2011 GMC Sierra Problems
Compared with other GMC Sierra years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
29/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.6× that of a typical GMC Sierra year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 6 of its 43 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (11 complaints, median 60,000 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles, 39 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid RWD · 20 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 GMC Sierra (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 11 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags (10) and body and structure (8). 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 51% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 294 technical service bulletins for this model year. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 GMC Sierra model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 29 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown11 26%
- Air bags10 23%
- Body and structure8 19%
- Engine7 16%
- Brakes4 9.3%
- Vehicle speed control4 9.3%
- Electrical system3 7.0%
- Fuel system2 4.7%
Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “My truck has developed cracks on both sides of the dash. The one over the airbag is the one that has me concerned. If the airbag deploys it may then throw shrapnel into the face of my passenger possibly causing disfigurement and or death.”
NHTSA complaint #10818396, filed 2016-01, 25,000 milesAir bags: “We were driving on the interstate in houston at approximately 60-65 MPH approaching a hill. When reaching the top of the hill, there was a parked car in the middle of the highway and we slammed into the back end of it. Both vehicles were totaled. Fortunately, we were wearing seat belts and were not terribly injured. Just real jarred up.the air bags never deployed. With a hit that hard they should have.”
NHTSA complaint #10714346, filed 2015-05, 137,000 milesBody and structure: “The dash panels on my 2011 Gmc Sierra have spontaneously cracked in 6 places. 1 directly adjacent to the passenger airbag, another directly above the instrument panel and now in 4 places directly adjacent to the windshield. In any sort of impact I am fearing the airbags deploying will cause the dash to turn from hard plastic to hard moving pieces of plastic and cause additional injury above and beyond in a normal crash. Gm has refused to accept liability for this matter and calls it a cosmetic issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10703335, filed 2015-04, 43,000 milesEngine: “Dashboard has cracked at the air bag. Lifters had to be replaced and now the camshaft is making noises. My traction control keeps shutting itself off and telling me to service it. Really bad wind noise coming from the passenger pillar.”
NHTSA complaint #10818548, filed 2016-01, 60,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
51% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 61,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 GMC Sierra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 14V827000Dec 30, 2014Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: GMC Sierra 2011–2012, Chevrolet Tahoe 2011–2012, Cadillac Escalade ESV 2011–2012 +7 more
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…
- 11V339000Jun 28, 2011Steering › LinkagesCovers: GMC Sierra 2011, Chevrolet Tahoe 2011, Cadillac Escalade ESV 2011 +5 more
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…
Recall details for the 2011 GMC Sierra → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 294 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10108599Jul 17, 2017Suspension. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
- 10113404Feb 8, 2017Fuel system. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the…
- 10113364Jan 31, 2017Brakes. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
- 10113329Jan 12, 2017Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that within 10 seconds after startup the radio will mute and phone icon displays on the radio for up…
- 10113325Jan 12, 2017Engine, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine cooling. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on at…
- 10100822Jul 11, 2016Engine. This informational bulletin provides the technician with what may happen to an engine due to lack of maintenance.
- 10113889Mar 1, 2016Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a list of modules to check for communication with the scan tool, if the navigation radio does not display the current Hybrid…
- 10113888Mar 1, 2016Engine. This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production…
- 10113887Mar 1, 2016Brakes, Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production…
- 10114431Feb 23, 2016Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 61 | 35,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 6 | 39,500 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 2,750 | 6 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 101 | 3,000 | 11 | — | — | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 39 | 7,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 29 | 31,450 | 2 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 45,000 | 2 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 53,500 | 0 | — | 22 | 11 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 42,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 68 | 66,850 | 2 | — | — | 23 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 59 | 70,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 53 | 43,500 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 117 | 60,000 | 9 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 188 | 49,752 | 7 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 206 | 55,750 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 249 | 40,490 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 264 | 61,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 443 | 67,666 | 8 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 600 | 62,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 190 | 71,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 238 | 78,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 246 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 261 | 114,184 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 190 | 110,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 178,000 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 12 | 108,500 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 18 | 115,832 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | 187,575 | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 GMC Sierra have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 GMC Sierra is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 11 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags with 10.
Has the 2011 GMC Sierra been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 GMC Sierra get?
The EPA rates the 2011 GMC Sierra (Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD, 6.0L 8-cyl · hybrid) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra reported?
Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 61,000 miles; 51% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.