IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE FRACTURES ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
2011 GMC Sierra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 GMC Sierra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sierra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1125–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
2100–150K
1150K+
40 reports with mileage · 3 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Structure complaints
8 reportsTL* 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 TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASH…
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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 TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE DASH PANELS ON MY 2011 GMC SIERRA HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN 6 PLACES. 1 DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, ANOTHER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOW IN 4 PLACES DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IN ANY SORT OF IMPACT I AM FEARING THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING WILL CAUSE THE DASH TO TURN FROM HARD PLASTIC TO …
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THE DASH PANELS ON MY 2011 GMC SIERRA HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED IN 6 PLACES. 1 DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, ANOTHER DIRECTLY ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NOW IN 4 PLACES DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IN ANY SORT OF IMPACT I AM FEARING THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING WILL CAUSE THE DASH TO TURN FROM HARD PLASTIC TO HARD MOVING PIECES OF PLASTIC AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY ABOVE AND BEYOND IN A NORMAL CRASH. GM HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THIS MATTER AND CALLS IT A COSMETIC ISSUE. *TR
SEVERE FRAME CORROSION (ALL SECTIONS OF FRAME). THE UNDERCOATING IS FLAKING OFF IN ALL SECTIONS EXPOSING BARE METAL WHICH IS RAPIDLY CORRODING THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE TRUCK IS IN MINT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT OTHER THAN THIS ISSUE. GM STATED THAT "RUST" IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY ACTIVE WARRANTY. THIS IS A FAULTY COATING APPLICAT…
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SEVERE FRAME CORROSION (ALL SECTIONS OF FRAME). THE UNDERCOATING IS FLAKING OFF IN ALL SECTIONS EXPOSING BARE METAL WHICH IS RAPIDLY CORRODING THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE TRUCK IS IN MINT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT OTHER THAN THIS ISSUE. GM STATED THAT "RUST" IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY ACTIVE WARRANTY. THIS IS A FAULTY COATING APPLICATION OR A FAULTY METAL ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE WILL BE UNSAFE SOON AND IT JUST HIT 12,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THIS "GM CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED" TRUCK TWO WEEKS AGO FROM THE GM DEALERSHIP AND JUST REALIZED THAT MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. *TR
DASHBOARD CRACKING SEVERELY ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DASHBOARD RATTLING SEVERELY CAUSING DASH TO VIBRATE AND COVER TO AIRBAG TO VIBRATE SUBSTANTIALLY. CONCERN THAT DASH WILL COMPLETELY FALL CAUSING AIR BAG FAILURE IN CRASH. *TR
CRACK IN DASHBOARD AT UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
THE FRONT BUMPERS PLASTIC FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE AND FALLS OFF. THIS CAN CAUSE CRASH AND ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FALLING OFF PARTS FROM CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC BUMPER PARTS FOR THE FOG LIGHTS. THE SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE THIS WITH A CHROME OR METAL BUMPER SO THAT PLASTIC PEACES DO NOT BECOME W…
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THE FRONT BUMPERS PLASTIC FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE AND FALLS OFF. THIS CAN CAUSE CRASH AND ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FALLING OFF PARTS FROM CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC BUMPER PARTS FOR THE FOG LIGHTS. THE SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE THIS WITH A CHROME OR METAL BUMPER SO THAT PLASTIC PEACES DO NOT BECOME WARPED AND BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT THE BOLT POINTS FOR THE FRONT BUMPER FOG LIGHT HOLDER ENTIRE PLASTIC PEACE. *TR
DASH HAS A CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR
Official recalls
214V827000 · Electrical System:ignition
Dec 30, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
11V339000 · Steering:linkages
Jun 28, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.