RoadVitals

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
563
Latest Jul 13, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
6
Reports on file since Jan 16, 2011

What this page shows

Our database holds 563 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 563 · page 1 of 23

Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2026

AFM/DOD lifter failed while driving which causes multiple systems to go offline including Traction Control, stability control, ABS just to name a few. This happened while coming off freeway which can be a safety risk as vehicle was at higher speeds. This is a known GM problem with 5.3l engines and should have been addressed years ago.

NHTSA ID
11749950
Incident
Jul 10, 2026
Engine
Filed May 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a lifter and a failed cylinder 6. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,200.

NHTSA ID
11738575
Incident
Mar 18, 2026
Mileage
176,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 7, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 103,000. However, at the time of the vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 155,000; but the Service record indicated that the mileage was 108,000.

NHTSA ID
11729677
Incident
Mar 1, 2026
Mileage
155,000 mi
Body & structureExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Mar 22, 2026

Was sold with a warranty and was not fulfilled, and on top of that we found out they rolled the odometer back over 50k , then found out it has a spilt frame

NHTSA ID
11726233
Incident
Dec 29, 2025
Suspension
Filed Sep 29, 2025

Hello Our 2011 Chevy Silverado looks like it was sitting in a lake. The rusted frame has a hole and has failed Pennsylvania Inspection. The whole underside of the vehicle frame is peeling away the body of the truck is very clean. Truck has 60,000 miles and is garage kept. We were shocked to see the condition when we were at the inspection station. It worries me how many of these trucks are on the road or towing trailers. Please don’t wait to take action until something happens. Yes, our vehicle is available for inspection pictures. There was no warning lights. Our local Pennsylvania State Inspection Station failed the truck during routine yearly inspection. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID
11690427
Incident
Dec 10, 2024
Airbags
Filed Sep 27, 2025

[XXX] WITH ONLY 88,500 MILES no wreck or other incident service airbag light came on and dealership wants 180.00 just to check it. what creates the issue is that my other vehicle a 2010 Tahoe with 285,000 miles came on within 3 days of this one. What am i supposed to do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11690080
Incident
Sep 26, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2025

After 2 weeks of owning the truck which we are paying on it had to be towed 3 times stalling out and leaving leaving my family,my children with us at least once, and stranded in high traffic roads. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and the fuel light came came on the very same day we picked it up. Now over a week after getting it back it has stranded us again,this time with our 3 children with us. This is on a Friday evening during rush hour. We manage to pull to a side road and off to the side a bit,but not fully. People are driving by very fast now as we wait for a tow.

NHTSA ID
11656860
Incident
Apr 25, 2025
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); the contact was informed that the SDM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

NHTSA ID
11651160
Incident
Mar 27, 2025
Mileage
171,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, unoccupied, and turned off, the front passenger's side air bag deployed. Prior to the failure, the air bag warning light had intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that would have caused the air bag to deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11649794
Incident
Mar 15, 2025
Mileage
115,000 mi
Filed Mar 16, 2025

Na

NHTSA ID
11648608
Incident
Mar 8, 2025
Filed Feb 25, 2025

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11644895
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
EngineFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 31, 2025

The software that makes the truck work as a 4 cylinder truck has caused the engine light to come on and causing a code P0300 various engine misfire. The misfire is caused by the lifter spring causing the lifter to remain in the down position. The down position is against the can rod and as the cam rod rotates, this causes the lifter to break at the bottom and causing the can rod to also break which will cause an engine failure while drinking and the motor will freeze . All GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with this installed should be recalled. Everyone has been fixing it themselves by replacing the part(s) once a pinging noise is heard at 50,000 miles. Basically every 50,000 this will need to be fixed. Some people are turning off the 4 cylinder software to avoid the problem which in both cases, uses more gas and also idles higher.

NHTSA ID
11639802
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 28, 2025

Stalking, harassment, identity thief, stealing of snap benefits and tampering

NHTSA ID
11639024
Incident
Jan 28, 2025
Filed Dec 20, 2024

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 severe frame rot drivers side front left from cab to rear wheel potential for snapping with holes of rot throughout also right side starting have had truck for 1.5 years which cost 11,000 dollars GM should be held accountable as I have read hundreds if not thousands of other Chevrolet truck owners with this issue, there was a recall for failure to add some type of rust prevention which issue would have been way past that stage GM is aware of this and fails to do anything about it, this is going to cost about 2500.00 to repair frames should not rot out like this what will it take before something is done about it 100,s of deaths due to fatal accidents the average person may not know about this as they may never go under their truck Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11631838
Incident
Dec 20, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 18, 2024

My transmission failed and my truck wouldn’t move. I’ve replaced it with a rebuilt one which is already shifting hard and shuddering. These 6l80e transmissions are no good

NHTSA ID
11631441
Incident
Jun 6, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Nov 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that there was rust on the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that while having a routine oil change at an independent mechanic, it was determined that the subframe was extremely rusted. The mechanic was unable to put the vehicle on the lift. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11625132
Incident
Nov 11, 2024
Mileage
130,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 10, 2024

Large sections of vehicle frame have completely rusted,rotted tĥrough.

NHTSA ID
11624461
Incident
Nov 10, 2024
Filed Oct 4, 2024

Afm Lifters are starting to fail and my frame is completely rotted and needs to be totally swapped out.

NHTSA ID
11618001
Incident
Oct 4, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Oct 3, 2024

This vehicle is an immaculate condition and the frame is completely rusted out of this. How can they not be a recall?

NHTSA ID
11617955
Incident
Oct 3, 2024
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lifters and engine were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.

NHTSA ID
11617861
Incident
Aug 23, 2024
Mileage
173,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11616592
Incident
Jan 15, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Sep 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the driver’s side rear sub frame was rusted and had collapsed, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that sub the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 144,230.

NHTSA ID
11615412
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
Mileage
144,230 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced and was causing the air bag warning light to illuminate inadvertently. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was concerned that the air bags would deploy without the vehicle being involved in a crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,044.

NHTSA ID
11608676
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
Mileage
168,044 mi
Filed Aug 9, 2024

Frame and fuel cross member rotted out.

NHTSA ID
11607654
Incident
Apr 9, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jul 30, 2024

Unknown. I doubt this will qualify but it seems to be a very common issue so I feel it is worth bringing attention to. I recently bought a truck from a state action that was a prior police vehicle as stated by the title. Once I purchased it and drove it home I was inspecting it and found a rust spot on the frame. As I cleaned dirt and debris off of it I discovered that the frame from just before the drivers side door all the way to where it bends up at the gas tank was completely rotted out. Specifically the bottom of the frame is fully gone. Doing research into repairs it seems that this generation and brand of vehicle had this problem seemingly universally. Which leads me to think it may have been a defect in manufacturing. Due to the bottom rusting out it’s hard to spot unless you crawl underneath. I’m sure I don’t have to go into detail as to why a compromised frame that people could be unaware of could be dangerous.

NHTSA ID
11605407
Incident
Mar 11, 2024

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .