Model year record

2011 GMC Sierra recalls & problems

The 2011 GMC Sierra has 2 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (11 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints43filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemDec 30, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V82700084,192 vehicles

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.

SteeringJun 28, 2011

Linkages

Recall 11V339000739 vehicles

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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid

21mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sierra C15 XFE 2WD FFV

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD FFV

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD FFV

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD FFV

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD FFV

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra K15 AWD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	11	0	0	62,500 mi
Air bags	10	1	0	57,892 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	8	0	0	47,500 mi
Engine	7	0	1	59,980 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	6	0	0	37,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	4	0	0	62,500 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	0	0	37,500 mi
Electrical system	3	0	0	25,000 mi
Service brakes	3	0	0	9,873 mi
Exterior lighting	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, diesel	1	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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
Mar 11, 2022
Unknown or other
MY DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE.
Mar 1, 2015
Structure › Body
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.
Jan 7, 2015 · 50,000 miles
Engine
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 FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY RAN TESTS AND SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME THING WHEN I TURNED IT OFF IT WORKED FINE AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES I GOT HOME AND WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT TO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS…
Mar 26, 2016 · 59,980 miles
Unknown or other
RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY A CRACK AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Feb 1, 2016 · 58,000 miles
Air bags
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.
Mar 1, 2016 · 65,000 miles
Unknown or other
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 AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THE BROKEN, BRITTLE PLASTIC DASH PARTS AROUND THE AIRBAG AREA COULD BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.
Mar 16, 2015 · 89,000 miles
Unknown or other
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING REAL BAD.
Nov 15, 2015 · 90,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.