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.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 6, 2011
MY 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HAS UNWANTED ACCELERATION. ITS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPRX A MONTH, ON AND OFF. ON TUESDAY 10/4/2011 I WAS LEAVING MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS TURNING OUT OF THE SPACE, THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF - ACCELERATING WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. I THEN HIT THE BRAKE WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. I THEN GOT ON THE HIGHWAY - (I-94) TO HEAD HOME, WHILE DRIVING ON I-94 MY VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD NEARLY STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I THEN BACKED OFF AND KEPT A SAFE DISTANCE IN THE EVENT THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SURE ENOUGH - MY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I REALIZED IT WAS DOING IT AND HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE OTHER VEHICLES AHEAD, SO I ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF. MY SILVERADO GOT UP TO ABOUT 1500 RPMS AT 60MPH, I CLEARLY HAD MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE GAS, FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR. I ALLOWED IT TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN FOR APPRX 1 MINUTE BUT THEN HAD TO STOP. IT IS CLEARLY DRIVING ITSELF. I DROVE THE TRUCK STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT FOR THE SHOP TO LOOK AT THE NEXT DAY. THE SERVICE DEPT COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM, GO FIGURE. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE NEARLY HIT SEVERAL PARKED CARS WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES AS THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF ACCELERATING, IN THESE EVENTS I WAS ALSO ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE W THE BRAKE. *TR
Structure, Sep 27, 2011
WHY IS THE CABLES SUPPORTING THE TAIL GATE TWO DIFFERENT LENGTHS, ONE CABLE IS LOOSE WHEN THE TAIL GATE IS LOWERED AND NOT SUPPORTING ANYTHING, I TALKED WITH MY SALES PERSON AND HE TOLD HE TALKED WITH GM AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ON THIS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Suspension, Sep 19, 2011
REAR AXLE HAS A GVWR OF 3950 LBS THE VEHICLE A 2PLUS 1 REAR SPRING PACK, 3 DIFFERENT SPRING SUPPLIERS RATE THIS SPRING PACK AT 1425L OR 1500 LBS EACH FOR A COMBINED RATE OF EITHER 2850 OR 3000 LBS PER PAIR. WHICH MAKES THE FACTORY RATING OF 3950LBS EITHER 1100 OR 950 LBS HIGHER DEPENDING ON THE SPRING SUPPLIER. USING THE INDUSTRY GUIDELINE THE WEAKEST COMPONENT CONTROLS THE GVWR IS BEING VIOLATED BY CHEVROLET I HAVE A TRUCK MARKETING INSTITUTE CERTIFICATE IN THIS AREA AND A CD FROM MICHELIN VERIFYING THE WEAKEST COMPONENT CONTROLS GVWR .I ASKED CHEVROLET FOR REPLACEMENT SPRINGS FROM ANOTHER MODEL THAT HAS A COMBINED RATING OF 4050LBS 100 LBS ABOVE THERE 3950 LB AXLE RATING. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED TRAILERING PROBLEMS BUT CHEVROLET REFUSED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE SPRINGS I REQUESTED WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM CAN YOU HELP? I CAN SUPPLY FURTHER INFORMATION IF NEEDED THANK YOU *KB
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 15, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE SET BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK AND HEAD. THE DEALER WAS SENDING SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,900.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE WHEN BOTH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THEM BEING INSTALLED TO CLOSELY TOGETHER. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED NOR WERE THERE ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACTS FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK; WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 1300. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 1500. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS HAD BEEN STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION SINCE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND WERE NON-OPERATIONAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH AND ABOVE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6.
Visibility, Mar 31, 2011
THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN 6-10 SECONDS MAX YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEE. BF
Power train, Feb 24, 2011
ON 2/23/11 I PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 AND DROVE 40 MILES HOME WHEN I ACTIVATED ONSTAR 2/24/11 I WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD A DANGEROUS REAR AXLE CONDITION AND NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.WHY IS NATIONAL HIGHWAY ALLOWING GENERAL MOTORS TO SELL A VEHICLE HAVING THIS DEFECT TO A CUSTOMER WITHOUT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SALE OR DELIVERY. IF ANYONE IS HURT THE LIABILITY WILL GO TO GENERAL MOTORS BUT ALSO TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. I WILL MAKE A EFFORT TO NOTIFY THE MEDIA TO INFORM THEM OF THIS DANGEROUS PRACTICE GM RECALL #10426 PLEASE STOP THIS NOW BEFORE ANYONE IS HURT. *TR
Power train, Structure, Feb 18, 2011
2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND A LEAKY (WATER) DRIVERS CABIN AND EXPRESSES DISCONTENT IN REGARDS TO GM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION NOISE. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED GM BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK AND FURNISHED HIM WITH A NEW VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE INLET HOSE WAS INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN DURING MANUFACTURING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE NEW TRUCK ALSO EXHIBITED THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/08/11
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW AFTER HE TRIED TO DECELERATE. HE THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 400.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 16, 2011
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED, WARNING BEEPER WENT OFF. *LN