2011 GMC Sierra 3500

Routine

Owners filed 20 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags8
000
Structure › Body2
000
Power Train2
000
Fuel/Propulsion System2
000
Visibility/Wiper1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Engine1
000
Electrical System1
010

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V050000
Filed Feb 5, 20212,641,272 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module21V054000
Filed Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Equipment18V267000
Filed Apr 26, 20186,154 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank17V664000
Filed Oct 19, 201735,292 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

Risk. If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

Electrical System14V407000
Filed Jul 2, 20149,371 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.

Risk. If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Aug 31, 2023TX

My 2011 fmc sierra 3500 drw denali suffered a failure of the Transmission Control Module (TCM). I could barely move the vehicle and almost got into an accident merging into traffic. Forward and reverse was affected. The transmission reverts to top gear after the failure, and makes driving very difficult. There was no warning for this failure Luckily I was minutes from my dealership. This problem could be bad.

Power Train
Filed Jun 6, 2023MD

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 27, 2023TX

Safety factor dash is cracking manly. around air bag on passenger side. across dash behind instrument panel. If air bag deploys it would send plastic before air bag, destroying your face even eyes. the GMC dealer said cracking happens on all chevy and GMC trucks.

Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2021106,000 milesIA

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 mileage was 106,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 13, 2021IL

DASH IS CRACKING IN THREE SPOTS

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 5, 202010 milesUT

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN THE DEALER THEY PUT TIRES SMALLER THAN WHAT IT REQUIRES AND A TIRE EXPLODED IN THE FREEWAY, THOSE WHO HELP THE TRAFFIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE TIRE WAS SMALL FOR THE SIZE OF THE TRUCK, THE SAME THING THEY TOLD ME IN THE TIRE PLACES (CLEGG AUTO SALE - 1485 N MAIN ST SPANISH FORK UTAH )

Air Bags
Filed Feb 4, 2020CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:16V381000(AIR BAG) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING BOTH THE LOCAL DEALER HOHEN CARLSBAD GMC LOCATED AT (5334 TASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2019FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT CROWN BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 5237 34TH ST N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714, (877) 887-8560) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 30, 201997,500 milesWA

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. MINE IS WITHIN 1-2 WEEKS FROM THE RECALL END DATE, AND THE RESULTS ARE EXACTLY HOW THE RECALL IS EXPLAINED, THE ONLY WIRE WITH. 10 GUAGE WIRE WITH CONSTANT POWER TO IT THAT WOULD HAVE ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO IT IS THE TRAILER POSITIVE CHARGING WIRE, AND ONCE SHORTED SHOULD BLOW THE FUSE PROTECTING THE VEHICLE FROM FIRE. IF THIS WIRE GROUNDS AND THE FUSE DOES NOT BLOW IT WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE HEAT WHERE THE GROUND HAPPENED UNTIL A FIRE WAS CREATED, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED IN MY CASE. SHOULD I HAVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY ( ALLSTATE) LOOK INTO THIS CLAIM AGAINST GMC ? OR WHAT IS YOUR PLAN OF ACTION? I HAVE $50,000.00 DOLLARS INVESTED IN THIS TRUCK WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $10,000.00 IN REPAIRS, PLUS THE OVERHEAD IN MY GARAGE, SMOKE DAMAGE MOSTLY, SOME BUBBLED PAINT ON A FRONT FENDER OF THE MUSTANG PARKED BEHIND ME AND THE INSULATION PANNELS ON MY ELECTRIC GARAGE DOOR, AS WELL AS NEEDING A RENTAL CAR WHILE THOS GETS FIXED. ITE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY OPEN

Air Bags
Filed Oct 23, 2018CA

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE CONTACTED THE GMC DEALER ABOUT REPLACING THE AIR BAGS UNDER RECALL 2 YEARS AGO AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS ARE AVAILABLE. STILL NOT AVAILABLE, WHAT NOW?

Air Bags
Filed Nov 9, 2017TX

RECALLED IN MAY 2016 HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY GM BECAUSE OF NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 7, 2017CA

TAKATA RECALL - WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL BUT HAVE YET BEEN CONTACTED OR ABLE TO HAVE THE BAGS REPLACED. HEARING OF MULTIPLE DEATHS, IS MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE?

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 6, 201747,001 milesLA

CRACKED DASHBOARD LOCATED BY AIRBAG

Air Bags
Filed Oct 31, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL - 5/27/2016 NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AS OF YET. HOW DO I GET THIS RESOLVED?

Air Bags
Filed Aug 26, 201735,000 milesFL

THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN A NUMBER OF PLACES. MY FEAR IS THAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THAT SHARDS OF PLASTIC COULD BECOME AIRBORNE AND THE PROJECTILES COULD INJURE MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS. SOME OF THE CRACKS ARE AT THE AIRBAG LOCATION. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND GM WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO IT WITH MANY MANY MEMBERS.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 17, 2017153,000 milesWV

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

Air Bags
Filed Apr 21, 201657,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR ON BOTH SIDES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 07/22/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER OFFRERDTO SPILT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 29, 2015104,000 milesFL

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 4, 2015106,000 milesTX

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

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 18, 201188 milesAK

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 (UNDERDESIGNED) OR DUE TO HIGH STRESS CONCENTRATIONS (POOR FIT/TOLERANCE ISSUES). AT CITY SPEEDS I WOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH MORE THAN WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. HOWEVER, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A LOADED TRUCK OR TOWING A TRAILER, THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN CONTROL ISSUES AND THEREFORE, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK AND HAD A NON-GMC FACILITY "REBUILD" THE FRONT SUSPENSION. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, GMC HAS HAD AT LEAST ONE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENT. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE BROKEN PART AND POSSIBLY THE ORIGINAL PART FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *LN

20 of 20 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2020
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20264200Routine
202516100Routine
202444310Routine
202328100Routine
202231300Routine
202120500Routine
202051820Routine
201913710Routine
201814600Routine
201713710Routine
201619600Routine
201531710Routine
20147300Routine
201314400Routine
20129400Routine
2011 — this page20510Routine
20102500Routine
20095500Routine
200825300Routine
200716310Routine
200611010Routine
200524110Routine
200424120Routine
20037100Routine
200220310Routine
200136310Routine
200026411Fatalities reported
199919300Routine
199812420Routine
199710300Routine
19961000Routine

Compare every Sierra 3500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 5, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.