2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Powertrain (other) Problems

Vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure characterized by a percussive "shotgun blast" noise from the rear chassis, followed by an immediate, total loss of braking power (pedal to the floor) and a violent loss of directional stability. This incident represents an aggravated safety failure of known GMT900 platform defects. The technical chain of causality began with the factory exhaust manifold fasteners suffering a metallurgical shear, a universal defect documented under GM Bulletins 19-NA-218, PIP5075, and PIP4701. This shear created a high-velocity, high-heat exhaust leak directed at the brake master cylinder and vacuum assembly. This "heat soak" event compromised the engine-mounted mechanical Brake Vacuum Pump (Recall N192268490 / NHTSA 19V645) and destroyed the internal seals of the Master Cylinder (Special Coverage 15143 / NHTSA 11V599), resulting in total depletion of vacuum assist and hydraulic pressure. Simultaneously, the "shotgun blast" and violent swerve were caused by structural failure consistent with Rear Brake Caliper Bolt Fracture (GM 13247 / NHTSA 13V342) and Rear Axle Shaft/Pin Fracture (GM 14892 / NHTSA 14V819). This mechanical collapse caused the caliper to strike the wheel, resulting in a catastrophic rim blowout and immediate loss of tire pressure. Despite the vehicle having aftermarket long-tube headers installed, the root cause of the heat-related brake failure was the failure of the OEM GM manifold fasteners which snapped off in the cylinder head, as documented in the aforementioned bulletins. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the manufacturer remains liable for these pre-existing safety-critical defects. The vehicle is at Glenn Polk Chevrolet for a 901-series Product Allegation Investigation (Case #90199492). This report is filed to demand federal oversight into these life-threatening defects. The combo of failed fasteners, rim blowout, and compromised braking created a vehicle that was both unable to be steered or stopped

NHTSA ID

11724011

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

Transmission won’t shift

NHTSA ID

11603670

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

11/2022 shift cable separated from shift lever; preventing ability to put vehicle Into park. Retaining clip deteriorated allowing separation. Fortunately it happened when leaving parking garage and not moving fast. Was able to refasten using zip-tie until new retaining clip arrived at auto parts store.

NHTSA ID

11498180

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

this vehicle was sold by a dealership with these issues the frame has a half inch wide six inch long gap needs a fuel pump control module and the engine needs lifters replaced.

NHTSA ID

11433746

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK IN 2017. FOUND OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL AND OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE WENT TO SEVERAL GMC DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANT FIX IT WITHOUT THE PROPER AIRBAGS WHICH THEY DONT HAVE. HOW IS IT THAT THERE IS RECALLS, AND EVEN DEATHS BUT I HAVE TO FEAR DRIVING THIS TRUCK HOPING MY AIRBAG WONT DEPLOY? AND NO ONE CARES TO FIX THE ISSUE. I SPENT 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS THROWING PARTS INTO MY ENGINE TO FIND OUT. TWO LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE DOESN'T LIKE COLD WEATHER. WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RAISES ABOVE 40 DEGREES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF. I CHASED THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THERE IS SOME MECHANICAL ISSUE HERE.

NHTSA ID

11376066

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

Mileage

114,000 mi

DIFFERENTIAL MAKES CRACKING NOISE, LUM BAR ON DRIVERS SEAT DOESN'T INFLATE,

NHTSA ID

11359813

Incident

Dec 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER CUSTOMER WHO OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SHUDDERED WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. THE STABILITY TRAC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIORE TOYOTA (1000 S LOGAN BLVD, HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA 16648) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. *LN*DT*JB CONSUMER STATED WARRANTY IS GOOD UNTIL MAY 2021 OR 120,291 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ID

11339003

Incident

Feb 13, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROUTE WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IT 45 MPH. IT WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH AND MY REAR END EXPLODED LEAVING ME AND MY YOUNG SON STUCK. I FINALLY REALIZED THAT I USE 4X4 TO GET US OFF THE ROAD WHICH THANKFULLY WORKED.

