2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

On September 17, 2026, the vehicle suffered two critical failures. First, the transmission shifter linkage detached while being placed in DRIVE due to failure of a plastic shifter cable bushing, locking the car in NEUTRAL. Second, minutes late while loading the disabled vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck, the steering shaft completely separated from the steering column. An independent AAA mechanic inspection revealed that the steering shaft pinch bolt was entirely missing. Just 30 days prior (August 18, 2026), with under 200 miles traveled since, a licensed dealership technician performed a safety inspection and certified both assemblies as "Green" (Passed/Safe). Dealer invoices show consistent maintenance and no prior safety inspection issues since purchase in 2011. Mechanically, a pinch bolt requires weeks of driving vibration to unthread and back out, proving it was left loose, under-torqued, or missing its locking flag nut during the dealership's inspection. Furthermore, the transmission shifter cable linkage failed due to total plastic bushing degradation. At 97,970 miles, this specific GM factory bushing exhibits a well-documented color transformation from white to yellow to amber as it oxidizes through continuous heat cycles, becoming brittle and cracked before ultimately failing completely. Both failure points sit in close physical proximity when inspected from below. The intermediate steering shaft is also easily accessible from above, where a technician can quickly check the pinch bolt and clamping force by twisting the shaft or finger testing the flag nut. The technician's failure to identify a backing-out pinch bolt and a discolored, brittle bushing indicates that no physical or visual inspection took place despite a written safety certification. NOTE: Had the vehicle not first been immobilized by the transmission linkage failure, it most certainly would have been on a busy city street or interstate when the steering shaft separated. Pure luck no one hurt.

NHTSA ID

11774105

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to a transmission specialist to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed by the technician that the vehicle could not be repaired due to a rusted subframe that needed to first be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided information on how to independently repair a subframe, but no further assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11540764

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

Mileage

110,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11378563

Incident

Nov 18, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS PROMPTING ME TO THINK THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE TAKATA RECALL. MY 2011 SILVERADO HAS LESS THAN 100,00 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISES, THEN IT STOPPED. PRIOR TO THAT NOTHING WAS INDICATED AS GOING WRONG. ONE MONTH LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE INTO GEARS. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE SERVICE THAT I AM GETTING OUT OF IT.ALSO THE INTERIOR IS DETERIORATING. MY RADIO DIALS AND HEAT/AIR CONTROL BUTTONS ARE FADED. THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING. I EVEN BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY POWER WINDOW WENT OUT, FIXED BY WARRANTY. THIS TRUCK HAS TOO MANY DEFECTS AND I AM SEEKING SOME ANSWERS AND ASSISTING IN CORRECTING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

11170096

Incident

Jan 9, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

ELKINS CHEVROLET OF MARLTON, NJ REFUSES TO COVER SERVICE FOR AN ITEM THAT WAS RECALLED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE ALREADY RECALLED THE VEHICLE AND MITIGATED THE ISSUE BY INSTALLING A STYROFOAM TUBE AROUND THE PART IN QUESTION. HOWEVER, IF THE TUBE WAS INSTALLED IT FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE AFFECTED. I AM CURRENTLY LEFT TO COVER THE COST OF THIS WHILE THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE DESPITE THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11011294

Incident

Jul 18, 2017

ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, THESE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND AS MY TRUCK SLOWED DOWN NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SHUT TRUCK OFF AND WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES THEN STARTED TRUCK UP . IT RAN FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE SAME 3 WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE. LIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL OR A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR THIS ISSUE. I DID READ THAT THERE MIGHT BE A TSB CAMPAIGN # [XXX] FOR THIS ISSUE. IS THERE ANY PAPERWORK THAT CAN BE EMAILED TO ME TO GIVE TO THE GM DEALER TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND JUST WARMING UP TRUCK . THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10953991

Incident

Feb 11, 2017

Mileage

83,500 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED TRUCK/ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. INTERMITTENT LOUD THUMP SOUND WHEN TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. UPDATED 7/16/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10930157

