2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 22 electrical system complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500, about 6% of the 355 total complaints for the year. A related recall (14V827000) covers ignition lock housing issues, and the median mileage at failure was 110,092.5 miles.
- Electrical System complaints
- 22
- 6% of 355
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 110,093 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Rear defrost circuits fail and the fuse line melts inside the panel box.
- Headlights and interior lights dim and then return to normal when the brake or hazard lights are used.
- Vehicle loses all power to steering and braking without warning while driving, sometimes stalling completely.
- Ignition lock actuator sticks or gets stuck in the start position, tied to the ignition lock housing recall.
- Low beam headlights short out randomly and dealers cannot replicate the fault.
- Door locks cycle on their own, warning lights flash, and gauges drop to zero while driving.
When 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 12, 2012, latest Aug 11, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
- NHTSA 14V827000Dec 30, 2014Electrical System84,192 vehicles
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. 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.
Risk: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
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. 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.
Electrical System complaints by Sierra 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists 22 electrical system complaints for the 2011 Sierra 1500, which is about 6% of the 355 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical system?
- Yes. Recall 14V827000, reported December 30, 2014, covers the ignition lock housing on 2011-2012 Sierra and related GM trucks and SUVs; dealers inspect and replace the housing as needed.
- At what mileage do electrical problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on this model year is 110,092.5 miles.
- Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2011 Sierra 1500 shows 1 crash and 1 fire reported, with no injuries.