KnownCarProblems2011 GMC Sierra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Sierra, most often about the other or unspecified (26% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 13th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2011 GMC Sierra problems
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Dashboard has cracked at the air bag. Lifters had to be replaced and now the camshaft is making noises. My traction control keeps shutting itself off and telling me to service it. Really bad wind noise coming from the passenger pillar.
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.
Air bags
10 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles.
First off would be my dashboard air bag, the dashboard plastic is cracking with the concern on flying debris I brought my GMC 1500 into my local service/sales center and he told me with out a recall there is nothing he could do for me. Second I have been dealing with what seems to either the power train or brakes from…
Dashboard cracking severely above instrument cluster. Dashboard rattling severely causing dash to vibrate and cover to airbag to vibrate substantially. Concern that dash will completely fall causing air bag failure in crash.
Engine
8 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Dashboard has cracked at the air bag. Lifters had to be replaced and now the camshaft is making noises. My traction control keeps shutting itself off and telling me to service it. Really bad wind noise coming from the passenger pillar.
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…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
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.
The dash panels on my 2011 GMC Sierra have spontaneously cracked in 6 places. 1 directly adjacent to the passenger airbag, another directly above the instrument panel and now in 4 places directly adjacent to the windshield. In any sort of impact I am fearing the airbags deploying will cause the dash to turn from hard…
Transmission
6 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 37,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Gm performed a recall for fractured transmission dipstick tube on my truck. They took a tube of foam and plastic strapped it to the tube. I never saw the reasoning! The tube has fractured and now has to be replaced. Why did the not fix this proper in the first place. Now I need to make two more appointments to get…
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in a residential driveway when it rolled away in reverse and into the street. A crash did not occur. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they were unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Brakes
4 complaints · 9%Purchased truck 11/10/2011 with 3 miles on it. At 4,000 miles the trucks brakes started pulsating and shimming while appling brakes going down hill. Took it to dealer , they resurfaced front rotors. Good till 5,700 miles and it started doing this again, but worse, also problems just braking any where. Took back to…
This is the point at which I discovered that I have bad tires. The tires have be come badly chipped and pieces of rubber tread began coming from tread area. The sidewalls discolored and began cracking. The tires started to loose air and had to be reinflatted all the time to present. Tire has same symptoms as re-called…
Stability control
4 complaints · 9%Vehicle stalls losing all power to steering and braking capabilities. There is no advanced warning of power loss, it simply quits rendering the driver incapable of steering, moving out of the way of traffic. Has been in certified GMC shop three times, they keep insisting they cannot find problem and the vehicle be…
While driving on interstate the engine shut down to 1/2 power and began to shake/vibrate. The top speed then was about 40mph. I finally pulled over and read manual on how to reset it. It worked properly then. This has happened 4 other times. The latest incident happened yesterday, with out using cruise control.…
Speed control
4 complaints · 9%This is the point at which I discovered that I have bad tires. The tires have be come badly chipped and pieces of rubber tread began coming from tread area. The sidewalls discolored and began cracking. The tires started to loose air and had to be reinflatted all the time to present. Tire has same symptoms as re-called…
While driving on interstate the engine shut down to 1/2 power and began to shake/vibrate. The top speed then was about 40mph. I finally pulled over and read manual on how to reset it. It worked properly then. This has happened 4 other times. The latest incident happened yesterday, with out using cruise control.…
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 recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: linkages
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (11 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); air bags (10 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (8 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 30, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the GMC Sierra?
- It is 13th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints, with 43 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.