GMC SIERRA 3500 · model year

2011 GMC SIERRA 3500

24 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011GMCSIERRA 3500 carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 SIERRA 3500 is air bags with 8 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (2) and wheels (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2011 SIERRA 3500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
WHEELS2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN2
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SEAT BELTS1
ENGINE1

Recalls (5)

18V26700026/04/2018

EQUIPMENT

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 'Pin

17V66400019/10/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

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.

21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 s

14V40700002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 unknowing

Recent Complaints

20230831POWER TRAIN

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.

20230831ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230606POWER TRAIN

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.

20230427UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20211020ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20210113STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH IS CRACKING IN THREE SPOTS

20200305SEAT BELTS

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 )

Mileage: 10

20200305WHEELS

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 )

Mileage: 10

20200204AIR BAGS

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.

20191230AIR BAGS

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.

20190130FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 I

Mileage: 97,500

20181023AIR BAGS

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?

20171109AIR BAGS

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

20171107AIR BAGS

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?

20171106STRUCTURE:BODY

CRACKED DASHBOARD LOCATED BY AIRBAG

Mileage: 47,001

20171031AIR BAGS

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

20170826AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 35,000

20170117VISIBILITY/WIPER

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

Mileage: 153,000

20170117WHEELS

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

Mileage: 153,000

20170117UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 153,000

Compare 2011GMCSIERRA 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 have?
The 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 has 24 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500?
The 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500?
Yes, the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 is AIR BAGS with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and WHEELS.
Is the 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 GMC SIERRA 3500 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.