2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

20102012
Complaints
696
per 10K Sold
16.8
US Sales
415,130
Crashes
32
Fires
6
Injuries
51
Fatalities
2
Recalls
4

Worst 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1305 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:76,789 mi
Crash-related:16
#257 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:71,602 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#338 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:105,856 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

Airbags
305
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
Avg Miles
76,789
Body Structure
57
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,602
Engine Problems
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
105,856
Electrical Faults
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,367
Electronic Stability Control
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
96,002
Suspension Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
28,419
Transmission / Drivetrain
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,960
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
76,351
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
26,264
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,418
Seat Belt Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
67,234
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
81,800
Structure:Frame And Members
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,685
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
115,575
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
124,644
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,451,228 vehicles.

21V050000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~2,641,272 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

21V054000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,778,128 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

11V007000Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
~30,566 affected

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.

10V643000Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
~1,262 affected

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD 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.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Years

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 696 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 305 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Top reported problems: Airbags (305 complaints, avg 76,789 mi); Body Structure (57 complaints, avg 71,602 mi); Engine Problems (38 complaints, avg 105,856 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,103 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 include 32 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 51 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,451,228 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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