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, Aug 31, 2016
I PURCHASED THIS 2011 GMC SIERRA DENALI IN JULY OF 2014 FROM AN INDIVIDUAL, AND THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON THE DASH ALONGSIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, THIS CRACK HAS ENLARGED SO THAT THE CRACK IS WIDE OPEN IN THE DASH AND I AM AFRAID IN A COLLISION THAT THE DASH WILL CRACK FURTHER AND SHARDS OF PLASTIC WILL SPRAY ON MYSELF OR PASSENGERS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED. SEE ATTACHED PHOTO.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2016
DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CRACKED IN 2 CORNERS
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2016
CRACKING DASH IN MANY AREAS EXPOSING ELECTRICAL WIRING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2016
THIS IS THE THIRD GM VEHICLE OF THIS YEAR MODEL RANGE THAT I HAVE OWNED. ALL 3 HAVE RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC CRACKING OF THE DASH, ALL THREE IN EITHER EXACT, OR CLOSE TO EXACT LOCATIONS. THESE CRACKS ARE CONNECTING TO THE AIRBAG, AND CONNECTING TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER FIELD OF VIEW. I HAVE POINTY SHARDS OF PLASTIC AND HOLES IN THE SIERRA I CURRENTLY OWN. I AM NO ENGINEER, HOWEVER I AM POSITIVE THAT IN THE EVENT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, OR A FORWARD IMPACT COLLISION THAT MYSELF AND/OR MY FAMILY WILL HAVE MUCH MORE TO WORRY ABOUT THAN JUST THE IMPACT. OUTSIDE OF OPERATIONAL USE, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GENERAL MOTORS WOULD CONTINUE TO BALK ON ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I LOVE GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS, AND I NEVER WANT TO OWN ANYTHING DIFFERENT, BUT MY FAMILY BEING HARMED AND/OR THE CONSTANT EYESORE OF SUCH A NICE VEHICLE APPEARANCE BEING TAINTED IS EFFECTING MY OVERALL OPINION. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE INJURED BY THE FAULTY DESIGN AND ENGINEERING OF THE INEVITABLE "SHATTERED DASH" OF THE GM'S THAT YOU GUYS HAVE COME TO KNOW OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. IT IS ATROCIOUS AND AN ALL OUT SAFETY HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2016
MY 2011 GMC SIERRA DENALI DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED FROM AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE TO THE SPEEDOMETER
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2016
FOR THE FULL TERM OF OWNERSHIP, WHILE IN THE ACT OF REFUELING, THE GAS FILL WOULD TRIGGER AND SHUT OFF GAS 10 TO 20 TIMES DURING FILL UP, AT EVERY MANUFACTURERED PUMP, NOZZLE OR GAS STATION IN CREATION, JUST AN ABSOLUTE JOKE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2016
GOT IN MY TRUCK FOR WORK AND DISCOVERED THE DASH WAS CRACKED!! SITTING STILL OVERNIGHT AND THE DASH CRACKS!!! IF A LEMON LAW IS FOR LEMONS, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER IF IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE OR NOT AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM!!! IT'S TIME FOR GM TO STEP UP - WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THEM?
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2016
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THE DASH CRACKED AT THE LEFT HAND TOP CORNER OF THE AIR BAG, COULD THIS BE A PROBLEM IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TRUCK ONLY HAS 40K MILES
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2016
DASH CRACKED FOR AROUND AIRBAG AND THE CENTER SPEAKER FOR NO KNOWN REASON ALWAYS GARAGED NEVER PARKED IN SUN WITHOUT SUN SHADE I FEEL THIS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED DUE TO THE CRACKED PLASTIC AROUND THE AIRBAG...
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND CONTINUES TO CRACK EVEN MORE. THE VEHICLE IS HARDLY DRIVEN AND IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OUT OF THE SUN. IT IS NOT A DAILY DRIVER BUT ONLY USED ON THE WEEKENDS FOR FUN. THE CRACKS ARE GETTING BIGGER AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIR BAGS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS MAJOR CRACKS AROUND THE AIRBAG AND THE CLUSTER AREAS. WHEN YOU SPEND 45,000 OR MORE ON A VEHICLE YOU EXPECT A QUALITY PRODUCT. I SOLD MY BMW 750 LI AND PURCHASED THIS GMC SIERRA 1500 DENALI 2011. I HAVE VIEWED MULTIPLE VIDEOS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME CONCERNS AND/OR ISSUES AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THIS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART THAT GM DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS. AMERICA IS BETTER THAN THIS. I KNOW THIS DOES NOT MATTER BUT I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AMERICAN VEHICLE AND HAVE PURCHASED A LOT OF VEHICLES DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN. LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING!
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2016
CRACKED DASH PANEL ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED ON 1/14/14 ON WARRANTY. NOW CRACKED AGAIN IN THE SAME PLACE ON 5/29/16.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED AT 65000 MILES NEAR AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
MY DASH IS CRACKED AND I AM AFRAID OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF MY AIRBAG DEPLOYS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2016
CRACKS ON BOTH THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ONE ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2016
MY DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
CRACKED DASH IN SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING AROUND AIRBAG. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2016
RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY A CRACK AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2016
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2016
WHEN MY 2011 GMC DENALI PICKUP WAS NEARLY 4 YEARS OLD, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. THE FIRST CRACK WAS AT THE FORWARD, LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OTHER CRACKS HAVE SINCE APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AREA. THE CRACKS ARE CONTINUING TO GROW. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE DASH IS BECOMING MORE BRITTLE WITH TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THE BROKEN, BRITTLE PLASTIC DASH PARTS AROUND THE AIRBAG AREA COULD BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2016
MY SIERRA HAS TWO CRACKS IN THE DASH, ONE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE OTHER FROM THE AIRBAG TO THE VENT. THIS IS VERY COMMON IN GM TRUCKS FROM 2007-2013, WITH THE CRACK FROM THE AIRBAG TO THE VENT BEING THE MOST COMMON. THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO THIS DEFECT WITH THOUSANDS OF EXAMPLES. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND SENDS PLASTIC SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE CAB.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING REAL BAD.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2016
LARGE AND NOTICEABLE CRACK BY MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON MY DASHBOARD. COULD SEE THIS BECOMING SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL, NOR TAKE ANY SORT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ERROR.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2016
DASH CRACKED MAY CAUSE HASSARAD DUE TO AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2016
MY 2011 GMC SIERRA'S DASH BOARD IS CRAKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES. ONE OF THE CRACKS IS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT ARE LOOSE AND ABOUT TO COME OFF THE TRUCK.