2011 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Complaints

I am experiencing the symptoms listed for the ignition coil recall listed 20011 suburban, but the recall is not on my vin. I've been experiencing the symptoms for quite some time now yrs even, but didn't know about the ignition recall. I've been replacing and fixing the parts and damage to the vehicle. Fortunately no accidents or injuries to report. I am currently experiencing my door locks cycling , brief losses of power while vehicle is in drive, on highway, My electrical components periodically work seat warmer, sensors oil, air, coil packs, cooling fans (the relays keeps burning out), Ac motor, water pump, cruise control, the main fuse, and 4 x4 engaging on its own.

NHTSA ID

11737613

Incident

May 15, 2023

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 133,000. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 233,793.

NHTSA ID

11715292

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Mileage

233,793 mi

This is not connected with a specific crash in this vehicle. It is a defect with all vehicles with this seat. There is known common defect with the stitching on the side of the front seats covering the airbag. The stitching is designed to come apart if an airbag is deployed. The defective stitching deteriorates and falls apart. This exposes the airbag system in the seat. This occurs on all GM vehicles with the same leather seats. Models include Suburbans, Yukons, and pickup trucks. In this Suburban the stiching started to come apart about 6 years ago with a few loose threads. The entire side of the seat has now come apart. The rest of the seat is in relatively good repair without any holes, rips or torn stitching. GM claims this is cosmetic and not covered. The safety issues caused by this includes the potential deterioration of the airbag system interfering with deployment in a crash. Another safety issue is the potential for foreign objects to get lodged in this space and injuring someone if the airbag goes off. The third safety issue is the potential of a person, or child, to access the airbag and cause it to go off without warning.

NHTSA ID

11645734

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving with the cruise control feature activated, there was a clanking noise coming from under the vehicle, and the contact smelled a fuel odor. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected. The contact stated that the fuel tank was swollen. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who could not provide a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000.

NHTSA ID

11604440

Incident

May 15, 2024

Mileage

191,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the rear end of the vehicle was leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rear end pinion yoke needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the rear end pinion yoke several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V007000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,333.

NHTSA ID

11583775

Incident

Mar 20, 2019

Mileage

71,333 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon visual inspection, the contact observed that the rear fuel tank had expanded abnormally and was resting on the driveshaft. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and remained at the residence. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 17V664000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11529199

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

The ignition key is falling out of the ignition when it is in the run position similar to other vehicles that were recalled. I am concerned that we will not be able to turn off the engine in an emergency. We are also having problems with one of the seatbelts not latching.

NHTSA ID

11521791

Incident

May 5, 2023

Dash cracked and cruise control wont turn on when button pushed.

NHTSA ID

11494786

Incident

Nov 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact later received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) which she associated to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, upon picking up the vehicle, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who provided the contact with a diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11458139

Incident

Mar 17, 2022

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11453455

Incident

Feb 22, 2022

A leak in the AC evaporator hose is a hazard to the environment. The replacement part is not manufactured.

NHTSA ID

11451697

Incident

Jan 11, 2022

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ID

11444447

Incident

Feb 5, 2021

I purchased my Suburban used in July 2018. In 2019 I realized the pretensioner for the driver's seatbelt doesn't work. I have asked my dealership if they could ask Chevy to pay for this repair, but they said they have to wait for the official recall. In my research, I have learned of other Chevy vehicles (Traverse & Malibu) in 2011 with the same problem. I have not contacted Chevrolet directly with this problem (yet). The flexible steel steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

NHTSA ID

11433471

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

The dash has broken apart on the top in front of the driver. It constantly vibrates and makes a loud distracting noise. There is no way to stop this noise and it causes the driver to constantly hold the broken part down with their hand taking their attention off the road. Our Chevrolet dealer inspected it and said they've had lots of similar complaints. He also said it would cost us $2,000 to fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11431835

Incident

Sep 6, 2021

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AREA AND ABOVE THE TOP OF THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ID

