2011 GMC Sierra Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra. Part of Generation 3 (GMT900) — 2007–2013.

20102012
Complaints
67
per 10K Sold
4.5
US Sales
149,170
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2011 GMC Sierra Problems

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

#110 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:57,044 mi
Crash-related:1
#27 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:48,040 mi
#34 complaints

Electronic Stability Control

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 GMC Sierra.

Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
57,044
Engine Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,040
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

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

Recalls for 2011 GMC Sierra

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~84,931 vehicles.

14V827000Electrical System:ignition
~84,192 affected

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.

11V339000Steering:linkages
~739 affected

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.

Other GMC Sierra Years

2011 GMC Sierra — FAQ

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

Is the 2011 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2011 GMC Sierra has 67 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Airbags (10 complaints, avg 57,044 mi); Engine Problems (7 complaints, avg 48,040 mi); Electronic Stability Control (4 complaints). 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 53,336 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra include 1 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 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 have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 84,931 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?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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

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

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