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2011 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

563 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 262 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 305 of 563 complaints (54.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior325.7%
Transmission and shifting234.1%
Electrical and battery issues183.2%
Fuel system concerns142.5%
Steering behavior132.3%
Engine operation40.7%

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.

Air Bags
305
Unknown Or Other
115
Structure:Body
57
Engine
40
Electrical System
24
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
18
Suspension
17
Power Train
16
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags305
Unknown Or Other115
Structure:Body57
Engine40
Electrical System24
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)18
Suspension17
Power Train16

Air Bags: 305; Unknown Or Other: 115; Structure:Body: 57; Engine: 40; Electrical System: 24; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 18; Suspension: 17; Power Train: 16

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
42
25,000 to 49,999
42
50,000 to 74,999
54
75,000 to 99,999
56
100,000 to 149,999
50
150,000 and above
18
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00042
25,000 to 49,99942
50,000 to 74,99954
75,000 to 99,99956
100,000 to 149,99950
150,000 and above18

Under 25,000: 42; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 54; 75,000 to 99,999: 56; 100,000 to 149,999: 50; 150,000 and above: 18

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 301 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.

2011
15
2012
12
2013
2
2014
8
2015
8
2016
83
2017
124
2018
77
2019
62
2020
43
2021
49
2022
20
2023
18
2024
29
2025
9
2026
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201115
201212
20132
20148
20158
201683
2017124
201877
201962
202043
202149
202220
202318
202429
20259
20264

2011: 15; 2012: 12; 2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 8; 2016: 83; 2017: 124; 2018: 77; 2019: 62; 2020: 43; 2021: 49; 2022: 20; 2023: 18; 2024: 29; 2025: 9; 2026: 4

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10376876 · 2011-01-16 (January 16, 2011)

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE DOOR OPENED, WARNING BEEPER WENT OFF. *LN

Owner-reported narrative. 2,524 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376876 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10379952 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379952 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10383691 · 2011-02-18 (February 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 04/08/1…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10383691 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10384414 · 2011-02-24 (February 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 DANGE…

Owner-reported narrative. 44 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384414 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10394668 · 2011-03-31 (March 31, 2011)

THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN 6-10 SECONDS MAX YOU ARE UNABLE TO SEE. BF

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394668 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10398803 · 2011-05-03 (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.

Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10398803 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10402458 · 2011-05-23 (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…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402458 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10407269 · 2011-06-17 (June 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 CU…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407269 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

10V643000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Spindle

Reported: 2010-12-17 (December 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.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
11V007000 · Suspension:Rear:Axle:Spindle

Reported: 2011-01-06 (January 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.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V050000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