Most common 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 63 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2011 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Equipment
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Air bags all 20 →
To avoid a head on collision I had to move to the right of my lane and I hit a mountain head on and neither the driver or passengers airbag deployed. The vehicle over turned on its left driver side after skidding along pavement for a few yards it finally came to a stop. There were no passengers. I was the driver and sustained lacerations to my head bruising in chest area and a punctured left lung. The vehicle was in motion going 35 MPH
Takata recall, I have a letter from GM. Concerning the air bag recall dated 07/2016 informing me of said recall and stating that I would be notified when parts are available for repairs. That has been over a year ago and now I have a crack in the corner of the dash panel where the air-bag is located. After doing some research it appears that GM. Has issues with GM trucks, SUV's etc. From year 2007 until at least 2013 concerning this issue. I have contacted GM. Dealers and GM their self concerning repairs and or replacement of the airbags and stated my concerns with the dash being cracked in this location. These airbags have been documented to kill or injure people and as a concerned owner of one of these vehicles I feel GM. Is not moving fast enough to rectify this situation. …
Body & structure
The contact called on behalf of a Fire Department that owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while the Fire Department technician was performing a routine maintenance on the vehicle, the technician became aware that the sub frame was rusted with a hole in the sub frame. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-NA-255. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,252.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA camapaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured in the upper left corner of the passenger side air bag compartment as well as near the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called jerry's Buick GMC (3100 fort worth hwy, weatherford, tx, 76087) and was informed that there was no recall regarding the fractured dashboard. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle remained in the PARK and failed to shift into DRIVE. The steering wheel was locked preventing the gear shifter from going into gear. The traction control warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but, was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was not available.
On or about [redacted], the Transmission Control Module, FAILED, on my 2011GMC Denali 2500 6.6 diesel. It was a KNOWN faulty part .General Motors was aware of the issue years ago. This part should have been deemed a Safety Recall item. Imagine, pulling a trailer down a busy Freeway, with Semi's presence. Module goes out, truck goes idle, people hurt or worse.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Sierra 2500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500?
The air bags — 20 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (11) and electrical system (9).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from February 5, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.