IllustrationDASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AT THE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
2011 Chevrolet Silverado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 76.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
1225–50K
2050–75K
875–100K
4100–150K
2150K+
62 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
75 reportsON OCT 4TH, 2014 I WAS TRAVELING FROM SAN ANGELO, TX TO SAN ANTONIO, TX, IN MY 2011 3500 CHEVROLET DIESEL PICKUP, PULLING OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. WHEN I NEARED JUNCTION, TX I COULD SMELL AN ODOR OF FUEL. ON I-10 EB MILE 456, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS RAPIDLY DROPPING. WHEN I LEFT JUNCTION, THE GAUGE READ HALF FULL. AT MILE …
Read full complaint
ON OCT 4TH, 2014 I WAS TRAVELING FROM SAN ANGELO, TX TO SAN ANTONIO, TX, IN MY 2011 3500 CHEVROLET DIESEL PICKUP, PULLING OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. WHEN I NEARED JUNCTION, TX I COULD SMELL AN ODOR OF FUEL. ON I-10 EB MILE 456, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS RAPIDLY DROPPING. WHEN I LEFT JUNCTION, THE GAUGE READ HALF FULL. AT MILE MARKER 497, I PULLED INTO A REST STOP, BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE HAD DROPPED TO THE EMPTY MARK. I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND COULD SEE THE DIESEL POURING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR. WHEN THE DRIPPING STOPPED I ATTEMPTED TO START THE TRUCK, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE STARTER MOTOR WAS RUNNING, BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. IN THAT DISTANCE THE TRUCK SHOULD HAVE USED FIVE GALLONS OF DIESEL PULLING THE TRAILER. WHICH MEANS THAT ABOUT 14 GALLONS WERE DUMPED ONTO THE HIGHWAY WITHIN 40 MILES. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO CECIL ATKISSION CHEVROLET IN KERRVILLE, TX. THE DIESEL TECHNICIAN THERE TOLD ME THAT MINE WOULD BE THE 4TH DIESEL HE RECENTLY WORKED ON WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE. HE EVEN SHOWED ME ANOTHER DIESEL TRUCK THAT HE WAS CURRENTLY WORKING ON, ALSO WITH A FUEL LEAK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
ONCE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK IT IS SITTING UP AND AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND STARTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE LOWERS TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE PULLS WHEN DRIVING AND CAUSES AN ADDITIONAL PULL ON THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM. *TR
TANK WAS FILLED TO LESS THAN 1/2 TANK AND AFTER STOPPING AT LOCATION AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. FUEL LEVEL READ EMPTY. FUEL LEVELS AND COMPUTER SYSTEM NOT ACCURATE. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. I DID SPEAK WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY "THINK" IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE INITIAL PURCHASE. NEW VEHICLE STA…
Read full complaint
TANK WAS FILLED TO LESS THAN 1/2 TANK AND AFTER STOPPING AT LOCATION AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. FUEL LEVEL READ EMPTY. FUEL LEVELS AND COMPUTER SYSTEM NOT ACCURATE. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES. I DID SPEAK WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY "THINK" IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE INITIAL PURCHASE. NEW VEHICLE STATUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SPARE TIRE ROLLED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SPARE TIRE ROLLED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CABLE SNAPPED OFF INSIDE THE PULLEY SYSTEM. THE TIRE HIT THE RESCUE HITCH. THE BACK OF THE TRUCK JUMPED INTO THE AIR. UPDATED 11/6/2014 *JS
SINCE ABOUT 16,000 MILES, MY REAR BREAKS HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS CLEANED THE BREAKS TWICE NOW AND IT HAS RESOLED THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT HAS ALWAYS RETURNED. EACH TIME THEY CLEANED THE REAR DRUM BREAKS, THEY STATED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE BREAK DUST. THERE CLEARLY IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL AND T…
Read full complaint
SINCE ABOUT 16,000 MILES, MY REAR BREAKS HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING. THE CHEVY DEALER HAS CLEANED THE BREAKS TWICE NOW AND IT HAS RESOLED THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT HAS ALWAYS RETURNED. EACH TIME THEY CLEANED THE REAR DRUM BREAKS, THEY STATED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE BREAK DUST. THERE CLEARLY IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL AND THE REAR DRUM BREAKS. *JS
CAR PULLED OUT FROM GAS STATION INTO PATH OF MY VEHICLE STRIKING IT IN LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND LEFT REAR WHEEL. MY TRUCK SPUN TO THE LEFT STRIKING A SEMI TRUCK TOTALED MY TRUCK HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. INJURY TO MY STEPSON WHO WAS THE DRIVER. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED NOR DID SEAT BELTS KEEP HIM IN PLACE ALLOWING HIM TO HIT…
Read full complaint
CAR PULLED OUT FROM GAS STATION INTO PATH OF MY VEHICLE STRIKING IT IN LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND LEFT REAR WHEEL. MY TRUCK SPUN TO THE LEFT STRIKING A SEMI TRUCK TOTALED MY TRUCK HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE. INJURY TO MY STEPSON WHO WAS THE DRIVER. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED NOR DID SEAT BELTS KEEP HIM IN PLACE ALLOWING HIM TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK CAB
ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION AT TRAFFIC LIGHT APPROX 1.5 VEHICLE LENGTHS BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE DID NOT MOVE. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL WITH MAX PRESSURE. BRAKES DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE CAUSING CONTACT TO BE MADE WITH OTHER VEHICLE. *TR
MY VEHICLE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO HIT A LIGHT POLE HEAD ON. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURY. *TR
Official recalls
214V827000 · Electrical System:ignition
Dec 30, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
11V339000 · Steering:linkages
Jun 28, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.