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: structure
87 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Mar 16, 2022
Frame is completely rusted on both sides, big holes. I use the truck for light duty use not a daily driver. Bought used with some known rust on the wheel wells. Had no idea rust would be this bad on frame. Have only had the truck for 3 years. Still owe on it and it seems unfit to drive.
Structure, Feb 9, 2022
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear-end of the vehicle would bounce while driving over speed bumps or potholes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the sub-frame was improperly coated. The contact was informed that the sub-frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Structure, Dec 26, 2021
My brother was putting a trailer onto my hitch and noticed that it was unstable. The factory hitch was rusted out thru the metal. Him being a mechanic he decided to put the truck up on the rack. My FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU!!! BECAUSE they did not rust proof it right to start. I could have been killed along with my GRANDSON whom I have custody of. No one knew my truck frame was rusted out. It's a beautifully kept truck in great condition. I was not aware of this issue of them not recalling a rustproofing error!!!! Omg. A 20k truck is worthless now. Who has to die to fix this!! There is no reason a truck frame should rust through in 10 years!!
Structure, Sep 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact noticed that the front and rear driver’s side floor mat was wet. In addition, the entire rear seats were also wet. The contact stated that water was entering the vehicle. The contact contacted the dealer and was informed to take the vehicle in to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not provided.
Structure, Mar 19, 2021
DASH IS CRACKING - PORTION CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD- JUST LIKE SOMEONE BREAKING A PIECE PEANUT BRITTLE OFF - GETTING WORSE
Air bags, Structure, Jan 17, 2021
DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART COULD CAUSE SHRAPNEL IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY
Structure, Dec 24, 2020
DASH HAS CRACK ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Dec 20, 2020
ALL 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE (ROUND SEAM). CRACKS ON DASH ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STARTING FROM AIR BAG AND CRACKING OUTWARD. OIL PRESSURE RUNS LOW AND USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 - 2000 MILES
Structure, Nov 24, 2020
MULTIPLE AREAS ON DASHBOARD PANELS ARE CRACKING AND BREAKING.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2020
CRACKED DASH WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 85 RUST IS FORMING ALL UNDER THE TRUCK AS WELL AS AROUND THE DOORS AND BED
Structure, Oct 1, 2020
THE DASH IS CRACKING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND COULD POSSIBLY PRESENT A HAZARD IF AN ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. THE TRUCK IS MOSTLY USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO NOT DRIVEN DAILY AND HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT AND IS 9 YEARS OLD. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED IN SEPTEMBER 2020.
Structure, Jul 31, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL THE STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,972.*DT*JB*DT*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2020
CRACKED DASH AROUND AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. *TR
Structure, May 12, 2020
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ALL OVER. *TR
Structure, May 12, 2020
THE DASH IS CRACKING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS ALWAYS PROTECTED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN DAILY & ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED ON 5/9/2020. GM DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Structure, Mar 11, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE CAB/ BED AREA. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT. THE FIRE CAUSED THE SIDING TO AN ADJACENT HOUSE TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Tires, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SR-A TIRES, SIZE: P265/65/R18 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND RUMBLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MOLDING AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS DAMAGED. THE TIRE WAS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jul 14, 2019, crash
WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT ~45 MPH,I STRUCK A DEER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT COME OUT OF THE CENTER STEERING. AIR BAG DUST WAS COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL, NO AIR BAG. I WAS VERY CONFUSED. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS PUSHED IN ~2.5 INCHES. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR, SINCE THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED ON DEPLOYMENT.
Structure, May 30, 2019
A CRACKED HAS FORMED IN THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED.
Structure, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STRUCTURALLY INFERIOR DUE TO CRACKS FROM THE MIDDLE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD AFFECT OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). NILES CHEVROLET (3500 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, KEY WEST, FL 33040, (305) 390-0320) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Feb 14, 2019
BATTERY DIED DUE TO HEADLIGHTS COMING ON WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. LIGHTS CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF FROM SWITCH, OPENING THE HOOD I DETECTED ELECTRICAL SMELL. I REMOVED THE FUSE BOX COVER AND NOTICED WATER COLLECTING AND STAINS. I PULLED SEVERAL FUSES AND FOUND THREE THAT MELTED. ALL THIS HAPPENED AFTER A ICE STORM FOLLOWED BY A WARMING UP AND MELTING TREND THE WATER COLLECTED ON THE FENDER BRACE AND LEAKED INTO UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK. I REPLACED THE FUSE BLOCK AND ALL IS OK. THOUGH FUSES WERE MELTED APART THEY STILL MADE CONTACT AND EASILY COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. I DRILLED HOLES INTO FENDER BRACES AND REDIRECTED THE WATER.
Suspension, Structure, Feb 8, 2019, crash
MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TOP CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEN I HIT A POLE ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. IT SNAPPED OFF AT THE BALL. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND SIDE SWIPED A POLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH. SHOULD NOT HAVE SNAPPED A PART IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK! THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION UNDER MY TRUCK. EVEN BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THERE'S RUST. THIS TRUCK HAS MORE RUST THAT TRUCKS THAT ARE 30 YEARS OLD.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 19, 2018
TAKATA AIRBAG, STILL NO RESOLUTION FOR THIS BY GM. THE DASH ON THE PICK UP ALSO HAVE THE SAME CRACKS THAT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE AS WELL. I HAVE REPAIRED IT MULTIPLE TIMES FOR IT ONLY TO CRACK IN NEW PLACES. IT BEGAN CRACKING WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT.
Air bags, Structure, Feb 14, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- MY VEHICLES STATUS IS STILL INCOMPLETE! NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED AND IT HAS ALMOST BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED! I DEMAND ANSWERS! ALSO THE DASH IS CRACKED ON MY TRUCK IN THE VERY SAME PLACE IT'S CRACKING ON THOUSANDS OF OTHER TRUCKS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THE PLASTIC CAN INJURE SOMEONE!
Air bags, Structure, Jan 22, 2018
THE DASH BOARD CRACKED IN SEPTEMBER 2017 IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. CRACK IS NOW ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG