2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Airbag Problems
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
306 owners have reported airbag problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 54% of all complaints for this year and the most reported problem area. Most reported problems happened at about 43,000–115,000 miles. 2 recalls cover this area.
306 complaints 54% of all 2011 complaints 70,000 miles typical
Which parts fail
The specific part named in each complaint.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (93 of 306). The amber line is the middle value.
When problems were reported
Airbags complaints by the year the problem happened.
Airbags complaints by Silverado 1500 year
Related recalls
Inflator module
S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Recall 21V050000 · Feb 2021Inflator module
" Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Recall 21V054000 · Feb 2021Get an email when your 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Common questions
What are common 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
Complaints most often name the frontal and curtain.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems happen?
Most complaints that gave a mileage fell between about 43,000–115,000 miles. The middle value is about 70,000 miles.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
Yes: 21V050000, 21V054000. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Which Silverado 1500 year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2008 Silverado 1500, with 594 complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports.