Home · 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 · Complaints

What 106 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (106)Crash / fire / injury (4)Airbags (30)Body & structure (19)Electrical system (12)Engine (12)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Speed control (7)Brakes (5)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (4)Fuel system (4)Steering (4)

Newest first · 106 complaints · page 1 of 5

Sep 11, 2025SteeringSuspensionSpeed control

Vehicle is being remotely hacked and placed into regen Parts have been swapped and truck has been tampered with and continues to be tampered with

NHTSA ODI 11686769

May 31, 2025

Dash board is cracking in various places even after being repaired. Concerned that it could disintegrate sending plastic pieces flying in an accident or air bag deployment.

NHTSA ODI 11664133

May 20, 2025Electrical system

Vehicle is remotely being hacked into by [XXX] and buddy's, there are many people connected just do your job and ypu find all the evidence for which you need INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11662227

Mar 25, 2025Tires

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra equipped with Nitto tires, Tire line: N/A, Tire size: 285/55r20, DOT number: 73BM, and Nitto tire Tire line: Ridge Grappler Tire size: 285/55r20 and DOT number 73 BM The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact noticed the vehicle would vibrate. An independent was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the tire failed due to the lump found on the front driver's tire. The tire was replaced. The contact stated the failure recurred. The contact inspected the tire and the rear passenger tire also experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 265, 000 and tire failure mileage was not included.

NHTSA ODI 11650441

Aug 16, 2024Body & structure

The contact called on behalf of a Fire Department that owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while the Fire Department technician was performing a routine maintenance on the vehicle, the technician became aware that the sub frame was rusted with a hole in the sub frame. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 19-NA-255. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,252.

NHTSA ODI 11608925

Sep 16, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed control

On or about [XXX], the Transmission Control Module, FAILED, on my 2011GMC Denali 2500 6.6 diesel. It was a KNOWN faulty part .General Motors was aware of the issue years ago. This part should have been deemed a Safety Recall item. Imagine, pulling a trailer down a busy Freeway, with Semi's presence. Module goes out, truck goes idle, people hurt or worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11544893

Sep 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

When vehicle is warm and shut off, upon restart it will not go in to any gear, there was no warning lamps. An independent repair facility determined the Transmission Control Module was defective. General Motors has no parts available, and I know fro a fact it is a rather large issue.

NHTSA ODI 11542446

Sep 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

TCM failed. Couldn’t find the parts required. Truck sat 700 miles away from me for four weeks. Had to have part repaired in hopes it worked. As of now I still have some issues but would not have the truck at all if I had to wait for a part

NHTSA ODI 11542474

Apr 15, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission control module put my truck in limp mode while drinking down the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11517195

Aug 16, 2022Body & structure

Dash is cracked in multiple spots making it a safety concern when airbag is deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11479602

Apr 25, 2022Fuel system

On 4/12/22, we were towing our 32ft trailer with putt 2011 diesel GMC Sierra truck to Big Bear Lake which is in the San Bernardino Mountains in a two way winding highway. Upon making a somewhat sharp turn up a steep uphill, our accelerator went out. We had my mother in law, our two kids and dog in the vehicle at the time. We were able to get a speed of about 5-10mph to get a turn out and turn back around. We had no reception to call for help. The accelerator gave out shortly after but we were able to ride the decline to the bottom of the mountain and as soon as we were getting to the bottom, the engine turned off on us. Although it was still a two way highway, thankfully there was an emergency lane where we were able to park and where we were able to get very limited reception to call AAA (tow truck). There were vehicle speeding past us in high rates of speed. Because we needed a specialty tow truck given the towing of the truck/trailer, we knew it would take quite a while in the mountains for a driver to get to us. Temperatures at night in this area can get to 10-20 degrees. Five hours later at 11pm we were towed home. Upon towing the truck and trailer home, we were made aware of the reason the truck broke down through a diesel mechanic, which was CP4 fuel pump failure. Upon learning this and going online, we found out this is common for this truck with the CP4 fuel pump. We also found that other companies have made recalls, eg. Dodge but GMC/Chevy has not. This is obviously a safety issue that could have been catastrophic for myself, my kids and family and am wondering why there hasn’t already been a recall through GMC. Please let me know what our recourse is or if you have any questions.

NHTSA ODI 11462106

Apr 4, 2022Electrical systemBrakes

My ABS and traction control and stabiltrak and service trailer break system keep going on and off its the most distracting thing i have a video of the chime not stopping. My water in fuel sensor won't go off I have un plugged it and changed it and the filter and when I unplug it it stays On

NHTSA ODI 11459515

Mar 11, 2022Airbags

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

NHTSA ODI 11456285

Jan 26, 2022Transmission & drivetrainTraction Control SystemElectrical system

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle remained in the PARK and failed to shift into DRIVE. The steering wheel was locked preventing the gear shifter from going into gear. The traction control warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but, was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11448969

Sep 6, 2021Tires

While traveling at 65 mph the vehicle began to Vibrate and suddenly the tread separated and began banging against the side of the vehicle LT265/60R20E. I feel fortunate this was a rear tire and I was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. The tires were installed at 35333 miles so they only had about 26000 miles and are rated to 60000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11431869

Jul 11, 2021Body & structure

Unlocked driver door will not open from the inside and trapping the occupant.

NHTSA ODI 11424304

May 3, 2021Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. CAPPELLINO BUICK GMC (5411 TRANSIT RD, BUFFALO, NY 14221, (716) 650-4471) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11414961

Apr 22, 2021Airbags

NO DEALER CAN REPAIR MY TAKATA AIR BAG DUE TO GM NOT HAVING A REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT NHTSA AND GM ARE NOT CONCERNED FOR MY LIFE BY HAVING THIS ISSUE OPEN FOR SO LONG AND ANSWER TO THE MANDATED REPAIRS. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH MY CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS. I AM AFRAID WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE AND DON'T HAVE OTHER OPTIONS FOR WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11413377

Mar 11, 2021Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO WEST POINT BUICK GMC (16835 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77094, (281) 406-3550) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS YET NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11400311

Feb 23, 2021Electrical systemLightsEngineFire

THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON FEBRUARY 20TH 2021. THE REASON REMAINS UNKNOWN. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED IMAGES.

NHTSA ODI 11397571

Dec 4, 2020AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION I HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT OF MY LANE AND I HIT A MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE OVER TURNED ON ITS LEFT DRIVER SIDE AFTER SKIDDING ALONG PAVEMENT FOR A FEW YARDS IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. I WAS THE DRIVER AND SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO MY HEAD BRUISING IN CHEST AREA AND A PUNCTURED LEFT LUNG. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 35 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11377984

Oct 4, 2020Body & structure

TRUCK FRAME AND UNDER BODY HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST

NHTSA ODI 11362676

Jul 2, 2020Body & structure

MY DASHBOARD CRACKED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW IT IS CRACKING ABOVE THE GAUGE PANEL. IT CRACKED THE FIRST TIME WHEN I GOT IN IT AND STARTED HOME FROM WORK.THE SECOND CRACK ABOVE THE GAUGE PANEL I HAD JUST NOTICED A WEEK AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11337209

Oct 15, 2019Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND FELL INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED SEAVIEW BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 17909 HIGHWAY 99, LYNNWOOD, WA 98037, 866-223-2586) WHO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THEY NO LONGER MADE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR BUT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE GLASS AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11268625

Oct 15, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECIEVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER AND CHILDRE GMC OF MILLERSVILLE (2710 NORTH COLUMBIA ST, MILLERSVILLE, GA), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11268613

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Working with the data? Download all 106 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 verdict →