2011 Gmc Sierra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (4) · Air Bags (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
40 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-12-30 · campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Steering:linkages 2011-06-28 · campaign 11V339000 · 739 vehicles
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.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (292)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly 2017-07-17 · 06-03-09-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage 2017-02-08 · PIT5161E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. the bump clunk issue may b
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2017-01-31 · PIT3665E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2017-01-12 · PIT5124B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that within 10 seconds after startup the radio will mute and phone icon displays on the radio for up to 15 seconds and then returns back to normal operation. technician will need to use the onstar system
Power Train 2017-01-12 · PIP3119N · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a service engine soon malfunction indicator lamp on at low mileage. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes p0420 and or p0430 stored. technician should b
Engine 2016-07-11 · 16-NA-222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this informational bulletin provides the technician with what may happen to an engine due to lack of maintenance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 292 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-03-11 · Air Bags“2011 gmc sierra. consumer writes in regards to passenger side frontal airbag safety recall. the consumer stated the dealer has not been provided the necessary parts to repair the vehicle. *js…”
2016-04-18 · Unknown Or Other“my dash is cracked around the airbag. passenger side.…”
2016-04-08 · Structure:body · 50,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc sierra. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed multiple fractures on the dashboard around where the front passenger side air bag was located. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 50,000. …”
2016-03-29 · Engine · 59,980 mi“while driving down the interstate at 70 mph my service traction control message, service stabilitrak message, check engine light, and reduced engine power message came on. the vehicle started running very rough it would not go above 50 mph. i drove approximately 3 miles to get off the interstate into the gas station parking lot. i turned it off …”
2016-03-17 · Unknown Or Other · 58,000 mi“recently the dashboard has started to crack in multiple locations, most notably a crack around passenger airbag.…”
2016-03-03 · Unknown Or Other · 65,000 mi“dash board crack at corner of passenger side air bag and 2 more cracks at drivers side instrument panel. concern that the crack at air bag could be a safety concern if ever deployed.…”
2016-02-17 · Unknown Or Other · 89,000 mi“when my 2011 gmc denali pickup was nearly 4 years old, the dash started cracking. the first crack was at the forward, left corner of the passenger air bag. other cracks have since appeared on the driver's side, over the instrument cluster area. the cracks are continuing to grow. the plastic material of the dash is becoming more brittle with time. i…”
2016-02-02 · Unknown Or Other · 90,000 mi“my dashboard is cracking real bad.…”
2016-01-20 · Unknown Or Other · 70,000 mi“large and noticeable crack by my passenger side airbag on my dashboard. could see this becoming shrapnel in the event of the airbag deploying. gm will not issue a recall, nor take any sort of responsibility for their error.…”
2016-01-15 · Unknown Or Other · 18,000 mi“dash cracked may cause hassarad due to air bag.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.