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2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

51 reports with mileage · 29 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

18 reports
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80,000 miles · Dec 30, 2015
Air BagsStructure

VEHICLE DEVELOPED TWO CRACKS ON THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY. ONE CRACK IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, RUNNING FROM THE FORWARD-LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO THE DEFROSTER VENT. THE OTHER CRACK IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, INBOARD AND SLIGHTLY FORWARD OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL "HUMP." CRACKS DISCO…

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VEHICLE DEVELOPED TWO CRACKS ON THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY. ONE CRACK IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, RUNNING FROM THE FORWARD-LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO THE DEFROSTER VENT. THE OTHER CRACK IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, INBOARD AND SLIGHTLY FORWARD OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL "HUMP." CRACKS DISCOVERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I UNDERSTAND THIS TO BE COMMON, KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT FOR THIS VEHICLE AND RELATED GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES (E.G., GMC YUKON, YUKON XL, AVALANCHE, TAHOE, ETC.). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE CRACKS POTENTIALLY AFFECTING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, CREATING A DANGEROUS SHARDS OF FLYING PLASTIC IN THE EVENT OF A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD AND SUBSEQUENT NON-COMPLIANT PERFORMANCE DURING A COLLISION, AND POTENTIAL DUST AND WATER INTRUSION INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD THROUGH THE CRACKS WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE DASHBOARD INTERIOR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10817040

120,000 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Air BagsStructure

NOTICED DASHBOARD CRACK AT LEFT HAND SIDE OF PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652169

35,800 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN HAS TWO CRACKS ON THE DASH, BOTH CONNECTING TO THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CONCERNS OF THIS WEAKENING THE DASH WHICH COULD CAUSE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS THAT IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT,, PIECES OF BROKEN PLASTIC COULD CAUSE INJURY, AS DID IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE …

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MY 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN HAS TWO CRACKS ON THE DASH, BOTH CONNECTING TO THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CONCERNS OF THIS WEAKENING THE DASH WHICH COULD CAUSE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS THAT IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT,, PIECES OF BROKEN PLASTIC COULD CAUSE INJURY, AS DID IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR A YEAR WHEN NOT USED. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BEFORE THAT. THIS IS MY SIXTH SUBURBAN. THE KIND OF MONEY WE PAY FOR THESE, EVEN PREOWNED, SHOULD COVER BETTER THAN THE PLASTIC DASH THAT'S FALLING APART. THE WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 36000 MILES WHEN THE FIRST CRACK WAS NOTICED BUT TIME HAD EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651479

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2014
EngineSeatsStructure

2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SERIOUS STRUCTURAL AND SAFETY ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE DEALER FOUND THE WATER LEAK COMING FROM THE BODY SEAM BELOW THE DASH ALONG THE FIREWALL. TH…

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2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SERIOUS STRUCTURAL AND SAFETY ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE DEALER FOUND THE WATER LEAK COMING FROM THE BODY SEAM BELOW THE DASH ALONG THE FIREWALL. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER FRONT SEATS MADE A CHATTERING NOISE. THE DEALER GREASED THE TRACKS. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. ALSO, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE, AS WELL AS THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. THE DEALER FOUND NO POWER OPEN CIRCUIT AT THE CONNECTOR AND ALLEGEDLY REPAIRED THE WIRING TO THE WIPER HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI #10610416

55,000 miles · May 25, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

DASH CRACK AT PASSENGER AIRBAG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593986

51,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASH CRACKED NEXT TO THE AIRBAG PANEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565366

35,000 miles · Dec 31, 2013
Structure

BEGAN TO NOTICE A MOLD/MILDEW SMELL IN VEHICLE BOTH IN THE CABIN AND WHEN A/C ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GM SERVICE DEALERS TO LOCATE PROBLEM. UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK AT FIRST INSPECTION. ANOTHER GM DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED HEAVY MOLD SMELL IN VEHICLE UPON ENTERING, HOWEVER UNABLE TO LOCATE. CONSUMER BEGAN TO SEARCH FOR LEAK A…

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BEGAN TO NOTICE A MOLD/MILDEW SMELL IN VEHICLE BOTH IN THE CABIN AND WHEN A/C ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GM SERVICE DEALERS TO LOCATE PROBLEM. UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAK AT FIRST INSPECTION. ANOTHER GM DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED HEAVY MOLD SMELL IN VEHICLE UPON ENTERING, HOWEVER UNABLE TO LOCATE. CONSUMER BEGAN TO SEARCH FOR LEAK AND FOUND WATER HAD ACCUMULATED UNDER FLOORBOARD OF DRIVER'S SIDE. CARPET/PADDING SOAKED AND VERY STRONG MOLD ODOR UPON LIFTING OF CARPET. DEALER STILL HAS VEHICLE AS OF 12/30 AND NO LEAK CAN BE FOUND. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THAT SERVICE IS UNABLE TO LOCATE AND REPAIR. ADDITIONALLY, CONSUMER PROVIDED WITH A 2009 CHEVY SUBURBAN TO DRIVE AS LOANER VEHICLE. FOUND THAT THE LOANER ALSO EXHIBITED THE SAME LEAK UNDER DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY AND TO INVESTIGATE THAT VEHICLE LEAK AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557926

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Structure

2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE TAILGATE IS COMMANDED TO LIFT IT RAISES BETWEEN 20% AND 50% AND THEN RETURNS TO THE BOTTOM AND LOCKS WITHOUT STOPPING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE TAILGATE LIFTED APPROXIMATELY 80% AND THEN WITHOUT WARNING AN EXPLOSIVE NOISE OCCURRED AND A VIO…

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2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE TAILGATE IS COMMANDED TO LIFT IT RAISES BETWEEN 20% AND 50% AND THEN RETURNS TO THE BOTTOM AND LOCKS WITHOUT STOPPING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THE TAILGATE LIFTED APPROXIMATELY 80% AND THEN WITHOUT WARNING AN EXPLOSIVE NOISE OCCURRED AND A VIOLENT DOWNWARD MOTION CAUSED IT TO CLOSE AND LOCK. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TAILGATE OPENED FULLY AND THEN CLOSED AND LOCKED WITHOUT COMMAND. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAULTY OPERATION OF THE TAILGATE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10445370

Official recalls

2

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.

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.