2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
359
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
The 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 has received a total of 359 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (112 complaints), Unknown Or Other (72 complaints), and Structurebody (38 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500, potentially affecting up to 13,296,182 vehicles.
Recall 21V054000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,778,128 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 21V054000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,778,128 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 21V054000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,778,128 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 21V050000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 2,641,272 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 21V050000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 2,641,272 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 21V050000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 2,641,272 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be...
View full details →Recall 18V267000 — EQUIPMENT
| 6,154 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected...
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer...
View full details →Recall 10V643000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
| 1,262 vehicles affected
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
View full details →Recall 11V007000 — SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
| 30,566 vehicles affected
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD...
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
359 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The door handle broke off on the driver side the passenger side door handle will not open the door the outside handles are loose and the rear back driver and passenger side will not open their doors.
Frame falling apart the coating peeled off was going to clean it to recoat it but the metal is so far gone took it to a frame shop only to find out it's not drivable anymore GM have to do better with the coating for this trucks
2011 GMC Sierra Frame Failed Pennsylvania State Inspection due to Driver Side Frame Rust/hole. The section of the frame must be replaced due to rust(Improper coating... The truck has only 69700 miles on the odometer.
2011 GMC Sierra Frame Failed Pennsylvania State Inspection due to Driver Side Frame Rust/hole. The section of the frame must be replaced due to rust(Improper coating... The truck has only 69700 miles on the odometer.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 119,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 128,000.
Safety Rating for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
The 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
General Motors, LLC has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
050307009I — WHEELS
This informational bulletin provides retail, wholesale and fleet personnel with General Motors recommendations for customer concerns related to wheel alignment.
SB-09-03-09-001D — SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO RE-TORQUE THE JOINTS OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
15NA082 — SUSPENSION
Clunking Noise from Front of Vehicle During Turns and/or Bumps
12050C — SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
12050C - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (REVISED EXPIRATION DATE, EXTENDED TO 4/30/16). CERTAIN 2011-2012 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES, AND CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND SUBURBAN, AND GMC SIERRA AND YUKON XL 2500 SERIES VEHICLES, ALL EQUIPPED WITH A 10.5" REAR AXLE, MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE REAR...
PI0345D — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides procedures to inspect , replace, or repair the XM radio antenna to correct the customers concern loss XM services, noise and/or water leak.
PIT5180A — STRUCTURE
Whistle Noise From Drivers Side A Pillar Area.
14105A — TIRES
Passenger Side Instrument Panel Performance
14105 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Passenger Side Instrument Panel Performance
120232002A — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Pressure Hose During Extreme Low Temperature Operation (Replace Power Steering Fluid)
PIT5120A — SERVICE BRAKES
Stabilitrak/Traction Control OFF With Red Brake Warning Lamp
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the GMC SIERRA 1500
- 2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 182 complaints
- 2007 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 308 complaints
- 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 437 complaints
- 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 280 complaints
- 2010 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 215 complaints
- 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 (current)
- 2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 143 complaints
- 2013 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 147 complaints
- 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 1,017 complaints
- 2015 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 906 complaints
- 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500 — 435 complaints
Other GMC Models
- GMC ACADIA — 7,420 total complaints
- GMC YUKON — 6,108 total complaints
- GMC SIERRA — 4,896 total complaints
- GMC TERRAIN — 4,098 total complaints
- GMC JIMMY — 3,778 total complaints
- GMC ENVOY — 3,269 total complaints
- GMC YUKON XL — 2,820 total complaints
- GMC SUBURBAN — 2,323 total complaints