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2011 GMC Sierra Denali Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali, most often about the other or unspecified (61% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sierra Denali model year since 2000.

Complaints28
Recalls0
Crashes reported0
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2011 GMC Sierra Denali problems

  1. Other or unspecified

    17 complaints · 61%

    Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.

    On july 29, 2015, while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly downshifted itself into first gear causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly with no notice. I was able to get the vehicle off the road and into a gas station. After the fact the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 60,000 miles
    Dashboard cracked at passenger air bag and at instrument cluster broken plastic pieces will become shrapnel during an accident and air bag inflation
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 60,000 miles

  2. Air bags

    10 complaints · 36%

    Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles.

    Dashboard cracked at passenger air bag and at instrument cluster broken plastic pieces will become shrapnel during an accident and air bag inflation
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 60,000 miles
    Hit a deer while driving, airbags did not deploy but made a noise and sounds liked gas was released. Like the airbags tried to deploy but didn't. Now my airbag light is on and says to check airbag system or something to that effect.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 55,250 miles

  3. Body and structure

    9 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact observed a fracture in the dashboard leading to the air bag and steering wheel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 80,000 miles
    Dash board is cracking in three places . The most concerning one is around the passengers air bag. My passenger could be impaled with pieces of the dash if the airbag were to deploy.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2021, at 98,500 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2011 GMC Sierra Denali recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali

What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali?
By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (17 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles); body and structure (9 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2011 a bad year for the GMC Sierra Denali?
It is the 2nd most complained-about Sierra Denali model year since 2000, with 28 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other GMC Sierra Denali years

GMC Sierra Denali problems by year