2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500.

20102012
Complaints
362
per 10K Sold
24.3
US Sales
149,170
Crashes
9
Fires
4
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1112 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:57,770 mi
Crash-related:3
#238 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:55,996 mi
Crash-related:1
#321 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:53,832 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500.

Airbags
112
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
57,770
Body Structure
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,996
Transmission / Drivetrain
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
53,832
Engine Problems
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,785
Electrical Faults
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
230,009
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,265
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,537
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,092
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,000
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,987
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,000
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,062
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Firerelated
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 GMC Sierra 1500

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,457,382 vehicles.

21V050000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~2,641,272 affected

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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

21V054000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,778,128 affected

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 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

18V267000Other Equipment
~6,154 affected

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 cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

11V007000Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
~30,566 affected

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.

10V643000Suspension:rear:axle:spindle
~1,262 affected

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.

Other GMC Sierra 1500 Years

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 has 362 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 112 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
Top reported problems: Airbags (112 complaints, avg 57,770 mi); Body Structure (38 complaints, avg 55,996 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (21 complaints, avg 53,832 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 65,416 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 include 9 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,457,382 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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