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, Feb 8, 2021, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONT IN CRASH AT APPROX. 40MPH ON A CITY STREET. AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED AT A GM DEALERSHIP DUE TO RECALL TOO.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CAPITOL CHEVROLET (2855 MAPLE AVE NE, SALEM, OR 97301) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2021
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THOUGH NOT IN A ACCIDENT SEEMS LIKE ALL GM VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED THEY TEND TO GO OFF RIGHT AROUND THE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILE MARK
Air bags, Jan 29, 2021
NO FOLLOW-UP ON RESOLUTION FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAG
Air bags, Structure, Jan 17, 2021
DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART COULD CAUSE SHRAPNEL IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY
Air bags, Jan 3, 2021
GM RECALL #2049151 (NHTSA #16V381) WAS ISSUED MAY 27, 2016, OVER 4 YEARS AGO. THE STATUS OF THE RECALL HAS REMAINED "INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE" FOR YEARS WHILE I DRIVE AROUND IN A VEHICLE THAT THE NHTSA HAS DEEMED UNSAFE, PLACING ME AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. THE US GOVERNMENT, THROUGH MUST ORDER GM TO COMPLY WITH REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE BY SIGNIFICANT AND ON-GOING FINES FOR EACH VEHICLE NOT REMEDIATED UNTIL COMPLIANCE.
Structure, Dec 24, 2020
DASH HAS CRACK ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Dec 20, 2020
ALL 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE (ROUND SEAM). CRACKS ON DASH ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STARTING FROM AIR BAG AND CRACKING OUTWARD. OIL PRESSURE RUNS LOW AND USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 - 2000 MILES
Air bags, Dec 16, 2020
I RECEIVED A RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE MAIL A FEW YEARS AGO AND AFTER ASKING THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, I KEPT RECEIVING THE ANSWER THAT THE FIX WAS NOT AVAILABLE YET. I FINALLY RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I LEARNED THAT CHEVROLET IS SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE TO FIX IT. I THINK THEY ARE IN COURT ABOUT IT. WHAT DO I DO?
Power train, Engine, Dec 8, 2020
THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM. I'M ON MY SECOND 5.3 ENGINE AND I'M BEING TOLD BY A GM CERTIFIED TECH THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR THESE ENGINES TO HAVE CAM ISSUES AFTER 100K.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2020
PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS RECALLED IN 2015, DEALER HAS YET TO HAVE PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX IT. I SPOKE WITH SANDY SANSING CHEVROLET TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN TO REPAIR THIS RECALL.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 24, 2020
CONTINUE TO GET THE 'CHECK AIR BAG' MESSAGE WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, HEAR A SOUND COMING FROM THE ROD THAT TIES INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER CONTINUE TO GET THE 'TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF' MESSAGE.
Structure, Nov 24, 2020
MULTIPLE AREAS ON DASHBOARD PANELS ARE CRACKING AND BREAKING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2020
THERE'S MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD ,1 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIRBAG AND 2 ADDITIONAL CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE .
Engine, Nov 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SWITCH STABILI-TRAC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT GOOGLED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S AUTOMATIC LIFTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 18, 2020
CRACKED DASH WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 85 RUST IS FORMING ALL UNDER THE TRUCK AS WELL AS AROUND THE DOORS AND BED
Air bags, Nov 1, 2020
AIRBAG RECALL ISSUED 5-27-2016. AS OF THIS DATE(10-31-2020) THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPLACEMENTS PROVIDED. I LIVE IN VERY HOT AND HUMID CLI MATE,WHICH IS MOST AFFECTED . WHY ARE THERE NO REPLACEMENTS???
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 27, 2020
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP WIRING IS FAULTY. I HAVE CONTINUALLY REPLACED HEADLAMPS, ONLY TO HAVE THEM NEED REPLACING IN A MONTH OR TWO.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2020
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 RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KOONS TYSONS CHEVY BUICK GMC (2000 CHAIN BRIDGE RD, VIENNA, VA 22182 (703) 790-9800) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Oct 1, 2020
THE DASH IS CRACKING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND COULD POSSIBLY PRESENT A HAZARD IF AN ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. THE TRUCK IS MOSTLY USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO NOT DRIVEN DAILY AND HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT AND IS 9 YEARS OLD. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED IN SEPTEMBER 2020.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 12, 2020
TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE TRACSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE TRUCK STARTING TO MISS HARD. GOT TO FRIENDS HOUSE CHANGED #1 SPARK PLUG ALL BETTER NOW AT LEAST FOR 1,000 MILES THEN WILL HAVE TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. WENT THROUGH THIS WITH THE LAST ONE WE TRADED FOR THIS ONE. THEN IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK THAT'S WHEN WE TRADED IT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
THE DASH ON MY CHEVY SILVERADO 2011 IS CRACKING IN DIFFERENT PLACES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2020
ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 21, 2020), WE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT A SHOP TO HAVE BRAKES REPLACED AND TIRE ROTATION DONE. THE MECHANIC HAD CALLED AND ASKED ME TO COME TO THE SHOP TO COME LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK. UPON ARRIVING, HE SHOWED ME THE FRAME. IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH FROM IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES AND ALL THE WAY BACK. THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION, HOWEVER.. THE MECHANIC AT THIS POINT WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CONDITION AND ITS COMPROMISED SAFETY. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES IN THE 3 YEARS WE HAVE HAD IT. IT IS MAINLY DRIVEN TO WORK WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR REGULAR ROUTINE CARE ALWAYS. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN 2017 BY A GM CERTIFIED DEALER WITH ONLY 55,XXX MILES. IT CURRENTLY HAS 74,XXX MILES AND IS NOW BASICALLY JUNK DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE FRAME!!
Air bags, Aug 17, 2020
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL 49151. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
Structure, Jul 31, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL THE STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,972.*DT*JB*DT*JB