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: structure
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Sep 11, 2025
The door handle broke off on the driver side the passenger side door handle will not open the door the outside handles are loose and the rear back driver and passenger side will not open their doors.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2025
2011 GMC Sierra Frame Failed Pennsylvania State Inspection due to Driver Side Frame Rust/hole. The section of the frame must be replaced due to rust(Improper coating... The truck has only 69700 miles on the odometer.
Structure, Jan 27, 2025
Vehicle is up for inspection in February of 2025 and due to the frame rust it will not pass.
Structure, Sep 16, 2024
My GMC which is well cared for and only has 121,000 miles has a rusted through frame (mid-vehicle, left side) which has made the truck unsafe to drive. The steel used is inferior, my neighbor across the street also has this truck, 2 years newer, and is doing the same thing. As I have researched this issue I have found out that this is a critical failure of the GMC Sierra for several model years due to a failure to protect the steel used in northern states which compromises structural integrity. When Toyota had this issue, they stepped up and replaced the frames. General Motors, please tell me what you intend to do with this. It is a 5.3 Litre with 121,000 miles on it, in other words, still a baby for such a fine engine. This is not right. I am seriously discouraged. For my family, this is devastating. I still owe $2000 on this vehicle. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Oct 25, 2023
Rear shock holder rusted through cross member on frame making top of shock stay forced against bottom of the bed of the truck.
Structure, Sep 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a separation of the rear sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear sub frame was extremely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Structure, Aug 31, 2023
I own a 2011 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton pickup truck. It currently has 98 k miles. The crossmember for the frame rusted out and fell off last month. Yesterday the frame broke in two. I see from looking online that GMC failed to add rust inhibitor to the steel for the frame. This is a safety issue and could have been catastrophic. Is anything being done about this failure? Online forums show this happening throughout the US.
Structure, Jun 16, 2023
Hit a pot hole in a parking lot and the gas tank fell onto the ground. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the frame cross members and fuel tank straps are rusted/rotted and cannot support the tank.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2023
Body damage when I bought the truck
Suspension, Structure, Jun 1, 2023
Vehicle is 12 years old with 105,000 miles and frame has multiple cracks/ holes. I was told by the dealer that the truck is basically junk.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2023
The main body frame is completely rusting through from under the drivers side door back past the fuel tank. It is rusting through on the passenger side as well. The large amounts of rust have caused other issues throughout the entire body of the truck as well as rusting of other components. The frame of this truck will need to be replaced as there is no way to repair it or the vehicle becomes scrap. This vehicle is available for inspection. These issues were not visible when purchased from the dealer. This issue gradually became visible after the rust and undercoating wore away that had been applied previous to our purchase from a known dealership.
Structure, Dec 29, 2022
I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Standard Cab pickup truck. I’m a disabled veteran and have this as my primary vehicle. The frame has a huge hole that developed and will need repair. The frame is rotted and soon will not pass inspection. The truck looks brand new but Engin compartment, frame and tow parts have rotted. I had the leaf spring separated from rotted frame on the highway. I swerved and almost died. GMC must replace the frame to make this right. Soon I will have no truck after giving GMC so much money. It’s criminal what they have done.
Structure, Aug 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, she was informed that the sub-frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who took photos. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Structure, Feb 27, 2021
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.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 21, 2021
I HAVE A ISSUE WITH MY DASHBOARD CRACKING ALONG THE AIRBAG MODULE DOOR. I BELIEVE IF I WAS OR INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED THE PIECES OF DASH CAN BECOME FRAGMENTS AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE INJURY AND ALSO COULD DEFLATE THE AIRBAGS UPON EXPANSION. CAUSING MORE INJURY THAN DEEM NECESSARY.
Structure, Sep 15, 2020
DASH HAS BEEN CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE BY AIRBAG, NOW I HAVE A CRACK JUST ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES AND THE CRACKS JUST APPEAR OUT OF NO WHERE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROADING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IT IS IMMACULATE OTHER THEN NOW CRACKED UP DASH. IT'S NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
Structure, Aug 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME, NEAR THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER GANLEY CHEVROLET OF AURORA - ADDRESS: 310 W GARFIELD RD, AURORA, OH 44202; PHONE: (330) 964-2128) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *LN *DL
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2020
CRACKED DASHBOARD. IN BUNCH OF PLACES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD TO PURCHASE DASH BOARD SKIN OVER IT. IT ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL EVERY ONE I KNOW WITH CHEVY OR GMC HAVING SAME PROBLEM
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020
DASHBOARD CRACKING IN 2 PLACES. *TR
Structure, Jan 11, 2020
AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK FOR A YEAR OR SO I NOTICED THAT THE DASH WAS STARTING TO CRACK DUE TO THE FLORIDA SUN BEAMING DOWN ON IT. I PURCHASED A SUNVISOR BUT STILL DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON THE DASH AND NOW IT HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS IN THREE DIFFERENT SPOTS
Structure, Jan 3, 2020
THE TOP SIDE OF MY INTERIOR DASH IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO ANY KIND OF IMPACT OR ANYTHING ELSE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT.
Structure, Dec 16, 2019
DASH CRACK ALONGSIDE AIRPAG PASSENGER SIDE
Structure, Jun 7, 2019
THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES KEEP COMING OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THE MATERIAL USED IS CHEAP PLASTIC. THIS CAUSES THE MECHANISM INSIDE TO EASILY BREAK WITH THE NATURAL CONSTANT OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE DOORS FORM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN SEE CLEAR CHEAP GLUS IS USED TO ADHERE THE PLASTIC AND THIS JUST MAKES NO SENSE CONSIDERING HOW MUCH THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CHEAP DOOR HANDLES ALMOST AS DURABLE AS THOS OF MATTEL RACE CARS SOLD AT WALMART.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2019
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE SPOTS. PAINT SEEMS REALLY THIN. ORIGINAL PAINT NEVER BEEN ABUSED. AS FOR DASHBOARD I GUESS ITS A COMMON THING RIGHT BY THE AIR BAG AND DRIVER SIDE. SCARY TO THINK ABOUT A COLLISION AND SHARDS OF PLASTIC FLYING TOWARD YOUR FACE.
Air bags, Structure, Apr 8, 2018
DASHBOARD ON MY GMC SIERRA DENALI HAS 2 MAJOR CRACKS. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES DASHBOARDS. FIRST CRACK IS OVER THE GAUGES ON THE DASH, AND THE SECOND IS RIGHT OVER TOP OF THE AIR BAG. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH NO RECALLS OR ASSISTANCE FROM VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS. THE CRACKS ARE EITHER STARTED VIA DRIVING AND CRACKING DUE TO VIBRATION OF THE ROAD, OR THEY CRACK FROM PREMATURE WEAR VIA THE SUN FADING THE MATERIALS. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, SEEING HOW IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY IT WILL SEND MANY SHARP PIECES OF DASHBOARD PLASTIC INTO THE PASSENGER OR MYSELF THE DRIVER. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS AN IMMEDIATE RECALL OR ADDRESS.