2011 GMC Sierra

Routine

Owners filed 43 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 2 times.

One of the better GMC Sierra years: fewer complaints than most, without an unusual share of serious ones. Which GMC Sierra years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
45,000 milesMedian miles at failure

39 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,000–60,000 miles.

Most common 2011 GMC Sierra problems

9 of the 43 complaints (21%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags9
100
Unknown or Other7
000
Engine5
001
Structure › Body · body and frame3
000
Structure · body and frame3
000
Power Train · transmission2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control2
000
Electrical System2
000
Wheels1
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition14V827000
Filed Dec 30, 201484,192 vehiclesGeneral Motors LLC

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Steering › Linkages11V339000
Filed Jun 28, 2011739 vehiclesGeneral Motors LLC

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Mar 11, 2022NY

2011 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 18, 2016IL

MY DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG. PASSENGER SIDE.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 8, 201650,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED MULTIPLE FRACTURES ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 201659,980 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, SERVICE STABILITRAK MESSAGE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON. THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH IT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 50 MPH. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES TO GET OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT. I TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY RAN TESTS AND SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY. TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME THING WHEN I TURNED IT OFF IT WORKED FINE AFTER SITTING FOR 10 MINUTES I GOT HOME AND WHEN I GOT A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT TO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. I HAVE READ A LOT AND FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT NO RESOLUTION TRULY BEING FOUND. THIS IS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 WITH THE ALL-TERRAIN PACKAGE AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT IT GETS OIL CHANGES REGULARLY. THIS REALLY MAKES ME THINK THIS IS SOMETHING GM SHOULD LOOK INTO.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 17, 201658,000 milesCA

RECENTLY THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO CRACK IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MOST NOTABLY A CRACK AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 3, 201665,000 milesAZ

DASH BOARD CRACK AT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND 2 MORE CRACKS AT DRIVERS SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONCERN THAT THE CRACK AT AIR BAG COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF EVER DEPLOYED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 17, 201689,000 milesTX

WHEN MY 2011 GMC DENALI PICKUP WAS NEARLY 4 YEARS OLD, THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. THE FIRST CRACK WAS AT THE FORWARD, LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OTHER CRACKS HAVE SINCE APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AREA. THE CRACKS ARE CONTINUING TO GROW. THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE DASH IS BECOMING MORE BRITTLE WITH TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THE BROKEN, BRITTLE PLASTIC DASH PARTS AROUND THE AIRBAG AREA COULD BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 2, 201690,000 milesFL

MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING REAL BAD.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 201670,000 milesTX

LARGE AND NOTICEABLE CRACK BY MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON MY DASHBOARD. COULD SEE THIS BECOMING SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL, NOR TAKE ANY SORT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ERROR.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 201618,000 milesGA

DASH CRACKED MAY CAUSE HASSARAD DUE TO AIR BAG.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 11, 2016550,000 milesFL

MY 2011 GMC SIERRA'S DASH BOARD IS CRAKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES. ONE OF THE CRACKS IS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT ARE LOOSE AND ABOUT TO COME OFF THE TRUCK.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 201625,000 milesAL

MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DASH. THE ONE OVER THE AIRBAG IS THE ONE THAT HAS ME CONCERNED. IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS IT MAY THEN THROW SHRAPNEL INTO THE FACE OF MY PASSENGER POSSIBLY CAUSING DISFIGUREMENT AND OR DEATH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 6, 201660,000 milesKY

DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT THE AIR BAG. LIFTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND NOW THE CAMSHAFT IS MAKING NOISES. MY TRACTION CONTROL KEEPS SHUTTING ITSELF OFF AND TELLING ME TO SERVICE IT. REALLY BAD WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER PILLAR.

Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2016100,000 milesWA

THE TBS GOES OUT. PUTTING THE TRUCK INTO REDUCED POWER. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. LOSE ALL BREAKS CONTROL , ABS GOES OUT TO. ALMOST HAVE BEEN DUE TO GM

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 201655,000 milesTN

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ALONG SEEM OF PASS. SIDE AIRBAG AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

Engine
Filed Oct 15, 201531,500 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESS ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV VALVE, VALVE COVER, AND TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,500.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 14, 201580,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE EXPOSING PART OF THE AIR BAGS AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AFFECTING THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 31, 20157,500 milesCA

