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.
Structure, May 30, 2019
A CRACKED HAS FORMED IN THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED.
Air bags, May 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FREEMONT CHEVROLET (5850 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 445-8700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 24, 2019, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 45MPH ON A 4 LANE ROAD. ANOTHER VEHICLE DID NOT YIELD AND I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN THE SIDE WHILE HE WAS STATIONARY. DURING IMPACT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, May 17, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ... I WAS IN PROCESS OF GETTING A VALUE ON MY VEHICLE THRU KBB.COM AND KELLY BLUE BOOK HAD 5 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. ONE OF THEM WAS THE TAKATA RECALL. NO ONE HAS NOTIFIED ME AND APPARENTLY THEY KNEW SINCE 2016. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY SINCE MY WIFE IS THE ONE WHO DRIVES THE TRUCK ALL THE TIME WITH MY 3 CHILDREN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I NEED TO. THANKS....
Air bags, May 17, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ELK RAN INTO THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO POWER CHEVROLET (1422 N. COAST HWY, NEWPORT, OR), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TORSO, KNEES, HIP, AND NECK, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES AND NAUSEA WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, May 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND FORMING INTO PIECES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD LEAD TO THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASHBOARD TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *BF *AS
Air bags, May 9, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LOAN STAR CHEVROLET (18900 NORTHWEST FWY, JERSEY VILLAGE, TX 77065 (281) 653-6119) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2019
INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. IT WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CITY STREETS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE LOCK BUTTONS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARDLIGHTS AND GAUGES GO OFF AND ON LIKE A PINBALL MACHINE, ALL WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREETS. SOMETIMES LOSING ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS OR HIGHWAY.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PAYNE CHEVROLET (2807 MEMORIAL BLVD, SPRINGFIELD, TN 37172, (615) 384-5573) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Apr 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SHOOK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 343 BALTIMORE BLVD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, (443) 650-0926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE PISTON AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,639.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CHIPMAN & TAYLOR CHEVROLET AT (509) 592-4152 (LOCATED AT 250 SE BISHOP BLVD, PULLMAN, WA 99163) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL CHEV HAS NOT DEALT WITH THE REMEDY ON REPLACING AIR BAGS. FORD HAD A SETTLEMENT AND OTHER DEALERS HAVE DEALT WITH THE REPLACEMENTS. I WANT CHEV TO FIX MY VEHICLE NOW. ITS BEEN THREE YEARS OF WAITING!
Air bags, Mar 26, 2019
EVERY TIME WE CONTACT A DEALER TO GET OUR AIRBAGS CHANGED OUT WE ARE TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE ANY TO CHANGE OUT SO NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE DEFECT AIRBAGS IN MY TRUCK.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2019
LEAKING FUEL AT FUEL PUMP AT TANK LINE RUSTED AWAY!
Air bags, Mar 13, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" NHTSA RECALL NUMBER-16V381 I'M MERELY CONCERNED THAT'S ITS BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE I RECEIVED THE TAKATA RECALL LETTER, AND THAT GM'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN, "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE." FROM WHAT I'VE GATHERED FROM THE RECALL, VEHICLES IN HOT, HUMID CLIMATES ARE MORE AT RISK. THIS ALSO CONCERNS ME, BECUASE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN 2011 WHILE LIVING IN HAWAII. I LIVED THERE FOR TWO YEARS, MOVED BACK TO TEXAS FOR A YEAR, THEN MOVED BACK TO HAWAII FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS, AND THEN BACK TO TEXAS, SHIPPING MY TRUCK BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THOSE MOVES. HAWAII IS EXTREMELY HUMID, AND MORE OVEN THAN NOT, HOT. AND TEXAS IS EXTREMELY HOT AND CAN GET HUMID. I'M WORRIED THAT MY TRUCK MIGHT BE MORE AT RISK.
Air bags, Mar 12, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THIS RECALL IN JULY 2016 WHEN I RECEIVED THE LETTER AND IT HAS NOT YET BEEN FIXED. I RECENTLY HAD MY TRUCK AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT HADN'T BEEN FIXED EITHER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO HAVE MY RECALLED AIRBAGS REPLACED.
Structure, Mar 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS STRUCTURALLY INFERIOR DUE TO CRACKS FROM THE MIDDLE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD COULD AFFECT OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). NILES CHEVROLET (3500 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, KEY WEST, FL 33040, (305) 390-0320) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2019
DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2019
THE DASH IS CRACKING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND THE ABOVE THE DRIVERS SIDE SPEEDOMETER. THIS POSES A DANGER TO ALL OCCUPANTS IF A CRASH WERE TO HAPPEN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WERE TO GO OFF. THIS WOULD SEND SHARDS OF BROKEN PLASTIC DASHBOARD EVERYWHERE. UNSAFE TO SAY THE LEAST.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2019
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE I STOP LEAVE IT IN START POSITION AND IT WILL START BY ITSELF WHEN NOT ATTEMPTING TO START. AFTER THIS WHEN PUT INTO GEAR IT WILL SHUT OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Seat belts, Feb 22, 2019
ALL 4 SEAT BELTS WILL NOT FULLY RETRACT
Air bags, Feb 18, 2019
RECALL ON AIRBAGS. NO REMEDY FROM GM. DISCOVERED ON MY OWN THAT GOOD 2012 AIRBAGS HAVE SAME PART NUMBER AS MY RECALLED 2011 AIRBAGS. DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL GOOD 2012 AIRBAGS IN MY TRUCK. I WANT YOU TO DEMAND THAT GM BE ORDERED TO REPLACE MY RECALLED AIRBAGS WITH GOOD 2012 AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Feb 17, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: THE TRADE IN VALUE ON MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. IT COST ME NEARLY $5000 IN ACTUAL VALUE, AS A DEALER CANNOT RESELL A TRADED IN VEHICLE WITH AN ACTIVE RECALL AND MUST SEND IT TO BE AUCTIONED. SO I HAVE SUFFERED BOTH SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM CONSTANTLY BEING IN FEAR THE AIRBAG IS GOING TO RANDOMLY BLOW MY NUTS OFF, AND CRIPPLING UNDUE MONETARY HARDSHIP BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF TAKATA OR GM TO RESOLVE THIS RECALL. WHICHT HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR 5 [XXX] YEARS I MIGHT ADD. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BECAUSE OF MY ANXIETY TO RISK DEATH BY AIRBAG DECAPITATION!! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2019
ACCORDING TO NHTSA MY VEHICLE HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL . WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YET ? I'VE ASKED MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE'S NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Feb 14, 2019
BATTERY DIED DUE TO HEADLIGHTS COMING ON WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. LIGHTS CAN NOT BE SHUT OFF FROM SWITCH, OPENING THE HOOD I DETECTED ELECTRICAL SMELL. I REMOVED THE FUSE BOX COVER AND NOTICED WATER COLLECTING AND STAINS. I PULLED SEVERAL FUSES AND FOUND THREE THAT MELTED. ALL THIS HAPPENED AFTER A ICE STORM FOLLOWED BY A WARMING UP AND MELTING TREND THE WATER COLLECTED ON THE FENDER BRACE AND LEAKED INTO UNDER HOOD FUSE BLOCK. I REPLACED THE FUSE BLOCK AND ALL IS OK. THOUGH FUSES WERE MELTED APART THEY STILL MADE CONTACT AND EASILY COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. I DRILLED HOLES INTO FENDER BRACES AND REDIRECTED THE WATER.