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
366 reports, newest first.
Seats, Feb 15, 2017, crash
SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD AFTER REAR END COLLISION.
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
Structure, Feb 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL CRACK THAT EXTENDED TO THE FAR LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Air bags, Jan 30, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 05/26/2017*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 25, 2017
DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN AND OR MATERIALS USED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE TANK HAS PREMATURELY CORRODED AND CAUSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH POTENTIAL THREAT TO LIFE AS WELL AS CONTAMINATING THE ENVIRONMENT. GAS IS LEAKED OUT OF THE UNIT AND CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF UNNOTICED OR NOT REPAIRED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2012 AND HAS ONLY SEEN 4 WINTERS. MECHANICS AT THE GARAGE STATED IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE THEY HAD SEEN IN NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN IN WHICH SNOW AND SALT CAN ACCUMULATE ON TOP OF THE TANK RATTING THE UNIT AND GAS LINES PREMATURELY. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED AND CONSIDERED IT "NORMAL" WEAR AND WAS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. GAS LEAKS WHEN STATIONARY AND IS LEAKED WHEN SYSTEM IS PRESSURIZED SPRAYING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND A MAJOR CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL FIRE OR EXPLOSION WHEN GASOLINE IS VAPORIZED.
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
Structure, Dec 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Structure, Nov 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A CRACK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIR BAG OPENING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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, Nov 2, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Oct 30, 2016
DASH BOARD CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG, WORRIED THAT PLASTIC PIECES WOULD DAMAGE THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAG THUS INJURING PASSENGER AND DRIVER.
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.
Structure, Oct 3, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 IN NON. OF 2014. THE DASH BOARD IS NOW CRACKING. IT INITIALLY STARTED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND NOW THERE IS A CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS WELL AS ONE STARTING OVER THE GAUGES. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO AN ACCIDENT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS SENDING SHARDS OF THE DASH BOARD FLYING DIRECTLY INTO THE PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE.
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
Air bags, Sep 12, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED RANDOMLY SINCE 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Air bags, Aug 16, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Aug 13, 2016
THERE IS A 4" STRESS CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD JUST HEAD OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER WHICH DEVELOPED A WEEK AGO. MY CONCERN IS TWO FOLD 1) THE CRACK WILL INCREASE IN SIZE REDUCING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, 2) IN A IMPACT SITUATION, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DASH MAY BE COMPROMISED ALLOWING PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BECOME PROJECTILES, POSSIBLY DAMAGING OCCUPANTS OR DEFLATING THE AIRBAGS THEREBY REDUCING THERE EFFECTIVENESS IN A CRASH.