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Air bagsPart report

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Air bags Problems

Complaints
306about this part
Share
54%of 565 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 306 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 54% of the 565 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Was driving in motion straight during icy conditions on freeway and truck slid out of control and I drove through ditch never stopped once and side air bags deployed and seat belts all froze up and ceiling fabric was ruined and torn from deployed airbags. I never hit anything and continued to drive right back onto highway.”

NHTSA complaint #11339236, filed 2020-07, 120,000 miles

“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 don't want a loved one getting hurt or killed before the airbag is replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11057155, filed 2017-12, 25,000 miles

“Passenger side airbag sensor light default. Diagnostic shows airbag passenger side. Fails inspections due to this. This is when it's moving, stopped, stationary. I have been told numerous times that it's airbag recall but not on your VIN. This has been going on over 1 1/2 years now. We have recd notice of recall and VIN # still notlisted”

NHTSA complaint #11041310, filed 2017-10, 53,200 miles

“While driving on a two lane road at ~45 MPH,I struck a deer on the front passenger side of the truck. The air bag deployed but did not come out of the center steering. Air bag dust was coming out of the back of the steering wheel, no air bag. I was very confused. The front bumper was pushed in ~2.5 inches. I am fortunate that I did not hit another car, since the airbag malfunctioned on deployment.”

NHTSA complaint #11231839, filed 2019-07, 144,000 miles

“Takata recall I was informed of a takata air bag recall,GM number 49151, dated may 27, 2016, issued on my vehicle. As of today, jan. 20, 2017, there has been no resolution and no repair. I am very concerned that, in the event of a crash, a passenger in my vehicle could be injured or killed. What can be done to expedite this repair?”

NHTSA complaint #10946770, filed 2017-01, 21,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202511%
202421%
202310%
202281%
2021202%
2020111%
2019121%
2018153%
2017304%
2016182%
2015666%
2014473%
20138327%
20125927%
201130654%
201019754%
200923152%
200859465%
200747956%
2006247%
20055110%
2004344%
2003213%
2002143%
2001123%
2000315%
1999193%
199872%
1997163%
1994110%

Other parts of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Other or unknown
118 complaints
Body and structure
72 complaints
Engine
40 complaints
Electrical system
27 complaints
Electronic stability control
18 complaints
Suspension
18 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Brakes
17 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology