RoadVitals

2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
80
Latest Apr 2, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 28, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 80 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 346 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags3242.1%
  • Powertrain (other)56.6%
  • Electrical56.6%
  • Interior & seats45.3%
  • Driver assistance45.3%
  • Visibility22.6%
  • Engine22.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES

Jun 28, 2011
739 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS LLCManufacturer number 11191View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

Jan 6, 2011
30,566 units potentially affected
The defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
The risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 10426AView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Apr 2, 2021

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED RALPH SELLERS CHEVROLET (15015 FLORIDA BLVD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70819, (225) 529-9130) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11406112
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Jul 4, 2019

MY NAME IS [XXX] I'M THE OWNER OF A 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND ONE DAY I TOOK MY WIFE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY AND WHEN I CAME OUT AFTER 4 HOURS MY SUBURBAN HAD 2 CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD ONE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ONE NEXT TO THE LEFT ON TOP OF THE GAUGES PANEL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11229443
Incident
Jul 3, 2019
Mileage
118,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHMOND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHMOND HILLS, TX 76180) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11222272
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2019

RECALL WAS ISSUED MAY OF 2016 AND I'VE STILL NOT BEEN NOTIFIED TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR A FIX.

NHTSA ID
11187385
Incident
Mar 17, 2019
Airbags
Filed Feb 28, 2019

TAKATA RECALL HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED AFTER 3 YEARS. I DRIVE MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR AND UNTIL IT'S FIXED WE HAVE TO TAKE 2 SEPARATE CARS. IT'S OKAY, I'VE MADE MY PAYMENTS TO GM IN A TIMELY MANNER ON A CAR I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY FAMILY IN. RECALL # : 49151

NHTSA ID
11183056
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jan 10, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE..*BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11166200
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Filed Oct 31, 2018

DASH CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL DASH CRACKED AT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIR BAG

NHTSA ID
11144393
Incident
Sep 29, 2018
Mileage
83,000 mi
Filed Oct 5, 2018
1 injury reported

WHILE IN PARK IN OUR DRIVEWAY, ENGINE TURNED OFF, AND KEYS IN MY HAND THE SUBURBAN ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY, KNOCKING ME DOWN AND ROLLING OVER MY LEG WHERE IT THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. 911 WAS CALLED AND I WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS ADMITTED. WE ARE HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT

NHTSA ID
11133555
Incident
Sep 29, 2018
Mileage
100,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP4902U

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5214G

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.

13598

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Suburban 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026103052.6
2025271043.9
2024010
2023171137.6
2022000
2021101
2011Viewing802043.2
2010531035.3
2009550030.0
20081010240.3
20071900246.6
2006312045.9
2005941037.1
20041821036.7
20031751037.8
20021201038.7
2001921045.8
2000671046.8
1999740038.2
1998140027.1
1997160032.3
1996900
1995800
1994900

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.