
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
NHTSA recall 21V189000 · Mar 18, 2021 · 10,154 vehicles
NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with 6.6L gasoline engines. The positive battery cable terminals may contact a fuse block assembly attachment post and cause an electrical short circuit.
Risk: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove a portion of the anti-rotation tab on both positive battery cable terminals near the fuse block assembly attachments, free of charge. If too much of the tab had been removed during prior servicing, the battery cable will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202325160.
Tires
NHTSA recall 21V115000 · Feb 25, 2021 · 33,838 vehicles
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 VAN RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2021 Chevrolet Express Cargo 3500 VAN RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 2500 VAN RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
29.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 - 12 Passenger VAN RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
29.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2021 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 - 15 Passenger VAN RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
27.9%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system
3
0
0
0
—
Air bags
3
1
1
1
—
Service brakes
3
0
1
0
—
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
2
0
0
0
—
Power train
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
2
0
1
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 16, 2026Air bags 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
Jul 6, 2026 · fireAir bags 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
Feb 8, 2025Power train 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.
Sep 25, 2024 · 18,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic 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…
Dec 30, 2024Service brakes 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…
Sep 21, 2024Fuel/propulsion 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
May 7, 2024Power train 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.
Nov 2, 2023 · 65,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.