2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 113about this part
- Share
- 40%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 113 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, 40% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11074467, filed 2018-02, 85,000 miles“Dashboard is cracked directly adjacent to the air bag, I am concerned that plastic pieces of dashboard will become dangerous flying objects in the event of an impact that deploys the airbag. I have been talking with GM and the local dealership for months now and they will not accept responsibility. This is a continuing safety issue experienced by Gmc sierra owners”
NHTSA complaint #10887976, filed 2016-07, 40,000 miles“Dashboard is cracked directly adjacent to the air bag, this is happening to a large number of Gmc and chevy owners, I am concerned that plastic pieces of dashboard will become dangerous flying objects in the event of an impact that deploys the airbag. I have been talking with GM and the local dealership for 3 months now and they will not accept responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #10763113, filed 2015-09, 58,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10824208, filed 2016-02, 64,500 miles“My dash light have a code that say check air bag service never been in accident in vehicle but. Light stays on I think iam apart of recall but noone at dealer have reach out to me iam owner of vehicle and my car is paided off”
NHTSA complaint #11376006, filed 2020-11, 79,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V050000Feb 5, 2021General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe…Covers: GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2011, Chevrolet Tahoe 2007–2011, GMC Yukon 2007–2011 +11 more
- 21V054000Feb 5, 2021General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra…Covers: GMC Sierra 1500 2010–2013, Cadillac Escalade 2010–2014, Chevrolet Tahoe 2010–2014 +11 more
Related service bulletins
- 10252974Apr 5, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
- 10251345Feb 26, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% |
| 2015 | 37 | 5% |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 42 | 39% |
| 2011 | 113 | 40% |
| 2010 | 77 | 46% |
| 2009 | 122 | 52% |
| 2008 | 243 | 64% |
| 2007 | 146 | 56% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
73 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology