V
VIN Check Engine
VIN REPORT

1GB0GRF78M11789122021 CHEVROLET Express

6of 100
Low Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
2
2 campaigns found
Safety Grade
D
68/100 composite
Complaints
None
Clean record
Vehicle Age
5 yrs
Made in UNITED STATES (USA)
BUYPurchase Verdict

2021 CHEVROLET Express was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.

Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2021 CHEVROLET Express

2021 CHEVROLET Express was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase.

  • 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
6
of 100
Low Risk
Low risk profile — minor signals only, likely routine.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
1 Contributing Risk Factor
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
CHEVROLET
Model
Express
Year
2021
Trim / Series
3500 Cutaway
Body Style
Incomplete - Cutaway
Vehicle Type
INCOMPLETE VEHICLE
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
8-cyl 6.6L
Doors
2
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Assembly
WENTZVILLE, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (USA)
GVWR
Class 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg)

Assembly Plant Quality

GM Wentzville Assembly

B+Quality72/100
Good📍 WENTZVILLE, MISSOURI

Builds Colorado, Canyon, and Express/Savana vans. Quality improved in recent years.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

Overall Safety Grade
D
Score: 68/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety18/30
Complaint History30/30
Recall Risk Score
40/100Moderate
  • ▸Fire risk — park outdoors recall
Modern Safety Index
0/100
Basic
0 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Shared Platform Risk

6.6L Duramax LML diesel: EGR cooler and fuel injector failures — multiple TSBs and class action suits

Also affects: Silverado 2500HD, Silverado 3500HD, Sierra 2500HD, Sierra 3500HD
Recalls2

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found
ℹ

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~67%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

67%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

CHEVROLET Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
87%Fair

CHEVROLET completes recalls at a fair rate (87%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~20 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~20 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
20mo
#21V115000
Invalid Date

TIRES

SummaryGeneral 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceOver 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.
Est. Repair Completion~65%

~35% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#21V189000
Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

SummaryGeneral 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.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Est. Repair Completion~69%

~31% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

First Recall
18/03/2021
2 total campaigns
Systems Recalled
Suspension/WheelsElectrical
Recall Remedy Breakdown
0
Part Replacements
1
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
Complaints
Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$30,084
~$501/mo over 5 yrs
$0.5/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$4,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$7,084

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $30,084 (~$501/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
Total recommended deduction−$1,000

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2021 CHEVROLET Express — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Verify recall TIRES has been repaired
Recall on record for: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Su
HIGH
Verify recall ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES has been repaired
Recall on record for: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with 6.6L gasoline
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Official CHEVROLET Maintenance Guide ↗Search Owner's Manual ↗

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 1GB0GRF78M1178912. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,650–$2,090/yr
~$138–$174/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
▼ 5-year-old vehicle: −7% (moderate depreciation)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

CHEVROLET has been fined $35M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Delayed ignition switch recall — 124 deaths linked to defect known since 2001.

2014$35MDelayed ignition switch recall — 124 deaths linked to defect known since 2001

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VIN1GB0GRF78M1178912
Model Year2021
MakeCHEVROLET
ModelExpress
Series3500 Cutaway
Vehicle TypeINCOMPLETE VEHICLE

Body & Configuration

Body StyleIncomplete - Cutaway
Doors2
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders8
Displacement (L)6.6

Manufacturer

ManufacturerGENERAL MOTORS LLC
Assembly CityWENTZVILLE
Assembly CountryUNITED STATES (USA)

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)1GB
Check Digit (Char 9)8
Model Year Code (Char 10)M
Plant Code (Char 11)1
Sequence (Chars 12–17)178912

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count0

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

1
1
G
2
B
3
0
4
G
5
R
6
F
7
7
8
8
9
M
10
1
11
1
12
7
13
8
14
9
15
1
16
2
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
1
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
G
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
B
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
0GRF7
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
8
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
M
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
1
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
178912
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
United States
From VIN position 1 (1)
Model Year Character
"M" → 2021
Could also be 1991
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model
Reliability Scores
Year-by-year reliability ratings
Years to Avoid
Best & worst model years ranked
Common Problems
Owner complaints & known defects
All NHTSA Recalls
Complete recall campaign history
View all CHEVROLET VIN reports →← New Lookup

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/2/2026, 3:15:02 AM.