What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2011 GMC Sierra 1500

Typical pattern

5.3% of complaints about the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (113 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 61,500 miles.

Complaints
360
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
56,660 n=200
Crash / fire / tow
4.4% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
113 reports · 61,500 mi
5.8 yr
2.7%
Other
71 reports · 56,660 mi
6.5 yr
1.4%
Structure
45 reports · 50,000 mi
6.5 yr
4.4%
Power train
25 reports · 32,000 mi
3.4 yr
4%
Electrical system
17 reports · 128,000 mi
7.3 yr
11.8%
Engine
15 reports · 41,375 mi
7.2 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V050000 2021-02-05
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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 Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-200

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

21V054000 2021-02-05
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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 recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

18V267000 2018-04-26
Equipment

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 or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could ca

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

11V007000 2011-01-06
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

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 CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

10V643000 2010-12-17
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

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.

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

In owners’ own words

Power train 4,500 mi 1.6 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE UTILIZING THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODE, HE ATTEMPTED A LEFT TURN, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, UNTIL HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. UPDATED 11/23/12 *CN
Power train 55,000 mi 2.4 yr in service
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN TRUCK STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED WORKING. TOWED TO GMC DEALER. BROKEN THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND BROKEN STEERING POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. *TR
Power train 400 mi 11 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 43 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXPECTED WITH THE TYPE OF POWER TRAIN IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,728.
Engine 13,592 mi 2.6 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE LIFTERS WHICH WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,592.

Other Sierra 1500 model years

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999

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