MYRModel Year Report

2011 GMC Sierra 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2011 GMC Sierra 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
284
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2011 284 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2011 284 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2014 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2020 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2024 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2011 284 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2014 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2020 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2024 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026

2011: 284 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006145
2007262
2008380
2009234
2010167
2011284
2012107
2013115
2014738
2015719
2016342
2017353
2018302
2019643
2020469
2021570
2022575
2023470
2024366
2025111
2026125

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

40% · 113 reports

Most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Hit deer,cracked dash on both driver and passenger side,airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-30

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag failed to deploy after a tractor trailer crashed into the vehicle. The service air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-26

Structure

16% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rear shock holder rusted through cross member on frame making top of shock stay forced against bottom of the bed of the truck.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-25

Also filed under Suspension

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-19

Power train

9% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

On November 18, 2010, returning from vacation, driving a new 2011 GMC sierra sle pick up with less than 2,000 miles use, pulling a 24' travel trailer. The truck was in "Tow" Mode descending a 15% grade hill at approximately 45 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-12-02

Electrical system

6% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle's rear defrost had failed. The contact inspected the fuse line and noticed that it had melted on the panel box. The dealer (Don brown Chevrolet, inc.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-12-02

ABS Randomly turns on with the traction control light… All windows except for driver window will not go down and sometimes it does not unlock or lock sometimes. It started the beginning of 2022 and has got worst over the years.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-11

Also filed under Service brakes

Engine

6% · 16 reports

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 284 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2011-01-11Suspension10V643000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado ld and GMC Sierra ld vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2011-01-11Suspension11V007000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, Colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Savana…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2018-06-11Equipment18V267000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-03-01Air bags21V050000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2021-05-11Air bags21V054000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds

Buy-smart checklist

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 113 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V643000 · Suspension
  • Recall 11V007000 · Suspension
  • Recall 18V267000 · Equipment
  • Recall 21V050000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V054000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.