CarModelProblems.com

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 4.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
283Complaints
5Recalls
5Crashes
3Fires
11Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (39.6% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 4.7× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags112 · 39.6%RecalledRecall 21V050000 · Recall 21V054000
Structure:body38 · 13.4%No official action
Power Train21 · 7.4%No official action
Engine16 · 5.7%No official action
Electrical System15 · 5.3%Investigation closedDP22005 → recall 22V063000
Steering10 · 3.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS112 · 39.6%
Unspecified / other72 · 25.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY38 · 13.4%
POWER TRAIN21 · 7.4%
ENGINE16 · 5.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15 · 5.3%
STEERING10 · 3.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10 · 3.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 2.5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7 · 2.5%

Percentages are the share of the 283 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · 2021 · reported 02/05/2021

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · 2021 · reported 02/05/2021

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 18V267000 · 2018 · reported 04/26/2018

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

NHTSA campaign 10V643000 · 2010 · reported 12/17/2010

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

NHTSA campaign 11V007000 · 2011 · reported 01/06/2011

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND OUT SIDE AIR TEMPERATURE SAYS 55 AND ITS 92 OUTSIDE WHEN MPVEING OR STILL”NHTSA complaint 11005470 — filed 07/15/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE…”NHTSA complaint 10991447 — filed 05/24/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE…”NHTSA complaint 10979263 — filed 04/19/2017 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

320128142014176020166943201834302020211320221792024632026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 112 of 283 NHTSA complaints (39.6%), followed by unspecified/other issues (72), structure:body (38), power train (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

283 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V050000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.