CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

42 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 42 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 SILVERADO 3500 is air bags with 10 filings, followed by power train (5) and fuel/propulsion system (4). 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 5 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 3500, 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.

42
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

42 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS10
POWER TRAIN5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ENGINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES1
STEERING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (5)

18V26700026/04/2018

EQUIPMENT

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 'Pin

17V66400019/10/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

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.

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 s

21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

14V40700002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 unknowing

Recent Complaints

20240109ENGINE

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 they diagnosed the truck as having a failed CP4 high pressure fuel pump made by Bosch. They informed me that the entire fuel system would have to be replaced do to the large amount of metal contaminants that this catastrophic failure produces and spreads though out the entire system. The total cost for the repairs were not covered under any type of warranty or recall and had to be paid entirely out of pocket. Not only was this a huge inconvenience as I was trying to leave town for a vacation it was very very expensive. I still can not understand why there has never been a recall on this issue. I think it can be related to a safety issue as a LOMP. I believe GM knew that the CP4 pump was and

20240109FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 they diagnosed the truck as having a failed CP4 high pressure fuel pump made by Bosch. They informed me that the entire fuel system would have to be replaced do to the large amount of metal contaminants that this catastrophic failure produces and spreads though out the entire system. The total cost for the repairs were not covered under any type of warranty or recall and had to be paid entirely out of pocket. Not only was this a huge inconvenience as I was trying to leave town for a vacation it was very very expensive. I still can not understand why there has never been a recall on this issue. I think it can be related to a safety issue as a LOMP. I believe GM knew that the CP4 pump was and

20240109POWER TRAIN

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 they diagnosed the truck as having a failed CP4 high pressure fuel pump made by Bosch. They informed me that the entire fuel system would have to be replaced do to the large amount of metal contaminants that this catastrophic failure produces and spreads though out the entire system. The total cost for the repairs were not covered under any type of warranty or recall and had to be paid entirely out of pocket. Not only was this a huge inconvenience as I was trying to leave town for a vacation it was very very expensive. I still can not understand why there has never been a recall on this issue. I think it can be related to a safety issue as a LOMP. I believe GM knew that the CP4 pump was and

20230907POWER TRAIN

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 PART IS EXHAUSTED AND TRUCKS ARE SITTING INOPERABLE ALL OVER THE U.S.A. NO INDICATIONS OF A ISSUE WERE DISPLAYED PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DOES DISPLAY ON DASH, AFTER THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP

20230830POWER TRAIN

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 approximately 1 MPH, the rear wheels locked up and the vehicle came to a sudden stop. The contact stated that the failure had recurred and was unpredictable. The contact stated that the "Shift Inhibited" message was displayed. The contact stated that the rough shifting occurred at various speeds while upshifting or downshifting. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the TCM module was on a national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately

Mileage: 220,000

20220813FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The DEF system on this vehicle has failed three times since we bought it in 2021. The weather was not pleasant and in one case it was extremely dangerous. The DEF system froze up and fortunately I was able to limp it into a dealer who managed to get it working again but not after losing half a day and spending a couple hundred dollars. The second time a sensor failed and I was able to reset the system myself via removing all the electricity from the vehicle and doing what they call a shady tree reset. The third time the vehicle went into limp mode on us was when a sensor failed and the DEF pump failed at the same time. Chevy refused to help us cover the cost of repairs and refuses to replace the defective system. The vehicle might be over ten years old but it is like showroom new, it only had 20,000 miles on it in 2021 when we bought it and the previous owner took very good care of the truck. The vehicle now only has 32,000 miles on it. Our main argument is that Chevy aka GM knows abou

20220717TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Complete collapse of tire (BLOWOUT) on highway that caused damage too wheel well of vehicle and outside body panel damages of vehicle including driver side mirror due to tire explosion of rubber coming apart on tire. The tire is the original tire that came with the vehicle green dot is still on tire with tread that covers Lincoln face during a penny test, the tires are maintained at my local Discount tire dealer here, I need the damages repaired caused by Michelin product .

20220717TIRES:SIDEWALL

Complete collapse of tire (BLOWOUT) on highway that caused damage too wheel well of vehicle and outside body panel damages of vehicle including driver side mirror due to tire explosion of rubber coming apart on tire. The tire is the original tire that came with the vehicle green dot is still on tire with tread that covers Lincoln face during a penny test, the tires are maintained at my local Discount tire dealer here, I need the damages repaired caused by Michelin product .

20220717TIRES:BEAD

Complete collapse of tire (BLOWOUT) on highway that caused damage too wheel well of vehicle and outside body panel damages of vehicle including driver side mirror due to tire explosion of rubber coming apart on tire. The tire is the original tire that came with the vehicle green dot is still on tire with tread that covers Lincoln face during a penny test, the tires are maintained at my local Discount tire dealer here, I need the damages repaired caused by Michelin product .

