This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of an engine power reduced message on the driver information center after performing the Canada Onstar® 4G upgrade. If the concern is present park the vehicle outside and call General Motors Technical Assistance Center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Silverado powertrain problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 18 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a diagnostic tip that may be helpful in correcting a customer concern on a vibration, shudder or roughness while driving at low speeds with a steady throttle on a level road.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM: SOME VEHICLES MAY DISPLAY ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) "TRANSMISSION HOT- IDLE ENGINE". DTC U0101 MAY BE SET. MIL MAY BE ILLUMINATED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that will not move in forward or reverse. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0701 P0729 P0731 P0732 P0733 P0734 P0735 P0751 P0756 P0761 P0877 Or P2723 set. Technician will need to inspect the valve body separator plate orifices for debris.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire, and/or engine noise. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0300-P0308. If published Service Information diagnostics does not isolate the cause of this concern technician should check for a worn camshaft lobe and/or lifter roller, a sticking valve, valve leakage, a broken valve spring, and a collapsed active fuel management lifter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a powertrain that is consistently problematic. Transmission issues dominate the complaints: loud whining, growling, and clunking from shift to shift; hard engagement that lurches the truck forward on startup or slams it into gear during deceleration; transmission shuddering and refusal to select gears during highway passing maneuvers, leaving drivers revving to redline; and outright transmission stalls and failures. One owner on a second engine replacement reports the 5.3L cam fails routinely after 100K miles—GM service says that's normal.
Dealers sent most trucks back with "no problem found" or service bulletins that changed nothing. Some failures happened under 400 miles on used purchase; others at 70K, 80K, or 112K. One owner had GM buy the vehicle back, received a replacement that came with the inlet hose installed backwards from the factory, and that replacement exhibited the same transmission noise. Owners report multiple dealer visits yielding nothing but frustration. An OnStar warning flagged a dangerous rear axle condition on a truck 40 miles after purchase. The 6L80E transmission in particular draws criticism as simply "no good," even after rebuild.
Unresolved dangerous behaviors include engine power reduction with stability control warnings, abrupt forward lurching that overcaused at least one collision with oncoming traffic, and unexpected backward rolling on inclines that owners say dealers claim is intentional design.
Same Chevrolet Silverado powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission noise and shifting problems
Loud whining, growling, and clunking noises during operation and shifting. Downshifting produces runaway shifting, slipping, and clunking. Transmission won't move into gears at all in some cases.
When: As early as 384 miles on used purchase; also reported at 72,000 and 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining and growling from transmission; Clunking noise when shifting; Runaway shifting during downshift; Transmission slipping; Transmission will not engage gears; Hard shifting and shuddering in rebuilt transmissions
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers ordered parts including front and rear planetary gears; repairs unsuccessful. One owner replaced transmission with rebuilt unit; rebuilt also exhibits hard shifting and shuddering.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletins applied with no resolution; dealers claim nothing wrong with transmission; GM customer service offered assistance but case was reassigned and unresolved
Downshift to passing gear hunting and engine runaway
When downshifting to passing gear (highway on-ramp entry), transmission fails to select any gear, causing engine to rev to redline until driver releases accelerator and vehicle finds gear after losing 10+ mph.
When: Intermittent, occurs during highway acceleration and passing maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to redline during downshift; Transmission fails to select gear; Vehicle loses 10 mph before transmission engages; Dangerous traffic condition created
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer cited torque management system as normal operation; suggested computer reprogram would void warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two dealers inspected; both said no problem exists
Harsh engagement and lurching on startup and downshift
Vehicle lurches or slams harshly into gear on startup from park, during downshifting to corners, and when slowing down. Vehicle occasionally rolls backward on inclines after foot moves from brake to accelerator.
When: On startup; during deceleration and cornering; on inclines
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward violently when started in park; Vehicle slams into gear when slowing for corners; Vehicle rolls backward on inclines; free-rolls several feet; Jerks backward when putting truck in gear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers claim harsh engagement is normal due to transmission tolerances in four-wheel drive vehicles; backwards roll on incline claimed as design feature to reduce transmission stress
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service bulletins state conditions are normal; dealers refuse repair after multiple visits
Engine power reduction and stability control warnings
Engine Power Reduced, Service Traction Control, and Service StabiliTrak warning lights illuminate together with Check Engine light, causing severe power loss. Occurs while driving and while parked warming up.
