2001 Chevrolet C Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.
What could happen: IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE BELTS IF NECESSARY. GM IS ENCLOSING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE OWNERS TO USE OR THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS DO THE INSPECTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 C SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V159000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-1020.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.
Consequence: IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE BELTS IF NECESSARY. GM IS ENCLOSING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE OWNERS TO USE OR THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS DO THE INSPECTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2001 CHEVROLET AND GMC C-SERIES MEDIUM DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPCO LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) CONVERSION KIT. THE ENGINE COULD BACKFIRE CAUSING THE INLET ELBOW TO SEPARATE FROM ITS THROTTLE BODY.
What could happen: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE INLET ELBOW WOULD BE RETAINED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY.
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW ALUMINUM INLET ELBOW AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 C SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01I016000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2001 CHEVROLET AND GMC C-SERIES MEDIUM DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPCO LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) CONVERSION KIT. THE ENGINE COULD BACKFIRE CAUSING THE INLET ELBOW TO SEPARATE FROM ITS THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE INLET ELBOW WOULD BE RETAINED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP RUNNING DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW ALUMINUM INLET ELBOW AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER.
Notes: GM HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO INSTALL A NEW ALUMINUM INLET ELBOW ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-862-4389, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
07/04/2015 · Fuel system
MY 2001 CHEVY CAVALIER, HAS AN IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE, MALFUNCTIONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY CAR CUT OF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, ME AND MY GRAND CHILDREN WERE INJURED. I WAS REFERRED TO CONTACT THIS THIRD PARTY COMPANY NAMED: ESIS/GM CENTRAL CLAIMS UNIT LOCATED AT P.O. BOX 300 MAIL CODE 482 C19 B61 DETROIT, MI 48…
11/01/2004 · Brakes
PARKING BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE IT GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *AK VEHICLE PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO HOLD THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSE FOR THE SERVICE CHARGE.…