2011 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 18th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Sierra. That ranks 18th out of 23 Sierra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (11 complaints, 26%), typically at around 62,500 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 43owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 GMC Sierra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 11 | 26% | 62,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 10 | 23% | 57,892 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 19% | 47,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 7 | 16% | 59,980 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 14% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 9% | 62,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 9% | 37,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 7% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 7% | 9,873 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 2% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | 950 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 2% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 2% | 13,800 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 2% | 950 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | 12,100 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 2% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 9,873 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 GMC Sierra recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:ignition
Problem: 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
Problem: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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
My dash is cracked around the airbag. Passenger side.
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…
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…
Recently the dashboard has started to crack in multiple locations, most notably a crack around passenger airbag.
Other GMC Sierra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 61 | 0 |
| 2016 Sierra | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 Sierra | 53 | 6 |
| 2014 Sierra | 101 | 11 |
| 2013 Sierra | 39 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra | 29 | 2 |
| 2011 | 43 | 2 |
| 2010 Sierra | 34 | 0 |
| 2009 Sierra | 37 | 1 |
| 2008 Sierra | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra | 59 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra | 53 | 4 |
| 2005 Sierra | 117 | 9 |
| 2004 Sierra | 188 | 7 |
| 2003 Sierra | 206 | 6 |
| 2002 Sierra | 249 | 4 |
| 2001 Sierra | 264 | 4 |
| 2000 Sierra | 443 | 8 |
| 1999 Sierra | 600 | 5 |
| 1998 Sierra | 190 | 0 |
| 1997 Sierra | 238 | 0 |
| 1996 Sierra | 246 | 2 |
| 1995 Sierra | 261 | 6 |
See all GMC Sierra problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra?
Owners most often report unknown or other, air bags, structure problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 11 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 GMC Sierra?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 GMC Sierra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra model years, the 2011 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.