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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,233 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 032023

Silverado 2500

  • 260,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a loud abnormal tapping sound at the hood of the vehicle. The contact then stated that upon inspection, she noticed that the tapping sound was coming from the lifter and lifter arm when the piston dropped down. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pistons, rocker arm, head valve seals, and lifter arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that upon research she was informed that the engine may need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

- Lobelville, TN, USA

problem #15

Sep 142021

Silverado 2500

  • 203,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

- Rougemont, NC, USA

problem #14

Jan 252020

Silverado 2500

  • 136,000 miles
I have a 2011 Chevy 2500. 6.6 turbo diesel at 136K miles. My def heater just went out and my dealership said it's only under warranty until 120K miles. I've been looking online and there's a lot of 2011S that are having the same problem. Someone needs to step up and be responsible for this. It's costing me $1200 to fix plus a day off work. I'm self employed and if I sell a faulty product I'm required to replace for free. G.M should be doing the same.

- Johnstown, CO, USA

problem #13

Oct 262018

Silverado 2500

  • 54,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was traveling to work in the fast lane of the freeway when I heard a faint squealing noise and the truck suddenly started running rough. I began crossing all 4 lanes and by the time I made it to the the slow lane the truck completely died. I was able to safely coast off of the freeway due to my quick reaction and lack of traffic at the time, but the situation was very dangerous and could have been much more so with heavier traffic or a less aware driver. Later diagnosis at the Chevrolet dealership told me that the CP4 fuel pump disintegrated inside. After speaking with the diesel technician at the dealer I learned that it is a very common problem and the repair comes with a $10,000 price tag. I was also very surprised that there has never been a recall for this problem and GM continued to use them until 2017...7 years! my truck is a 2011 with only 54K miles, and they just fixed a 2017 with only 7K miles! I have since done a lot of research finding hundreds of low mileage GM duramax diesel between 2011-2017 with the exact same failure. I was able to get the bottom of the failure itself and I found the following...the Bosch CP4 fuel pumps that were used in these trucks (also found in late Ford and VW diesels) are made in europe to different specifications. The pumps rely on lubricant found in diesel #1 to operate smoothly and last a long time. Here in the U.S. we only have diesel #2 which lacks that lubricant and causes the internal parts of the pump to disintegrate sending metal shavings throughout the entire fuel system. This is why the repair averages $10,000 across the country, the entire fuel system becomes contaminated and has to be replaced. I contacted GM and they don't believe this is a safety issue. A vehicle suddenly dieing with seconds notice on the freeway is certainly a safety issue in my eyes. Especially when it's a common failure that can be prevented.

- Bethel Island, CA, USA

problem #12

Oct 242017

Silverado 2500

  • 123,000 miles
Battery needed to be jumped off. Jumped off battery and then decided to go and purchase a new one. We were driving down the highway at 60mph, flames and smoke started coming up over hood. Pulled over, parked and jumped out and started throwing items out of vehicle. Called 911, but by the time they arrived, the truck was totally engulfed. It is a complete loss.

- Portland, TN, USA

problem #11

Jul 012016

Silverado 2500

  • 78,000 miles
Exhaust manifold bolts are breaking despite regular non commercial use and proper maintenance. This causes an exhaust leak and I am not comfortable driving my infant in the truck now. Dealer says 4 how odd labor plus parts so approx $1000 fix? that's unreasonable for any motor but especially under 120000km.

- Edmonton, AL, USA

problem #10

Jul 262016

Silverado 2500

  • 99,567 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

P140A-exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler bypass position sensor exceeded learning limit there is a special coverage on the egr bypass valve for 10 years or 120,000 miles condition- on some 2011 model year Chevrolet Silverado 3500 hd or 2011 GMC Sierra hd vehicles, the service engine soon light may illuminate due to an inoperative exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler bypass valve. Special coverage adjustment- this special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to replace the egr cooler bypass valve. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. I have the same engine but my truck is a 2500 hd and they will not cover it! there is no difference in a 2500 and 3500 except one leaf spring!

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 172016

Silverado 2500

  • 41,209 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving 10 mph, the engine jerked and shook as the check engine light, reduce engine power, and service traction control lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the throttle body and harness were repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,209.

- Dibsonville, NC, USA

problem #8

Oct 012015

Silverado 2500

  • miles
My dash is cracking around the passenger airbag and above the instrument cluster. I am concerned that the cracked areas could come loose and become a projectile. The engine is also burning oil badly and could shut down while driving

- Wamego, KS, USA

problem #7

Mar 152015

Silverado 2500

  • 83,918 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 15 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact stated that the throttle was also sticking and the engine indicator was illuminating. The vehicle stalled and would not restart for ten minutes. This was a recurring failure. The contact had to push the onstar button, which provided the codes of the failure. The failure codes stated that the pps throttle system was failing. The dealer stated that they could not locate a failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 83,918. The VIN was unknown.

- King George, MD, USA

problem #6

Feb 262015

Silverado 2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First of three vehicle collisions this year involving Chevrolet Silverado that have caught fire after involved in frontal impacts. Vehicle traveling westbound on sr 58 in lane county, Oregon. Involved in secondary collision with a Toyota pickup truck that had been struck by a loose truck tractor wheel. The impact by the wheel caused the Toyota to encroach into the path of the Chevrolet. The occupants of Chevrolet were able to extricate themselves. The vehicle subsequently caught fire and suffered extensive fire damage.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #5

Mar 132015

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
We were making a stop at the light, when a 18-wheeler didn't stop and hit us in the back, pushing us towards the bus that was in front of us, making the glass of the back break and throwing all the crystals in our body and clothes, the air bags never open, the front seats were broken and 3 of the 4 doors couldn't close anymore, the driver tried to make a move to the left or right, but he could not, because we were stuck, when we realize there were no major injury, we stayed until the red cross came to check our condition, but there were crystals everywhere so we couldn't move without hurting ourselves. We buy the truck with 2 miles, we are the only owners.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #4

Feb 132013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
At 36000 miles the engine burns oil. So far as of 46000 miles pistons burned have been replaced pvc filter and valve were replaced along with valve cover. At present 54000 miles engine still burns oil.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 152013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
Traveling at 60 miles per hour, accelerated and the accelerator stuck going up to 80 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone. I stomped on the accelerator to no avail. I had to put the truck into neutral to avoid a crash. Pulled over and finally kept stomping the accelerator until it released.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #2

May 212013

Silverado 2500

  • 39,010 miles
Check engine light is displayed and the motor is hesitating. This issue is a second occurrence due to the valve cover leaking and causing the spark plugs to go bad. First time the vehicle was under warranty at approximately 29000 miles and now the vehicle has 39000 miles and the issue has recurred. This appears to be a continually recurring problem for 2011 Chevrolet Silverado trucks.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 062012

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 19,025 miles
The truck had the check engine light come on when we took it to the dealership they replace the fuel pressure regulator. The light soon came back on due to a faulty fuel pump which sent the car into safe mode, which made the car do a nose dive from 55 to 15 in a matter of seconds on a major interstate in atlanta.

- Kennesaw , GA, USA

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