Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle developed two cracks on the top of the dashboard assembly. One crack is located on the passenger side of the vehicle, running from the forward-left corner of the passenger side airbag to the defroster vent. The other crack is on the driver side, inboard and slightly forward of the instrument panel "hump." cracks discovered while vehicle was stationary. I understand this to be common, known manufacturer defect for this vehicle and related general motors vehicles (e.g., GMC yukon, yukon xl, avalanche, tahoe, etc.). This is a safety issue due to the location of the cracks potentially affecting passenger side airbag deployment, creating a dangerous shards of flying plastic in the event of a passenger side airbag deployment, the potential negative impact on the structural integrity of the dashboard and subsequent non-compliant performance during a collision, and potential dust and …
The dashboard on my 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 has cracked in two locations. Both of these locations would be effected by an airbag activation with high potential for flying sharp plastic fragments that a) pierce the airbag or prevent its proper inflation or, b) injure or kill front seat passengers. Open-source research indicates this is a widespread and pervasive issue with general motors vehicles of similar design (Suburban, tahoe, silverado, avalanche, etc...) stretching over a period of several years-- at least effecting model years 2007 thru 2013 or more. Furthermore, every GM service center has experienced so many of these dashboard cracks that replacement of these parts has become routine. GM views this inherent design flaw as a warranty issue, not the endemic problem it actually is with potential for injury.
I have 3 cracks in the dash of my Suburban. 1 is in the far left, front corner of the passenger side air bag, and the other 2 are in front of the steering wheel, about 8 inches apart. My concern, aside from paying so much money for a vehicle and having the dash crack for no reason, is that the airbag being deployed on the passenger side May send plastic pieces flying at the passengers face. There is obviously a defect in the production of these dashes, as I have read other people state the same issue, in the same spots. I encourage general motors to issue a recall on this part, as it could pose a dangerous situation in the event of an accident. The vehicle was parked during the period the dash cracked.
My 2011 Chevy Suburban has two cracks on the dash, both connecting to the airbag. I have concerns of this weakening the dash which could cause sudden deployment of the airbag. I also have concerns that in the event of deployment,, pieces of broken plastic could cause injury, as did in an accident of another vehicle. My vehicle has been garaged for a year when not used. It was previously owned before that. This is my sixth Suburban. The kind of money we pay for these, even preowned, should cover better than the plastic dash that's falling apart
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 made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
The dashboard is severely cracked in multiple spots. I fear if involved in an accident my airbags would be compromised. Not to mention one crack is on the passenger airbag which is recalled due to the Takata inflators recall that seems to never be resolved. I am aware of many GMC/Chevrolet owners that have this issue.
As I am driving the vehicle turns on and off which is very dangerous while driving. Also the electrical goes bad in the car causing the navigation and radio tongo on and off. Stabiltrak goes off on the vehicle and then comes back on. Today as I am driving my car lost power and now the service airbag light came on.
The dash on the Suburban has cracked in 2 places. 1 behind the steering wheel and the other behind the passenger airbag area. This is very annoying and noisy, not to mention the danger with the airbag right there.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (don hewlett Chevrolet Buick located at 7601 s interstate hwy 35, georgetown, tx 78626; [phone]) confirmed that the parts were not available and the contact would have to wait for the remedy. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that the vehicle was safe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My 2011 Chevy Suburban has two cracks on the dash, both connecting to the airbag. I have concerns of this weakening the dash which could cause sudden deployment of the airbag. I also have concerns that in the event of deployment,, pieces of broken plastic could cause injury, as did in an accident of another vehicle. My vehicle has been garaged for a year when not used. It was previously owned before that. This is my sixth Suburban. The kind of money we pay for these, even preowned, should cover better than the plastic dash that's falling apart. The warranty had just expired about 4 months before I bought it. It was still under the 36000 miles when the first crack was noticed but time had expired.
Airbag complaints in other Suburban 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 40% of the model year's 80 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.