Owners have filed 698 complaints
about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 20 of 32 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 48
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 36
6.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 38
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado 1500
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Body
5778.1%
Frame AND Members
811.0%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
22.7%
Rear
22.7%
Rearview System Braking
11.4%
Assist
11.4%
Speedometer/Odometer
11.4%
Curtain
11.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
205.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
205.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
164.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
5114.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
7220.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
7521.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
7421.1%
150,000+ miles
236.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2011peak 33Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Recalls on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
21V054000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
21V050000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
11V007000
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
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.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
10V643000
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
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.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Okanogan, WACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE AIRBAG WENT OFF AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A POLE
NHTSA complaint #11566213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Ridge, VACrash
AIR BAGS
The truck brakes or something locked up and cause me to crash the truck. Police report was filed and insurance company has appraised the truck. No warning lights or anything came on.
NHTSA complaint #11528430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Ridge, VACrash
STEERING
The truck brakes or something locked up and cause me to crash the truck. Police report was filed and insurance company has appraised the truck. No warning lights or anything came on.
NHTSA complaint #11528430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blue Ridge, VACrash
SUSPENSION
The truck brakes or something locked up and cause me to crash the truck. Police report was filed and insurance company has appraised the truck. No warning lights or anything came on.
NHTSA complaint #11528430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elsie, MICrash
AIR BAGS
Today I rear ended a car with the 2011 Silverado. The drivers airbag in the steering wheel did deploy but not fully, never made contact with me at all. I have kept the truck updated with any recalls done.
NHTSA complaint #11481561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,282 milesPace, FL1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS SON CALLED HIM AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAGS HIT HIM ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD WHEN THEY INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, HOWEVER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT'S SON DIED THE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING AN AUTOPSY REPORT FOR THE CAUSE OF HIS SON'S DEATH. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) AFTER THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,282.
NHTSA complaint #11413960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Fort Gratiot Township, MI
ENGINE
AFM/DOD lifter failed while driving which causes multiple systems to go offline including Traction Control, stability control, ABS just to name a few. This happened while coming off freeway which can be a safety risk as vehicle was at higher speeds. This is a known GM problem with 5.3l engines and should have been addressed years ago.
NHTSA complaint #11749950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,200 milesGilmer, TX
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a lifter and a failed cylinder 6. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,200.
NHTSA complaint #11738575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 103,000. However, at the time of the vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 155,000; but the Service record indicated that the mileage was 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #11729677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
King of Prussia, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Was sold with a warranty and was not fulfilled, and on top of that we found out they rolled the odometer back over 50k , then found out it has a spilt frame
NHTSA complaint #11726233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
King of Prussia, PA
SUSPENSION
Was sold with a warranty and was not fulfilled, and on top of that we found out they rolled the odometer back over 50k , then found out it has a spilt frame
NHTSA complaint #11726233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
King of Prussia, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY
Was sold with a warranty and was not fulfilled, and on top of that we found out they rolled the odometer back over 50k , then found out it has a spilt frame
NHTSA complaint #11726233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saltsburg, PA
SUSPENSION
Hello Our 2011 Chevy Silverado looks like it was sitting in a lake. The rusted frame has a hole and has failed Pennsylvania Inspection. The whole underside of the vehicle frame is peeling away the body of the truck is very clean. Truck has 60,000 miles and is garage kept. We were shocked to see the condition when we were at the inspection station. It worries me how many of these trucks are on the road or towing trailers. Please don’t wait to take action until something happens. Yes, our vehicle is available for inspection pictures. There was no warning lights. Our local Pennsylvania State Inspection Station failed the truck during routine yearly inspection. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11690427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claremore, OK
AIR BAGS
[XXX] WITH ONLY 88,500 MILES no wreck or other incident service airbag light came on and dealership wants 180.00 just to check it. what creates the issue is that my other vehicle a 2010 Tahoe with 285,000 miles came on within 3 days of this one. What am i supposed to do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11690080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granger, IN
ENGINE
After 2 weeks of owning the truck which we are paying on it had to be towed 3 times stalling out and leaving leaving my family,my children with us at least once, and stranded in high traffic roads. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and the fuel light came came on the very same day we picked it up. Now over a week after getting it back it has stranded us again,this time with our 3 children with us. This is on a Friday evening during rush hour. We manage to pull to a side road and off to the side a bit,but not fully. People are driving by very fast now as we wait for a tow.
