2011 GMC Sierra 3500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 40%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500, 40% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The dash has cracked in a number of places. My fear is that if the airbag deploys that shards of plastic could become airborne and the projectiles could injure myself or my passengers. Some of the cracks are at the airbag location. I have checked online and this is a major problem on these vehicles and GM will not address it. There is a facebook page dedicated to it with many many members.”
NHTSA complaint #11019882, filed 2017-08, 35,000 miles“Takata recall, I have contacted the Gmc dealer about replacing the air bags under recall 2 years ago and was told they would contact me when the replacement air bags are available. Still not available, what now?”
NHTSA complaint #11142179, filed 2018-10“Takata recall - we received notification of the recall but have yet been contacted or able to have the bags replaced. Hearing of multiple deaths, is my car safe to drive?”
NHTSA complaint #11044291, filed 2017-11“The contact owns a 2011 Gmc SIERRA 3500. Every time the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator for both the driver and passenger sides illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that the sensor on both sides failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The air bag warning indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000. Updated 07/22/16 the consumer stated the manufacturer offrerdto spilt the cost of the repairs. Updated 10/19/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10860819, filed 2016-04, 57,000 miles“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Gmc SIERRA 3500. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number:16v381000(air bag) was received. After contacting both the local dealer hohen carlsbad Gmc located at (5334 taseo del norte, carlsbad, ca) and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11307062, filed 2020-02Related 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 3500 2009–2011, 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 3500 2010–2014, 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…
- 10232819Feb 16, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unwanted Stability Activation and/or a Service Stability message on…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2016 | 1 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 36% |
| 2012 | 1 | 11% |
| 2011 | 8 | 40% |
| 2009 | 1 | 20% |
| 2008 | 17 | 68% |
| 2007 | 7 | 44% |
| 2006 | 2 | 18% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2002 | 2 | 10% |
| 2001 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500
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