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.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2018
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 NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED (HALL BUICK GMC DEALER (903) 705-1546 LOCATED AT 3010 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701) AND (BACON AUTOPLEX CHEVROLET DEALER (903) 481-5028 LOCATED AT 1216 E PALESTINE AVE, PALESTINE, TX 75801) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND CASE NUMBER: 8-4640547777 WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY 2011 GMC SIERRA HAS BEEN UNDER THIS RECALL FOR ITS ENTIRE EXISTENCE. WILL IT GET FIXED, AND IF SO, WHEN, AND, IS IT SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT?
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2018
CRACK IN DASH ABOVE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BESIDE AIRBAG ON TOP OF DASH
Air bags, Feb 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 15 MONTHS SINCE I WAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING MY PASSENGER AIRBAG. GM HAS STILL NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE IT UNDER THEIR RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY GETTING OLDER AND CAUSING THE INFLATOR IN QUESTION TO BE FURTHER STRESSED FROM THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY OF THE NORTHEAST TEXAS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE HAVING A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
DASH CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BY PASSANGER AIRBAG. DEALER QUOTED $1600 REPAIR BILL. GM WONT ISSUE A RECALL AFTER I CALL AND TALKED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
DASHBOARD COVER HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES CAUSING A $1300 REPAIR BILL FOR SOMETHING GM KNOWS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO FIX
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
THE DASH ON MY 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 IS CRACKING LIKE SEVERAL OTHER PPL HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A SPECIAL COVERAGE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED.
Air bags, Feb 7, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER (RENO BUICK GMC CADILLAC, 900 KIETZKE LN, RENO, NV 89502) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2018
2011 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS
Air bags, Jan 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- STATUS IS STILL ON INCOMPLETE-REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. WE ARE AFRAID OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYING RANDOMLY OR WORST NOT DEPLOYING AT ALL IN AN ACCIDENT
Air bags, Jan 23, 2018
TL* 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 AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED OVER TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER (HALL BUICK GMC, 3010 S SW LOOP 323, TYLER, TX 75701, (903) 705-1546) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A POSTCARD FROM TK HOLDINGS, ALERTING HIM THAT THEY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TT *TR
Air bags, Dec 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL NO ACTION TAKEN TO REPLACE THE AIR BAGS AND TOLD WHEN I CALLED THAT IT WAS LOW PRIORITY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITH DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SAFETY DEVICES. TO DATE (12/15/2017) THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY TO FIX/REPLACE/REPAIR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE PER DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. MY GMC PICKUP RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN 2016. AS OF TODAY, GMC SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX FOR IT AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. THIS IS NOT A SATISFACTORY ANSWER. IF PROBLEMS ARISE FROM THESE AIRBAGS, I WILL BE CONTACTING A LAWYER AND GMC WILL HAVE A LAWSUIT. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD BE REPLACED. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE!
Air bags, Dec 4, 2017
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 NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED GATEWAY BUICK GMC (11438 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY, DALLAS, TX 75238, PHONE: (214) 342-7000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 4, 2017
I MAY HAVE A ILLEGAL AUXILIARY EMISSION CONTROL DEVISE RESULT IN EXCESS EMISSIONS OF NITROGEN OXIDES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE MADE AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN AND 2011 GMC SIERRA DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. GENERAL MOTORS MAY HAVE INTENTIONALLY INSTALLED AN ELECTRICAL 'CHEAT DEVICES ' PRODUCING PASSING EMISSION RESULTS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2017, crash
HIT DEER,CRACKED DASH ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE,AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Structure, Nov 26, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AROUND SPEAKER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NOTICED IT AROUND 75K MILES AND HAS SPREAD SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE YEAR
Steering, Engine, Nov 17, 2017
HEAT SHEALD ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD RUSTED AND FELL OFF ENGINE RESTING ON STEERING COLUMN LOCKING STEERING MOMENTARILY UNTILL I FORCED IT TO WORK.CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Air bags, Nov 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - MANUFACTURER UNABLE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG.
Structure, Nov 9, 2017
IN MY 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500, WHICH IS GARAGE KEPT, I STARTED FOR WORK ON A RAINY DAY, MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP, I TURNED ON MY DEFROSTERS, HEARD A LOUD POP, AND WHEN I LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD, RIGHT ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, I HAD A LARGE CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ABOUT HOW THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON GM INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOY ( HOPEFULLY NEVER NEEDED) THAT IT WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SHRAPNEL IN THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE HEARD STORIES STATING THAT GM CONSIDERS THIS A COSMETIC FLAW AND NOT AN ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY, I AM FORCED ON A DAILY BASIS TO STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICES THAT I PROVIDE. ITS TIME GM DOES THE SAME.
Air bags, Nov 7, 2017
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH GETTING MY AIRBAG FIXED?
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2017
MY DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME. I ALREADY REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME IT CRACKED JANUARY 2015. IT HAS CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART FOR IT TO HAPPEN 2 TIMES SINCE 2011. I CAN NOT BRING MYSELF TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN AS IT COST AROUND $1,000.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVE A NOTICE STATING THAT TAKATA IS FILING CHAPTER 11 AND ON THE NOTICE IT TELLS ME TO CALL MY GM DEALER AND HAVE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED, AFTER CONTACTING MY SELLING DEALER ON 11/2/2017 I WAS TOLD THAT GM IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE TODAY AND THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN THE MATTER IS SETTLED, I'AM GETTING TWO DIFFERENT STORIES, WHAT I S THE REAL STORY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, THANK YOU
Air bags, Oct 31, 2017
GMC DOES NOT HAVE A FIX OR A SOLUTION