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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-CHEVROLET-SILVERADO NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2011 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Silverado problems

637 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 1 active recall campaign on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Silverado?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
312 reports · fails ~78,919 mi · avg $1,100
critical
body
65 reports · fails ~75,538 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
electrical
29 reports · fails ~86,465 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
27 reports · fails ~99,824 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
suspension
20 reports · fails ~38,568 mi · avg $900
moderate
powertrain
18 reports · fails ~76,284 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
15 reports · fails ~41,145 mi · avg $450
severe
steering
11 reports · fails ~71,988 mi · avg $700
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 Silverado's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 Silverado?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Silverado · airbags
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded…
2011 Silverado · airbags
Takata recall... I called the dealer about the recall. The service department said there is no replacement available at the time, gm will call when there is a replacement. What do we do in the mean time? Do we wait until something happens and then sue gm? I am curious because I…
12/28/2017 · at 25,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11057155.0 · see airbags pattern →
2011 Silverado · airbags
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
2011 Silverado · body
My brother was putting a trailer onto my hitch and noticed that it was unstable. The factory hitch was rusted out thru the metal. Him being a mechanic he decided to put the truck up on the rack. My FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU!!! BECAUSE they did not rust proof it right to…
View all 637 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V339000 June 28, 2011

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

This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 637 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 56,000–105,724 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 312 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,919 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,919 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 637 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Silverado. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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