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.
Power train, Structure, Aug 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to a transmission specialist to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed by the technician that the vehicle could not be repaired due to a rusted subframe that needed to first be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided information on how to independently repair a subframe, but no further assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2023
Fuel leak at the fuel tank. Pulled tank from the truck, found the fuel pump housing was completely rusted out. Upon inspection of the pump housing, the high pressure line was rusted out and almost off the pump, causing gasoline to pump out and all over. After replacing this fuel pump I inspected the frame and found the frame looks like a frame off a truck that is 40 years old, not a truck that is only 12 years old. The frame has heavy levels of rust down thru from the drivetrain back. There are spots that are rusted completely thru the frame where it looks like a crack down the frame. Most of the rust is on the bottom side or inside area of the frame. This area with the rust crack will have to be repaired very soon for safety of the vehicle, because if the frame would happen to fail where this crack is, the truck would fold in half, and if it is being driven on the interstate it would cause a major accident for sure. The rusting is so extensive that instead of repairing the spots, it would be more feasible to just go ahead and replace the whole back half of the truck frame. This is unacceptable for Chevrolet to use material that craps out so fast on trucks that are supposed to last many years, instead of falling apart long before they are even paid off. A 12 year old truck shouldn't have this extensive amount of rust damage to the frame. I would just fix the frame if this was commonplace for trucks, but my 2000 Dodge Ram has a frame far better then what is under my 2011 Chevy Silverado as far as rust goes. 2000 Dodge surface rust in spots, 2011 Chevy completely rusted thru in spots. My next inspection on this Chevy will more then likely remove it off the road unless the frame is repaired. Unacceptable from Chevrolet and for only a 12 year old truck. I added pics of the frame right in front of the fuel tank, which the frame shows that long rusted crack down it. Can send more pictures of the frame in other places if needed.
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Jun 22, 2023, crash
The truck brakes or something locked up and cause me to crash the truck. Police report was filed and insurance company has appraised the truck. No warning lights or anything came on.
Structure, May 19, 2023
The contact's father owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to emission inspection, but the vehicle failed the examination due to extended corrosion on the subframe. The vehicle was deemed not safe to drive by the mechanic. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Structure, May 2, 2023
GM has a defective wax coating on the vehicle frames of nearly a dozen models of their vehicles, spanning at least 2011-19, which they knew can lead to premature rust and corrosion, causing the frames to fail much earlier than expected. The evidence I have gathered includes the detailed internal service bulletin where GM describes the defect, as well as texts and e-mails with GM, and a transcript of my conversation with the Chevrolet dealership. All of which suggests GM knew about this defect and is actively working to keep it from being communicated to owners, some of which would still be covered by the six-year frame warranty. All that evidence is included as part of the attached pdf document. In it's bulletin GM instructs dealers to fix this issue under warranty only if customers brought it up to the dealer, and then, only if it was brought up during the vehicle frame warranty period. However, for those customers that trusted their dealership to take care of their vehicle and to notify them of any major safety issues like premature corrosion or rust on the frames likely to cause failure, those dealerships remained silent, despite being aware this was an issue with these models and model years. I suspect those dealerships remained silent because GM’s internal service bulletin clearly states that the bulletin only applies to customers who comment about rust or corrosion on their frame. I fortunately found out about this issue from a third party before my frame failed on the road. I've reached out to GM expressing my concerns I continue to get bounced between the dealer and GM, each saying the other is responsible. GM also failed to even acknowledge my greater concerns about the safety risk this creates. I've written a more detailed account of this story and have shared it out with several national news outlets in hope that someone will investigate further and determine if this issue has merit. Just hoping I can start sleeping again at night.
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2023
The oil pump has been replaced and is still not working how it is supposed to.
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2023
The chassis on my truck is rusting apart.The truck has never been on the beach. I recently Had shocks replaced and this was pointed out by the mechanic. I went on line and found that this is a common problem. I .am the original owner. .