A FEWS AGO, I NOTICE A CRACK ON THE FRONT DASHBOARD, NEAR THE AIR BAG, IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. IM CONCERN DUE TO THE SAFETY ON MY VEHICLE WITH MY KIDS AND MY WIFE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY AT ANYTIME OR AN ANY IMPACT. VERY CONCERN WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE

Air Bags
Filed Aug 5, 201557,892 milesLA

FIRST OFF WOULD BE MY DASHBOARD AIR BAG, THE DASHBOARD PLASTIC IS CRACKING WITH THE CONCERN ON FLYING DEBRIS I BROUGHT MY GMC 1500 INTO MY LOCAL SERVICE/SALES CENTER AND HE TOLD ME WITH OUT A RECALL THERE IS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME. SECOND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH WHAT SEEMS TO EITHER THE POWER TRAIN OR BRAKES FROM DAY ONE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK. WHAT IT DOES IS WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, RELEASE THE BRAKE, AND THEN APPLY THE ACCELERATOR I GET A BIG CUR PLUNK SOUND AND FEELING OF THE TRUCK JERK. THIS IS COMING FOR THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK I WOULD ASSUME THE REAR AXIAL. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY LOCAL SERVICE/SALES CENTER , MULTIPLE TIMES. HE HAS NOT STOPPED THE PROBLEM AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOT MUCH MORE HE CAN DO WITHOUT THE MANUFACTURER POSTING A BULLETIN OUT.

Steering
Filed Jul 9, 201554,000 milesMI

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.

Electrical System
Filed May 29, 201525,000 milesLA

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.

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 4, 2015137,000 milesTX

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

Structure
Filed Apr 2, 201543,000 milesAZ

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

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Mar 13, 201512,100 milesOH

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 6, 201574,000 milesMI

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Feb 6, 2015VA

IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THE SHIFTER STICKS AND WILL NOT MOVE TO SHIFT IN ANY GEAR. *JS

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 201541,000 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 7, 201458,000 milesVA

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

Engine
Filed Oct 25, 201461,000 milesFL

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 RESOLV

Structure
Filed Oct 24, 201485,000 milesTX

CRACK IN DASHBOARD AT UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 25, 201437,000 milesOH

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

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 21, 201440,000 milesTX

THE FRONT BUMPERS PLASTIC FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE AND FALLS OFF. THIS CAN CAUSE CRASH AND ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF FALLING OFF PARTS FROM CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC BUMPER PARTS FOR THE FOG LIGHTS. THE SUGGESTION IS TO REPLACE THIS WITH A CHROME OR METAL BUMPER SO THAT PLASTIC PEACES DO NOT BECOME WARPED AND BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT THE BOLT POINTS FOR THE FRONT BUMPER FOG LIGHT HOLDER ENTIRE PLASTIC PEACE. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 1, 201433,000 milesTX

THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRES HAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR WRANGLERLT265/ 60R20E1. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 2/21/2014 DUE TO SEPARATION OF LEFT REAR TIRE. WE CHOSE TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES. ON A RECENT VACATION TO FLORIDA FROM TEXAS, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, SAME GOODYEAR TYPE TIRE, SEPARATED. OUR SPARE REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. ON THE RETURN TRIP FROM FLORIDA BACK TO TEXAS (SAME VACATION), THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE BEGAN SEPARATING WHEN WE WERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF LOUISIANA. WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE AN OPEN TIRE STORE, AS IT WAS A SUNDAY. SO, WE DROVE HOME SLOWLY THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. AFTER RETURNING HOME, DISCOUNT TIRES (WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TWO NEW REAR TIRES IN FEB. 2014) ORDERED US TWO NEW FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE SHIPPED FROM CHICAGO, DUE TO THE UNUSUAL SIZE OF THE TIRE (WE WERE TOLD). IS THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRE A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES FAILED? WAS IT THE 'LOT' THAT WAS BAD? WE WERE TOLD BY DISCOUNT TIRES THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS TIRE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 16, 201410,000 milesIA

