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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

77,250 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 20 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting315.0%
Braking behavior315.0%
Engine operation15.0%
Electrical and battery issues15.0%
Steering behavior15.0%
Fuel system concerns15.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
8
Electrical System
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Structure:Body
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Wheels
2
Engine
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags8
Electrical System2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Structure:Body2
Unknown Or Other2
Wheels2
Engine1

Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Wheels: 2; Engine: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2011
1
2015
2
2016
1
2017
6
2018
1
2019
2
2020
2
2021
2
2023
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20111
20152
20161
20176
20181
20192
20202
20212
20233

2011: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 6; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2023: 3

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10383247 · 2011-02-18 (February 18, 2011)

WHILE DRIVING A GMC 3500 DENALI HD 4X4 EQUIPPED WITH THE DIESEL ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH LESS THAN 90 MILES ON IT, THE REAR ADJUSTMENT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT SIDE TORSION BAR BROKE AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT LESS THAN 20MPH. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE PART MOUNTS NEAR OR IN THE CROSSMEMBER BRACE AND IS USED TO ADJUST THE PRELOAD ON THE TORSION BAR. AFTER THE PART BROKE AND FELL OFF THE VEHICLE HAD A NOTICEABLE LIST TO THE LEFT SIDE. THE PART IS A CAST PART THAT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED IN OVERLOAD (UNDER…

Owner-reported narrative. 88 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383247 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11525638 · 2023-06-06 (June 6, 2023)

Apparently a common issue. The TCM (Transmission Control Module) failed and the vehicle will not start or shift. Vehicle went into limp mode on highway while towing a trailer. Part availability unknown and on backorder for a year.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11525638 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10714457 · 2015-05-04 (May 4, 2015)

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN ACCESS ROAD COMING UP TO INTERSTATE OFFRAMP. RIGHT BEFORE YIELD SIGN BOSCH CP4 PUMP FAILED STOPPING MOTOR. BRAKES AND STEERING AFFECTED. JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO FIGHT TRUCK INTO ADJACENT PARKING LOT RIGHT AFTER RAMP. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10714457 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10945805 · 2017-01-17 (January 17, 2017)

BAD TIRES ALL WAY AROUND. AND THE OTHER COMPANY TRUCKS I USE HAS BAD BRAKES AND A LOT OF OTHER USDOT INSPECTION WOULD FAIL. I AM CERTIFIED DOT DRIVER AND I AM SCARED THIS COMPANY IS PUTTING COMPANY PROFITS ABOVE HUMAN LIFE

Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945805 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11437503 · 2021-10-20 (October 20, 2021)

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to accelerate, lost braking functionality and was difficult to steer before the failure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the injection pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure milea…

Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11437503 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11173177 · 2019-01-30 (January 30, 2019)

RECALL #14260 COVERS 2007-2011 GMC 3500 TRUCKS WITH DUAL BATTERIES AMD COVERS VEHICLES THROUGH JUNE 22ND OF 2011, MINE WAS MADE IN JULY 07/11 AND I WAS DRIVIND 3 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES AFTER GETTING HOME MY TRUCK WSELF IGNITED INDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK ABIVE TJE REAR PART OF THE SPARE TORE. I BELIEVE THE POSITIVE WIRE TO THE TRAILER WIRING PLUG IN GROUNDED AND THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW CAUSING THE GROUNDED WIRE TO IGNITE THE WIRING HARNESS AND SPRAY IN BED LINER BURNING THE REAR OF THE TRUCK, I BELIEVE YOUR RECALL COVERS MORE TRUCKS THAN LISTED. MIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 97,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173177 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10730877 · 2015-06-29 (June 29, 2015)

WHILE DRIVING UP HILL THE TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF. COULD NOT START IT AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS IT TOOK OVER 2 WEEKS AND 2 DIFFERENT GM DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT IT WAS A FUEL INJECTOR PUMP THAT EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO CODES ON THE TRUCKS COMPUTER TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK EVEN AFTER IT WOULD NOT START. COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF OUR CIRCUMSTANCE WE'RE DIDFERENT. 5 MILES EARLIER AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON AN EXPRESS WAY.

Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730877 at NHTSA ↗