NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Recalls & Complaints
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 owner complaints
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, describing incidents dated September 20, 2010 to August 1, 2023.
Most-cited components
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Engine 6 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
- Power Train 5 complaints
- Unknown or Other 4 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
Of the 29 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 29 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11564389 · Filed
CP4 high pressure fuel pump failed causing Loss of Motive Power (LOMP) in Oct of 2018. Truck became hard to steer and brake but I was traveling at a lower speed. Had it of been 1 hour later I would have been at freeway speeds pulling a 13000lbs trailer. I had the truck towed to a local dealer where…
ODI #11543113 · Filed
TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). FAILURE OF THIS PART LEAVES THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE. BEING STRANDED, OR IN TRAFFIC CAN CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF OR ANY OTHER DRIVER THAT MAY ENCOUNTER ME DISABLED UNKNOWN, MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. DEALER INVENTORY OF THE…
ODI #11541633 · Filed
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the vehicle downshifted very hard. The contact stated that there was an audible clunking sound while the transmission was downshifting. The contact stated that at…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #21V050000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC
Potentially affected: 2,641,272 vehicles
Repair completion: 44.01% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign N212328760 · Owners notified March 1, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #21V054000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC
Potentially affected: 1,778,128 vehicles
Repair completion: 63.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign N212328800 · Owners notified May 11, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable
NHTSA #18V267000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported April 26, 2018 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 6,154 vehicles
Repair completion: 14.23% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 18146 · Owners notified June 11, 2018 · Vehicles built October 13, 2008 – November 6, 2013 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Safety consequence
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Front Fuel Tank May Overfill and Cause Fuel Leak
NHTSA #17V664000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Auxillary Tank · NHTSA notice
Reported October 19, 2017 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 35,292 vehicles
Repair completion: 54.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 17399 · Owners notified December 11, 2017 · Vehicles built May 24, 2010 – September 30, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Safety consequence
If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Melted Fusible Link may Result in Fire
NHTSA #14V407000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 9,371 vehicles
Repair completion: 32.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 14260 · Owners notified August 29, 2014 · Vehicles built April 29, 2010 – June 21, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Safety consequence
If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years
Check your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Silverado 3500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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