YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict. Airbags are the top complaint area (133 complaints, 37% share), backed by 7 recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#13 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
355
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
12
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2012
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Top 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags133 (37%)
  2. Other102 (29%)
  3. Structure & Body64 (18%)
  4. Engine33 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain32 (9%)
  6. Electrical System22 (6%)
  7. Brakes21 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (5%)
  9. Fuel System14 (4%)
  10. Steering11 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Driver's side airbag failed to deploy in a crash with a tractor trailer, despite a service air bag warning light coming on.
  • Front passenger tire tread separated and the tire blew out at 50 mph with no prior warning.
  • Airbags did not deploy in a rear-end collision even though the vehicle was included in a Takata-related recall.
  • Transmission reportedly failed on the highway, causing the rear wheels to lock up and the truck to spin sideways.
  • Rear defrost circuit melted a fuse on the panel box, raising fire risk in the electrical system.
  • Truck downshifted itself unexpectedly from 5th to 3rd gear while towing a trailer down a grade, spiking engine RPM.
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter232010 Q42013 Q32015 Q32017 Q32019 Q32021 Q32023 Q32025 Q3
355 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q4 (23).

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V050000Feb 5, 2021Airbags2,641,272 vehicles

    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 the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

  2. NHTSA 21V054000Feb 5, 2021Airbags1,778,128 vehicles

    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 A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

  3. NHTSA 18V267000Apr 26, 2018Other6,154 vehicles

    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. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

    Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

    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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

See all 7 recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 →

2011 compared with other Sierra 1500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good352785—
2010Best202124—
2011Good403557—
2012Best01465—
2013Best101626—

All GMC Sierra 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Sierra 1500 has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th worst of 21 model years, giving it a Good verdict relative to other Sierra 1500 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?
Airbags lead complaints with 133 reports (37% share) at a median 58,000 miles, followed by Structure & Body (64 complaints) and Engine issues (33 complaints).
Does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2011 Sierra 1500, covering airbags, a fire extinguisher issue, an ignition lock housing, a steering shaft, and rear axle cross pins.
How does the 2011 Sierra 1500 compare to other model years?
Its complaint index of 40 is lower than 2014 (80), 2019 (75), 2021 (85), 2022 (100), 2023 (95), and 2024 (90), all of which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2011 a comparatively better year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.