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2011 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 76.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

7 reports
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260,000 miles · Oct 10, 2023
Engine

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. T…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11549261

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #10810819

83,918 miles · Sep 21, 2015
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS ALSO STICKING AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR TEN MINUTES. THIS WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS ALSO STICKING AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR TEN MINUTES. THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE ONSTAR BUTTON, WHICH PROVIDED THE CODES OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CODES STATED THAT THE PPS THROTTLE SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,918. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10766488

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashFire

FIRST OF THREE VEHICLE COLLISIONS THIS YEAR INVOLVING CHEVROLET SILVERADOS THAT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER INVOLVED IN FRONTAL IMPACTS. VEHICLE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON SR 58 IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON. INVOLVED IN SECONDARY COLLISION WITH A TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY A LOOSE TRUCK TRACTOR WHEEL. THE IMPACT BY THE WHEEL …

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FIRST OF THREE VEHICLE COLLISIONS THIS YEAR INVOLVING CHEVROLET SILVERADOS THAT HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER INVOLVED IN FRONTAL IMPACTS. VEHICLE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON SR 58 IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON. INVOLVED IN SECONDARY COLLISION WITH A TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY A LOOSE TRUCK TRACTOR WHEEL. THE IMPACT BY THE WHEEL CAUSED THE TOYOTA TO ENCROACH INTO THE PATH OF THE CHEVROLET. THE OCCUPANTS OF CHEVROLET WERE ABLE TO EXTRICATE THEMSELVES. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY CAUGHT FIRE AND SUFFERED EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10759197

120,000 miles · Apr 7, 2015
Air BagsEngineSeatsCrashInjury

WE WERE MAKING A STOP AT THE LIGHT , WHEN A 18-WHEELER DIDN'T STOP AND HIT US IN THE BACK ,PUSHING US TOWARDS THE BUS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF US , MAKING THE GLASS OF THE BACK BREAK AND THROWING ALL THE CRYSTALS IN OUR BODY AND CLOTHES ,THE AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN , THE FRONT SEATS WERE BROKEN AND 3 OF THE 4 DOORS COULDN'T CLOSE ANY…

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WE WERE MAKING A STOP AT THE LIGHT , WHEN A 18-WHEELER DIDN'T STOP AND HIT US IN THE BACK ,PUSHING US TOWARDS THE BUS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF US , MAKING THE GLASS OF THE BACK BREAK AND THROWING ALL THE CRYSTALS IN OUR BODY AND CLOTHES ,THE AIR BAGS NEVER OPEN , THE FRONT SEATS WERE BROKEN AND 3 OF THE 4 DOORS COULDN'T CLOSE ANYMORE, THE DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT , BUT HE COULD NOT , BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK, WHEN WE REALIZE THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURY, WE STAYED UNTIL THE RED CROSS CAME TO CHECK OUR CONDITION,BUT THERE WERE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE SO WE COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT HURTING OURSELVES. WE BUY THE TRUCK WITH 2 MILES,WE ARE THE ONLY OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704219

39,000 miles · Oct 27, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion System

AT 36000 MILES THE ENGINE BURNS OIL. SO FAR AS OF 46000 MILES PISTONS BURNED HAVE BEEN REPLACED PVC FILTER AND VALVE WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH VALVE COVER. AT PRESENT 54000 MILES ENGINE STILL BURNS OIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549719

39,010 miles · May 21, 2013
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND THE MOTOR IS HESITATING. THIS ISSUE IS A SECOND OCCURRENCE DUE TO THE VALVE COVER LEAKING AND CAUSING THE SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD. FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 39000 MILES AND THE ISSUE HAS RECURRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONTIN…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND THE MOTOR IS HESITATING. THIS ISSUE IS A SECOND OCCURRENCE DUE TO THE VALVE COVER LEAKING AND CAUSING THE SPARK PLUGS TO GO BAD. FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY 29000 MILES AND NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 39000 MILES AND THE ISSUE HAS RECURRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONTINUALLY RECURRING PROBLEM FOR 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513028

Official recalls

2

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

11V339000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 28, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Silverado problems