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
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2017
I OWN A 2011 SILVERADO. IT HAS THE CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA, AND ABOVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER. OF COURSE AFTER SEEING ALL THE OTHER CRACKED DASHES. IT REALLY MAKES ME UNHAPPY THAT THIS IS NOT ALREADY A RECALL OR TAKEN CARE OF. ONE DAY I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND SAW BOTH CRACKS, AND IT HAPPENED 2 DAYS AFTER SOMEONE TOLD ME IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT CRACKS. I REALLY WOULD LIKE IT REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
MY DASHBOARD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS MORNING. ON THE HIGHWAY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2017
A CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASH CAUSING A SEPARATION IN THE SECTION BEHIND THE AIRBAG I AM CONCERNED THE PIECES COULD CAUSE INJURY IF AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACK AT THE TOP LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2017
DASH CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKS AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2014. THE DASH HAS CRACKED AGAIN IN THE SAME PLACE. SHOULD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOY, I FEEL IT COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, RUNNING FROM THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE CENTRAL AIR VENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CRACK COULD JEOPARDIZE THE EFFICACY OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY, WHETHER THE CRACK PREVENTS THE AIRBAG FROM FULLY OPENING AND/OR PUNCTURING THE AIRBAG ONCE IT DOES OPEN. FURTHERMORE, SHARDS OF THE DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE HARM IF THE AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHEN THE CRACK FIRST DEVELOPED, BUT NOTICED IT EARLIER TODAY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN 2 SEPARATE PLACES DUE TO CHEAP SUPPLIES. ONE OF THE CRACKS IS NEAR THE AIRBAG SO IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY PARTS OF THE BROKEN DASHBOARD WOULD BE THROWN INTO THE PASSENGER AND CAUSE INJURY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2016
DASH CRACKS AT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS THIS A PROBLEM IF THE BAG WENT OFF WILL THE BROKEN PIECE OF DASH BOARD GO WITH IT. ALSO LOOSE BODY SIDE MOLDINGS HAD REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND CAME OFF AGAIN LUCKILY IT DIDN'T COME OFF WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2016
DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE PARKED AS I WAS EXITING VEHICLE.. INSPECTION OF HANDLE SHOWED A CRACK ON THE HANDLE WHERE IT BROKE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OF MANUFACTURE AND DESIGN. THE REPAIR REQUIRED THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. THE POTENTIAL FOR SAFE EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IS OF CONCERN.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES,ONE IS BY PASSENGER AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2016
DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2016
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB AND AFTER 37,000 MILES OF DRIVING MY TRUCK I NOTICE THREE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND TWO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE RECALLED AIR BAG. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MODEL AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING ABOUT HIS TRUCK. HE HAS TWO CRACKS IN THE DASH. I HAVE ASK THE DEALER ABOUT ANY RECALLS ON THE DASHBOARD FOR CRACKING AND THEY SAID THAT'S A NORMAL THING THAT HAPPENS ON TRUCKS. REALLY! I SPEND $28,000 ON A TRUCK AND NOW I AM TOLD IF I WANT MY DASH FIXED I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT! THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY BAG. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYS AND PIECES OF DASHBOARD GO FLYING WITH THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG OR IF THE CRACKS ITSELF DEFLATES THE AIR BAG. I HOPE A RECALL IS DONE SOON FOR THE DASHBOARDS!
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2016
DASH HAS A CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE UPPER LEFT OF A AIR BAG. MAY CAUSE A HAZARD TO PASSENGER IF AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED IN A COLLISION
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS CRACKED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2016
DASHBOARD ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AROUND THE AIR BAG PANEL IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT ALTHOUGH EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS WHILE AT WORK.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2016
CRACKING ON THE DASHBOARD OF A VERY WELL KEPT LOW MILEAGE TRUCK. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL. A SUNSHADE HAS BEEN USED SINCE DAY ONE AND THE TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD OR IN A POSITION TO WHERE THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. GM SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. NOW A $49,000 TRUCK SEEMS VERY CHEAP AND AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2016
I HAVE 2 CRACKS THAT ARE RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA ON THE DASH.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
CRACKING DASH. HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES NOW. CRACKS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE SAME PLACES BOTH TIMES AND SIMILAR TO THE THOUSANDS OF PHOTOS ONLINE WHEN SEARCHING FOR GM CRACKED DASH OR A SIMILAR VARIANT. CRACKS EXPOSE MECHANICAL PARTS UNDER THE DASH AND ARE BRITTLE BUT VERY SHARP WHEN SEPARATED FROM THE DASH. DATE ENTERED WAS TODAY BUT INSTANCES STARTED IN 2011 AND THEN APPROX 1 YEAR AFTER THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. LAST REPLACEMENT TOOK PLACE IN MARCH OF 2016.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 10, 2016
ONE MORNING, MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS GETTING IN THE TRUCK SO I COULD DROP HER OFF AT SCHOOL. WE GOT ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTED HEARING A RATTLE. ONCE WE MADE IT TO A STOP SIGN, I LOOKED AROUND IN THE TRUCK AND FOUND THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE 2 CRACKS GOING DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER ON THE DASH. AS WELL AS ANOTHER CRACK ON THE LEFT BACK CORNER OF THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH. I'M VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT MY TRUCK. I KEEP IT VERY CLEAN. I'VE NEVER PLACED ANYTHING ON THE DASH/WINDOW AREA TO CAUSE THE CRACKS. THAT MORNING IT WAS COLD OUT, PROBABLY AROUND 30 DEGREES. IT WAS VERY DISCOURAGING THAT WHEN I CALLED TO ASK ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT, (DURING THAT TIME, I STILL HAD MY WARRANTY FROM WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE) I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED, AND WOULD NEED TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET. I WAS RAISED AS A CHEVY MAN, I BELIEVE THEY MAKE AMAZING VEHICLES. FOR THIS NOT TO ALREADY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE TO HAD FIXED DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IS OUTRAGEOUS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. SINCE THE ENTIRE CENTER DASH IS WEAK FROM BEING CRACKED ON EACH SIDE, I FEEL IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL IN THE FRONT OR EVEN WORSE IS INJURE WHO IS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SEAT IN THE BACK. (DAUGHTER SITS IN THAT SPOT DUE TO AGE.) PLEASE, DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT'S CLEAR THAT IT'S A PROBLEM AND IT COULD POTENTIALLY SAVE A LIFE BY BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT THE SITUATION. CHEVY HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEPENDABLE, DON'T LET YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS DOWN.
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.
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2016
CRACKED PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. PICTURE SHOWS THE CRACK JUST BEGINNING FROM THE AIRBAG AREA TO GOING TOWARDS THE VENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN GM VEHICLES, MY TRUCK IS A 2011 MODEL.
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.