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 AMPLE TIME BUT THE VEHICLE JUST SAT THERE FOR 1 - 2 SECONDS, AND WITH THAT I FOUND MYSELF IN A DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT BECAUSE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS GETTING VERY CLOSE. IF THE VEHICLE HAD RESPONDED WHEN I NEEDED IT TO, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A CLOSE CALL. THIS BEHAVIOR WITH THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPRODUCED AT WILL, EVERY TIME. THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE DRIVE-TRAIN, GMC KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 6, 201465,000 milesAR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN TO 1/2 POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE/VIBRATE. THE TOP SPEED THEN WAS ABOUT 40MPH. I FINALLY PULLED OVER AND READ MANUAL ON HOW TO RESET IT. IT WORKED PROPERLY THEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OTHER TIMES. THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, WITH OUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. TRAVELING AT 30 MPH IT SHUT ME DOWN AGAIN . ONE OF THE SCARIEST TIMES , I WAS TRAVELING IN 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND IT SHUT ME DOWN TO HALF POWER AND IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS FOR US TO TRY AND MERGE OUT OF THE WAY AND GET OFF TO A SAFE SPOT ON SIDE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, BUT IT SEEMS VERY MUCH LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH ME. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME AS WELL AS OTHER AUTO SPECIALIST IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY. *TR

Structure
Filed Mar 3, 201445,000 milesTX

DASH HAS A CRACK NEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A DEFECT. *TR

Wheels
Filed Feb 23, 20149,873 milesMT

THIS IS THE POINT AT WHICH I DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE BAD TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE BE COME BADLY CHIPPED AND PIECES OF RUBBER TREAD BEGAN COMING FROM TREAD AREA. THE SIDEWALLS DISCOLORED AND BEGAN CRACKING. THE TIRES STARTED TO LOOSE AIR AND HAD TO BE REINFLATTED ALL THE TIME TO PRESENT. TIRE HAS SAME SYMPTOMS AS RE-CALLED TIRES BUT MICHELIN AND GM WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. *TR

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Jul 16, 201324,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE, HE NOTICED THAT THE JACK DID NOT EXTEND HIGH ENOUGH TO LIFT THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE JACK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR

Engine1 injured
Filed Mar 28, 201313,800 milesTX

I OWN A 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 6.6 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK. WHEN THE TRUCK IS "REGEN-ING" THE "DPF", RAW FUEL LEAKS FROM AN EXHAUST COUPLING LOCATED AT THE TURBO AND DOWN-PIPE SATURATING THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WITH FUEL. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP WHILE IT IS IN THIS REGEN MODE WHITE SMOKE BOILS OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ENTERS THE CABIN INDUCING A COUGHING FIT AND BURNING EYES. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A GMC DEALER IN SAN ANGELO TX AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS DESCRIBING AND THAT I SHOULD REST ASSURED BECAUSE "DIESEL WON'T BURN ANYWAY". *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 15, 201328,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN IT ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND INTO THE STREET. A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 02-08/13 *BF UPDATED 02/11/13

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 20124,168 milesPA

PURCHASED TRUCK 11/10/2011 WITH 3 MILES ON IT. AT 4,000 MILES THE TRUCKS BRAKES STARTED PULSATING AND SHIMMING WHILE APPLING BRAKES GOING DOWN HILL. TOOK IT TO DEALER , THEY RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS. GOOD TILL 5,700 MILES AND IT STARTED DOING THIS AGAIN, BUT WORSE, ALSO PROBLEMS JUST BRAKING ANY WHERE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, NOW THEY RESURFACED REAR DRUMS. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS NEW VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM. THEY WROTE THE BRAKES WERE WARPED DURING BOTH VISITS, AND NO REASON AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY NEW VEHICLE. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 201232,600 milesFL

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

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 12, 2012950 milesNM

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 THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM AND I AM STUCK WITH THE TRUCK AS IS. THE GM SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO REFUSED TO SEND ME ANY DOCUMENTATION REGARDING MY CUSTOMER CLAIM AND DIRECTED ME BACK TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THE DEALER. I HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN ITS SAFETY AT NIGHT. MY GM CUSTOMER CLAIM #[XXX]. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND I WOULD NOT ALLOW MY FAMILY TO OPERATE IT AT NIGHT AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIGHT SYSTEM FAILING OR SHORTING OUT AS THE VEHICLE GETS OLDER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

All 43 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201761010Routine
20166210Routine
201553610Routine
20141011220Do not drive
201339310Routine
201229220Routine
2011 — this page43200Routine
201034120Routine
200937100Routine
200868200Routine
200759220Routine
200653630Routine
20051171120Routine
20041881050Routine
2003206912Fatalities reported
2002249720Above average
2001264725Fatalities reported
20004431232Fatalities reported
1999600921Fatalities reported
1998190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra 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: Dec 30, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.