This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production Option Code HP2. With a battery maintainer installed on the vehicle use brake pressure bleeder that maintains 30 psi for the entire bleed procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
4fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: ON SOME VEHICLES AND/OR TRUCKS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND/OR SES LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2007-13 CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON, CTS-V, ESCALADE, AVALANCHE, CAMARO SS, COLORADO, CORVETTE, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin communicates GM wiring repair strategy information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado electrical gremlins fall into several distinct problem areas. The most critical failure pattern involves the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) corroding internally from water intrusion, even in trucks never driven through water or on salted roads. When the EBCM fails, owners experience cascading warnings—StabiliTrak, ABS, traction control all light up—accompanied by erratic speedometer, loss of cruise control, rough transmission shifts, and in severe cases, complete loss of power while driving. Two owners paid over $1,800 to replace the module and wiring harness; both dealerships explicitly stated the module's location and design are flawed.
The ignition switch is another chronic failure point. Owners report the key sticking, requiring jiggling to start, or the switch cutting engine power mid-drive at highway speeds—causing door locks to flicker wildly and gauges to jump around erratically. A recall campaign (14V827000) exists but excludes many VINs.
Headlight wiring faults drain batteries when the truck sits parked. One owner repeatedly replaced bulbs only to have them fail again within weeks. Water getting into the under-hood fuse block causes melted fuses and fire risk; one case nearly resulted in a vehicle fire and another progressed to a full engine fire.
Dealers frequently cannot diagnose these failures, and GM has declined warranty coverage despite acknowledged design problems and fire hazards.
Same Chevrolet Silverado electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) Corrosion
EBCM fails due to internal corrosion from water intrusion at the connector. Owners report the module is poorly designed and positioned, allowing moisture to penetrate even in vehicles never driven through water or in salty environments. One dealer noted the module was 'in pieces' when removed.
When: Varies; complaints range from 56,000 to 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: StabiliTrak warning light flashing; ABS and traction control lights illuminating; Speedometer erratic or non-functional; Cruise control dropping out; Service messages cycling on and off; Rough transmission shifting; Brake drag or brake lockup and release; Power loss while driving; Vehicle unable to move despite engine running
Codes mentioned: StabiliTrak fault, ABS fault, Traction control fault
Repairs/costs cited: EBCM replacement plus chassis wiring harness replacement required. Costs reported: $1,830.39 and $1,878.36 for parts and labor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised owner to keep invoice for potential recall reimbursement; one dealer stated the design flaw would 'eventually become a recall.'
Ignition Switch Failure
Ignition switch becomes intermittent or fails completely, preventing reliable engine starts or causing the vehicle to lose all electrical power while driving. Owners report needing to jiggle the key repeatedly to start the truck, or the switch cutting off engine and accessory power without warning.
When: Occurs at various mileages from early ownership through 250,000+ miles; failures intermittent and unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle cuts power to engine while driving at any speed; Key fails to turn or gets stuck in start position; Requires wiggling key to start vehicle; Door locks lock and unlock repeatedly while driving; Loss of all electrical power while driving; Vehicle unable to start; Gauges and warning lights behave erratically
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or repair; one attempted ignition switch recall campaign (14V827000) but many VINs excluded from coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 14V827000 (electrical system) exists but does not cover all affected vehicles; many owners' VINs reported as not included in recall.
Electrical Short/Fire Risk in Fuse Block and Circuits
Water intrusion into the under-hood fuse block causes melted fuses and fire risk. One case involved a bad ground on circuit G200 (defroster/heated mirror switch) that allowed components to activate even with the key removed. Another case shows a melted defroster wiring harness.
When: Reported at 40,000 to 97,000+ miles; weather-related in at least one case (ice storm followed by warming)
Symptoms owners cite: Melted fuses in fuse block; Electrical smell from under hood; Water and stains visible in fuse box; Headlights unable to turn off; Defroster/heated mirrors unable to turn off even with key removed; Fire risk; one case resulted in vehicle fire; Fuse relay block nearly caught fire
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced fuse block and drilled drainage holes into fender braces to redirect water; another case required wiring harness and blower motor replacement. GM refused warranty coverage in at least one case despite fire risk.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealership refused to cover repair despite fire risk; manufacturer did not offer financial assistance per owner. No recalls noted for this issue.
Headlight Wiring Intermittent or Continuous Failure
Headlights fail to illuminate, come on when parked and drain battery, or go out intermittently. One owner reports repeatedly replacing headlamp bulbs only to have them fail again within weeks, suggesting wiring fault rather than bulb failure.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights fail to illuminate; Headlights turn on while vehicle is parked; Battery drained by headlights running when parked; Headlights flicker or go out when hitting bumps; Headlamp bulbs fail repeatedly (month to two-month intervals)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced fuses in fuse block and redirected water drainage. Repeated headlamp replacement not solving the problem.
Starter Failure and No-Start Condition
Vehicle fails to start without warning; starter replaced multiple times at early mileage but failures recur. One case shows starter replaced approximately three times at under 1,000 miles with continued failure.
When: Early ownership; one case at 900 miles, others at higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; No starter engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replaced (rebuilt units installed) but failures recurred repeatedly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no action noted.
Dashboard Cracking
Dashboard cracks and forms into pieces early in vehicle life. Owner concerned that failure of dashboard components could lead to electrical failures underneath.
When: By 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard surface cracks; Cracked material breaks into pieces
Transmission Electrical Solenoid Fault
Transmission exhibits electrical faults affecting solenoid operation and shifting logic. Vehicle automatically shifts to unintended gear or fails to shift properly; transmission shop diagnosed electrical system failure rather than mechanical transmission fault.
When: At 17,000 miles; owner reports failure did not lead to repair
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic transmission automatically shifts to second gear without driver input; Transmission fails to shift when supposed to; Engine warning light illuminates; Vehicle forced to slow down
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed first and second solenoids needed replacement; transmission shop diagnosed electrical system failure. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recall available.
Seat Belt Warning Light Intermittent Activation
Seat belt warning light activates repeatedly while stationary and while driving, then resets. Owner fears it indicates a real seat belt failure and relates concern to electrical problems with air bag actuator.
When: Ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt warning light comes on when stationary; Seat belt warning light comes on while driving on street and highway; Warning light resets intermittently
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated no recall for the vehicle and suggested possible electrical problems with air bag actuator.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 56,000 and 105,724 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 105,724. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.