2011 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 366 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 6 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Campaign 21V054000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Campaign 21V050000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 26, 2018
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
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Campaign 18V267000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleJan 6, 2011
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.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V007000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleDec 17, 2010
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.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 10V643000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
138 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2016
DASH CRACKED MAY CAUSE HASSARAD DUE TO AIR BAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD STARTED AT LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THEN CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFRAID OF FLYING DEBRIS AND PUNCTURE OF AIRBAG. CONSTANTLY HEAR POPPING IN THE DASH MY P/U HAD APPROX 57000 MI AT TIME OF INCIDENT
Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ALONG SEEM OF PASS. SIDE AIRBAG AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Air bags, Sep 11, 2015
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE AIR BAG, THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LARGE NUMBER OF GMC AND CHEVY OWNERS, I AM CONCERNED THAT PLASTIC PIECES OF DASHBOARD WILL BECOME DANGEROUS FLYING OBJECTS IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT THAT DEPLOYS THE AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH GM AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR 3 MONTHS NOW AND THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.
Air bags, Structure, Sep 9, 2015
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND HEARD A POP. I LOOKED OVER AND MY DASHBOARD HAD CRACKED RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG. ON A NON RELATED INSTANCE MY ENGINE IS NOW MAKING A TICKING NOISE THAT I WILL BE TAKING TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2015
A FEWS AGO, I NOTICE A CRACK ON THE FRONT DASHBOARD, NEAR THE AIR BAG, IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. IM CONCERN DUE TO THE SAFETY ON MY VEHICLE WITH MY KIDS AND MY WIFE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR AN ANY IMPACT. VERY CONCERN WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 5, 2015
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 DAY ONE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. WHAT IT DOES IS WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, RELEASE THE BRAKE, AND THEN APPLY THE ACCELERATOR I GET A BIG CUR PLUNK SOUND AND FEELING OF THE TRUCK JERK. THIS IS COMING FOR THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK I WOULD ASSUME THE REAR AXIAL. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY LOCAL SERVICE/SALES CENTER , MULTIPLE TIMES. HE HAS NOT STOPPED THE PROBLEM AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE HE CAN DO WITHOUT THE MANUFACTURER POSTING A BULLETIN OUT.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 29, 2015
A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. FAILURE IN THIS AREA SHOULD BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THIS WEAK POINT COULD BE AN AREA OF PROJECTILE. A NUMBER OF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. ...UPDATED 03-10-16 *BF
Air bags, May 4, 2015, crash
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN HOUSTON AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH APPROACHING A HILL. WHEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, THERE WAS A PARKED CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK END OF IT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND WERE NOT TERRIBLY INJURED. JUST REAL JARRED UP.THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WITH A HIT THAT HARD THEY SHOULD HAVE. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE GAUGES FAILED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE WASHER FLUID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ALTHOUGH THE WASHER FLUID WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 13V315000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 7, 2014
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. *TR
Air bags, Jun 26, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE KNEE, NECK, BACK AND SHOULDER. THE DRIVER HAD TO UNDERGO KNEE AND SHOULDER SURGERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 3, 2014
DASH HAS A CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR