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, Jul 9, 2015
WE HAS OUR TRUCK IN FOR REPAIRS 5 WEEKS PRIOR DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOW THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND NOW ARE BEING TOLD THE WIRES ARE CORRODED PROPBABLY FROM MOISTURE (WE LIVE IN THE DESERT WHERE IT DOES NOT RAIN, NOR IS IT EXPOSED TO MOISTURE). THE AIRBAG HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IS COSTING US OVER $800.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND SPINE INJURIES AND WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT DOOR AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Apr 19, 2015
IN (ALWAYS AND ONLY) VERY COLD WEATHER WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD WARNING OF TRACTION CONTROL/ABS FAILURE. ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD THE REAR AXEL SENT POWER TO THE WHEEL WITH THE LEAST TRACTION AND THE TRUCK STARTED SLIDING BACKWARDS. ABS BRAKES FAIL TO WORK AS ANTI-LOCK. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 25 DEGREES. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED AND IS PRECEDED WITH DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. NOTE: I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS ACROSS GENERAL MOTORS BRAND VEHICLES. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Engine, Apr 7, 2015, crash
WE WERE MAKING A STOP AT THE LIGHT , WHEN A 18-WHEELER DIDN'T STOP AND HIT US IN THE BACK ,PUSHING US TOWARDS THE BUS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF US , MAKING THE GLASS OF THE BACK BREAK AND THROWING ALL THE CRYSTALS IN OUR BODY AND CLOTHES ,THE AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN , THE FRONT SEATS WERE BROKEN AND 3 OF THE 4 DOORS COULDN'T CLOSE ANYMORE, THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT , BUT HE COULD NOT , BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK, WHEN WE REALIZE THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURY, WE STAYED UNTIL THE RED CROSS CAME TO CHECK OUR CONDITION,BUT THERE WERE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE SO WE COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT HURTING OURSELVES. WE BUY THE TRUCK WITH 2 MILES,WE ARE THE ONLY OWNERS. *TR
Structure, Mar 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPORT THE FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE PERFORMING THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 24, 2015
SERVICE STABILITRAC LIGHT COMES ON. WILL COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES. WILL GO OFF AFTER CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. COMES ON AGAIN RANDOMLY. *JS
Seat belts, Feb 11, 2015
WHEN DRIVING MY SEAT BELT COMES UN HOOKED ALSO WHEN CONNECTING WHEN STARTING AT IT HAS TO CLICK TWICE AND SOMETIMES IF YOU PULL ON IT IT WILL COME DISCONNECTED. VERY CONCERNED. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Feb 10, 2015
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT GOES ON & THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT ALL OVER INTERNET PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED & FIXED BY GM. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 23, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN. AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS IT JUMPED AND SHIFTED HARD, HAD TO CRUISE ALL THE WAY HOME VEHICLE WOULDN'T START BACK UP. STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON ENGINE REDUCED SPEED AND CUT OFF. *TR
Air bags, Jan 15, 2015
MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF. I HEARD THAT GM HAD A RECALL ON THIS. DOES THIS ALSO AFFECT THE SILVERADOS? *TR
Visibility, Jan 9, 2015
WINDOWS FOG UP UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY IN SUMMER HUMID NIGHTS AND DAYS. SEEMS THERE IS MOISTURE IN HVAC UNIT. *TR
Steering, Jan 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Power train, Dec 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADDING OIL TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK TUBE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIP STICK TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Structure, Dec 12, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK TO A PARKING SPOT. AS I BRAKED AND SLOWED TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPOT THE TRUCK ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT BEAM. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE TRUCK SUFFERED QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGES TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. I AM UNSURE OF SPEED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Dec 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DRUM DETERIORATED AND THE BRAKE SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, THE FRONT PADS, THE REAR DRUMS, THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND THE SPRING KIT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Service brakes, Nov 17, 2014
MY PROBLEM STARTED AROUND OCTOBER 25, 2014, A WEEK BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.. THE BACK BRAKES STARTED TO CHATTER WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK BRAKES NOT THE FRONT.. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE INSPECTION SHOWED THE LR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKING HEAVILY AND CONTAMINATION SHOES. RR ALSO SEEPING. NEC TO REPLACE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BLEED SYSTEM. REPLACED REAR SHOES AND CLEANED AFFECTED AREAS. RESURFACED DRUMS AND REASSEMBLED. I PAID $514.74 FOR THIS, AND WITH A REWARD CARD, I GOT $15.00 OFF, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO $499.74. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MGR. FROM HAMILTON CHEVROLET ON 11/7/14, AND HE SAID HE WOULD SEE IF HE COULD GET ME A REFUND FOR HALF OF THE CHARGE, AND SHOULD GET THE CHECK FROM GM IN ABOUT TWO WKS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A GM PROBLEM, AND WITH ONLY 35, 574 MILES ON MY TRUCK THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I AM A 73 YR. OLD RETIRE, AND HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR REALLY SET ME BACK. I HAVE OWNED MANY GM VEHICLES, AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLES, AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE SERVICED REGULARLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO THIS, AND GET BACK TO ME. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Nov 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,814.
Air bags, Nov 9, 2014
SERVICE AIR BAG. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 22, 2014, crash
BACKED INTO HAY RAKE
Structure, Oct 17, 2014
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AT THE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 8, 2014
ON OCT 4TH, 2014 I WAS TRAVELING FROM SAN ANGELO, TX TO SAN ANTONIO, TX, IN MY 2011 3500 CHEVROLET DIESEL PICKUP, PULLING OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. WHEN I NEARED JUNCTION, TX I COULD SMELL AN ODOR OF FUEL. ON I-10 EB MILE 456, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS RAPIDLY DROPPING. WHEN I LEFT JUNCTION, THE GAUGE READ HALF FULL. AT MILE MARKER 497, I PULLED INTO A REST STOP, BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE HAD DROPPED TO THE EMPTY MARK. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND COULD SEE THE DIESEL POURING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR. WHEN THE DRIPPING STOPPED I ATTEMPTED TO START THE TRUCK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE STARTER MOTOR WAS RUNNING, BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. IN THAT DISTANCE THE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE USED FIVE GALLONS OF DIESEL PULLING THE TRAILER. WHICH MEANS THAT ABOUT 14 GALLONS WERE DUMPED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WITHIN 40 MILES. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO CECIL ATKISSION CHEVROLET IN KERRVILLE, TX. THE DIESEL TECHNICIAN THERE TOLD ME THAT MINE WOULD BE THE 4TH DIESEL HE RECENTLY WORKED ON WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE. HE EVEN SHOWED ME ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK THAT HE WAS CURRENTLY WORKING ON, ALSO WITH A FUEL LEAK. *TR
Structure, Sep 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 22, 2014
ONCE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT IS SITTING UP AND AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND STARTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE LOWERS TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE PULLS WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSES AN ADDITIONAL PULL ON THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 22, 2014
TANK WAS FILLED TO LESS THAN 1/2 TANK AND AFTER STOPPING AT LOCATION AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. FUEL LEVEL READ EMPTY. FUEL LEVELS AND COMPUTER SYSTEM NOT ACCURATE. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. I DID SPEAK WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY "THINK" IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE INITIAL PURCHASE. NEW VEHICLE STATUS. *TR