2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Complaints and Recall Information
The 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 1 complaints and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with the stitching on the side of the front seats that cover the airbag. The stitching deteriorates and falls apart, exposing the airbag system, which creates potential safety hazards related to airbag deployment.
Common Issues
- Seat stitching failure. The stitching on the side of the front seats starts to come apart, exposing the airbag system within the seat. This issue began with a few loose threads and progressed to the entire side of the seat coming apart while the rest of the seat remains intact.
- Airbag system exposure. The defective stitching exposes the airbag system to potential interference, increasing the risk that the airbag deployment may be compromised during a crash.
- Foreign object hazard. The opening caused by the deteriorated stitching may allow foreign objects to lodge near the airbag, posing a risk of injury if the airbag deploys.
- Unauthorized airbag deployment risk. There is potential for a person or child to access the exposed airbag system and cause it to deploy without warning, creating safety concerns.
There are 7 recalls affecting multiple systems on the 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. These recalls include issues primarily related to the ignition system and airbag inflators, which involve safety risks such as unexpected engine power loss and the possibility of inflator explosions.
Recalls
- Ignition system defect. (NHTSA Recall 14V827000) Approximately 84,192 vehicles are affected by an ignition lock actuator that may bind, making key turning difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position. This risk may cause sudden loss of engine, steering, and braking power and prevent airbag deployment during a crash. GM advises owners to have dealers inspect and replace the ignition lock housing if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
- Front passenger airbag inflator. (NHTSA Recall 21V054000) Over 1.7 million vehicles are recalled due to non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators with phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. Prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperatures can cause the inflator to explode, sending sharp metal fragments inside the vehicle, risking serious injury or death. GM will replace the inflator free of charge. Interim notifications began in February 2021, with further notifications and remedies ongoing.
- Front passenger airbag inflator. (NHTSA Recall 21V050000) About 2.6 million vehicles are recalled for the same inflator defect affecting certain 2007 to 2011 models. The inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature fluctuations. Explosion risks include sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death. GM will replace the inflators at no cost. Owner notifications started in early 2021, with remedies forthcoming.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to seat airbag issues or affected by recalls involving critical safety components like ignition or airbags may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a qualified attorney or consumer protection expert can provide guidance on possible remedies.
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Summary
2011
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
4503592
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
1778128 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
2641272 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
84192 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Complaints
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
ID: 2069713AIR BAGS
This is not connected with a specific crash in this vehicle. It is a defect with all vehicles with this seat. There is known common defect with the stitching on the side of the front seats covering the airbag. The stitching is designed to come apart if an airbag is deployed. The defective stitching deteriorates and falls apart. This exposes the airbag system in the seat. This occurs on all GM vehicles with the same leather seats. Models include Suburbans, Yukons, and pickup trucks. In this Suburban the stiching started to come apart about 6 years ago with a few loose threads. The entire side of the seat has now come apart. The rest of the seat is in relatively good repair without any holes, rips or torn stitching. GM claims this is cosmetic and not covered. The safety issues caused by this includes the potential deterioration of the airbag system interfering with deployment in a crash. Another safety issue is the potential for foreign objects to get lodged in this space and injuring someone if the airbag goes off. The third safety issue is the potential of a person, or child, to access the airbag and cause it to go off without warning.