Most common 2011 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 71 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2011 GMC Sierra recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Steering › Linkages
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 tightened to the proper specification.
Remedy: GM dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 13, 2011.
What 2011 GMC Sierra owners say
Air bags all 20 →
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.
The dashboard in my 2011 GMC Sierra denali 1500 has multiple cracks in the dashboard, they have appeared significantly within in the last year and gotten much larger to the point where a "hole" has opened up due to a piece of the dashboard breaking loose and falling inside of the dash console. The cracks and loose debris have caused me concern because if the airbags were to deploy during a motor vehicle accident the occupants of the vehicle would be subjected to flying debris/ shrapnel from the dashboard. I contacted my local dealership and they stated that it is an aesthetic issue which would not be covered under any kind of warranty. This is a known issue with its own facebook page and plenty of documented cases online. GM has acknowledged there was a problem and has offered to replace some dash boards on a case by case basis at a reduced cost. …
Body & structure
Dashboard on my GMC Sierra denali has 2 major cracks. This is a known defect with these vehicles dashboards. First crack is over the gauges on the dash, and the second is right over top of the air bag. This is a serious issue with no recalls or assistance from vehicle manufacturers. The cracks are either started via driving and cracking due to vibration of the road, or they crack from premature wear via the sun fading the materials. It is a very serious safety concern, seeing how if the air bag were to deploy it will send many sharp pieces of dashboard plastic into the passenger or myself the driver. This issue needs to be addressed, it is a very expensive fix, and a safety issue that needs an immediate recall or address.
Severe frame corrosion (all sections of frame). The undercoating is flaking off in all sections exposing bare metal which is rapidly corroding throughout the frame. The truck is in mint condition inside and out other than this issue. GM stated that "rust" is not covered under my active warranty. This is a faulty coating application or a faulty metal issue. This vehicle will be unsafe soon and it just hit 12,000 miles. I purchased this "GM certified pre-owned" truck two weeks ago from the GM dealership and just realized that many, many complaints have been filed for this very issue.
Transmission & drivetrain
First off would be my dashboard air bag, the dashboard plastic is cracking with the concern on flying debris I brought my GMC 1500 into my local service/sales center and he told me with out a recall there is nothing he could do for me. Second I have been dealing with what seems to either the power train or brakes from day one I purchased my truck. What it does is when I come to a complete stop, release the brake, and then apply the accelerator I get a big cur plunk sound and feeling of the truck jerk. This is coming for the rear end of my truck I would assume the rear axial. I have brought this up to my local service/sales center , multiple times. He has not stopped the problem and tells me there is not much more he can do without the manufacturer posting a bulletin out.
On July 29, 2015, while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly downshifted itself into first gear causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly with no notice. I was able to get the vehicle off the road and into a gas station. After the fact the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. I was told the TCM (transmission control module) needed replacing and that there is a known issue with this year truck. This is a very dangerous situation to have your vehicle suddenly slow down while driving at speed. If GM knows that the part is faulty why is there not a recall? Will it take multiple deaths before GM takes responsibility?
2011 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Sierra rates average: 39% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 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?
The air bags — 20 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (17) and transmission & drivetrain (8).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra, the most recent from December 30, 2014 (ignition). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 41% 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.