Chevrolet · Silverado · 2011
2
Recalls
75
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado has 2 recalls and 75 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (13 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
See attached document for complaint.
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.
THE DASHBOARD IS BROKEN AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
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
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ABOVE THE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO, DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRIM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
STARTED HEARING NOISE FROM DASH ON HIGHWAY UPON FURTHER INSPECTION NOTICE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE AROUND AIR BAG
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.
I WAS DRIVING ON NJTP MY DAUGHTER WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND ME AND CALLS ME (HANDSFREE) SAYING MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON . SO I TAP MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES THEN PULL UP ON OEDAL AND LIGHTS GO OFF THEN MY CC STARTED WORKIMG AGAIN .AT SAME TIME MY STABILTRAC IDIOT LIGHT COMES ON TO GET IT SERVICED SO MAKE APPT AND THEY FIND NO PROBLEM WITH STABILTRAC AND TELL ME IM DRINEING WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE.HOWEVER I DID SOME CHECKING AND IF I STEP ON MY BRAKES LET OFF AT TIMES MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. IVE AL SO NOTICED WHEN I AUTO START BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON .ENGLEWOOD CHEVY SAYS ITS MY BAD DRIVING HABITS 2 FOOT DRIVER I SAY FAULTY VEHICLE IS THERE A STATE AGENCY TO VERIFY ITS THE VEHICLE. IVE TRIED EMAILING SERVICE DEPT BUT NO REPLY. JUST LAST WEEK IN NEW YORK POST WAS A STORY OF A LADY WHO FOR WHAT EVER REASON LOST HER LEGS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THE STABILTRAC .I DO NOT WANT TO BE A STAT ON THIS .
THE DEFROST ON MY TRUCK DOES NOT FUNTION PROPERLY. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 15 TO 20 MINUTES FOR MY FRONT WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW TO CLEAR. THE WINDOWS ARE CLEAR WHEN I PULL OUT OF THE GARAGE. AS I AM TRAVELING TO MY DESTINATION THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIVER AND PSSENGER WINDOWS FOG UP. I USUALLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL IT CLEARS. I LET MY TRUCK WARM UP BEFORE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY SO THE AIR COMING OUT IS WARM. MOST OF THE TIME I MAY HAVE AN 8 INCH CIRCLE TO SEE OUT OF. IF I WIPE IT OFF IT COMES BACK AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2014. I DIDN'T LIKE BUT I WAS LIVING WITH IT. BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY A HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS.
DASH CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE AIRBAG ONLY 40 THOUSAND MILES ON TRUCK. IT'S KNOWN TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND COULD CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN BEING BY AIRBAG
TAKATA RECALL THE DASH IN MY 2011 CHEVROLET PICKUP SUDDENLY CRACKED. IT IS CRACKED IN THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG I ASK MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL GM OWNERS THAT HAVE THW SAME PROBLEM . THE VENICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO EXTENDED PEROIDS OF SUNSHINE OR HOT WEATHER. THE VHICLE IS NORMALLY KEPT IN MY GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. PHOTOS COULD BE PRIVIDED BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO IT.
MY DASH IS CRACKING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CRACKED AREAS COULD COME LOOSE AND BECOME A PROJECTILE. THE ENGINE IS ALSO BURNING OIL BADLY AND COULD SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, THE GAUGES FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ *CN
TL* 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 MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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 PRODUCT.
CRACKED DASHBOARD
2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKES ISSUE. CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE COMPLAINT LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES WOULD STICK TO THE DRUMS AFTER GETTING WET WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE BRAKE SHOES WOULD RELEASE WITH A THUD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE OR ROLL, UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN WET CONDITIONS, THE BRAKING FELT DIFFERENT WHEN COMPARED TO DRY CONDITION. *JB
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 75 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado are air bags (13 reports), unknown or other (10 reports), structure:body (8 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.