When: Intermittent, occurs while vehicle in motion and at rest
Symptoms owners cite: Engine Power Reduced warning; Service Traction Control warning; Service StabiliTrak warning; Check Engine light; Severe engine power loss no matter how much throttle applied; Condition repeats after shutdown/restart cycle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner references possible TSB campaign but did not receive documentation
Transmission stall and failure
Vehicle stalled without warning at undisclosed speed with no warning lights. Later diagnosed as transmission failure requiring replacement, though repair was complicated by rusted subframe.
When: At 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning; No warning lights illuminated before stall; Transmission requires replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission specialist advised transmission needs replacement but subframe rust prevented repair; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer provided information on independent subframe repair but no further assistance
Transmission makes noise then fails to engage
Transmission makes noises that stop, then later transmission will not move into gears.
When: Under 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission makes noise initially; Noise stops temporarily; Transmission later fails to engage gears
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent thousands purchasing vehicle new and on warranty; spent additional funds on extended warranty
Transmission noise from tail shaft area
Noise like bad brake pads with intermittent contact coming from transmission tail shaft area when slowing for stops. Vehicle jerks backward when putting truck in gear.
When: At 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Swooshing noise from tail shaft when braking; Sound mimics bad brake pads with intermittent contact; Vehicle jerks backward when shifted into gear (3-4 incidents)
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes, pads, hubs, seals, and rotors inspected by certified mechanic; all normal
Transmission shifts without engaging while RPMs increase
After coming to complete stop, transmission shifts while RPMs increase, causing vehicle to accelerate forward abruptly, overcoming brake pressure.
When: During stop-and-go driving
Symptoms owners cite: RPMs increase during shift at stop; Vehicle accelerates forward abruptly; Vehicle overcomes brake pressure; In one case, caused collision with oncoming traffic
RPM surge on loaded incline with cruise control
While driving down steep incline with truck and loaded trailer, engine RPM suddenly jumped to 5500 without increase in vehicle acceleration. Depressing brake to release cruise control and repeatedly pressing gas pedal required to return RPMs to normal.
When: During highway driving with load
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surge to 5500 while on loaded incline; No corresponding increase in acceleration; Cruise control required manual intervention to reset
RPM surge at highway speed failing to shift to overdrive
At 65 mph highway speed, RPMs increased and vehicle failed to shift into overdrive.
When: At 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM increase at highway speed; Transmission fails to shift to overdrive
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of failure
Transmission dipstick tube separation
Transmission dipstick tube separated from vehicle, discovered when adding oil.
When: At 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission dipstick tube separated from mounting
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed dipstick tube needed replacement; vehicle was not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of failure
Engine cam issues
Cam issues in 5.3L engine. Owner on second engine replacement.
When: After 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cam issues requiring engine replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Second 5.3L engine installed; GM certified technician claims cam issues are normal for these engines after 100K
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM technician claims cam issues after 100K are normal for 5.3L engines
Dangerous rear axle condition
OnStar notification on second day of ownership warned of dangerous rear axle condition. Vehicle was 40 miles from purchase point.
When: 40 miles after purchase (2/24/2011)
Symptoms owners cite: Dangerous rear axle condition per OnStar notification
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall #10426 referenced; owner questions why NHTSA allowed sale with known defect
Transmission clunk with water leak in cabin
Transmission clunking noise with water leak in driver's cabin. Vehicle taken to dealer 3 times for transmission noise.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission clunk noise; Water leak in driver's cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Three dealer visits for transmission noise; GM eventually bought vehicle back and furnished replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM repurchased vehicle and provided new truck; replacement truck had inlet hose installed upside down by manufacturer; replacement truck exhibited same transmission problem
Transmission may be affected by failed styrofoam recall tube
Dealership installed styrofoam tube around recalled part during recall, but tube failed and may have affected transmission.
Symptoms owners cite: Styrofoam tube installed during recall work failed; Potential transmission damage from failed recall fix
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership refuses to cover service; claims recall already completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall was supposedly completed with styrofoam tube install; manufacturer refuses further coverage
Engine running rough with loud thump during transmission engagement
Engine running rough with intermittent loud thump sound when transmission engages.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine running rough; Intermittent loud thump when transmission engages
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My transmission failed and my truck wouldn’t move. I’ve replaced it with a rebuilt one which is already shifting hard and shuddering. These 6l80e transmissions are no good
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that when adding oil to the vehicle, it was discovered that the transmission dip stick tube had separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the dip stick tube needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 33,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.