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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2016
2011 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 LTE WITH 41,780 MILES AND A CRACK ON TOP OF DASH FROM VENT TO AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2016
DASH CRACKING ABOVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOTHING HIT OR WAS DROPPED ON DASH, CAME OUT ONE DAY AND THERE THE CRACK WAS.
Structure, Apr 22, 2016
DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE HANDLE BROKE. WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. HAD TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER AND I WORY THAT IT MAY BECOME SHRAPNEL IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2016
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NEAR THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THE ISSUE BUT ONLY AT FULL COST TO ME, EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSED THE CONCERN I HAVE HOW IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKED AREA MAY NOT ALLOW THE AIR BAG TO WORK PROPERLY. I.E. COULD PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG. ALSO SHARDS OF THE DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE HARM IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 13, 2016
MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE MESSAGES TO SERVICE BOTH OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE IN MY INFORMATION CENTER. MY BRAKES ARE NOW DRAGGING THE ROTORS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THIS STARTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2016
THE DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT THE TOP LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS WAS NOTICED THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS VERY WELL CARED FOR.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 6, 2016, fire
THE FUSE RELAY BLOCK ON MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEATED MIRRORS WOULD NOT TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY REMOVED. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BAD GROUND ON CIRCUIT G200, THIS IS PART OF THE SWITCH CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS THE MIRRORS AND DEFROSTER. GM HAS DESIGNED A CIRCUIT THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO TURN ITSELF ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED! BUT EVEN WORSE GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE PARTS OR LABOR TO REPAIR MY TRUCK. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WHILE INITIALLY ENCOURAGING GM HAS REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. HOWARD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT GM COULDN'T DISCLOSE TO ME THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL HELP THEY OFFERED THE DEALERSHIP, IT TURNS OUT THEY DIDN'T OFFER ANY HELP AT ALL. I'M NOT SURE I WILL BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE.
Air bags, Apr 4, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS BROKEN AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ALONG THE TOP BY THE AIRBAG. DASHBOARD ALSO HAD DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THESE CRACKS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING OVER THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE, THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE AIRBAG AND IN THE MIDDLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE HUMP.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STITCHING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS ROTTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG IN THE SEAT TO BULGE OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE AIR BAG POSSIBLY DEPLOYING INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2016
2011 CHEVY SILVERADO LT WITH A CRACKED DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND BY THE AIRBAG. ALWAYS HAVE A SUN SCREEN OVER DASH DURING THE DAY AND IN THE GARAGE WHEN AT HOME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2016
DASHBOARD AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SPLITTING AS MANY OTHER ARE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE STRESS ON THE DASH FROM ABRUPT AIRBAG INFLATION, PLASTIC COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2016
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Z71 AND THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO MY GM DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK PHOTOS AND TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD GET BACK TO ME BUT HAS NOT. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND GET HIM TO HELP ME WITH GETTING THIS REPAIRED THROUGH GM AND HE SHOWS NO CONCERN. VEHICLE HAS SUSTAINED TO IMPACT THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2016
I HAVE A 2011 SILVERADO 1500 AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY DASH AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STARTED TO CRACK. I NOW HAVE 2 CRACKS AND THE AREA FEELS LOOSE WHICH WORRIES ME THAT IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON THE PASSANGER SIDE, THAT THIS COULD IMPAIR THE SAFETY AND DESIGN FOR ITS PURPOSE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 13, 2016
2011 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2016
THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES WHEN WE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH RUNNING FROM THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG COVER AND THE DEFROSTER VENT. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER TRUCKS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND HE ESTIMATED IT WOULD TAKE NEARLY $1,000 TO FIX. I WONDER IF THIS CRACK WOULD BE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED IF THE AIR BAG EVER INFLATES CAUSING MORE DAMAGE OR INJURY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED AROUND TOP LEFT CORNER OF AIRBAG HAVE NOT YET GONE TO THE DEALER BUT AFTER READING THE MANY COMPLAINTS I'M WILL GET LINE WITH THE OTHER LOYAL CHEVROLET CUSTOMERS AND WAIT FOR A ANSWER
Structure, Feb 11, 2016
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT. I HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS AROUND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH GM SAID THE CRACKS WILL NOT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2016
WE HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. RANDOMLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL SHOW STABILITRAK OFF ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE BECOMES SLUGGISH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS, TO ME, IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK WHEN STARTING WHERE IT GRINDS THE STARTER. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GET IT TO STOP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE STABILITRAK ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2016
THE DASH BORD IN MY TRUCK HAS A CRACK NEXT TO THE AIR BAG WHICH AM SCARE IS GOING TO BE A SAFE ISSUE AND THIS I NOTICED WHEN THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 45000 MILES