Incident

May 27, 2016

WHEN SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THERE IS A NOISE LIKE BAD BREAK PADS SWOOSHING AS THOUGH INTERMITTENT CONTACT IS BEING MADE. BRAKES ,PADS,HUBS ,SEALS AND ROTORS INSPECTED BY CERT. MECH. SOUND APPEARS TO COME FROM UNDER CENTER OF UNDERCARRIAGE IN VICINITY OF TRANSMISSION TAIL SHAFT. I HAVE HAD 3 OR 4 INCIDENTS WHEN PUTTING TRUCK IN GEAR IT JERKS BACKWARDS ENOUGH TO FEEL IT. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 80,000 MI AND I LOVE TO DRIVE IT HOWEVER THESE NOISES MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I MIGHT BE FACING SERIOUS TROUBLE AND GREAT EXPENSE DOWN THE ROAD.I HAVE AN APPT. THE 20TH WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK .DOES ANYONE RECOGNIZE THESE SYMPTOMS IF SO I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU. MY E-MAIL IS [email protected].

NHTSA ID

10884990

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DRUM DETERIORATED AND THE BRAKE SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS, THE FRONT PADS, THE REAR DRUMS, THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND THE SPRING KIT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID

10663063

Incident

Aug 29, 2014

Mileage

72,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR IT MADE A VERY LOUD CLANGING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL SINCE ALL OF THE NEW GM VEHICLES MADE THAT NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED REPEATEDLY BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION HAD EXTENSIVE RUST ON IT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RUST WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF BOTH FAILURES BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID

10494589

Incident

Jan 22, 2011

Mileage

200 mi

WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN ON A ROAD THAT HAS AN INCLINE, WHEN REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO THE GAS PEDAL, THE TRUCK ROLLS BACKWARDS AND WILL NOT STOP AT ALL UNLESS THE BRAKE IS RE-APPLIED OR THE GAS PEDAL CAN BE PUSHED BEFORE THE VEHICLE ROLLS TOO FAR BACK. TALKED TO DEALER AND HAD VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECKED AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO ELIMINATE STRESS ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS MEANT TO FREE ROLL FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS VEHICLE COULD ROLL BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, PERSON, OR OBJECT. ON A VERY STEEP INCLINE, THE VEHICLE KEPT ON ROLLING BACKWARD FOR SEVERAL FEET AND UNLESS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR GAS IT WILL CONTINUING TO ROLL BACKWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10464336

Incident

Mar 23, 2012

Mileage

813 mi

I PURCHASED VEHICLE USE, WITH 384 MILES. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BECAME VERY LOUD, WHINING, GROWLING, MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING; DOWNSHIFTING AT TIMES PRODUCED RUNAWAY SHIFTING, CLUNKING AND SLIPPING. TOOK IT TO ONE CHEV. DEALER AND SERVICE WRITER SAID HE HAD A CHEV P.U. JUST LIKE MINE AND IT DIDN'T MAKE THOSE NOISES. WENT BACK AGAIN AND DEALER FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT APPLIED TO MY TRANSMISSION. THEY ORDERED PARTS, INSTALLED THEM, BUT NO CHANGE. WENT BACK AGAIN AND THE SERVICE SHOP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO FOR MY P.U. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED FRONT AND REAR PLANETARY GEARS. PARTS WERE ORDERED AND INSTALLED, AGAIN NO CHANGE. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DROVE MY P.U. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY P.U. ! I SPOKE WITH A DISTRICT SPECIALIST AT G.M. AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP! IT IS NOW JUNE 5, 2012 AND I AGAIN CALLED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND THEY SAID THE WOMAN WHO HAD MY CASE NO LONGER WORKS IN THAT DEPARTMENT AND THEY WOULD ASSIGN ANOTHER SPECIALIST. SHE/HE WOULD CALL ME TODAY, MAYBE TOMORROW. I TOLD THEM ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND I WANTED ANOTHER VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10460704

Incident

Feb 24, 2012

Mileage

400 mi

JUST SECONDS AFTER HAVING COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WHILE RPMS INCREASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERCOME THE BRAKE PRESSURE AND TRUCK TO MOVE FORWARD ABRUPTLY. THIS CAUSED ME TO ROLL OUT INTO THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STRIKE A VEHICLE AS IT WAS PASSING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10457915

