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2011 Chevrolet Silverado Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, most often about the body and structure (20% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles). It is 14th of 18 Silverado model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 Chevrolet Silverado problems
Body and structure
15 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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.
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…
Air bags
13 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
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.
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…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
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…
The driver side door handle completely broke and now my door will not open. This is a real problem with several Chevrolet models my wife also has a 08 tahoe and all four handles have been replaced and the driver side has pulled loose again. For the price we have to pay for our vehicles we should be getting a better…
Brakes
9 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 12,500 miles.
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.
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…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the fuel tank was filled with urea special fuel for diesel trucks. The contact was driving 5 MPH, when the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated from 55 to 5 MPH without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the heater in…
At 36000 miles the engine burns oil. So far as of 46000 miles pistons burned have been replaced pvc filter and valve were replaced along with valve cover. At present 54000 miles engine still burns oil.
Engine
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact stated that the throttle was also sticking and the engine indicator was illuminating. The vehicle stalled and would not restart for ten minutes.…
Check engine light is displayed and the motor is hesitating. This issue is a second occurrence due to the valve cover leaking and causing the spark plugs to go bad. First time the vehicle was under warranty at approximately 29000 miles and now the vehicle has 39000 miles and the issue has recurred. This appears to be…
Electrical
5 complaints · 7%While driving in traffic the Silverado's, engine, power steer and power brakes shutdown completely. After the vehicle stopped. The automatic transmission was placed in park and the truck restarted normally. I took the truck to the dealer and they found no problem or code. The same event happened again about 3 months…
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.
Speed control
4 complaints · 5%#1. Vehicle accelerates when letting off gas, even while going uphill the vehicle will accelerate. You can go up a steep hill without touching the gas. Brought the vehicle to the dealership they replaced, the throttle body, gas pedal assembly. They reinstalled the original parts and told US that this was normal. We…
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to acceleration attempts. After continually depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly jerked forward. Additionally, the contact noticed the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: linkages
Risk: This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (15 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles); air bags (13 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); other or unspecified (12 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 30, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado?
- It is 14th of 18 Silverado model years by number of complaints, with 75 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.