NHTSA ID

11306646

Incident

Jan 23, 2020

Mileage

163,000 mi

STABILITRAK OFF/REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON AGAIN AFTER 3 UNSUCCESSFUL 'FIXES' AT GMC DEALER. I WAS DRIVING 30MPH OVER A HILL WHEN MY ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED RESPONDING. COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE BUT FORTUNATELY I WASN'T HIT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TRUCK TO SHOULDER AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO TURN ON AGAIN AND GET IT HOME. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALER EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THEY ONLY REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT'S THE SECOND TIME THE TRUCK HAS STOPPED RESPONDING WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY 99 WHEN ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND TRUCK STARTED SLOWING DOWN DUE TO LACK OF ENGINE POWER. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ONCE AND HAD TO GET TRUCK TOWED FOR A TOTAL OF $430. I'M FEELING UNSAFE IN MY VEHICLE AND GM HAS IGNORED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11218524

Incident

Jun 6, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER. ALSO STARTED TO HEAR TAPPING COMING FROM ENGINE. HAD IT CHECKED BY MECHANIC. FOUND CODE P0306 CYLINDER 6 MISFIRE. CHECKED GM TRUCK WEB SITE AND NOTED SERVICE BULLETIN NOTING VALVE LIFTER FAILURE, BUT NO RECALL. BULLETIN STATES THAT LIFTER CAN FAIL CAUSING MISFIRE AND TAPING IN MOTOR. ALSO STATES DURING REPAIR TO CHECK CAM SHAFT FOR SCORING & DAMAGE. ALSO CHECKED SEVERAL GM & CHEVY CAR FORM WEBSITES, AND NOTED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUES AS WELL AS SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF ISSUES WITH THIS MOTOR AND VALVE LIFTER FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE CYLINDERS SHUT DOWN DURING CRUISING. LIFTERS THAT FAIL HAVE A SPRING ATTACHED THAT FAILS CAUSING THE MISFIRE AND SCORING TO CAM SHAFT. GM IS AWARE OF ISSUE BUT FAILS TO ISSUES A RECALL FOR REPAIRS TO THIS MOTOR. THIS IS A HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. REPAIRS SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED BY GM AS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR AND THEY ARE AWARE OF IT WITH THEIR IN HOUSE SERVICE BULLETIN TO SERVICE MANAGERS. THIS ISSUES CAN HAPPEN AND BE COVERED BY SERVICE WARRANTY, BUT NOT COVERED WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. BULLETIN ALSO GOES ON TO STATE HOW TO WRITE IT UP IF COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11130954

Incident

Sep 19, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 GMC ON A HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO FAIL. MY REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND WAS CAUSED TO TURN SIDEWAYS ON A HIGHWAY. MY TRUCK WAS HIT BY FOUR OTHER VECHICLES. WELL THE TRUCK GOT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES! WITH ALL THE SAME FAILURES. GM NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THERE TRANSMITTIONS BEFORE IT COULD KILL SOMEONE. 3 TIMES ITS BEEN REPLACED AND ALL 3 TIMES MY REAR WHEELS HAVE LOCKED UP. WHY? YOU GUYS NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE...

NHTSA ID

10743510

Incident

Feb 23, 2015

Mileage

32,000 mi

TRANSMISSION VIBRATION IN THE 1500 TO 2000 RPM RANGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10567897

Incident

Jan 2, 2013

Mileage

27,000 mi

STARTED TRUCK UP AND LET IDLE FOR TWO MINUTES. UPON TAKE OFF, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH A MESSAGE STATING ENGINE REDUCED POWER. THE TRUCK THEN BEGINS TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED IT VIOLENTLY AND UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND WAITED A MINUTE OR TWO. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE AND TRACTION LIGHT WHERE GONE. AFTER SITTING AT A LIGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS, THE SYMPTOMS WHERE BACK, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO REAREND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OVER AGAIN, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE, RESTARTED AND THE SAME RESULTS AS BEFORE OCCURED. NOW THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE TRUCK IS RUNNING AND SITS IN THE SAME SPOT FOR MORE THAN TWO OR THREE MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10567896

Incident

Mar 5, 2014

Mileage

38,958 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563813

Incident

Feb 5, 2014

Mileage

39,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON AND IN PARK WHEN IT LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP IT FROM TRAVELING ANY FARTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10553017

Incident

Nov 16, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES FROM REAR OF TRUCK , AND KEPT LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM, FINALLY GRABBED THE BED AND SHOOK IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND SOUNDS LIKE THE TIRE IS FIXING TO FALL OFF, TOOK IT TO HALL GMC IN TYLER TX. ON 9-03-2013 THEY GREASED THE LEAF SPRINGS ? AND SAID THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM,BUT WHEN ITS PARKED ON A HILL THERE IS TO MUCH WEIGHT ON AXLE FOR IT TO MOVE AND THEY KNEW THAT , SO WHEN I GOT HOME IN THE GARAGE IT STILL HAS AN INCH OR SO TRAVEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE MAKING AN AWFUL NOISE, TOOK IT BACK ON AFTER 5 OR 6 PHONE CALLS WAS TOLD TO COME AND GET THE TRUCK ON 9-23-2013 , THAT THEY ALL DO THAT ,IF ANYONE HAS A 2011 CHEVY OR GMC REAR DRIVE VEHICLE SHAKE IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE GIVE IT A REALLY GOOD SHAKE AND NEXT TIME YOU GO AROUND A CORNER FIXING TO PASS SOMEONE IT WILL SCARE YOU KNOWING THAT THE AXLE IS THAT LOSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546180

Incident

Nov 20, 2012

Mileage

19,634 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 43 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXPECTED WITH THE TYPE OF POWER TRAIN IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,728.

NHTSA ID

10522074

Incident

Aug 22, 2011

Mileage

400 mi

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN TRUCK STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE TRUCK STOPPED WORKING. TOWED TO GMC DEALER. BROKEN THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND BROKEN STEERING POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10496347

Incident

Feb 2, 2013

Mileage

55,000 mi

THERE IS PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES THAT EMIT A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I AM SLOWLY BACKING OVER A GRADE WITH THE STEERING WHEELS TURNED. I DEMONSTRATED PLAY IN THE REAR AXLES TO THE GMC FACTORY REP AND HE SAID THE AXLE PLAY IS WITHIN TOLERANCES. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE NOISE IS NOT NORMAL AND THAT THE GROOVES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL END OR THE AXLES THAT ACCEPT THE HORSESHOE SHAPED KEEPER CLIPS ARE MACHINED INCORRECTLY AND PUTTING EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE CLIPS. EVENTUALLY THE CLIPS WILL FAIL RESULTING IN THE WHEEL COMING OFF. I FURTHER ARGUE THAT IF THE AXLE PLAY IS INDEED WITHIN TOLERANCES THEN THE TOLERANCES ARE WRONG. I TRIED TO MAKE THE INCORRECT TOLERANCE ARGUMENT TO THE FACTORY REP BY MAKING AN ANALOGY TO THE CORVAIR AND HE MISSED MY POINT. THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE CORVAIR WAS ALSO WITHIN TOLERANCES AND MANY PEOPLE DIED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10463146

Incident

Jun 26, 2012

Mileage

11,300 mi

WHEN I FIRST DROVE MY NEW TRUCK I NOTICED A SUBTLE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY OVER A BUMP. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC AGREED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND CALLED GM TECH ASSISTANCE ([XXX]) AND FOUND THE REAR AXLE HAD TOO MUCH PLAY. THE GROVE ON THE AXLE THAT RETAINS THE C RETAINING CLIP WAS MACHINED TOO CLOSE TO THE END OF THE SHAFT. THEY REPLACED THE AXLE. ONLY A PERSON WITH MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE COULD HAVE DETECTED THE SUBTLE NOISE. HAD IT GONE UNDETECTED EVENTUALLY THE C CLIP WOULD LIKELY FAIL AND THE AXLE AND WHEEL WOULD HAVE SLID OUT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. I DOUBT THIS MACHINING FAULT ON THE AXLE IS UNIQUE TO MY TRUCK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10389653

Incident

Mar 9, 2011

Mileage

25 mi

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010, RETURNING FROM VACATION, DRIVING A NEW 2011 GMC SIERRA SLE PICK UP WITH LESS THAN 2,000 MILES USE, PULLING A 24' TRAVEL TRAILER. THE TRUCK WAS IN "TOW" MODE DESCENDING A 15% GRADE HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. I WAS NOT ACCELERATING WHEN THE TRUCK DOWN SHIFTED ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY FROM 5TH TO 3RD GEAR AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO 4000 RPM. I APPLIED BRAKES AND TRUCK SHIFTED BACK TO 5TH GEAR. FORTUNATELY CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME AS TERRAIN WAS VERY HILLY AND TWISTING. TRUCK SHIFTED AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. CONTINUED TRIP WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10368729

Incident

Nov 18, 2010

Mileage

1,500 mi