NHTSA complaint #11656860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 milesHendersonville, TN
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); the contact was informed that the SDM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.
NHTSA complaint #11651160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesPlymouth, IN
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off, the front passenger's side air bag deployed. Prior to the failure, the air bag warning light had intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that would have caused the air bag to deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11649794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hackensack, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Na
NHTSA complaint #11648608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopewell, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11644895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, TX
WHEELS
The software that makes the truck work as a 4 cylinder truck has caused the engine light to come on and causing a code P0300 various engine misfire. The misfire is caused by the lifter spring causing the lifter to remain in the down position. The down position is against the can rod and as the cam rod rotates, this causes the lifter to break at the bottom and causing the can rod to also break which will cause an engine failure while drinking and the motor will freeze . All GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with this installed should be recalled. Everyone has been fixing it themselves by replacing the part(s) once a pinging noise is heard at 50,000 miles. Basically every 50,000 this will need to be fixed. Some people are turning off the 4 cylinder software to avoid the problem which in both cases, uses more gas and also idles higher.
NHTSA complaint #11639802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, TX
ENGINE
The software that makes the truck work as a 4 cylinder truck has caused the engine light to come on and causing a code P0300 various engine misfire. The misfire is caused by the lifter spring causing the lifter to remain in the down position. The down position is against the can rod and as the cam rod rotates, this causes the lifter to break at the bottom and causing the can rod to also break which will cause an engine failure while drinking and the motor will freeze . All GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with this installed should be recalled. Everyone has been fixing it themselves by replacing the part(s) once a pinging noise is heard at 50,000 miles. Basically every 50,000 this will need to be fixed. Some people are turning off the 4 cylinder software to avoid the problem which in both cases, uses more gas and also idles higher.
NHTSA complaint #11639802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The software that makes the truck work as a 4 cylinder truck has caused the engine light to come on and causing a code P0300 various engine misfire. The misfire is caused by the lifter spring causing the lifter to remain in the down position. The down position is against the can rod and as the cam rod rotates, this causes the lifter to break at the bottom and causing the can rod to also break which will cause an engine failure while drinking and the motor will freeze . All GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with this installed should be recalled. Everyone has been fixing it themselves by replacing the part(s) once a pinging noise is heard at 50,000 miles. Basically every 50,000 this will need to be fixed. Some people are turning off the 4 cylinder software to avoid the problem which in both cases, uses more gas and also idles higher.
NHTSA complaint #11639802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawton, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Stalking, harassment, identity thief, stealing of snap benefits and tampering
NHTSA complaint #11639024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawton, OK
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Stalking, harassment, identity thief, stealing of snap benefits and tampering
NHTSA complaint #11639024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holbrook, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 severe frame rot drivers side front left from cab to rear wheel potential for snapping with holes of rot throughout also right side starting have had truck for 1.5 years which cost 11,000 dollars GM should be held accountable as I have read hundreds if not thousands of other Chevrolet truck owners with this issue, there was a recall for failure to add some type of rust prevention which issue would have been way past that stage GM is aware of this and fails to do anything about it, this is going to cost about 2500.00 to repair frames should not rot out like this what will it take before something is done about it 100,s of deaths due to fatal accidents the average person may not know about this as they may never go under their truck Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11631838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goshen, NY
POWER TRAIN
My transmission failed and my truck wouldn’t move. I’ve replaced it with a rebuilt one which is already shifting hard and shuddering. These 6l80e transmissions are no good
NHTSA complaint #11631441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesIshpeming, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that there was rust on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change at an independent mechanic, it was determined that the subframe was extremely rusted. The mechanic was unable to put the vehicle on the lift. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11625132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Grove, NY
SUSPENSION
Large sections of vehicle frame have completely rusted,rotted tĥrough.
NHTSA complaint #11624461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
new Bedford, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Afm Lifters are starting to fail and my frame is completely rotted and needs to be totally swapped out.
NHTSA complaint #11618001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escanaba, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY
This vehicle is an immaculate condition and the frame is completely rusted out of this. How can they not be a recall?
NHTSA complaint #11617955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesFort Worth, TX
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lifters and engine were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.