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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 18, 2016
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALL MY DOOR LOCKS REPEATEDLY LOCK AND UNLOCK, ALL MY EMERGENCY CHECKS AND SERVICE LIGHT GO ON AND OFF, MY GAUGES ALL DROP TO ZERO, AND MOST RECENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. BUT IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES IT'S WORSE THAN OTHERS. I RECENTLY HAD TO STEER UP ONTO A CURB BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AND MY GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY CUT OUT. AND THAT WAS AFTER MY AIRBAGS SHUT OFF AND MY LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS FLICKERED REPEATEDLY. MAYBE THERE'S A SHORT IN A CIRCUIT OR WIRE OR MAYBE IT'S MY ALTERNATOR BUT SERVICES AT A DEALERSHIP ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING IT. AND AL THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR STATIONARY. RAIN OR DRY. DOESN'T MATTER. BUT IT'S CLEARLY UNSAFE. AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S MY ONLY MEANS FOR TRANSPORTATION.
Structure, Apr 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE FRACTURES ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
CRACKED DASH IN SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING AROUND AIRBAG. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.
Engine, Mar 29, 2016
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK MESSAGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 50 MPH. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT. I TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY RAN TESTS AND SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME THING WHEN I TURNED IT OFF IT WORKED FINE AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES I GOT HOME AND WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT TO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. I HAVE READ A LOT AND FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RESOLUTION TRULY BEING FOUND. THIS IS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 WITH THE ALL-TERRAIN PACKAGE AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT IT GETS OIL CHANGES REGULARLY. THIS REALLY MAKES ME THINK THIS IS SOMETHING GM SHOULD LOOK INTO.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 29, 2016
THE THROTTLE BODY AND PEDAL CHIP WENT BAD CAUSING A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, LOSS OF POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL. MECHANIC STATED HE'S BEEN REPLACING 5-12 A MONTH ON THE SAME ENGINE (5.3 LITER V8). OTHER MODELS ARE SUPPOSEDLY UNDER RECALL. REPAIRS COST IN EXCESS OF $500.
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, Jan 18, 2016
MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASH. ONE IN PARTICULAR ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WHICH LEADS ME TO FEEL VERY UNSAFE. IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED, WHAT'S TO PREVENT THE DASH FROM SHATTERING AND CUTTING THE AIRBAG RENDERING IT USELESS OR WORSE, THE DASH BECOMING SHRAPNEL?
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.
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
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 6, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT THE AIR BAG. LIFTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THE CAMSHAFT IS MAKING NOISES. MY TRACTION CONTROL KEEPS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF AND TELLING ME TO SERVICE IT. REALLY BAD WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER PILLAR.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DASH. THE ONE OVER THE AIRBAG IS THE ONE THAT HAS ME CONCERNED. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS IT MAY THEN THROW SHRAPNEL INTO THE FACE OF MY PASSENGER POSSIBLY CAUSING DISFIGUREMENT AND OR DEATH.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ALONG SEEM OF PASS. SIDE AIRBAG AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2016
THE TBS GOES OUT. PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO REDUCED POWER. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. LOSE ALL BREAKS CONTROL , ABS GOES OUT TO. ALMOST HAVE BEEN DUE TO GM
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2015
MY DASH CRACKED IN 4 PLACES FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, SPEAKER, ALONG WINDOW LINE ATTACHMENT AND UP THE DRIVERS SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS JUST TURNING A CORNER FROM ONE STREET TO THE NEXT AND I HEARD A LOUD SOUND. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HIT MY WINDOW BUT IT WAS MY DASH ITS SELF AND THE MORE I DROVE AND TURNED THE MORE IT CRACKED. IT IS ALMOST TO THE POINT THE ENTIRE PIECE CAN JUST BE PULLED OUT IN ONE PIECE. I HAVE PICTURES BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW TO UPLOAD THEM UNLESS I SEND THEM TO AN E-MAIL ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER. I HAVE SAVED THEM TO MY PHONE.I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO BUMPS AND THE ROAD WAS FLAT.GM WANTS ME TO PAY $356.40 TO HAVE THIS FIXED WHICH IS 40% OF THE COST PER THEM.I HAVE ALL THE E-MALLS FROM GMC, PICTURES AND THE ORDER FROM THE DEALER FOR COST OF REPAIR ON FILE FOR THE FUTURE. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD IT CAUSES. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY TRUCK DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE AND FLYING DEBRIS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2015
THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, YET THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME A NOTICE SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL. THIS IS HIGHLY MISLEADING AND CAUSED ME TO BELIEVE SOMETHING WAS UNSAFE ABOUT MY TRUCK, CONSIDERING THE DOCUMENT FROM THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.
Engine, Oct 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESS ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV VALVE, VALVE COVER, AND TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,500.
Structure, Oct 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE EXPOSING PART OF THE AIR BAGS AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AFFECTING THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2015
A VISIBLE AND CONCERNING CRACK APPEARING IN A CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DASHBOARD. NO PERSONAL -WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT- DAMAGE HAS BEEN MADE TO THE DASH. I HAVE BEEN THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS TRUCK SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT WAS FOUND ONE MORNING AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE. IS VERY NOTICEABLE.
Structure, Oct 7, 2015
DASHBOARD CRACK ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE POSES SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL BE PUNCTURED OR OTHERWISE INEFFECTIVE DURING DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE SHARP CRACKED EDGES OF THE DASH AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH BECOMING PROJECTILES CAUSING INJURY TO OCCUPANTS DURING A COLLISION. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND NOTICED THE CRACK. THE CRACKS BECOME LARGER EVERYDAY.