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2011 GMC Sierra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 3 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
37,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Power Train

GM PERFORMED A RECALL FOR FRACTURED TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE ON MY TRUCK. THEY TOOK A TUBE OF FOAM AND PLASTIC STRAPPED IT TO THE TUBE. I NEVER SAW THE REASONING! THE TUBE HAS FRACTURED AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. WHY DID THE NOT FIX THIS PROPER IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW I NEED TO MAKE TWO MORE APPOINTMENTS TO GET THIS FIXED. MY…

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GM PERFORMED A RECALL FOR FRACTURED TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE ON MY TRUCK. THEY TOOK A TUBE OF FOAM AND PLASTIC STRAPPED IT TO THE TUBE. I NEVER SAW THE REASONING! THE TUBE HAS FRACTURED AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. WHY DID THE NOT FIX THIS PROPER IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW I NEED TO MAKE TWO MORE APPOINTMENTS TO GET THIS FIXED. MY TRANSMISSION IS OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS, WATER AND DIRT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638841

40,000 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Structure

THE FRONT BUMPERS PLASTIC FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE AND FALLS OFF. THIS CAN CAUSE CRASH AND ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FALLING OFF PARTS FROM CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC BUMPER PARTS FOR THE FOG LIGHTS. THE SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE THIS WITH A CHROME OR METAL BUMPER SO THAT PLASTIC PEACES DO NOT BECOME W…

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THE FRONT BUMPERS PLASTIC FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE AND FALLS OFF. THIS CAN CAUSE CRASH AND ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FALLING OFF PARTS FROM CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC BUMPER PARTS FOR THE FOG LIGHTS. THE SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE THIS WITH A CHROME OR METAL BUMPER SO THAT PLASTIC PEACES DO NOT BECOME WARPED AND BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT THE BOLT POINTS FOR THE FRONT BUMPER FOG LIGHT HOLDER ENTIRE PLASTIC PEACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627141

33,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Tires

THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR WRANGLERLT265/ 60R20E1. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 2/21/2014 DUE TO SEPARATION OF LEFT REAR TIRE. WE CHOSE TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES. ON A RECENT VACATION TO FLORIDA FROM TEXAS, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, SAME GOODYEAR TYPE TIRE, SEPARATED. OUR SPARE REPLACED THE FRONT LE…

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THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR WRANGLERLT265/ 60R20E1. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 2/21/2014 DUE TO SEPARATION OF LEFT REAR TIRE. WE CHOSE TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES. ON A RECENT VACATION TO FLORIDA FROM TEXAS, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, SAME GOODYEAR TYPE TIRE, SEPARATED. OUR SPARE REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. ON THE RETURN TRIP FROM FLORIDA BACK TO TEXAS (SAME VACATION), THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN SEPARATING WHEN WE WERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF LOUISIANA. WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE AN OPEN TIRE STORE, AS IT WAS A SUNDAY. SO, WE DROVE HOME SLOWLY THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. AFTER RETURNING HOME, DISCOUNT TIRES (WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TWO NEW REAR TIRES IN FEB. 2014) ORDERED US TWO NEW FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE SHIPPED FROM CHICAGO, DUE TO THE UNUSUAL SIZE OF THE TIRE (WE WERE TOLD). IS THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRE A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES FAILED? WAS IT THE 'LOT' THAT WAS BAD? WE WERE TOLD BY DISCOUNT TIRES THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618140

10,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO < 5 MPH (NOT COMING TO A HALT) AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS; IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL DURING THE BRAKING PERIOD AND WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED, THERE IS A 1 - 2 SECOND TIME PERIOD WHERE VEHICLE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SO…

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AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO < 5 MPH (NOT COMING TO A HALT) AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS; IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL DURING THE BRAKING PERIOD AND WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED, THERE IS A 1 - 2 SECOND TIME PERIOD WHERE VEHICLE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING AND PREVENTS ANY ACCELERATION. WHY IS THIS DANGEROUS? I FOUND MYSELF IN A LEFT TURN ONLY LANE/GREEN LIGHT WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC, AND I ATTEMPTED THE LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT I HAD AMPLE TIME BUT THE VEHICLE JUST SAT THERE FOR 1 - 2 SECONDS, AND WITH THAT I FOUND MYSELF IN A DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT BECAUSE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE. IF THE VEHICLE HAD RESPONDED WHEN I NEEDED IT TO, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A CLOSE CALL. THIS BEHAVIOR WITH THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPRODUCED AT WILL, EVERY TIME. THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE-TRAIN, GMC KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598600

