2011 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
54,588 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 29 complaints (34.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 10.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Air Bags: 10; Power Train: 5; Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10466370 · 2012-07-18 (July 18, 2012)
ABS,BRAKE LIGHT,ANTISKID LIGHT, AND SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM COME AND HAVE NO TRAILER BRAKES. HAPPENS MANY TIMES. NEARLY CAUSED CRASH WHILE TOWING TRAILER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860512 · 2016-04-20 (April 20, 2016)
IBC ( INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER ) FACTORY INSTALLED IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH TRAILER BRAKING SYSTEMS USING A EOH ( ELECTRIC OVER HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS) HOWEVER ACCORDING TO REPORTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES AND GOING TO A GM DEALER THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS FOR OWNERS TO HAVE INSTALLED AT OUR ( OWNERS ) AFTERMARKET BRAKE CONTROLLERS WITH NO COMPENSATION , PEOPLE THAT HAVE BOUGHT THESE TRUCKS WERE NOT TOLD BY THE DEALERS WHO WERE/ ARE AWARE OF THE INCOMPATIBILITY ISSUE AND HAS CAUSED FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE OWNERS , HOWEVER THE NEW 2016 HAVE HAD THE PROBL…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10767434 · 2015-09-22 (September 22, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION AND INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE'S GAUGES FLUCTUATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,175.
Owner-reported narrative. 62,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10767434 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541633 · 2023-08-30 (August 30, 2023)
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the vehicle downshifted very hard. The contact stated that there was an audible clunking sound while the transmission was downshifting. The contact stated that at approximately 1 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle came to a sudden stop. The contact stated that the failure had recurred and was unpredictable. The contact stated that the "Shift Inhibited" message was displayed. The contact stated tha…
Owner-reported narrative. 220,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11541633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10380970 · 2011-02-07 (February 7, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS PROGRAMMED TO LIMIT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID WAS TOO LOW. HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE FILLED THE FUEL TANK, THE COMPUTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE TANK WAS FULL AND THE DIESEL WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER BUT WAS CONTACTED; THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE ONLY REMEDY WAS FOR THEM TO DROP THE DIESEL TANK AND EMPTY THE FLUID FOR THE COMPUTER TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10380970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566969 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY HOWEVER, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE REGISTERED THAT THERE WAS ONE FOURTH OF A TANK OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE FUEL TANK, TRANSFER PUMP AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10566969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10474097 · 2012-09-06 (September 6, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE DIESEL INJECTION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11063914 · 2018-01-20 (January 20, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, EXITING TO AN OFF-RAMP, TRUCK LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL TROUBLE. CHEVROLET CURRENTLY SHOWS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND A COLLISION WAS AVOIDED. WHY WOULD ONE CRITICAL SYSTEM'S PUMP--POWER STEERING--BE USED TO DRIVE A SECOND CRITICAL SYSTEM'S PUMP--HYDROBOOSTER?
Owner-reported narrative. 116,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 11063914 at NHTSA ↗