RoadVitals

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
18
Latest Mar 22, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 563 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 18 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.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Suspension
Filed Nov 10, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11624461
Incident
Nov 10, 2024
Suspension
Filed Apr 12, 2024

my frame is rotting out there is a section missing by gas tank. i checked on line with other people and a lot of people have same problem i know totyota had problem and had to replace frames .gm should have too. please help. thank you

NHTSA ID
11582614
Incident
Apr 12, 2024
Suspension
Filed Mar 17, 2024

Complete structural failure of chassis (Frame). Upon inspection on a mechanics lift the frame is cracked in several places and due to the undersized structural components and type of steel resulted in extensive corrosion. All components of vehicle depend on structural integrity of support frame. The frame has been inspected by several mechanics. All suspension components attached to vehicle frame are in serious jeopardy of failure. Several other Chevrolet truck owners have total losses of vehicle value to to undersized structural frame and extensive corrosion. This is a manufacturer's defect, its similar to building a house on a weak foundation.

NHTSA ID
11577842
Incident
Mar 13, 2024
Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2024

Frame of truck rotted. Went to change shocks and it fell right off. Removed the bottom bolt on the shock and the 15 lbs shock fell to the ground with the top bolt still attached to the frame.2 years ago had to replace the the hitch due to rusted out Glad I was not pulling my 6000 lbs camper down the highway. The frame is so badly rotted it is unsafe to drive down the road. Not surface rust holes the inside of frame is rotted both sides. Unsafe to drive. Owned this truck for 9 years.

NHTSA ID
11565259
Incident
Jan 11, 2024
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 2, 2024

This vehicle has a frame that is rusted far beyond what you would normally expect. The same problem is listed in other complaints here and elsewhere online. The passenger side running board fell off because the frame it was attached to was so badly rusted.

NHTSA ID
11562949
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 2023

My 2011 Silverado has a very clean body, but the frame is completley rusted out. If you Google frame issues on these trucks you will see that many people are having the same issue and GM is doing nothing about it. I think GM should have to buy back these trucks as my truck went from being worth $12000 to being worth nothing

NHTSA ID
11551881
Incident
Oct 25, 2023
AirbagsSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 22, 2023
Crash reported

The truck brakes or something locked up and cause me to crash the truck. Police report was filed and insurance company has appraised the truck. No warning lights or anything came on.

NHTSA ID
11528430
Incident
May 26, 2023
Suspension
Filed Dec 12, 2022

Frame started rusting almost immediately dealer did not want to address it

NHTSA ID
11497089
Incident
Apr 19, 2012
Suspension
Filed Mar 9, 2022

The frame is rusted very bad. I took it to a shop to see if it could be repaired and was told that it can't be repaired it will have to be replaced. This is a 10 year old truck the frame should not be rusted. I have additional photos. It is rusted down both sides of the frame

NHTSA ID
11455889
Incident
Feb 14, 2022
Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2021

I purchased a 2011 chevy silverado on 3/16/20 from a car dealership. 69k miles when purchased.88k now.I recently went to have a fuel pump repaired that happened out of the blue and was told that the frame is completely rusted out. I looked online only to discover that this is a ongoing problem for these trucks. Makes no sense how I have a truck I owe 14k on and now find out my frame is rusted to the point I could have a accident.

NHTSA ID
11435702
Incident
Oct 5, 2021
AirbagsSuspension
Filed May 7, 2021

I BOUGHT TRUCK IN OCT2021 AND IT WAS NOT SOLD TO ME IN WORKING ORDER AS WAD TOLD TO ME THEY TOOK MY MONEY AND THEY WERE DONE.

NHTSA ID
11415499
Incident
May 7, 2021
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Feb 8, 2019
Crash reported

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TOP CONTROL ARM BROKE WHEN I HIT A POLE ON THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. IT SNAPPED OFF AT THE BALL. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND SIDE SWIPED A POLE AT ABOUT 5 MPH. SHOULD NOT HAVE SNAPPED A PART IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK! THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION UNDER MY TRUCK. EVEN BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THERE'S RUST. THIS TRUCK HAS MORE RUST THAT TRUCKS THAT ARE 30 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID
11175134
Incident
Dec 13, 2018
Mileage
105,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE AND TIRE COMPLETELY DETACHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICE AND MANEUVERED TO THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IN 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V007000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE THE REPAIR. THE DEALER DENIED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10819371
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2013

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
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 27, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND TURNED DOWNWARD. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPAIRED BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,976 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT IN THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. UPDATED 05/17/12 UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS UPDATED 06/11/12.*JB UPDATED 06/26/12 THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. UPDATED 06/10/13

NHTSA ID
10456666
Incident
Jun 4, 2011
Mileage
6,976 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 19, 2011

REAR AXLE HAS A GVWR OF 3950 LBS THE VEHICLE A 2PLUS 1 REAR SPRING PACK, 3 DIFFERENT SPRING SUPPLIERS RATE THIS SPRING PACK AT 1425L OR 1500 LBS EACH FOR A COMBINED RATE OF EITHER 2850 OR 3000 LBS PER PAIR. WHICH MAKES THE FACTORY RATING OF 3950LBS EITHER 1100 OR 950 LBS HIGHER DEPENDING ON THE SPRING SUPPLIER. USING THE INDUSTRY GUIDELINE THE WEAKEST COMPONENT CONTROLS THE GVWR IS BEING VIOLATED BY CHEVROLET I HAVE A TRUCK MARKETING INSTITUTE CERTIFICATE IN THIS AREA AND A CD FROM MICHELIN VERIFYING THE WEAKEST COMPONENT CONTROLS GVWR .I ASKED CHEVROLET FOR REPLACEMENT SPRINGS FROM ANOTHER MODEL THAT HAS A COMBINED RATING OF 4050LBS 100 LBS ABOVE THERE 3950 LB AXLE RATING. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED TRAILERING PROBLEMS BUT CHEVROLET REFUSED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE SPRINGS I REQUESTED WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM CAN YOU HELP? I CAN SUPPLY FURTHER INFORMATION IF NEEDED THANK YOU *KB

NHTSA ID
10426306
Incident
Mar 18, 2011
Mileage
1,500 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .