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
638 reports, newest first.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Oct 1, 2018
BADLY RUSTED ENGINE AND UNDER BODY FRAMES ,TRANSMISSION COOLER AND COOLER LINES RUSTED AWAY. 4 WHEEL DRIVE LINKAGE. FRONT DISC ROTORS HAD 3/16 THICK FLAKED RUST, COOLANT HOSES CLAMPS RUSTED AWAY CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK GRIPL RUSTED OFF. MY COMPLAINT TO GM CASE # IS 8-3141634993 TRUCK HSS LESS THAN 20000 MILES
Air bags, Sep 27, 2018
I KEEP GETTING A RUN AROUND ON THIS I WANT IT FIXED THE TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2018
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIR BAG.
Air bags, Sep 20, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED VARA CHEVROLET AT (210)-739-0452 (LOCATED AT 8011 INTERSTATE 35 ACCESS RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 5, 2018
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. RIO VISTA CHEVROLET (390 E HWY 246, BUELLTON, CA 93427, (805) 693-4639) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT UPDATED 10/26/18*JB
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE EVERY DAY, THE CONTACT HAD TO WIGGLE THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL IT STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WALKER BROS BUICK/CHEVROLET, 700 ERIE STREET, EDIMBORO, PA 16412), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
Air bags, Aug 17, 2018
I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL MANF. RECALL #2049151 AND NHTSA RECALL # 16V381 IN WRITING. MAXIPRICE DEALER REP.TOLD ME THEY WOULD CONTACT ME AND AS OF THIS DATE 08/17/2018 I STILL DON'T HAVE HEAR BACK. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CLERK TAKES MY NAME AND PHONE AND STILL NO CALLS FROM THE.
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!
Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2018
I WAS MAKING A TURN WHILE PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY, AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT PRESSING ON IT AND THE PEDAL GOT STUCK. THE ENGINE RACED UP TO OVER 5000 RPM AND ABOUT 60 MPH AROUND A TURN BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I HAD TOO KEEP TAPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL TO RELEASE IT. ALSO MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN 2 SEPARATE PLACES. TOP LEFT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND TOP LEFT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH A PIECE BROKEN OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH PLASTIC PIECES THAT CAN BECOME PROJECTILES OR CUT THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY MODELS AND WILL GET WORSE AS THE PLASTIC HAS BECOME BRITTLE. VEHICLE IS A 2011 YEAR WITH 82000 MILES.
Air bags, Jul 23, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (DALE EARNHARDT, JR. CHEVROLET, 3127 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 270-1463) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER STATED ON 7/27/18, DALE EARNHARDT DEALERSHIP OF TALLAHASSEE, FL PRODUCED TO THE OWNER AN UPDATED DOCUMENT OF 10/25/17 AND 02/15/17 "REISSUANCE OF GCUS-3-843" REGARDING THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL 49151. UPDATED 10/16/18*JB
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, Jun 30, 2018
WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW. WE RECEIVED AN AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE MANY YEARS BACK. STILL THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL IS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE DIED WITH THESE FAULTY AIRBAGS. WHAT SHOULD WE DO ?
Air bags, Jun 21, 2018
IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE MY RECALL AND NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. WHY?
Air bags, Jun 15, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED PUTNAM CHEVROLET CADILLAC AT 650-342-9500 (198 CALIFORNIA DR., BURLINGAME, CA 94010) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 15, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL AND GM" CORPORATIONS" (TAKATA, GM)) HAVE DECIDED TO RECALL THE CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 2011 FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. TAKATA'S DECISION THAT THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATORS IT SUPPLIED TO GM ARE DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED THE CONSUMERS TO TAKE THE VEHICLES TO THE DEALERS FOR REPAIR OF THE AIR BAG. I HAVE DONE SO FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND I ALWAYS GET THE SAME RESPONSE: NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE AIR BAGS REPAIR. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE WHEN SMALLER DEALERS LIKE TOYOTA, NISSAN, HONDA, ETC. USING THE SAME AIR BAGS HAVE THE PARTS AND HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING REPAIRS ON VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE TAKATA'S AIR BAGS? WITH THIS LETTER, I AM REQUESTING WITH RESPECT FOR AN EXPLANATION AND A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING FOR SO LONG. MY SILVERADO TRUCK HAS ONLY 24 K MILES IN IT AND I BOUGHT IT IN 2011. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT! I AM A SUBSCRIBER OF NHTSA. PLEASE, RESPONSE.
Air bags, Jun 15, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (KEYES CHEVROLET, 5949 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401, (818) 528-6037) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 14, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL "
Air bags, Jun 11, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A GM RECALL NOTICE (#49151) IN JULY 2016 FOR A DEFECTIVE TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG WHICH COULD ACCIDENTALLY INFLATE. ALTHOUGH GM STATES IN THE NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, IT ALSO STATES--IN THE SAME LETTER--THAT SUCH AN ACCIDENTAL INFLATION COULD RESULT IN "SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES". (THEY CALL THIS SAFE!!?) TWO VISITS TO MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP HAVE RESULTED IN NO ACTION. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT TAKATA HAS FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (DYER CHEVROLET LAKE WALES, 21500 HIGHWAY 27 NORTH, LAKE WALES, FL 33859, (863) 676-7671) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2018
CRACK DASHBOARD AT THE AIRBAG AREA
Air bags, May 30, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION MY AIRBAGS FIRED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WAS A BAD SMELL IN THE CAB AS WELL AS WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS BABY POWDER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE SMELL IS WHAT THEY HAVE RAN INTO WHEN THEY HAVE DEPLOYED SO AGAIN THEY FIRED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY
Air bags, May 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL WE HAVE ONLY RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE,AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. SO BY LOOKING AT THE NHTSA WEBSITE,THE INFO WAS THERE THAT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL,BUT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE,AS A NEW OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE,HOW CAN I BE ASSURED TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE CONTACTED WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE??ALSO WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE??
Air bags, May 8, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - INFORMED NO REMEDY YET FROM CHEVROLET
Air bags, May 7, 2018
NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT