GMC · Sierra · 2011
2
Recalls
43
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2011 GMC Sierra has 2 recalls and 43 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2011 GMC Sierra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 9 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
19.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
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 Status
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
2011 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *JS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK MESSAGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 50 MPH. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES TO GET ...
Preview excerpt
DASH BOARD CRACK AT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND 2 MORE CRACKS AT DRIVERS SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONCERN THAT THE CRACK AT AIR BAG COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF EVER DEPLOYED.
RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY A CRACK AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG.
THE TBS GOES OUT. PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO REDUCED POWER. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. LOSE ALL BREAKS CONTROL , ABS GOES OUT TO. ALMOST HAVE BEEN DUE TO GM
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING REAL BAD.
MY 2011 GMC SIERRA'S DASH BOARD IS CRAKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES. ONE OF THE CRACKS IS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT ARE LOOSE AND ABOUT TO COME OFF THE TRUCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESS ENG...
Preview excerpt
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE EXPOSING PART OF THE AIR BAGS AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AFFECTING THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE...
Preview excerpt
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT THE AIR BAG. LIFTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THE CAMSHAFT IS MAKING NOISES. MY TRACTION CONTROL KEEPS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF AND TELLING ME TO SERVICE IT. REALLY BAD WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER PILLAR.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 43 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2011 GMC models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2011 GMC Sierra has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 43 owner-reported complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra.
The 2011 GMC Sierra received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2011 GMC Sierra are air bags (9 reports), unknown or other (7 reports), engine (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2011 GMC Sierra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.