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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

75

Complaints

7

Crashes

2

Fires

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have filed 75 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2011 and August 2024. The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 15 of them (20%). The typical failure was reported at 53,000 miles, the median across the 62 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

14V827000 · December 30, 2014

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 84,192 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:LINKAGES

11V339000 · June 28, 2011

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

GENERAL MOTORS LLC · up to 739 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 75.

STRUCTURE 15 20%
AIR BAGS 13 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 11%
ENGINE 7 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 4 5%
POWER TRAIN 4 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 5%
STEERING 3 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 23.

2011 2015 2024
2011 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

5 injured · crash · 120,000 miles

WE WERE MAKING A STOP AT THE LIGHT , WHEN A 18-WHEELER DIDN'T STOP AND HIT US IN THE BACK ,PUSHING US TOWARDS THE BUS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF US , MAKING THE GLASS OF THE BACK BREAK AND THROWING ALL THE CRYSTALS IN OUR BODY AND CLOTHES ,THE AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN , THE FRONT SEATS WERE BROKEN AND 3 OF THE 4 DOORS COULDN'T CLOSE ANYMORE, THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT , BUT HE COULD NOT , BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK, WHEN WE REALIZE THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURY, WE STAYED UNTIL THE RED CROSS CAME TO CHECK OUR CONDITION,BUT THERE WERE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE SO WE COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT HURTING OURSELVES. WE BUY THE TRUCK WITH 2 MILES,WE ARE THE ONLY OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10704219. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 54,000 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. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10607261. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 70,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10608347. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

1 injured · 11,138 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER HEAD REST WAS TOO HIGH AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S BACK, NECK AND HEAD TO PAIN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT DUE TO FEDERAL REGULATIONS, THE HEAD REST COULD NOT BE REMOVED BUT THE CONTACT COULD HAVE THE HEAD REST MODIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,138.

NHTSA complaint 10458460. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint 11609767. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

260,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11549261, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 PROPERLY. I.E. COULD PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG. ALSO SHARDS OF THE DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE HARM IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint 10860497. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 10853229. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

50,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 10839314. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

50,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 10825957. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Silverado

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2017 125 0 —
2015 76 7 —
2014 124 13 —
2013 64 3 —
2012 68 2 —
2010 62 0 —

Other 2011 Chevrolet models

Malibu 976 Equinox 781 Cruze 731 Traverse 608 Silverado 1500 563 Impala 505 Tahoe 446 HHR 203

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst