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2011 GMC Sierra 2500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 63 owner complaints about the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-267 the manufacturer reports only 14% of affected cars repaired.

2011 GMC Sierra 2500
55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year18% below the Sierra 2500 median · #15 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 14%Owner complaints633 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 11, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 has problems

63 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags201
Structure110
Electrical system91
Power train60
Engine51
Wheels30
Fuel/propulsion system30
Steering30
Tires30
8 other systems102

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2011 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

28%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-050 · Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles · 734,119 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

51%repaired · 2023 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-054 · Feb 5, 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles · 900,275 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

14%repaired · 2019 Q3

Equipment

Recall 18V-267 · Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles · 844 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

33%repaired · 2015 Q4

Electrical system

Recall 14V-407 · Jul 2, 2014 · 9,371 vehicles · 3,088 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other Sierra 2500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra 2500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2011 GMC Sierra 2500 safety ratings

2011 GMC Sierra 2500 PU/RC 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Sierra 2500 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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, [PHONE]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT…
Complaint 11414961 · May 3, 2021
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…
Complaint 11413377 · Apr 22, 2021
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, [PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS…
Complaint 11400311 · Mar 11, 2021

Own a 2011 Sierra 2500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.