2011 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

STRONG EXHAUST AND OR RAW FUEL SMELLS INSIDE CAB AND AROUND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ENGINE BAY. ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE IS REGENERATING. SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF HOOD. A CLEAR LIQUID AND A BLACK LIQUID RUNNING DOWN EXHAUST PIPE FROM TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST EXIT. NOTICEABLE LEAKAGE ON FLOOR UNDER VEHICLE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD THAT IS NOT BEING DIAGNOSED, REPAIRED OR TESTED CORRECTLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO GM DEALERS THREE TIMES TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451035 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

NOVEMBER 19 2014 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON, FOLLOWED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS OF THE DEF SYSTEM. THEN ON DECEMBER 11 THE EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM DIC CAME ON AGAIN, BUT WITH THE MESSAGE THAT THE FLUID QUALITY IS POOR. ONCE AGAIN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE THEY DRAINED THE TANK AND REFILLED IT. THEN AGAIN ON DECEMBER 16 2014 THE EXHAUST FLUID DIC CAME ON AGAIN WITH FLUID QUALITY IS POOR. WILL ONCE AGAIN RETURN TO THE DEA…

Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664699 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 50 MPH AND THE EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID TANK WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10672451 at NHTSA ↗

EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR APPEARED ON THE DASH DISPLAY, SO I TOPED IT OFF WITH MORE FRESH DEF AND THE WARNING WENT AWAY.3 DAYS LATER THE SAME WARNING CAME BACK ON THE DASH DISPLAY ONLY WITH A NEW WARNING WITH IT THAT SAID VEHICLE SPEED WILL BE LIMITED TO 55MPH NEXT FUEL FILL, IT DID! I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY FOUND BAD NOX SENSORS 1&2.REPAIRS WHERE NOT DONE BECAUSE I FELT THAT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT CONTROLS THE DRIVABILITY OF A VEHICLE. ON FEB-4-2015 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM AFTER 2 YEARS TELLING M…

Owner-reported narrative. 118,655 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681900 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.

Consequence: If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.

Reported: 2017-10-19 (October 19, 2017)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Consequence: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

Reported: 2018-04-26 (April 26, 2018)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

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.

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.