Structure, Mar 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for State Inspection, the vehicle fell off the lift due to frame corrosion. There were no injuries due to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Engine, Mar 15, 2023
Hybrid system failed while driving resulting vehicle becoming disabled on the road. Took to GM shop, they informed that the Hybrid System failed. Parts are unavailable because GM discontinued them. GM shop is not willing to replace with used battery due to the lack of reliability “we would have the same problem just a few miles down the road”. GM shop bipassed hybrid system resulting in the vehicle only working if it is on a trickle battery charger. Filed complaint with GM and GM told us they cannot help because the part is discontinued. This vehicle cannot operate without being on a trickle charge which is a hazard to all people on the road. GM discontinued a part that is vital to the vehicle’s safety and usability. GM provided no resolution, therefore putting all 2011 Chevy Silverado Hybrid vehicles at risk for immediate and unforeseen vehicle failure.
Service brakes, Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2023
Frame has excess rust due to inferior undercoating. This was pointed out to me at the last 2 oil changes at the dealer. Truck is currently available to be inspected.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2023
The frame and cross member that holds fuel tank have rusted to the point of failure. It is available for inspection. Safety hazard exist when the the vehicle become uncontrollable and also when fuel tank comes loose possible ignition if fuel. Have not reproduced or been inspected. Frame rusting to failure is a known issue with these trucks.
Suspension, Dec 12, 2022
Frame started rusting almost immediately dealer did not want to address it
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Nov 26, 2022
The worst problem I have with this vehicle is that it will cut power to propulsion without any warning. I was driving down a suburban roadway, not on the freeway, thank God. When the truck's automatic gear shift wouldn't engage, I went from going 30 mph to 5 mph in seconds. The accelerator pedal wouldn't respond, I managed to coax my truck into a parking lot and restart the engine. Other times the head lights will not come on. Just today, I turned on the left turn signal and the Stabilitrack warning light came on, plus the radio made a brief noise of static. This particular issue appeared and disappeared in one second. I'm concerned that these problems are a manufacturer's mistake, and I want it fixed as soon as possible. My mechanic has tried repeatedly to find the cause but has been unsuccessful.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2022
2011 Chevrolet Silverado Frame is disintegrating, cross member rusted apart from shock bracket. Truck is deemed dangerous to drive. Will have to get another vehicle.
Engine, Lane departure, Nov 11, 2022
While driving, all the sudden my check engine light came on (flashing), and my stabilitrack light came on. The engine started running really rough, and lost power. It is like major misfire. Upon reading up on this, it is a problem with this type engine. I saw about 2000 people with the same issue. Nothing works to resolve this problem. Coils, plugs, and wires were replaced, and still the same.
Structure, Oct 6, 2022
Rear fenders completely rotted through. Was told by certified auto technician that the amount of corrosion will not pass Massachusetts Vehicle Inspection. This is a massive problem for 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. The manufacturer used poor quality material in the rear quarter panels and should be held responsible.
Air bags, Traction control system, Oct 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that he purchased the vehicle aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the front passenger’s side air bag, traction control, and stabilizer control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Structure, Sep 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that following a state safety inspection, the vehicle was failed due to the frame being severely rusted. The contact stated that there was a hole on the subframe on the driver’s side large enough for a hand to go through the hole. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,482. The contact stated that they welded up the frame of the vehicle themselves and had the vehicle inspected.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2022, crash
Today I rear ended a car with the 2011 Silverado. The drivers airbag in the steering wheel did deploy but not fully, never made contact with me at all. I have kept the truck updated with any recalls done.
Structure, Aug 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, he was informed that the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Service brakes, Air, Structure, Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the dashboard was also cracked. There was a dollar-sized hole in the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where they informed the contact there was a hairline fracture on the dashboard. The vehicle was not repaired. The air bag was previously replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2022
Vehicle door locks activate lock and unlock while simultaneously downshifting the transmission, the engine dies, the dash cluster stops working, engine starts again, dash cluster begins working again. After this occurs, when the vehicle is shut off, there is a loud "pop" sound heard over the speakers and no interior lights. The vehicle may or may not have any cab power. Cycling the ignition provides little to no help. After the vehicle sits for a while, it may or may not start again. The vehicle stereo will randomly change from FM to aux. The a/c panel will flicker and the blower motor will fluctuate. This can also be seen while watching the battery gage on the instrument cluster. It will go from around 14 volts DC to around 9 volts DC and back up again.
Structure, Jul 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected, he was notified that the subframe was fractured. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Jun 23, 2022
Can poke through frame with a screw driver- frame is severely compromised. Afraid truck will buckle or if hit lightly will collapse. Truck has been well maintained with only 100,000 miles. Power train and parts all in excellent condition.