Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a separation of the rear sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear sub frame was extremely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
My GMC which is well cared for and only has 121,000 miles has a rusted through frame (mid-vehicle, left side) which has made the truck unsafe to drive. The steel used is inferior, my neighbor across the street also has this truck, 2 years newer, and is doing the same thing. As I have researched this issue I have found out that this is a critical failure of the GMC Sierra for several model years due to a failure to protect the steel used in northern states which compromises structural integrity. When Toyota had this issue, they stepped up and replaced the frames. General Motors, please tell me what you intend to do with this. It is a 5.3 Litre with 121,000 miles on it, in other words, still a baby for such a fine engine. This is not right. I am seriously discouraged. For my family, this is devastating. I still owe $2000 on this vehicle. Thank you, [redacted]
The main body frame is completely rusting through from under the drivers side door back past the fuel tank. It is rusting through on the passenger side as well. The large amounts of rust have caused other issues throughout the entire body of the truck as well as rusting of other components. The frame of this truck will need to be replaced as there is no way to repair it or the vehicle becomes scrap. This vehicle is available for inspection. These issues were not visible when purchased from the dealer. This issue gradually became visible after the rust and undercoating wore away that had been applied previous to our purchase from a known dealership.
I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Standard Cab pickup truck. I'm a disabled veteran and have this as my primary vehicle. The frame has a huge hole that developed and will need repair. The frame is rotted and soon will not pass inspection. The truck looks brand new but Engin compartment, frame and tow parts have rotted. I had the leaf spring separated from rotted frame on the highway. I swerved and almost died. GMC must replace the frame to make this right. Soon I will have no truck after giving GMC so much money. It's criminal what they have done.
I own a 2011 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton pickup truck. It currently has 98 k miles. The crossmember for the frame rusted out and fell off last month. Yesterday the frame broke in two. I see from looking online that GMC failed to add rust inhibitor to the steel for the frame. This is a safety issue and could have been catastrophic. Is anything being done about this failure? Online forums show this happening throughout the US.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, she was informed that the sub-frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who took photos. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
2011 GMC Sierra Frame Failed Pennsylvania State Inspection due to Driver Side Frame Rust/hole. The section of the frame must be replaced due to rust(Improper coating... The truck has only 69700 miles on the odometer.
Hit a pot hole in a parking lot and the gas tank fell onto the ground. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the frame cross members and fuel tank straps are rusted/rotted and cannot support the tank.
My truck has developed a crack on the dash, starting at the top left-hand corner of the front passenger airbag. It has cracked entirely through to the dash trim piece roughly 3-4 inches away. Not only is it a tremendous eye-sore, that most of my passengers notice and comment on... But has me extremely worried about safety. If this vehicle were to be in a collision and the airbag is deployed, I am sure that fragments of plastic would be propelled through the interior of the vehicle as the airbag fired. I have contacted my local dealership, and they state it is not covered, and have quoted me a repair cost of just over $1,000. This defect in the dash piece seems to be a recurring incident in a lot of 2007-2013 GM trucks. My dash pops and creaks while driving, and I can't afford the insane replacement costs associated with this repair. GM needs to take a closer look at this situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start. The vehicle was started after several attempts. In addition, the roof of the vehicle was rusted. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel injector was leaking and going into the cylinder. The vehicle was repaired under warranty; however, a year and a half later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that all eight fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a year later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it received the same diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 09/22/16 updated 10/05/16.
Body complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, 16% of the model year's 284 complaints. The component named most often is body (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.