2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Routine

Owners filed 75 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

62 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 54,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags13
408
Unknown or Other10
100
Structure › Body8
000
Fuel/Propulsion System5
000
Engine5
110
Service Brakes4
100
Electronic Stability Control (esc)4
000
Suspension3
000
Steering3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V827000
Filed Dec 30, 201484,192 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

Steering › Linkages11V339000
Filed Jun 28, 2011739 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Aug 20, 2024CA

See attached document for complaint.

Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2023260,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud abnormal tapping sound at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that upon inspection, she noticed that the tapping sound was coming from the lifter and lifter arm when the piston dropped down. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pistons, rocker arm, head valve seals, and lifter arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that upon research she was informed that the engine may need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 20, 201664,000 milesNJ

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE NEAR THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THE ISSUE BUT ONLY AT FULL COST TO ME, EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSED THE CONCERN I HAVE HOW IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE SHARP EDGES OF THE CRACKED AREA MAY NOT ALLOW THE AIR BAG TO WORK PROPERLY. I.E. COULD PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG. ALSO SHARDS OF THE DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE HARM IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY

Air Bags
Filed Apr 4, 2016NC

THE DASHBOARD IS BROKEN AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 1, 201650,000 milesTX

I HAVE A 2011 SILVERADO 1500 AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY DASH AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STARTED TO CRACK. I NOW HAVE 2 CRACKS AND THE AREA FEELS LOOSE WHICH WORRIES ME THAT IN CASE OF A ACCIDENT WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON THE PASSANGER SIDE, THAT THIS COULD IMPAIR THE SAFETY AND DESIGN FOR ITS PURPOSE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 13, 201650,000 milesOK

THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES WHEN WE NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH RUNNING FROM THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG COVER AND THE DEFROSTER VENT. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER TRUCKS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND HE ESTIMATED IT WOULD TAKE NEARLY $1,000 TO FIX. I WONDER IF THIS CRACK WOULD BE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCED IF THE AIR BAG EVER INFLATES CAUSING MORE DAMAGE OR INJURY.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 11, 201643,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT. I HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS AROUND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH GM SAID THE CRACKS WILL NOT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 10, 201676,000 milesKY

WE HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. RANDOMLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL SHOW STABILITRAK OFF ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE BECOMES SLUGGISH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS, TO ME, IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK WHEN STARTING WHERE IT GRINDS THE STARTER. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GET IT TO STOP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE STABILITRAK ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 23, 201652,000 milesMS

DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2016TX

THE DASH BORD IN MY TRUCK HAS A CRACK NEXT TO THE AIR BAG WHICH AM SCARE IS GOING TO BE A SAFE ISSUE AND THIS I NOTICED WHEN THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 45000 MILES

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2016TX

DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. MANY CHEVROLET DASHBOARD ISSUES. FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO GM CRACK DASH ISSUES

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 5, 201670,000 milesMS

STARTED HEARING NOISE FROM DASH ON HIGHWAY UPON FURTHER INSPECTION NOTICE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE AROUND AIR BAG

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 5, 201641,000 milesTN

TAKATA RECALL THE DASH IN MY 2011 CHEVROLET PICKUP SUDDENLY CRACKED. IT IS CRACKED IN THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG I ASK MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL GM OWNERS THAT HAVE THW SAME PROBLEM . THE VENICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO EXTENDED PEROIDS OF SUNSHINE OR HOT WEATHER. THE VHICLE IS NORMALLY KEPT IN MY GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. PHOTOS COULD BE PRIVIDED BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 4, 201670,000 milesTN

CRACKED DASHBOARD

Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2015KS

MY DASH IS CRACKING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CRACKED AREAS COULD COME LOOSE AND BECOME A PROJECTILE. THE ENGINE IS ALSO BURNING OIL BADLY AND COULD SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING

Air Bags
Filed Dec 13, 2015NC

DASH CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE AIRBAG ONLY 40 THOUSAND MILES ON TRUCK. IT'S KNOWN TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND COULD CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN BEING BY AIRBAG

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 3, 201555,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ABOVE THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO, DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 30, 201520,000 milesOH

THE DEFROST ON MY TRUCK DOES NOT FUNTION PROPERLY. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 15 TO 20 MINUTES FOR MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW TO CLEAR. THE WINDOWS ARE CLEAR WHEN I PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE. AS I AM TRAVELING TO MY DESTINATION THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER AND PSSENGER WINDOWS FOG UP. I USUALLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL IT CLEARS. I LET MY TRUCK WARM UP BEFORE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY SO THE AIR COMING OUT IS WARM. MOST OF THE TIME I MAY HAVE AN 8 INCH CIRCLE TO SEE OUT OF. IF I WIPE IT OFF IT COMES BACK AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2014. I DIDN'T LIKE BUT I WAS LIVING WITH IT. BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY A HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 28, 201540,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES WIDE AND NEAR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 27, 201572,000 milesDC

I WAS DRIVING ON NJTP MY DAUGHTER WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME AND CALLS ME (HANDSFREE) SAYING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON . SO I TAP MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES THEN PULL UP ON OEDAL AND LIGHTS GO OFF THEN MY CC STARTED WORKIMG AGAIN .AT SAME TIME MY STABILTRAC IDIOT LIGHT COMES ON TO GET IT SERVICED SO MAKE APPT AND THEY FIND NO PROBLEM WITH STABILTRAC AND TELL ME IM DRINEING WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE.HOWEVER I DID SOME CHECKING AND IF I STEP ON MY BRAKES LET OFF AT TIMES MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. IVE AL SO NOTICED WHEN I AUTO START BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON .ENGLEWOOD CHEVY SAYS ITS MY BAD DRIVING HABITS 2 FOOT DRIVER I SAY FAULTY VEHICLE IS THERE A STATE AGENCY TO VERIFY ITS THE VEHICLE. IVE TRIED EMAILING SERVICE DEPT BUT NO REPLY. JUST LAST WEEK IN NEW YORK POST WAS A STORY OF A LADY WHO FOR WHAT EVER REASON LOST HER LEGS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE STABILTRAC .I DO NOT WANT TO BE A STAT ON THIS .

20 of 75 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2017125030Routine
20165200Routine
201576720Routine
20141241400Do not drive
201364320Routine
201268240Routine
2011 — this page75220Routine
201062120Routine
200976031Fatalities reported
2008162251Fatalities reported
20071834101Fatalities reported
20061821075Fatalities reported
20053161470Above average
200462215103Fatalities reported
200369513112Fatalities reported
20027101551Fatalities reported
20018771553Fatalities reported
20001,30520112Fatalities reported
19991,6601760High concern
1998279052Fatalities reported
1997272060Above average
1996186030Routine
1995263000Above average
1994210041Fatalities reported
199369000Routine
199240030Routine
199117000Routine
199025000Routine

Compare every Silverado year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 30, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.