Total Complaints
99 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year
99 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011CHEVROLETSILVERADO carries 99 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 4 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 SILVERADO is air bags with 13 filings, followed by unknown or other (12) and structure:body (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2011 SILVERADO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
99 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 13 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 11 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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, m
STEERING:LINKAGES
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.
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.
Mileage: 260,000
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
Mileage: 64,000
THE DASHBOARD IS BROKEN AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
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.
Mileage: 50,000
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.
Mileage: 50,000
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.
Mileage: 43,000
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.
Mileage: 76,000
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT PROJECTILES IF AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY.
Mileage: 52,000
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
DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. MANY CHEVROLET DASHBOARD ISSUES. FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO GM CRACK DASH ISSUES
DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. MANY CHEVROLET DASHBOARD ISSUES. FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO GM CRACK DASH ISSUES
DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC. MANY CHEVROLET DASHBOARD ISSUES. FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO GM CRACK DASH ISSUES
STARTED HEARING NOISE FROM DASH ON HIGHWAY UPON FURTHER INSPECTION NOTICE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE AROUND AIR BAG
Mileage: 70,000
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.
Mileage: 41,000
CRACKED DASHBOARD
Mileage: 70,000
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
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
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
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.
Mileage: 55,000
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.