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: other or unspecified
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2017
THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2017
DASH CRACKING AROUND AIR BAG AND AROUND DRIVER SIDE.IT SEEMS TO BE FALLING TO PIECES FOR NO APPARENT REASON
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED, AS IT HAS DONE ON INNUMERABLE VEHICLES OF THIS AGE RANGE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2017
DAHSBOARD IS CRACKING ALL OVER.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2017
CRACKED DASHBOARD WITHOUT COLLISION OR ANY IMPACT. THE HEAT AND COLD CONTINUE TO CRACK THE DASH AND I AM CERTAIN THE ENTIRE DASH WILL EXPLODE IF ANY AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED OR COLLISION IS EXPERIENCED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2017
CRACKS IN BOTH SIDES OF THE DASHBOARD. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AS WELL AND GM IS GETTING SUED FOR IT NOW. ALSO, MOLDING HAS BEEN REPLACED ON ALL FOUR DOORS AND IS COMING OFF AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2017
THE PLASTIC DASH HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG WHICH MIGHT INTERFERE WITH THE AIRBAGS OR BECOME PROJECTILES FROM THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED AT CORNER OF AIR BAG . MAY BE DANGEROUS IF DEPLOYED . CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY .
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2017
I AM HAVING CONCERNS INVOLVING CRACKS IN MY DASH. I AM AFRAID THAT IN A ACCIDENT THAT THAT SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC DASH WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE KNIVES STICKING UP THAT COULD RIP THROUGH A BODY IN THE CASE OF ME OR A PASSENGER BEING THROWN TOWARD THE DASH AREA. OR THAT IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DASH TO PIERCE THE AIRBAG, CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG OR DEPLOYING A SHARD OF PLASTIC TOWARD THE DRIVER OR ANY PASSENGER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2017
THE DASH BOARD ON MY DENALI HAS CRACKED AND GOES DOWN INTO THE AIRBAG. I AM AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THE DASH WOULD FURTHER SHATTER AND CAUSE PARTS OF THE PLASTIC TO COME LOOSE FROM THE DASH CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF OR ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH CRACKING. I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH BOARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM. I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT AS OF LATE THERE ISN'T ONE. WITH THE COST INVOLVED WITH THESE VEHICLES THERE SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I CONTACTED GM BUT I WAS TOLD THEY SAW NO PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX THE DASH BUT WOULD BE GLAD TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THAT THE COST WOULD BE MINE. PLEASE CONSIDER LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2017
DASH PLASTIC CRACKED BY THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LID. SHARP EDGE COULD PUNCTURE A DEPLOYING AIR BAG. CRACKED APPEARED WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 2, 2017
WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2011 GMC DENALI. NEAR THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE MIDDLE SPLIT TO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. THIS WEEK, THERE IS A NEW SPLIT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING ITS WAY UP TO MOST LIKELY MEET THE EDGE OF THE DASHBOARD AT ITS STEERING WHEEL CURVE. IN DUE TIME, THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS GOING TO CAVE IN AND CAUSE A DRIVING DANGER. THE VIBRATION OF THE TRUCK IN MOTION SEEMS TO INITIAL THE SPREAD OF THE CRACKS. THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT, ALONG WITH THE INADEQUATE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS A GROWING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE INCREASING EVERY DAY. PIECES OF DASHBOARD FALLING INTO YOUR DRIVING CONSOLE AS YOU DRIVE AND SHARP EDGES NEAR THE AIR BAG ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2017
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DASHBOARD BEING CRACKED IN MULTIPLE AREAS ESPECIALLY BY THE AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2017
THE DASHBOARD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE CRACK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DASHBOARD MAKES VARIOUS VIBRATION, CHATTERING, AND RATTLING NOISES.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2017
MY DASH HAS TWO CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED ONE IS AT THE TOP OF THE AIR BAG AND MAY SPLINTER OR BREAK APART WHEN AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED. REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. NOW VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY AND DEALERSHIP WON'T HELP.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2017
NOTICED ON A TRIP FROM HOUSTON TX, THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON MY DASH RIGHT SIDE ABOVE AIR BAG
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2017
CRACKED DASH OVER AIR BAG PANEL ON 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2017
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN TWO PLACES
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2017
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES, AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I FEAR THE AIRBAG COULD GO OFF AND SEND FLYING PLASTIC DEBRIS. GM SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. TWICE AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE OTHER IS ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TWO AROUND THE AIR BAG HAPPENED IN AUGUST OF 2013 AND THE ONE AROUND THE DASH JUST HAPPENED NOV 25, 2016. I HAVE KEPT A SUN VISOR COVERING IT WHEN IT WAS NOT IN THE GARAGE. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2016
AFTER I GOT A RECALL LETTER IN REGARD TO THE AIR BAGS, I DECIDED TO LOOK AT MY DASH JUST AS A VISUAL INSPECTION. I HAVE A DASH COVER TO PROTECT IT FROM THE HEAT. AS I TOOK IT OFF THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THE CRACKED DASH ABOVE MY GAUGE CLUSTER, RIGHT ON THE "HUMP". VERY DISAPPOINTED SINCE I TAKE CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND I DON'T APPLY ANY SOLVENTS ON THE DASH. MOSTLY SOAP AND WATER THEN IF ANY A WATER BASED CLEANER/ PROTECTOR.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2016
DASH HAS BEGUN TO CRACK ALL OVER PARTICULARLY AROUND AIR BAG. CRACK JUST STARTED TO APPEAR AND ARE GETTING WORSE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN GMC
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2016
NOTICED CRACKS IN TWO PLACES ON THE DASH. THE AIRBAG COVER IS ALSO POPPING UP A LITTLE. JUST NOTICED WHEN GETTING IN VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. VERY UNSAFE IF I GOT IN A CRASH THOSE PIECES WOULD CRACK AND GO FLYING