VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 108 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Suburban 1500 year — the 2011 model ranks #6 of 23 Suburban 1500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 32 reports (30% of the total).

108

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Suburban 1500 years?

Suburban 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted240 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 10 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 21 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 91 complaints2000: 72 complaints2001: 102 complaints2002: 144 complaints2003: 223 complaints2004: 220 complaints2005: 102 complaints2006: 35 complaints2007: 240 complaints2008: 131 complaints2009: 70 complaints2010: 70 complaints2011: 108 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 36 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Suburban 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3230%
Other3230%
Body & Structure1817%
Electrical System66%
Transmission55%
Seats44%
Speed Control33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Engine22%
Seat Belts11%
Suspension11%
Fuel System11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V339000SteeringJune 28, 2011 · 739 units

Defect

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. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

11V007000SuspensionJanuary 6, 2011 · 30,566 units

Defect

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 VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS LOCATED WAS FRACTURED IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 31, 2017

“FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY 2011 SUBURBAN WILL RANDOMLY NOT WANT TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFTER ACTS LIKE IT IS STUCK. I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE. OVER THE WEEKEND MY HUSBAND HAD MY CAR KEYS IN HIS POCKET, OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON CLIMBED INTO THE DRIVERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 2, 2017 · crash

“MY NAME IS [XXX] I'M THE OWNER OF A 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND ONE DAY I TOOK MY WIFE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY AND WHEN I CAME OUT AFTER 4 HOURS MY SUBURBAN HAD 2 CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD ONE NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ONE NEXT TO THE LEFT ON TOP OF THE GAUGES PANEL. INFORMATION REDACTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 3, 2019

“WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK ON INTERSTATE 15, NORTHBOUND ON FEBRUARY 1, 2017, WITH MY TWO SONS IN THE VEHICLE, I SMELLED SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE AND REALIZED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS ON FIRE (PICTURES ATTACHED). I NOTICED THE SWITCH FOR THE HEATED SEAT WAS ON, SO I TURNED IT OFF. I THEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 1, 2017 · fire

“WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE RIGHT BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE IS GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND IT QUICKLY LUNGES FORWARD RIGHT BEFORE IT GETS COMPLETELY STOPPED. HAS DONE THIS ON AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IF I HAD BEEN VERY CLOSE TO THE CAR/OBJECT IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 3, 2012

2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 108 complaints put the 2011 model at #6 of 23 Suburban 1500 years. It is one of the Suburban 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Suburban 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (32 complaints), other (32 complaints), body & structure (18 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Suburban 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban 1500 years to avoid are 2007, 2003, 2004, 2002, 2008, 2011. The cleanest record among Suburban 1500 years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.