2011 GMC Sierra 2500

● Typical for this model
2011 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:13:27.238Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 47 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 160 complaints 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2006: 66 complaints 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2011: 63 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 31 complaints 2020: 73 complaints 2020 2021: 49 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 96 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2011: 63 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199714
199815
199936
200047
2001134
2002134
2003160
2004143
2005115
200666
200783
200863
200931
201010
201163
201230
201346
201430
201589
201659
201737
201835
201931
202073
202149
202242
202328
202496
202524
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 32%

32% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201204

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON FEBRUARY 20TH 2021. THE REASON REMAINS UNKNOWN. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED IMAGES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210223

On or about [XXX], 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230916

VEHICLE SPORADICALLY SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKS ALL 4 DOORS WITHIN 10 SECONDS AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. NO TOUCHING OF REMOTE, NO ACCIDENTALLY HITTING A DOOR SWITCH WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M AT THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, OR 10 FEET AWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131105

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

On or about [XXX], 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230916

ENGINE 8%

8% of complaints: engine — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20140829 — 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...

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. The recall began on August 29, 2014.

Campaign 14V407000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180611 — 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...

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.

Campaign 18V267000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210301 — air bags

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.

Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210511 — air bags

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.

Campaign 21V054000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V407000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V267000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V054000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.