Should I buy a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2011 Chevrolet Silverado steering problems

severe Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$700

steering complaints on the Chevrolet Silverado, by model year
Model year	steering complaints
2007 Silverado	32
2008 Silverado	10
2009 Silverado	11
2010 Silverado	10
2011 Silverado (this page)	11
2012 Silverado	6
2013 Silverado	18
2014 Silverado	425
2015 Silverado	171

2crashes

When does it fail?

Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.

0-25k

1 (100%)

25-50k

0 (0%)

50-75k

0 (0%)

75-100k

0 (0%)

100-125k

0 (0%)

125-150k

0 (0%)

150k+

0 (0%)

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.

What stands out

No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

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.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.

Service Bulletin PI0639C Jan 2016

This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to apply dielectric grease and a piece of adhesive shim stock to the steering angle sensor connector to correct a condition of service stabilitak message displayed in DIC and DTC C0455 or C0710

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 13-02-32-001D Jan 2016

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin PIT-4322-D Nov 2014

GM: THERE IS UNWANTED STABILITY ACTION OR STABILITY LIGHT ON. THIS CAN BE CAUSED BY THE SUSPENSION BEING MODIFIED. UPDATED 6/18/12. MODELS 2007-13 ALL ESCALADE; AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; SIERRA, SIERRA DENALI, ALL YUKONS. UPDATED 11/28/12. UPDATED 4/1015.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin PIT5052D Aug 2014

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a steering wheel vibration. Some customers may be looking to add steering stabilizer. Technician may find that a steering stabilizer is listed in the parts catalog group but is not intended to address vibrations or brake pulsations.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin PIT5184A Nov 2013

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an instrument panel backlighting flashes, flickers or inoperative, unwanted horn activation, radio controls inoperative or unwanted activation, OnStar unwanted activation, and cruise control inoperative. Technician should inspect for a short to ground on the steering wheel near the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint coil connector X2 and make necessary repairs to any shorted circuits and then position the wiring.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

Owners report six distinct steering and vehicle control problems in the 2011 Silverado. Several owners experienced sudden loss of power steering while driving at low speeds or parking—the steering wheel either seized completely or became impossible to turn. Two owners had steering column failures: one at 125,000 miles where the column seized and the ignition key wouldn't turn, requiring column and ignition replacement; another involved complete steering column breakage in a side-impact crash, allowing the wheel to spin freely and causing total loss of control.

One owner's knuckle assembly fractured and detached at just 27,000 miles. A separate incident involved a temporary electrical shutdown affecting steering, brakes, and radio for 3–5 seconds at 138,000 miles, with the owner referencing a known electrical campaign (14V827000). Another owner reported brake lockup with no warning lights, resulting in a crash and police report.

One complaint centered on a fuel gauge sensor malfunction: downhill driving caused false empty readings, triggering engine stall and simultaneous loss of power steering and brakes. GM told the owner this was normal and to keep the tank fuller—unworkable as an ongoing remedy.

Dealers either refused repair, claimed no applicable recall, or were unable to diagnose the issues.

Same Chevrolet Silverado steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014

Failure modes owners describe

Power steering loss/seizing

Steering wheel suddenly becomes difficult or impossible to turn, with complete loss of power steering function. Occurs at low speeds during parking or normal driving.

When: 12,000 to 150,800 miles; incidents occurring during low-speed maneuvers and parking

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizes without warning; Steering becomes difficult to turn; Complete loss of power steering while driving; Steering unresponsive during parking

Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement diagnosed by dealers; some vehicles not repaired

Steering column failure

Steering column mechanism fails, preventing ignition key from turning and causing steering wheel to seize. Can be triggered by normal engine start attempts or passenger side impact.

When: At 125,000 miles (seizing failure); unspecified mileage for impact-related column fracture

Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized during parking; Ignition key would not turn to start position; Vehicle fails to start; Steering wheel can spin in complete circle (impact case); Full loss of vehicle control

Repairs/costs cited: Steering column and ignition replaced at dealer; some cases left owner stranded

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recall applied

Knuckle assembly fracture

Knuckle assemblies (steering/suspension component connecting wheel to vehicle frame) fracture and detach from the vehicle without warning during normal driving.

When: 27,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Knuckle assemblies fractured and fell off; Failure occurred without warning during driving at 15 mph

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recall

Electrical system shutdown affecting steering/brakes

Temporary loss of electrical power to steering, brakes, and other critical functions during normal driving. Vehicle decelerates independently and warning lights illuminate.

When: 138,000 miles; incident duration 3-5 seconds

Symptoms owners cite: Steering became inoperable; Brakes became inoperable; Radio and other electrical functions inoperable; Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated; Vehicle decelerated independently; Vehicle jerked forward

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referenced NHTSA campaign 14V827000 (electrical system)

Brake system failure

Brakes lock up or fail during normal driving, causing loss of vehicle control and resulting in crash. No warning lights precede failure.

When: Unspecified mileage

Symptoms owners cite: Brakes locked up without warning; Loss of vehicle control; No warning lights or messages prior to failure; Vehicle crashed as result

Repairs/costs cited: Police report filed; insurance company appraised vehicle after crash

Fuel gauge sensor malfunction causing power loss

Fuel gauge sends false empty reading during downhill driving, causing engine to stall and loss of power steering and braking. Caused by fuel sloshing to front of tank away from pump location.

When: Downhill driving; continuous intermittent problem

Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge light illuminates and gauge drops to empty; Vehicle stalls and loses all power; Loss of brake control; Loss of steering control; Fuel gauge remains at empty after restart

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealership and GM Engineering stated vehicle is working as designed; remedy is to keep fuel tank more full

Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

steering · 4,105 mi · filed 12/20/2011

I have a 2011 Chevy silverado with a fuel gauge problem. While driving downhill, my fuel gauge light just comes on and the fuel gauge goes down to empty. The vehicle then stalls losing all power and control of the vehicle (brakes, steering). As I reach the bottom of the hill, I have to place the vehicle in park and it starts right back up but the fuel gauge stays at empty. I had the vehicle…

Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado?

It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.

At what mileage does the steering typically fail?

Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 27,000 and 138,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 138,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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.