Incident

May 9, 2012

Mileage

33,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL DEFECTS THAT GM CLAIMS AS NORMAL. 1. TRUCK RANDOMLY LURCHES FORWARD WHEN STARTED IN PARK. GM SAYS THIS IS NORMAL MAKE SURE YOU APPLY PARKING BRAKE WHEN PARKING. 2. DRIVE TRAIN CLUNKS WHEN DECELERATING INTO 10-20MPH RANGE AND ACCELERATING AGAIN. GM SAYS THIS IS NORMAL DUE TO TOLERANCES AND ACCELERATED IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. 3. VEHICLE DRAIN TRAIN RANDOMLY MAKES A BANG OR CLUNK NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. GM CLAIMS THIS IS ALSO NORMAL. I HAVE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FIVE TIMES. EACH TIME DEALER CHECKS REPAIR FOR DEFECT AND GM SENDS BACK BULLETIN SAYING NO REPAIR CONDITION NORMAL. DEALER SAYS A HANDFUL OF TRUCKS HAVE COME BACK WITH THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. I CAN NOT BELIEVE GM ACCEPTS THIS DEFECT AS NORMAL. *JS

NHTSA ID

10455629

Incident

Dec 28, 2011

Mileage

1,343 mi

THIS IS A DEALER DEMO VEHICLE, FIRST 2235 MILES WERE DEMO. DURING MY FIRST MORNING (12HOURS AFTER PICKING UP AT DEALER) OF OWNERSHIP I WAS DESCENDING DOWN A HILL WITH THE CRUISE ON, AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO OVER SPEED APPROXIMATELY 5-7MPH. I TRAVEL THIS HILL BOTH WAYS TO/FROM WORK DAILY AND THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME. I THOUGH THIS MIGHT BE AN ABNORMAL ADJUSTMENT WITHIN THE COMPUTER/ETC SO WHILE TAKING IN TO THE DEALER FOR A TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM) ISSUE I MENTIONED THE OVERSPEED ISSUE TO THE SERVICE WRITE UP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I DON'T AGREE, BUT MAYBE IT IS. IT DOES ADJUST BACK TO NORMAL CRUISE SET SPEED BUT IS UNIQUE. I HAD A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 PREVIOUSLY AND IT DID NOT DO THIS, AND I HAVE DROVE OTR (OVER THE ROAD) SEMI-TRUCKS AND KNOW THE DIFFERENCE WITH OVERSPEED BEING NORMAL AND ABNORMAL. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO, AS IT COULD BE A HAZARD THAT COULD LEAD TO UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10433769

Incident

Oct 19, 2011

Mileage

2,260 mi

ON 2/23/11 I PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 AND DROVE 40 MILES HOME WHEN I ACTIVATED ONSTAR 2/24/11 I WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD A DANGEROUS REAR AXLE CONDITION AND NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.WHY IS NATIONAL HIGHWAY ALLOWING GENERAL MOTORS TO SELL A VEHICLE HAVING THIS DEFECT TO A CUSTOMER WITHOUT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SALE OR DELIVERY. IF ANYONE IS HURT THE LIABILITY WILL GO TO GENERAL MOTORS BUT ALSO TO NATIONAL HIGHWAY FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. I WILL MAKE A EFFORT TO NOTIFY THE MEDIA TO INFORM THEM OF THIS DANGEROUS PRACTICE GM RECALL #10426 PLEASE STOP THIS NOW BEFORE ANYONE IS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384414

Incident

Feb 24, 2011

Mileage

44 mi

2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND A LEAKY (WATER) DRIVERS CABIN AND EXPRESSES DISCONTENT IN REGARDS TO GM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE TRANSMISSION NOISE. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED GM BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK AND FURNISHED HIM WITH A NEW VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO HEAT IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE INLET HOSE WAS INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN DURING MANUFACTURING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE NEW TRUCK ALSO EXHIBITED THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. UPDATED 04/08/11

NHTSA ID

10383691

Incident

Feb 1, 2011