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: other or unspecified
127 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2021
I purchased a 2011 chevy silverado on 3/16/20 from a car dealership. 69k miles when purchased.88k now.I recently went to have a fuel pump repaired that happened out of the blue and was told that the frame is completely rusted out. I looked online only to discover that this is a ongoing problem for these trucks. Makes no sense how I have a truck I owe 14k on and now find out my frame is rusted to the point I could have a accident.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2021
The driver's side interior door handle completely broke off. It appears that this is an ongoing issue with 2011 GMC Silverado and other GMC vehicles.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2021
The dashboard on the vehicle is cracked around the area where the passengers side airbag is. The crack originated early on and was minimal and I was advised by the dealership that this was due to warping and not an issue with GMC pickups. I've come to find out from chat boards and other friend, coworkers and family that they have similar issues with their GMC dashboards on both pickup trucks and SUV vehicles.
Suspension, Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2021
I BOUGHT TRUCK IN OCT2021 AND IT WAS NOT SOLD TO ME IN WORKING ORDER AS WAD TOLD TO ME THEY TOOK MY MONEY AND THEY WERE DONE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2021
ENTIRE DASHBOARD CRACKING VEHICLE ALSO INVOLVED IN GM RECALL N212328760
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2021
HAVE A RECALL ON PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG, ALSO HAVE A CRACKED DASHBOARD
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
THERE'S MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD ,1 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIRBAG AND 2 ADDITIONAL CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE .
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
THE DASH ON MY CHEVY SILVERADO 2011 IS CRACKING IN DIFFERENT PLACES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2020
ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 21, 2020), WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT A SHOP TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED AND TIRE ROTATION DONE. THE MECHANIC HAD CALLED AND ASKED ME TO COME TO THE SHOP TO COME LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. UPON ARRIVING, HE SHOWED ME THE FRAME. IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH FROM IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES AND ALL THE WAY BACK. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION, HOWEVER.. THE MECHANIC AT THIS POINT WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CONDITION AND ITS COMPROMISED SAFETY. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES IN THE 3 YEARS WE HAVE HAD IT. IT IS MAINLY DRIVEN TO WORK WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR REGULAR ROUTINE CARE ALWAYS. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN 2017 BY A GM CERTIFIED DEALER WITH ONLY 55,XXX MILES. IT CURRENTLY HAS 74,XXX MILES AND IS NOW BASICALLY JUNK DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME!!
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2020
WAS DRIVING IN MOTION STRAIGHT DURING ICY CONDITIONS ON FREEWAY AND TRUCK SLID OUT OF CONTROL AND I DROVE THROUGH DITCH NEVER STOPPED ONCE AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELTS ALL FROZE UP AND CEILING FABRIC WAS RUINED AND TORN FROM DEPLOYED AIRBAGS. I NEVER HIT ANYTHING AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE RIGHT BACK ONTO HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2020
MY TRUCK IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE OR WORKS COVERED GARAGE 90% OF THE TIME. SO WAY HAS THE DASH CRACKED EVERYWHERE? I SEE ON LINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN BLAMED ON LEAVING IN THE SUN BUT MY TRUCK ISN'T IN THAT CATEGORY. I WOULD SEND PICTURES IF I THOUGHT SOMEONE WOULD CARE. CALL ME, I'D LOVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2020
CRACKED DASH AROUND AIR BAG WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 24, 2020
MY DASH IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND COMPLETELY BROKEN APART IN SOME SPOTS. I HAVE MANAGED TO INSTALL A DASH COVER BUT I FEEL WITH THIS BEING SUCH A COMMON ISSUE AND A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
DASH CRACKING IN SEVERAL SPOTS ONE LARGE CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG ANOTHER VERY LARGE CRACK OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON DRIVERS SIDE
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2020
MY DASH STARTED CRACKING WITH BIG CRACKS IT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO GET IN I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD HAD STARTED CRACKING IN3 DIFFERENT PLACES
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2020
MY DASHBOARD CRACKING
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 22, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, THE STABILTRAK,ABS LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE POWERS DOWN AND BARELY MOVES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MOSTLY DURING COLD WEATHER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WHEN CHECKED OVER THEY REPORTED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER SITTING THERE ALL NIGHT. THIS IS DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ MANY INSTANCES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER SILVERADO OWNERS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES, THE LATEST AROUND JANUARY OF 2019.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2019
DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2019
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE I STOP LEAVE IT IN START POSITION AND IT WILL START BY ITSELF WHEN NOT ATTEMPTING TO START. AFTER THIS WHEN PUT INTO GEAR IT WILL SHUT OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2019
ACCORDING TO NHTSA MY VEHICLE HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL . WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YET ? I'VE ASKED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2019
MY DASH HAS CRACKED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES AT DIFFERENT TIMES. IT IS UNKNOWN TO ME WHAT CAUSED THE FIRST TWO CRACKS, BUT THE MOST RECENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT ALSO WORRIES ME THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT MAY AFFECT THE AIRBAGS OR EVEN PROJECT PIECES OF THE DASH TOWARDS ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2018, fire
TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK BROKE AT THE BRACKET.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2018
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON OUR VEHICLE SINCE 2016 WITH NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AND IS PREVENTING US FROM TURNING IN TO OUR FLEET MANAGEMENT. PLEASE POST A REMEDY OR REMOVE THE RECALL!