20210804AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20210708AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the contact was informed by the dealer that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

20190912AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190730AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT CONNELL CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2828 HARBOR BLVD, COSTA MESA, CA 92626, (714) 786-5630, (706) 653-7420) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190409CrashAIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE TO A TOWING LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20190119AIR BAGS

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY CAUSING SHARDS OF DEFECTIVE DASH TO ACT AS PROJECTILES INJURING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES FROM 2007 TO 2013. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CRACK WAS FIRST OBSERVED.

20190119UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES NEAR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY CAUSING SHARDS OF DEFECTIVE DASH TO ACT AS PROJECTILES INJURING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES FROM 2007 TO 2013. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CRACK WAS FIRST OBSERVED.

20181202STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL: THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2014-15 SILVERADO (RECAL # 14V301000). I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT A YEAR, 2ND OWNER, BOUGHT IT AT 30K MILES.ON NOV. 25 I CAME OUT TO START MY START MY TRUCK AND I IMMEDIATELY COULDN'T POWER UP STEREO AND THEN I NOTICED I HAVE NO DOOR CHIME FOR OPEN DOOR, NO CHIME FOR KEY IN IGNITION AND NO CHIME FOR MY SEATBELT. MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR NO LONGER LETS ME KNOW WHEN IT IS ON. MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPERATE KEYLESS START. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE COULD EASILY BE INCLUDED IN RECALL. I'M SURE THERE WERENT MANY BECAUSE MOST DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT GIVING ANY SIGNS THAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALL GOOD FUSES IN BOTH BOXES TOO. THE 1 DEALERSHIP JUMPED RIGHT TO REPLACING STEREO FOR A $1000. NOW I JUST DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY NOR CAN I AFFORD TO BE COMING IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. SOMEBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEIR NOT SHARING THAT INFO. CAN YOU HELP MEFIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.I HAVE N

Mileage: 1

20181202ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL: THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2014-15 SILVERADO (RECAL # 14V301000). I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT A YEAR, 2ND OWNER, BOUGHT IT AT 30K MILES.ON NOV. 25 I CAME OUT TO START MY START MY TRUCK AND I IMMEDIATELY COULDN'T POWER UP STEREO AND THEN I NOTICED I HAVE NO DOOR CHIME FOR OPEN DOOR, NO CHIME FOR KEY IN IGNITION AND NO CHIME FOR MY SEATBELT. MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR NO LONGER LETS ME KNOW WHEN IT IS ON. MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPERATE KEYLESS START. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE COULD EASILY BE INCLUDED IN RECALL. I'M SURE THERE WERENT MANY BECAUSE MOST DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT GIVING ANY SIGNS THAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALL GOOD FUSES IN BOTH BOXES TOO. THE 1 DEALERSHIP JUMPED RIGHT TO REPLACING STEREO FOR A $1000. NOW I JUST DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY NOR CAN I AFFORD TO BE COMING IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. SOMEBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEIR NOT SHARING THAT INFO. CAN YOU HELP MEFIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.I HAVE N

Mileage: 1

20181202SEAT BELTS

TAKATA RECALL: THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2014-15 SILVERADO (RECAL # 14V301000). I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT A YEAR, 2ND OWNER, BOUGHT IT AT 30K MILES.ON NOV. 25 I CAME OUT TO START MY START MY TRUCK AND I IMMEDIATELY COULDN'T POWER UP STEREO AND THEN I NOTICED I HAVE NO DOOR CHIME FOR OPEN DOOR, NO CHIME FOR KEY IN IGNITION AND NO CHIME FOR MY SEATBELT. MY TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR NO LONGER LETS ME KNOW WHEN IT IS ON. MY KEY FOB WILL NOT OPERATE KEYLESS START. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE COULD EASILY BE INCLUDED IN RECALL. I'M SURE THERE WERENT MANY BECAUSE MOST DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT GIVING ANY SIGNS THAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALL GOOD FUSES IN BOTH BOXES TOO. THE 1 DEALERSHIP JUMPED RIGHT TO REPLACING STEREO FOR A $1000. NOW I JUST DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY NOR CAN I AFFORD TO BE COMING IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. SOMEBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND THEIR NOT SHARING THAT INFO. CAN YOU HELP MEFIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.I HAVE N

Mileage: 1

20180120SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, EXITING TO AN OFF-RAMP, TRUCK LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL TROUBLE. CHEVROLET CURRENTLY SHOWS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND A COLLISION WAS AVOIDED. WHY WOULD ONE CRITICAL SYSTEM'S PUMP--POWER STEERING--BE USED TO DRIVE A SECOND CRITICAL SYSTEM'S PUMP--HYDROBOOSTER?

Mileage: 116,080

Compare 2011CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 42 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
Yes, the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is AIR BAGS with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.