Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 21 of 26 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 42
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 22
4.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 52
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other GMC Sierra 3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 GMC Sierra 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
833.3%
Median failure at 46,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
28.3%
Median failure at 153,000 miles
Wheels
28.3%
Median failure at 76,505 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
28.3%
Median failure at 105,000 miles
Body & Structure
28.3%
Median failure at 47,001 miles
Electrical System
28.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 97,500 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.3%
Seat Belts
14.2%
Median failure at 10 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.2%
Median failure at 153,000 miles
Suspension
14.2%
Median failure at 88 miles
Engine & Cooling
14.2%
Median failure at 106,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
323.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
215.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
17.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
323.1%
150,000+ miles
323.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2011peak 3Aug 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 97,500 milesCarlton, WAFire
ELECTRICAL 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 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 BAY GARAGE AND THE FIRE WAS NOTICED 30 MINUTES AFTER RETURNING HOME.
NHTSA complaint #11173177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Alvord, TX
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #11541849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alvord, TX
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #11541849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #11525638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Creek, TX
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11519351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesIowa City, IA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11437503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flatrock, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASH IS CRACKING IN THREE SPOTS
NHTSA complaint #11387945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesBluffdale, UT
SEAT 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 )
NHTSA complaint #11316464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesBluffdale, UT
WHEELS
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 )
NHTSA complaint #11316464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cardiff, CA
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11307062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madeira Beach, FL
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11292072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,500 milesCarlton, WAFire
ELECTRICAL 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 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 BAY GARAGE AND THE FIRE WAS NOTICED 30 MINUTES AFTER RETURNING HOME.
NHTSA complaint #11173177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverbank, CA
AIR 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?
NHTSA complaint #11142179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuero, TX
AIR BAGS
RECALLED IN MAY 2016 HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY GM BECAUSE OF NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR
NHTSA complaint #11044920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
AIR 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?
NHTSA complaint #11044291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,001 milesWestwego, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACKED DASHBOARD LOCATED BY AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint #11043662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - 5/27/2016 NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AS OF YET. HOW DO I GET THIS RESOLVED?
NHTSA complaint #11041820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesFloral City, FL
AIR 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.
NHTSA complaint #11019882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesST Albans, WV
WHEELS
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
NHTSA complaint #10945805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesST Albans, WV
UNKNOWN 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
NHTSA complaint #10945805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesST Albans, WV
VISIBILITY/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
NHTSA complaint #10945805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesTemple City, CA
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10860819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMount Dora, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10730877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesTOW, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10714457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88 milesHomer, AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10383247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.