2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 638 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 29 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 39 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Campaign 21V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Campaign 21V050000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleJan 6, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V007000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleDec 17, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 10V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
319 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Sep 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER RECALL NO. 16V381 STILL NOT FIXED. CALLED DEALER BUT THEY SAID TO WAIT FOR A SECOND LETTER. ANSWER WAS NOT SATISFACTORY. FIRST LETTER DATED 07/2016
Air bags, Aug 30, 2016
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF AN EMAIL TO SENATORS JOHN CORNYN AND TED CRUZ REQUESTING ASSISTANCE REGARDING A TAKATA AIRBAG. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK TOO LONG, FOR GM TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS ABOUT THE RECALL. *JB UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING NOT TO GIVE GM ANY TYPE OF EXTENSIONS, REGARDING THE AIR BAG ISSUE, UNLESS IT IS WITH RESTRICTIONS. UPDATED 11/02/16.*JB 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. UPDATED 02/09/17.*JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 29, 2016, crash
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE FRONT END AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. A CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, BRUISES TO THE ANKLES, KNEES, AND WRISTS. A SECOND CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT RETRACTING. MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Aug 25, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 23, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE FAXED AND EMAILED CEO AND EXECUTIVES OF GENERAL MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY REGARDING THIS MATTER. I AM GOING ON VACATION AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THESE AIRBAGS. THE NOTICE THAT WE JUST RECEIVED THIS MONTH, STATED THE VEHICLES ARE CURRENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE. IT DOES NOT STATE ANYTHING ABOUT IN THE FUTURE (I.E. NEXT MONTH, NEXT WEEK, ETC.). THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT BUT JUST DECIDED TO SEND OUT RECALL NOTICES LATE LAST MONTH. I WANT A RENTAL CAR FOR THE WEEK I NEED TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN, AT THEIR EXPENSE, BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED EARLIER AND THEY WILL NOT VERIFY (THE EXECUTIVES) NOR BACKUP THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT THAT THE VEHICLES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE. I WANT A LETTER FROM THE CEO THAT VERIFIES THIS OR A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK UNTIL MY VEHICLE IS REPAIRED. WE LIVE IN HOT TEXAS AND THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS EXPOSED TO HOT AND HUMID TEMPERATURES! THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF A FUEL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2016
VERY UPSETTING THAT GM HAD TO HAVE KNOWN TAKATA AIR BAGS ARE INSTALLED AND WE WERE NEVER INFORMED. I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN MY VEHICLE WASN'T SAFE, IF I WASN'T ON THIS SITE RESEARCHING SAFE CAR FOR MY TEEN TO DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHEN OUR LIFE'S ARE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO HAVE RECALL LETTERS SENT? SHOULD WE ALL GO OUT AND PURCHASE FACE SHIELD HELMETS FOR THE FAMILY WHILE WE WAIT?????? I ALSO READ COMPLAINTS REGARDING CRACKING IN DASH PANEL. I TOO HAVE HAIRLINE CRACKING DRIVER'S SIDE WHERE AIRBAG IS INSTALLED. PLEASE SEND RECALL LETTERS AS I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE TILL I RECEIVE THE ACTUAL LETTER. THIS NEW BULLETIN WAS POSTED MONTHS AGO. IT'S NOW AUGUST 2016.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFATURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jul 28, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 09/13/16 *BF
Air bags, Jul 25, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACK NEXT TO AIRBAG AND OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN A WRECK WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THE DASH WILL BECOME A DEADLY PROJECTILE. I WAS SITTING STILL WHEN THE CRACKS OCURRED.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 11, 2016
CRACKING PLASTIC DASH ON UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. SEEMS THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 8, 2016
I OWN A 2011 CHECK SILVERADO I CLEAN MY TRUCK REGULARLY AN TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT I HAVE LESS THEN 50,000 MILES ON IT. I FOUND A CRACK IN MY DASH RUNNING FROM THE CORNER OF MY PASSAGE AIRBAG. I FEEL THAT IT'S A BIG SAFETY HAZARD CONSIDERING IF SOMEONE CRASHES INTO ME AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS JAGGED CHUNKS OF DASH COULD POSSIBLY IMPALE MYSELF OR MY PREGNANT WIFE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AN SEEN THAT THOUSANDS OF CHEVY MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE OF MANUFACTORER NEGLIGENCE AN I FEEL THAT THIS IS ENOUGH OF A SAFETY HAZARD TO WHERE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
Air bags, May 5, 2016
DASH CRACKED FROM PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER TO WINDSHIELD VENT. ONE DAY THERE WAS NO CRACK THEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. NOTHING WAS DROPPED ONTO OR BANGED AGAINST AIR BAG COVER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 3, 2016
MY 2011 SILVERADO DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACE AND IM ONLY THE SECOND OWNER OF THE TRUCK. I FEEL SHARP PIECE OF PLASTIC COULD BECOME HAZARDERS DURING A CRASH.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER AND I WORY THAT IT MAY BECOME SHRAPNEL IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT THE TOP LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS WAS NOTICED THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS VERY WELL CARED FOR.
Air bags, Apr 4, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS BROKEN AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE, THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE AIRBAG AND IN THE MIDDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE HUMP.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STITCHING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS ROTTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG IN THE SEAT TO BULGE OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE AIR BAG POSSIBLY DEPLOYING INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2016
2011 CHEVY SILVERADO LT WITH A CRACKED DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND BY THE AIRBAG. ALWAYS HAVE A SUN SCREEN OVER DASH DURING THE DAY AND IN THE GARAGE WHEN AT HOME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2016
DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SPLITTING AS MANY OTHER ARE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE STRESS ON THE DASH FROM ABRUPT AIRBAG INFLATION, PLASTIC COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2016
MYSELF AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS DASH'S ARE CRACKING RANDOMLY IN OUR CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUPS. MINE IS CRACKED JUST TO THE UPPER LEFT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO GM AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AN ISSUE HAVE OFFERED TO PAY $590 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER THOUSAND PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME RESULTS OR WORSE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE GM BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AS I BELIEVE THIS IS AN SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYING IN AN EMERGENCY. THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE WITH SEVERAL THOUSAND MEMBERS DEDICATED TO THIS MATTER IT IS NAMED "07-13 GM CRACKED DASH SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL TRUCKS"