AFM/DOD lifter failed while driving which causes multiple systems to go offline including Traction Control, stability control, ABS just to name a few. This happened while coming off freeway which can be a safety risk as vehicle was at higher speeds. This is a known GM problem with 5.3l engines and should have been addressed years ago.
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems
43 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 114,000.
- owner complaints
- 43
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 114,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Engine: diesel1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Check engine light 17Engine failure 9Loss of power 6Misfire 6
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a lifter and a failed cylinder 6. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, however the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,200.
After 2 weeks of owning the truck which we are paying on it had to be towed 3 times stalling out and leaving leaving my family,my children with us at least once, and stranded in high traffic roads. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and the fuel light came came on the very same day we picked it up. Now over a week after getting it back it has stranded us again,this time with our 3 children with us. This is on a Friday evening during rush hour. We manage to pull to a side road and off to the side a bit,but not fully. People are driving by very fast now as we wait for a tow.
The software that makes the truck work as a 4 cylinder truck has caused the engine light to come on and causing a code P0300 various engine misfire. The misfire is caused by the lifter spring causing the lifter to remain in the down position. The down position is against the can rod and as the cam rod rotates, this causes the lifter to break at the bottom and causing the can rod to also break which will cause an engine failure while drinking and the motor will freeze . All GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with this installed should be recalled. Everyone has been fixing it themselves by replacing the part(s) once a pinging noise is heard at 50,000 miles. Basically every 50,000 this will need to be fixed. Some people are turning off the 4 cylinder software to avoid the problem which in both cases, uses more gas and also idles higher.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lifters and engine were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,000.
Hybrid system failed while driving resulting vehicle becoming disabled on the road. Took to GM shop, they informed that the Hybrid System failed. Parts are unavailable because GM discontinued them. GM shop is not willing to replace with used battery due to the lack of reliability “we would have the same problem just a few miles down the road”. GM shop bipassed hybrid system resulting in the vehicle only working if it is on a trickle battery charger. Filed complaint with GM and GM told us they cannot help because the part is discontinued. This vehicle cannot operate without being on a trickle charge which is a hazard to all people on the road. GM discontinued a part that is vital to the vehicle’s safety and usability. GM provided no resolution, therefore putting all 2011 Chevy Silverado Hybrid vehicles at risk for immediate and unforeseen vehicle failure.
The worst problem I have with this vehicle is that it will cut power to propulsion without any warning. I was driving down a suburban roadway, not on the freeway, thank God. When the truck's automatic gear shift wouldn't engage, I went from going 30 mph to 5 mph in seconds. The accelerator pedal wouldn't respond, I managed to coax my truck into a parking lot and restart the engine. Other times the head lights will not come on. Just today, I turned on the left turn signal and the Stabilitrack warning light came on, plus the radio made a brief noise of static. This particular issue appeared and disappeared in one second. I'm concerned that these problems are a manufacturer's mistake, and I want it fixed as soon as possible. My mechanic has tried repeatedly to find the cause but has been unsuccessful.
While driving, all the sudden my check engine light came on (flashing), and my stabilitrack light came on. The engine started running really rough, and lost power. It is like major misfire. Upon reading up on this, it is a problem with this type engine. I saw about 2000 people with the same issue. Nothing works to resolve this problem. Coils, plugs, and wires were replaced, and still the same.
Vehicle door locks activate lock and unlock while simultaneously downshifting the transmission, the engine dies, the dash cluster stops working, engine starts again, dash cluster begins working again. After this occurs, when the vehicle is shut off, there is a loud "pop" sound heard over the speakers and no interior lights. The vehicle may or may not have any cab power. Cycling the ignition provides little to no help. After the vehicle sits for a while, it may or may not start again. The vehicle stereo will randomly change from FM to aux. The a/c panel will flicker and the blower motor will fluctuate. This can also be seen while watching the battery gage on the instrument cluster. It will go from around 14 volts DC to around 9 volts DC and back up again.
**randomly at any given speed ** First the radio system will randomly turn off then moments later… stabiliTrak off flashes followed by abs and traction control lights on dash then suddenly my Chevrolet Silverado has a mind of its own ! The door locks will flicker uncontrollably , and the vehicle just suddenly has a loss of power while rpms and gauges are continuously moving while you are unable to even move the vehicle .. this is a ongoing problem since 2019 , that no one seems to have an answer too .. I’ve taken it to 3 different mechanics and still no answers … when it first started happening it was super random and would happen a few times a day but then not happen for months on end then all of the sudden now it is happening several days a week .. I’m currently scared to even drive it which is horrible considering the amount of money I’ve put into this truck .. it has only 100k miles but somehow I am stuck using my dads old truck with 330k miles on it which seems to be more reliable and is 12 years older … sucks to pay over 500$ a month for “ your dream vehicle “ that you can’t even drive or get any real answers to what or where the problem is coming from … seems that thousands of people online have the same problem but yet no one has any solution .. Now that I’ve almost been in 3 serious accidents I decided I have to say something, 2 of these times were over 70 mph on a California freeway !!! Something must be done !
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have engine problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 8% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 114,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have bad engine?
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model years with the most engine complaints are 2021 (453 complaints), 2019 (424 complaints) and 2022 (281 complaints).
Other 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Airbags 306Body 72Electrical 27Driver assistance 22Suspension 18Transmission 18Brakes 17Acceleration 11Fuel system 11Steering 9Seat belts 8Lights 7Visibility 5Wheels 4Tires 3Locks 1Seats 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history