65,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN TO 1/2 POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE/VIBRATE. THE TOP SPEED THEN WAS ABOUT 40MPH. I FINALLY PULLED OVER AND READ MANUAL ON HOW TO RESET IT. IT WORKED PROPERLY THEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OTHER TIMES. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, WITH OUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. TRAVELING AT 30 M…

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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN TO 1/2 POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE/VIBRATE. THE TOP SPEED THEN WAS ABOUT 40MPH. I FINALLY PULLED OVER AND READ MANUAL ON HOW TO RESET IT. IT WORKED PROPERLY THEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OTHER TIMES. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, WITH OUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. TRAVELING AT 30 MPH IT SHUT ME DOWN AGAIN . ONE OF THE SCARIEST TIMES , I WAS TRAVELING IN 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND IT SHUT ME DOWN TO HALF POWER AND IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS FOR US TO TRY AND MERGE OUT OF THE WAY AND GET OFF TO A SAFE SPOT ON SIDE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT IT SEEMS VERY MUCH LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH ME. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AS WELL AS OTHER AUTO SPECIALIST IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567706

45,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Air BagsStructure

DASH HAS A CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566902

9,873 miles · Feb 23, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlWheels

THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH I DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE BAD TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BE COME BADLY CHIPPED AND PIECES OF RUBBER TREAD BEGAN COMING FROM TREAD AREA. THE SIDEWALLS DISCOLORED AND BEGAN CRACKING. THE TIRES STARTED TO LOOSE AIR AND HAD TO BE REINFLATTED ALL THE TIME TO PRESENT. TIRE HAS SAME SYMPTOMS AS RE-CALLED TIRES BU…

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THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH I DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE BAD TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BE COME BADLY CHIPPED AND PIECES OF RUBBER TREAD BEGAN COMING FROM TREAD AREA. THE SIDEWALLS DISCOLORED AND BEGAN CRACKING. THE TIRES STARTED TO LOOSE AIR AND HAD TO BE REINFLATTED ALL THE TIME TO PRESENT. TIRE HAS SAME SYMPTOMS AS RE-CALLED TIRES BUT MICHELIN AND GM WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565507

24,000 miles · Jul 16, 2013
EquipmentEquipment Adaptive/mobility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE, HE NOTICED THAT THE JACK DID NOT EXTEND HIGH ENOUGH TO LIFT THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE JACK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525227

13,800 miles · Mar 28, 2013
EngineFuel System, DieselInjury

I OWN A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK IS "REGEN-ING" THE "DPF", RAW FUEL LEAKS FROM AN EXHAUST COUPLING LOCATED AT THE TURBO AND DOWN-PIPE SATURATING THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WITH FUEL. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP WHILE IT IS IN THIS REGEN MODE WHITE SMOKE BOILS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENTERS THE CABI…

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I OWN A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK IS "REGEN-ING" THE "DPF", RAW FUEL LEAKS FROM AN EXHAUST COUPLING LOCATED AT THE TURBO AND DOWN-PIPE SATURATING THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WITH FUEL. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP WHILE IT IS IN THIS REGEN MODE WHITE SMOKE BOILS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENTERS THE CABIN INDUCING A COUGHING FIT AND BURNING EYES. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A GMC DEALER IN SAN ANGELO TX AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS DESCRIBING AND THAT I SHOULD REST ASSURED BECAUSE "DIESEL WON'T BURN ANYWAY". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504865

28,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND INTO THE STREET. A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND INTO THE STREET. A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 02-08/13 *BF UPDATED 02/11/13

NHTSA ODI #10493059

Official recalls

2

14V827000 · Electrical System:ignition

Dec 30, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

11V339000 · Steering:linkages

Jun 28, 2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.