NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Chevrolet Silverado Recalls & Complaints

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 75 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. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2011 Chevrolet Silverado owner complaints

Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, describing incidents dated September 22, 2010 to July 26, 2024.

Most-cited components

Structure 15 complaints
Air Bags 13 complaints
Unknown or Other 12 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints
Service Brakes 9 complaints
Engine 8 complaints

Of the 75 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 75 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11609767 · Filed August 20, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
ODI #11549261 · Filed October 10, 2023
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…
ODI #10860497 · Filed April 20, 2016
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…

Read all 75 complaints

Ignition Lock Actuator may Bind

NHTSA #14V827000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported December 30, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 84,192 vehicles

Repair completion: 63.29% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14696 and 14912 · Owners notified February 12, 2015 · Vehicles built May 6, 2011 – June 14, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT

NHTSA #11V339000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported June 28, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Potentially affected: 739 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 11191 · Owners notified July 25, 2011

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11191.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

75 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado.

Air Bags

ODI #11609767

Incident: July 26, 2024 · Filed: August 20, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

Engine

ODI #11549261

Incident: September 3, 2023 · Filed: October 10, 2023

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 vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10860497

Incident: February 15, 2016 · Filed: April 20, 2016

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

Air Bags

ODI #10853229

Incident: April 4, 2016 · Filed: April 4, 2016

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #10839314

Incident: August 31, 2015 · Filed: March 1, 2016

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10825957

Incident: December 16, 2015 · Filed: February 13, 2016

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.

Structure

ODI #10825706

Incident: November 17, 2015 · Filed: February 11, 2016

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.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #10825260

Incident: December 1, 2015 · Filed: February 10, 2016

WE HAVE HAD A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. RANDOMLY AND OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL SHOW STABILITRAK OFF ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE BECOMES SLUGGISH WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS, TO ME, IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK WHEN STARTING WHERE IT GRINDS THE STARTER. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GET IT TO STOP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE STABILITRAK ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

Air Bags

ODI #10821837

Incident: January 2, 2016 · Filed: January 23, 2016

DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10820739

Incident: August 12, 2015 · Filed: January 17, 2016

THE DASH BORD IN MY TRUCK HAS A CRACK NEXT TO THE AIR BAG WHICH AM SCARE IS GOING TO BE A SAFE ISSUE AND THIS I NOTICED WHEN THE TRUCK HAD ABOUT 45000 MILES

Other Chevrolet Silverado model years

Check your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Silverado at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Chevrolet VIN