11416284

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi

THIS IS A FLORIDA VEHICLE WHERE HEAT AND HUMIDITY (THE MAJOR FACTORS IDENTIFIED WITH FAILURES OF THESE AIRBAGS/INFLATORS) CAN CAUSE MY SUBURBAN TO BE A HIGH RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. WE SUBMITTED FOR THIS RECALL IN 2016 AND HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED ON STATUS OR ESTIMATED TIME FOR THE PARTS/PROCEDURES TO BE READY TO COMPLETE THIS REPAIR. AS GM DISAGREES WITH THIS RECALL, THEY APPEAR TO BE STALLING IN HOPES THAT THE VEHICLES WILL JUST BE RETIRED BEFORE THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THEM. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE DIE FOR THE NHTSA TO FORCE THE HAND ON GM TO IMPLEMENT THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11384623

Incident

Sep 20, 2016

Mileage

106,056 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM VEHICLES AND IT AFFECTS BOTH MY 2011 SUBURBAN AND 2012 SILVERADO WITH 5.3 FLEX FUEL ENGINES. THE SUBURBAN IS MORE NOTICEABLE SINCE WE USE IT FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS. THE TRUCK IS MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CAUSED BY THE AFM AND PCV. I WILL BE INSTALLING THE UPGRADED VALVE COVER IN HOPES OF PREVENTING A MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF GM RECALLED THESE ENGINES WITH AN ADEQUATE FIX. I ONLY NOTICE BURNING OIL ON STARTUP COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE SUBURBAN IS 104,000. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING IN THE ENGINE BAY OR CABLE COVERS YET. PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY IF I SHOULD NOT. THANK YOU, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA ID

11364820

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE GM HAS YET TO ISSUE A SOLUTION FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. WHEN WILL GM ISSUE THE FIX, WITH ALL THESE NEW RECALLS COMING OUT ON THE TAKATA AIR BAGS I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED WITH MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11364306

Incident

Oct 14, 2020

DASH CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG HOUSING

NHTSA ID

11353643

Incident

Sep 12, 2017

Mileage

98,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND WAS ALREADY CRACKED WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330818

Incident

Feb 20, 2016

Mileage

99,000 mi

A CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE GAUGES AND STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

11317498

Incident

Mar 7, 2020

Mileage

133,000 mi

ENGINE LIGHT ON-DIAGNOSIS P0455. LAST 2YRS TOOK TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS. REPLACED, GAS CAP, PURGE VALVE, CANISTER VALVE, CHARCOAL CANISTER. TOOK TO CHEVY. THEY REPLACED PURGE VALVE BECAUSE THEY SAID OTHER MECHANICS USED NON CHEVY PARTS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHEVY DID SMOKE TEST AND SWORE IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR COST $1200+. ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON AFTER A WEEK. ANOTHER SMOKE TEST AND NOW PRESSURE TEST BLEW A SMALL SECTION OF FUEL TANK WHERE IT NOW LEAKS. CHEVY SAID THE SEAL MOST LIKELY NOT SEATED PROPERLY AND I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK ABOUT $1000. BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER $1000 ESPECIALLY IF THIS DOESNT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALREADY SPENT THOUSANDS FIXING DIFFERENT PARTS. VEHICLE GETS ABOUT 12MPG AND HAS IN THE PAST LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AS IF NOT ENOUGH FUEL IS GETTING THROUGH BUT THAT HASNT HAPPENED IN SOME TIME. WONDER IF ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS P0455 ISSUE?

NHTSA ID

11315633

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE DASH HAS DEVELOPED 2 CRACKS SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. THE FIRST CRACK IS IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE SECOND CRACK IS FROM THE LOWER LEFT OF THE SPEAKER. IF IN AN ACCIDENT, DASH PIECES COULD BREAK OFF AND BECOME FLYING PROJECTILES.

NHTSA ID

11311245

Incident

Mar 20, 2018

UNSAFE TO DRIVE SPECIALLY DRIVING OVER 40 MILES

NHTSA ID

11306404

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

DASHNOARD IS CRACKING FOR NO REASON AT ALL . THEY ALL HAVE THIS ISSUE . POORLY MADE . IN A AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IT CAN SHATTER AND YOU WILL HAVE SHARDS OF PLASTIC FLYING EVERYWHERE. THE ISSUE HAPPENS OVER TIME . SOME SOONER THEN OTHERS.

NHTSA ID

11301218

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

Mileage

99,000 mi