2011 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
47,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 43 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 11; Air Bags: 10; Engine: 7; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4; Power Train: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 3 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 10; 2015: 12; 2016: 14; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10455051 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
THE HEADLIGHTS DIM THEN RETURN TO NORMAL EVERY TIME THE BREAK IS APPLIED. INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM AND RETURN TO NORMAL WHEN HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED. DEALER FOUND THE COMPLAINT TO BE VALID. BATTERY TESTED AND FOUND TO BE GOOD. VOLTAGE TEST OF ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT NORMAL. ENGINE AND BODY GROUNDS CHECKED OUT NORMAL. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH WITH NEW PART WITH NO CHANGE. GENERAL MOTORS REFERENCED SERVICE BULLETIN #02-06-03-008D AND CLAIM THE TRUCK IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THER…
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456279 · 2012-04-24 (April 24, 2012)
VEHICLE STALLS LOSING ALL POWER TO STEERING AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES. THERE IS NO ADVANCED WARNING OF POWER LOSS, IT SIMPLY QUITS RENDERING THE DRIVER INCAPABLE OF STEERING, MOVING OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. HAS BEEN IN CERTIFIED GMC SHOP THREE TIMES, THEY KEEP INSISTING THEY CANNOT FIND PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE BE PICKED UP. POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. NOT ONLY UNSAFE FOR DRIVER BUT ALSO ANYONE BEHIND THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 32,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10722265 · 2015-05-29 (May 29, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10598600 · 2014-06-16 (June 16, 2014)
AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO < 5 MPH (NOT COMING TO A HALT) AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS; IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL DURING THE BRAKING PERIOD AND WHEN GAS PEDAL IS APPLIED, THERE IS A 1 - 2 SECOND TIME PERIOD WHERE VEHICLE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING AND PREVENTS ANY ACCELERATION. WHY IS THIS DANGEROUS? I FOUND MYSELF IN A LEFT TURN ONLY LANE/GREEN LIGHT WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC, AND I ATTEMPTED THE LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT I HAD …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638841 · 2014-09-25 (September 25, 2014)
GM PERFORMED A RECALL FOR FRACTURED TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE ON MY TRUCK. THEY TOOK A TUBE OF FOAM AND PLASTIC STRAPPED IT TO THE TUBE. I NEVER SAW THE REASONING! THE TUBE HAS FRACTURED AND NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. WHY DID THE NOT FIX THIS PROPER IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW I NEED TO MAKE TWO MORE APPOINTMENTS TO GET THIS FIXED. MY TRANSMISSION IS OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS, WATER AND DIRT! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10732951 · 2015-07-09 (July 9, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND VEERED TO THE LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10732951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649976 · 2014-10-25 (October 25, 2014)
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 M…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10649976 at NHTSA ↗