Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 43 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 43, in the owner's own words
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hybrid system failed while driving resulting vehicle becoming disabled on the road. Took to GM shop, they informed that the Hybrid System failed. Parts are unavailable because GM discontinued them. GM shop is not willing to replace with used battery due to the lack of reliability “we would have the same problem just a few miles down the road”. GM shop bipassed hybrid system resulting in the vehicle only working if it is on a trickle battery charger. Filed complaint with GM and GM told us they cannot help because the part is discontinued. This vehicle cannot operate without being on a trickle charge which is a hazard to all people on the road. GM discontinued a part that is vital to the vehicle’s safety and usability. GM provided no resolution, therefore putting all 2011 Chevy Silverado Hybrid vehicles at risk for immediate and unforeseen vehicle failure.
The worst problem I have with this vehicle is that it will cut power to propulsion without any warning. I was driving down a suburban roadway, not on the freeway, thank God. When the truck's automatic gear shift wouldn't engage, I went from going 30 mph to 5 mph in seconds. The accelerator pedal wouldn't respond, I managed to coax my truck into a parking lot and restart the engine. Other times the head lights will not come on. Just today, I turned on the left turn signal and the Stabilitrack warning light came on, plus the radio made a brief noise of static. This particular issue appeared and disappeared in one second. I'm concerned that these problems are a manufacturer's mistake, and I want it fixed as soon as possible. My mechanic has tried repeatedly to find the cause but has been unsuccessful.
While driving, all the sudden my check engine light came on (flashing), and my stabilitrack light came on. The engine started running really rough, and lost power. It is like major misfire. Upon reading up on this, it is a problem with this type engine. I saw about 2000 people with the same issue. Nothing works to resolve this problem. Coils, plugs, and wires were replaced, and still the same.
Vehicle door locks activate lock and unlock while simultaneously downshifting the transmission, the engine dies, the dash cluster stops working, engine starts again, dash cluster begins working again. After this occurs, when the vehicle is shut off, there is a loud "pop" sound heard over the speakers and no interior lights. The vehicle may or may not have any cab power. Cycling the ignition provides little to no help. After the vehicle sits for a while, it may or may not start again. The vehicle stereo will randomly change from FM to aux. The a/c panel will flicker and the blower motor will fluctuate. This can also be seen while watching the battery gage on the instrument cluster. It will go from around 14 volts DC to around 9 volts DC and back up again.
**randomly at any given speed ** First the radio system will randomly turn off then moments later… stabiliTrak off flashes followed by abs and traction control lights on dash then suddenly my Chevrolet Silverado has a mind of its own ! The door locks will flicker uncontrollably , and the vehicle just suddenly has a loss of power while rpms and gauges are continuously moving while you are unable to even move the vehicle .. this is a ongoing problem since 2019 , that no one seems to have an answer too .. I’ve taken it to 3 different mechanics and still no answers … when it first started happening it was super random and would happen a few times a day but then not happen for months on end then all of the sudden now it is happening several days a week .. I’m currently scared to even drive it which is horrible considering the amount of money I’ve put into this truck .. it has only 100k miles but somehow I am stuck using my dads old truck with 330k miles on it which seems to be more reliable and is 12 years older … sucks to pay over 500$ a month for “ your dream vehicle “ that you can’t even drive or get any real answers to what or where the problem is coming from … seems that thousands of people online have the same problem but yet no one has any solution .. Now that I’ve almost been in 3 serious accidents I decided I have to say something, 2 of these times were over 70 mph on a California freeway !!! Something must be done !
OIL ENGINE CONSUMPTION ABOUT EVERY 1200 MILES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GUARANTY CHEVROLET MOTORS, INC (711 17TH ST, SANTA ANA, CA 92701, (714) 426-9092) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT CYLINDER #1 AND #7 WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEGACY MOTOR COMPANY (820 SW 21ST STREET, TOPEKA, KS 66604, (785) 438-2690) WHO STATED THAT THE CYLINDER #1 AND #7 FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL THE ENTIRE ENGINE FAILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON MY CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 TWICE, NOW I'M GETTING READY TO REPLACE FOR A THIRD TIME. THE ENGINE MOUNTS MUST HAVE A DEFECT WITH THE MATERIAL THAT ARE USED TO MAKE THEM.
