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
What owners actually said
43 reports
25,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ACTUATOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V827000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ACTUATOR MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY, WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITION TO BECOME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V827000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10722265
137,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Air BagsCrash
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN HOUSTON AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH APPROACHING A HILL. WHEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, THERE WAS A PARKED CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK END OF IT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND WERE NOT TERRIBLY INJURED. JUST REAL JA…
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WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN HOUSTON AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH APPROACHING A HILL. WHEN REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, THERE WAS A PARKED CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WE SLAMMED INTO THE BACK END OF IT. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS AND WERE NOT TERRIBLY INJURED. JUST REAL JARRED UP.THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WITH A HIT THAT HARD THEY SHOULD HAVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714346
43,000 miles · Apr 2, 2015
Structure
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
NHTSA ODI #10703335
12,100 miles · Mar 13, 2015
StructureSuspension
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
NHTSA ODI #10694211
74,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY TRUCK RUNNING, I NOTICED MY RPM'S WERE STARTING TO FLUTTER AND MY OIL PRESSURE WAS DOING THE SAME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OR SO MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING AND THE RPM'S WERE STILL FLUTTERING. WHILE THIS HAPPENED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FLASHED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTIO…
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I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY TRUCK RUNNING, I NOTICED MY RPM'S WERE STARTING TO FLUTTER AND MY OIL PRESSURE WAS DOING THE SAME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OR SO MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING AND THE RPM'S WERE STILL FLUTTERING. WHILE THIS HAPPENED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FLASHED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTION" AND THEN "SERVICE STABILITRAK." I THEN SHUT MY TRUCK OFF AND WAITED APPROX. 25 MINUTES. WHEN I TURNED MY TRUCK BACK ON THE RPM'S WERE STILL FLUTTERING BUT THE TRUCK WAS NO LONGER SHAKING. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO AUTO-ZONE THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE, THE TROUBLE CODE HAD TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. AFTER THAT MY COMPUTER MUST HAVE RESET ITSELF AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692653
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2015
Power Train
IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THE SHIFTER STICKS AND WILL NOT MOVE TO SHIFT IN ANY GEAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681664
41,000 miles · Jan 6, 2015
Unknown Or Other
NOTICED FRONT DASH WAS CRACKED IN AUGUST 2014. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR. MY WIFE HAD A 2007 TAHOE WHICH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN DASH. MY 2 SON-IN-LAW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOW, ONE HAS A 2011 SIERRA AND THE OTHER HAS A 2010 SILVERADO.
NHTSA ODI #10670425
58,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Air BagsStructure
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
NHTSA ODI #10653454
61,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
EnginePower Train
ENGINE LIGHT SYMBOL MESSAGE APPEARED ON VEHICLE DURING THE EARLY PART OF SEPTEMBER. (NOT QUITE SURE OF THE DATE). DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL REQUIRE A FULL DAY TO REPLACE PARTS. AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE SEEM TO OPERATE EXCELLENTLY UNTIL THE MIDDLE PART OF OCTOBER. ENGINE LIGHT M…
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ENGINE LIGHT SYMBOL MESSAGE APPEARED ON VEHICLE DURING THE EARLY PART OF SEPTEMBER. (NOT QUITE SURE OF THE DATE). DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL REQUIRE A FULL DAY TO REPLACE PARTS. AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE SEEM TO OPERATE EXCELLENTLY UNTIL THE MIDDLE PART OF OCTOBER. ENGINE LIGHT MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN ON VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A SENSOR OVERHEATING. NEEDED TO BRING VEHICLE BACK WHEN DIESEL MECHANIC IS ON DUTY. REQUESTED ADVICE FOR TRAVEL. SERVICE MANAGER CLEARED CODE. ENGINE LIGHT MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN IN MINUTES. THE NEXT DAY WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE LOST OF POWER MESSAGE CAME ON WITHIN 150 MILES FROM WHERE WE DEPARTED. BEFORE LOST OF POWER A MESSAGE OF LOW IN EXHAUST FLUID FLASHED ON AND OFF. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED ENGINE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE WELL TO OUR DESTINATION OF 248 MILES MORE. CARRIED VEHICLE TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING CODES: P113A-EGR TEMP 3-4 CORRELATION; P2471-EGR TEMP SENSOR 4 HIGH VOLTAGE; P20CC-EXHAUST FUEL INJECTOR PERFORMANCE HISTORY. DEALER STATED REPAIR COULD NOT BE ADDRESS DUE TO OTHER SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS FOR A WEEK. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC CLEARED CODES. ENGINE SYMBOL RETURNED IN 25 MINUTES. WHILE RETURNING BACK HOME THE VEHICLE AGAIN GAVE THE MESSAGE LOW IN EXHAUST FLUID AND WITHIN MINUTES WENT INTO LOST OF POWER MODE. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649976
85,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Structure
CRACK IN DASHBOARD AT UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2011 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year