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Research · Vans, Passenger Type

2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 PassengerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger. Most complaints involve air bags (5) and tires (3). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
15
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2010 – Feb 2025
  1. Air bags5
  2. Tires3
  3. Power train1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Electrical system1
  6. Structure1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Express 1500 Passenger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200915
201019
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

5 reports1 crash
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2014Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10654755

Tires

3 reports
“WHILE CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURE OF A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE THE TPMS SENSOR AND AIR VALVE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT A TIRE REPAIR SHOP. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2013TiresODI 10536945

Power train

1 report
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the contact continued to drive the vehicle normally. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission and the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2025Power trainODI 11644633
All 2009 Express 1500 Passenger problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans, Passenger Type
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Express 1500 2WD Passenger
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
Express 1500 2WD Passenger
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
Express 1500 AWD Passenger
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, CLKUP · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
Express 1500 AWD Passenger
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, CLKUP · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121514$4,450635
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5044
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Express 1500 Passenger questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (5), tires (3), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026