The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2011 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 96 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 20, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 14 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 771 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 34K to 98K miles on the car (397 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 43K–113K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 38K–105K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 59K–125K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- equipment 2018
These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher.
Show all 6 recalls
- electrical 2014
Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
- suspension 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VE…
- suspension 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 2171 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: rear axle pinion bearing noise, gear noise and/or pinion bearing…
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc/oldsmobile and hummer: information on pitman arm shaft seal…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The dash surrounding the air bag on the passenger side of the vehicle cracked. Don't know how this will affect the operation of the air bag in case of an emergency.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10586322
More owner reports
Dashboard cracked in two places at the airbag on passenger side.
NHTSA complaint 10648497
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 20; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (15%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado get?
14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,500 and 98,000 miles. The middle report was at 67,900 miles, from 397 complaints.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works