ALL 4 DOORS ARE RUSTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE (ROUND SEAM). CRACKS ON DASH ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STARTING FROM AIR BAG AND CRACKING OUTWARD. OIL PRESSURE RUNS LOW AND USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 - 2000 MILES
THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM. I'M ON MY SECOND 5.3 ENGINE AND I'M BEING TOLD BY A GM CERTIFIED TECH THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR THESE ENGINES TO HAVE CAM ISSUES AFTER 100K.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SWITCH STABILI-TRAC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT GOOGLED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE'S AUTOMATIC LIFTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 60MPH THE TRACSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING FOLLOWED BY THE TRUCK STARTING TO MISS HARD. GOT TO FRIENDS HOUSE CHANGED #1 SPARK PLUG ALL BETTER NOW AT LEAST FOR 1,000 MILES THEN WILL HAVE TO CHANGE IT AGAIN. WENT THROUGH THIS WITH THE LAST ONE WE TRADED FOR THIS ONE. THEN IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK THAT'S WHEN WE TRADED IT.
IN JUNE OF 2019 MY VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO BEGNAL MOTORS IN KINGSTON NY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING FOR THE STABILTRAX SYSTEM AND LOW OIL PRESSURE. I BROUGHT IT TO BEGNAL MOTORS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS POINT. THEY BEING A DODGE DEALER THEN SENT THE TRUCK OVER TO ROMEO CHEVY WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS AN ENGINE MISFIRE. THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR TWO MONTHS FOR THE REPAIR WHICH THE WARRANTY COVERED. I GOT THE TRUCK BACK AND SOON AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC ABSOLUTELY AUTO IN NEW PALTZ NY. THEY SEND A CODE FOR THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND THE O2 SENSOR WHERE SHOWING UP. THEY REPLACED BOTH SENSORS. AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR STILL WOULDN'T CLEAR AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THESE SENSORS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS ON THE SILVERADO. HE THEN RECHECKED HE'S WORK TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A NEW SCREEN ON THE SENSOR AND THERE WAS. THE CODE(P0521 I BELIEVE)STILL WOULDN'T CLEAR. HE THEN REFERRED ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO ROMEO CHEVY BECAUSE THEY HAD DONE ALL THE WORK ON IT PREVIOUSLY. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK TO ROMEO AND THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND GOT NO ANSWERS. THEY THEN DID ANTHER OIL CHANGE AND AN OIL PRESSURE TEST WITH NO RESULT ON CLEARING THE OIL PRESSURE CODE. ROMEO CHEVY HAS AT THIS POINT HAD MY TRUCK FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW SAY I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE OIL PRESSURE ISSUES CANNOT BE FIXED. THEIR SERVICE REP TOLD ME THEY HAD ANOTHER SILVERADO RECENTLY WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN THAT VEHICLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP IN THIS MATTER THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 105000 MILES AND I AM BEING TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF OIL PRESSURE. *TR
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, BURNS 2 QUARTS OF OIL PER 1000 MILES. MULTIPLE VALVE LIFTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSE BY LOW OIL. HAD LIFTERS REPLACED LAST SUMMER. FAULTY OIL MONITOR DESIGN, DOESN'T INDICATE OIL IS LOW. THIS HAPPENS DURING NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. ONGOING ISSUE.
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY TRUCK. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS LEAVING MY HOUSE AND AS SOON AS I GOT A FEW HOUSES DOWN THE ROAD MY DOOR LOCKS STARTED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THEMSELVES OVER AND OVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE ALONG WITH THE RPM GAUGE AND THE ROAD UP WOULD TURN OFF AND ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THEN RELEASE AND IT DID THIS UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE TRUCK OFF. ONCE THE TRUCK WAS OFF IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD TAKEN THE BATTERY OUT TO BE TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS FINE AND AS FAR AS I COULD SEE THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE CABLES FROM THE BATTERY WERE CLEAN TOO. I'VE TRACED THE GROUND AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE IN BAD SHAPE EITHER. WELL AFTER I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE IT SAT FOR A FEW DAYS AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS IT RANDOMLY STARTED BACK UP. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM EVERYTHING IS GOOD AND THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE AFTERMARKET HEAD UNIT. WELL ONCE I GOT MY TRUCK BACK THE HEAD UNIT NO LONGER WORKS OR GETS POWER? WELL NOW A MONTH LATER SAME PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK IS TOTALLY DEAD BUT BATTERY AND ETC IS FINE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED TITUS-WILL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (2425 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 464-4251) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SOUNDED HIGH AND MISFIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE MISFIRED. ONE OF THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CORNERSTONE CHEVROLET (763-220-1548, LOCATED AT 1005 HIGHWAY 25 S, MONTICELLO, MN 55362) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED FOUR OF THE LIFTERS IN THE CYLINDERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY PARTIALLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,500. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SHOOK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE AND STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 343 BALTIMORE BLVD, WESTMINSTER, MD 21157, (443) 650-0926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL WAS TRAVELING BEHIND THE PISTON AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,639.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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