Skip to content
EnginePart report

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
6%of 284 total for the year
Median mileage
40,688miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, 6% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,688 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Yesterday august 20, 2017 in the late afternoon while driving, my 2011 Gmc sierra dead stopped without any notice almost causing an accident . I remained blocking the road until the police arrived to push my vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was unable to start even with a jump. The car is now at the auto repair shop and the auto mechanic stated that the hybrid system is not responding.”

NHTSA complaint #11018691, filed 2017-08, 136,000 miles

“My truck has problems with stability control running on the freeway in the dash came stability control services and second reduce power and the stop mu truck go slow from 65 to 20 in the middle of the freeway car behind my truck”

NHTSA complaint #11372326, filed 2020-10, 65 miles

“Stabilitrak off/reduced engine power came on again after 3 unsuccessful 'fixes' at Gmc dealer. I was driving 30mph over a hill when my engine completely stopped responding. Couldn't accelerate and the steering wheel locked. Went into oncoming lane but fortunately I wasn't hit. I was able to pull truck to shoulder and wait a few minutes before being able to turn on again and get it home. I have taken the truck to my local dealer every time this has happened and they only replace the throttle body sensor. It's the second time the truck has stopped responding while driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11218524, filed 2019-06, 106,000 miles

“I was accelerating on to the freeway when I heard a pop then the engine light came on. The vehicle starting knocking and lost power. I called onstar and they gave me the code p0300: the emissions system is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the exhaust emissions system which monitors and controls exhaust gases released into the air from the engine. If the vehicle is continually driven with this light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, the engine might not run as smoothly and could lead to future repairs. …”

NHTSA complaint #11151017, filed 2018-11, 92,000 miles

“Pulling out of a snow covered parking lot the engine light came on dic then the message, reduced engine power, the engine began to run very rough at a lower idle speed, as began to happen the truck lurched forward and I had to press hard on the brakes very hard like I was fighting the engine speed to slow, then the message changed to service traction control, I had no control over the gas pedal and could only move at about 5mph, then the message changed to service stabilitrak, I got to another area of the parking lot, parked and shut off the engine for a few minutes and the issue would not…”

NHTSA complaint #10692101, filed 2015-03, 41,375 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202610169%
20255948%
202419051%
202321142%
202223940%
202132254%
202024451%
201931348%
20186722%
20175816%
20163911%
20158412%
2014699%
201387%
201266%
2011166%
2010117%
2009136%
2008195%
2007197%
200653%
200563%
200452%
200332%
200121%
200011%
199911%

Other parts of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500

Air bags
113 complaints
Other or unknown
73 complaints
Body and structure
45 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
24 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Electronic stability control
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
7 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Exterior 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 27, 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