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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2011 GMC Sierra 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
10%of 20 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500, 10% of the 20 complaints for this model year.

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.

“my 2011 fmc sierra 3500 drw denali suffered a failure of the Transmission Control Module (TCM). I could barely move the vehicle and almost got into an accident merging into traffic. Forward and reverse was affected. The transmission reverts to top gear after the failure, and makes driving very difficult. There was no warning for this failure Luckily I was minutes from my dealership. This problem could be bad.”

NHTSA complaint #11541849, filed 2023-08

“Apparently a common issue. The TCM (Transmission Control Module) failed and the vehicle will not start or shift. Vehicle went into limp mode on highway while towing a trailer. Part availability unknown and on backorder for a year.”

NHTSA complaint #11525638, filed 2023-06

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026240%
202516%
20241325%
20231450%
2022619%
2021735%
20201937%
201918%
201817%
2017323%
2016211%
201513%
2014114%
2013214%
2012333%
2011210%
2009240%
200814%
2007213%
2006327%
200414%
2003114%
2000312%
1997220%

Other parts of the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500

Air bags
8 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Visibility (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