10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
147,863 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Feb 012023

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- The traction control/stabilitrac malfunctioned causing my truck brake automatically while in motion. - Its causing my truck to brake unexpectedly - My mechanic said its an electrical issue and its becoming common in these trucks - My dashboard messages alternate from "traction control off" and "service stabiltrak"

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 062021

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The day time running light on the drivers side is staying on and wont shut off at all and I had my job look at it and it is the junction box. However I have had multiple people tell me they have had this issues

- Galesburg, IL, USA

problem #12

Dec 012020

Sierra 1500

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle's rear defrost had failed. The contact inspected the fuse line and noticed that it had melted on the panel box. The dealer (don brown Chevrolet, Inc. 2244 S kingshighway blvd, St. Louis, mo 63110; (314) 222-0363) who stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall regarding this matter. The vehicle had not been officially diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware and confirmed what the dealer stated. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #11

Nov 202020

Sierra 1500

  • 1,300,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I turn the truck off the dim headlamps stay on with the keys out. The only way to make them go off is to pull the battery

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #10

Jul 072018

Sierra 1500

  • 100,185 miles
Issue #1-while driving the vehicle stablitrak warning light, traction control, engine power reduced, and brake light all came on. Vehicles engine power was suddenly reduced to about 10 mph while driving on the interstate in which I found to be very dangerous! had to pull over, turned off vehicle, lights went off, started driving again, vehicle did the same thing. Had to take in for mechanical repairs. Issue #2- key ignition switch just started locking up on the vehicle, would not turn back to normal to position, had to repeatedly keep jiggling for over 30 minutes or so to get the vehicle started back up?? had to take vehicle to dealer for repairs also. These are very unsafe and costly issues that GMC should be mandatorily required to have recalled and immediately addressed for the safety of the general public!!

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #9

Jan 022018

Sierra 1500

  • 0 miles
The problem is with the electrical system: Ignition switch, when I insert the key in the ignition, it won't turn, it bind, its stock, very hard to turn.

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #8

Mar 272017

Sierra 1500

  • 164,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall I got rear eneded at a stop sign, completely stopped and the lady just smashed right into the back of me. No air bags ever even deployed!

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #7

Aug 202017

Sierra 1500

  • 136,000 miles
Yesterday August 20, 2017 in the late afternoon while driving, my 2011 GMC Sierra dead stopped without any notice almost causing an accident. I remained blocking the road until the police arrived to push my vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was unable to start even with a jump. The car is now at the auto repair shop and the auto mechanic stated that the hybrid system is not responding.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #6

Jul 152017

Sierra 1500

  • 70,400 miles
The service airbag light comes on and off and out side air temperature says 55 and its 92 outside when mpveing or still

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 012011

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the low beam headlights shorted randomly since 2011. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, but was unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and recommended that the vehicle be taken to a second dealer. The contact had been waiting for years for the manufacturer to provide a remedy. The failure mileage was not available.

- Aynor, SC, USA

problem #4

Apr 162016

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Something is wrong with the electrical system. All my door locks repeatedly lock and unlock, all my emergency checks and service light go on and off, my gauges all drop to zero, and most recently my vehicle has shut down while I'm driving it. But it happens randomly. Sometimes it's worse than others. I recently had to steer up onto a curb because I was driving and my gauges dropped to zero and my engine completely cut out. And that was after my airbags shut off and my lights and door locks flickered repeatedly. Maybe there's a short in a circuit or wire or maybe it's my alternator but services at a dealership are having a difficult time finding it. And al these things happen whether I'm driving or stationary. Rain or dry. Doesn't matter. But it's clearly unsafe. And I have no choice but to drive it because it's my only means for transportation.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 282015

Sierra 1500

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. When attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would momentarily get stuck in the start position. The failure was intermittent. The contact was made aware of the NHTSA campaign number: 14V827000 (electrical system) by a independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #2

Nov 052014

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that all the instrument panel warning lights illuminated and the gauges failed. On another occasion, the contact stated that the oil and air bag warning lights illuminated. In addition, the washer fluid warning light illuminated, although the washer fluid was full. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers: 13V315000 (air bags), and 14V614000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #1

Feb 052014

Sierra 1500

  • 39,500 miles
My starter or fly wheel is causing my truck to not want to start, also there is a rattling noise while driving at about 1500 RPM, and something is knocking in the rear of my truck. Its a 2011 with less than 40,000 miles and has been taken well care of, no reason this should happen. Luckily still under warranty.

- Cameron, NC, USA

Not what you are looking for?