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, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. MANY CHEVROLET DASHBOARD ISSUES. FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO GM CRACK DASH ISSUES
Air bags, Dec 13, 2015
DASH CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE AIRBAG ONLY 40 THOUSAND MILES ON TRUCK. IT'S KNOWN TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND COULD CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN BEING BY AIRBAG
Air bags, Jul 23, 2015
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY TRUCK. I DID NOT HIT OR COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PROPERTY, AND NO VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ME.
Air bags, Jul 9, 2015
WE HAS OUR TRUCK IN FOR REPAIRS 5 WEEKS PRIOR DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOW THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND NOW ARE BEING TOLD THE WIRES ARE CORRODED PROPBABLY FROM MOISTURE (WE LIVE IN THE DESERT WHERE IT DOES NOT RAIN, NOR IS IT EXPOSED TO MOISTURE). THE AIRBAG HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IS COSTING US OVER $800.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND SPINE INJURIES AND WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DOOR AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seats, Engine, Apr 7, 2015, crash
WE WERE MAKING A STOP AT THE LIGHT , WHEN A 18-WHEELER DIDN'T STOP AND HIT US IN THE BACK ,PUSHING US TOWARDS THE BUS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF US , MAKING THE GLASS OF THE BACK BREAK AND THROWING ALL THE CRYSTALS IN OUR BODY AND CLOTHES ,THE AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN , THE FRONT SEATS WERE BROKEN AND 3 OF THE 4 DOORS COULDN'T CLOSE ANYMORE, THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT , BUT HE COULD NOT , BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK, WHEN WE REALIZE THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURY, WE STAYED UNTIL THE RED CROSS CAME TO CHECK OUR CONDITION,BUT THERE WERE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE SO WE COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT HURTING OURSELVES. WE BUY THE TRUCK WITH 2 MILES,WE ARE THE ONLY OWNERS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 15, 2015
MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF. I HEARD THAT GM HAD A RECALL ON THIS. DOES THIS ALSO AFFECT THE SILVERADOS? *TR
Air bags, Structure, Dec 12, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK TO A PARKING SPOT. AS I BRAKED AND SLOWED TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPOT THE TRUCK ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT BEAM. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE TRUCK SUFFERED QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGES TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. I AM UNSURE OF SPEED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,814.
Air bags, Nov 9, 2014
SERVICE AIR BAG. *TR
Air bags, Service brakes, Sep 9, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN AND COMING TO A STOP CAUSING IT TO COLLIDE WITH THE BRICK BUILDING I DO NOT WHAT THE TRUCK SPEEDED UP TO BUT BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND I MISSED A LITTLE 5 YEAR OLD GIRL BY ABOUT 2 INCHES. *TR
Air bags, Jul 30, 2014
I HAD CLOSED ONE OF MY DOORS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WITH PRETTY STRONG FORCE (SLAM), AND THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONERS ALSO LOCKED UP. THE AIRBAG NEARLY MISSED STRIKING MY PASSENGER WHO WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN IT OCCURRED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 5, 2014, crash
CAR PULLED OUT FROM GAS STATION INTO PATH OF MY VEHICLE STRIKING IT IN LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND LEFT REAR WHEEL. MY TRUCK SPUN TO THE LEFT STRIKING A SEMI TRUCK TOTALED MY TRUCK HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. INJURY TO MY STEPSON WHO WAS THE DRIVER. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED NOR DID SEAT BELTS KEEP HIM IN PLACE ALLOWING HIM TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK CAB
Air bags, Jul 1, 2014, crash
MY VEHICLE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO HIT A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURY. *TR
Air bags, Structure, May 3, 2014
THE DASH SURROUNDING THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRACKED. DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 15, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE SET BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND HEAD. THE DEALER WAS SENDING SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,900.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAD BEEN STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION SINCE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND WERE NON-OPERATIONAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW AFTER HE TRIED TO DECELERATE. HE THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 400.