2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 Structure Problems

The door handle broke off on the driver side the passenger side door handle will not open the door the outside handles are loose and the rear back driver and passenger side will not open their doors.

2011 GMC Sierra Frame Failed Pennsylvania State Inspection due to Driver Side Frame Rust/hole. The section of the frame must be replaced due to rust(Improper coating... The truck has only 69700 miles on the odometer.

Vehicle is up for inspection in February of 2025 and due to the frame rust it will not pass.

My GMC which is well cared for and only has 121,000 miles has a rusted through frame (mid-vehicle, left side) which has made the truck unsafe to drive. The steel used is inferior, my neighbor across the street also has this truck, 2 years newer, and is doing the same thing. As I have researched this issue I have found out that this is a critical failure of the GMC Sierra for several model years due to a failure to protect the steel used in northern states which compromises structural integrity. When Toyota had this issue, they stepped up and replaced the frames. General Motors, please tell me what you intend to do with this. It is a 5.3 Litre with 121,000 miles on it, in other words, still a baby for such a fine engine. This is not right. I am seriously discouraged. For my family, this is devastating. I still owe $2000 on this vehicle. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Rear shock holder rusted through cross member on frame making top of shock stay forced against bottom of the bed of the truck.

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a separation of the rear sub frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear sub frame was extremely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Mileage: 112,000

I own a 2011 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton pickup truck. It currently has 98 k miles. The crossmember for the frame rusted out and fell off last month. Yesterday the frame broke in two. I see from looking online that GMC failed to add rust inhibitor to the steel for the frame. This is a safety issue and could have been catastrophic. Is anything being done about this failure? Online forums show this happening throughout the US.

Body damage when I bought the truck

Hit a pot hole in a parking lot and the gas tank fell onto the ground. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the frame cross members and fuel tank straps are rusted/rotted and cannot support the tank.

Vehicle is 12 years old with 105,000 miles and frame has multiple cracks/ holes. I was told by the dealer that the truck is basically junk.

The main body frame is completely rusting through from under the drivers side door back past the fuel tank. It is rusting through on the passenger side as well. The large amounts of rust have caused other issues throughout the entire body of the truck as well as rusting of other components. The frame of this truck will need to be replaced as there is no way to repair it or the vehicle becomes scrap. This vehicle is available for inspection. These issues were not visible when purchased from the dealer. This issue gradually became visible after the rust and undercoating wore away that had been applied previous to our purchase from a known dealership.

I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Standard Cab pickup truck. I’m a disabled veteran and have this as my primary vehicle. The frame has a huge hole that developed and will need repair. The frame is rotted and soon will not pass inspection. The truck looks brand new but Engin compartment, frame and tow parts have rotted. I had the leaf spring separated from rotted frame on the highway. I swerved and almost died. GMC must replace the frame to make this right. Soon I will have no truck after giving GMC so much money. It’s criminal what they have done.

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, she was informed that the sub-frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who took photos. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME, NEAR THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER GANLEY CHEVROLET OF AURORA - ADDRESS: 310 W GARFIELD RD, AURORA, OH 44202; PHONE: (330) 964-2128) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *LN *DL

Mileage: 38,000

CRACKED DASHBOARD. IN BUNCH OF PLACES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD TO PURCHASE DASH BOARD SKIN OVER IT. IT ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL EVERY ONE I KNOW WITH CHEVY OR GMC HAVING SAME PROBLEM

Mileage: 10,000

AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK FOR A YEAR OR SO I NOTICED THAT THE DASH WAS STARTING TO CRACK DUE TO THE FLORIDA SUN BEAMING DOWN ON IT. I PURCHASED A SUNVISOR BUT STILL DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON THE DASH AND NOW IT HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS IN THREE DIFFERENT SPOTS

Mileage: 40,000

THE TOP SIDE OF MY INTERIOR DASH IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO ANY KIND OF IMPACT OR ANYTHING ELSE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT.

Mileage: 131,000

DASH CRACK ALONGSIDE AIRPAG PASSENGER SIDE

Mileage: 40,000

THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES KEEP COMING OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THE MATERIAL USED IS CHEAP PLASTIC. THIS CAUSES THE MECHANISM INSIDE TO EASILY BREAK WITH THE NATURAL CONSTANT OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE DOORS FORM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN SEE CLEAR CHEAP GLUS IS USED TO ADHERE THE PLASTIC AND THIS JUST MAKES NO SENSE CONSIDERING HOW MUCH THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CHEAP DOOR HANDLES ALMOST AS DURABLE AS THOS OF MATTEL RACE CARS SOLD AT WALMART.

IN MY 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500, WHICH IS GARAGE KEPT, I STARTED FOR WORK ON A RAINY DAY, MY WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP, I TURNED ON MY DEFROSTERS, HEARD A LOUD POP, AND WHEN I LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD, RIGHT ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, I HAD A LARGE CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ABOUT HOW THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON GM INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOY ( HOPEFULLY NEVER NEEDED) THAT IT WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SHRAPNEL IN THE VEHICLE. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE HEARD STORIES STATING THAT GM CONSIDERS THIS A COSMETIC FLAW AND NOT AN ACTUAL SAFETY ISSUE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY, I AM FORCED ON A DAILY BASIS TO STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICES THAT I PROVIDE. ITS TIME GM DOES THE SAME.

Mileage: 35,000

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!

Mileage: 164,000

ALL FOUR OF THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY TRUCK ARE BREAKING OFF; EVEN THOUGH GMC HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLES, BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT'S A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, YOU CAN EVEN GOOGLE A SEARCH FOR THIS MATTER AND SEE OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S A SAFETY PROBLEM, IF SOMEONE, IN NEED OF HELP, IS UNCONSCIOUS IN A VEHICLE WITH THE SAME BROKEN DOOR HANDLE PROBLEM, HOW WOULD THEY GET HELP FAST, IF THE DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN.

Mileage: 8,900

PURCHASED 2.5 MONTHS FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SPOTLESS INTERIOR. PARKED TRUCK IN PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR FOR CHURCH AND NOTICED CRACK ABOVE PASSENGERS AIRBAG TO THE LEFT SPLITTING THE DASH COMPLETELY. ALSO BOWING TO DASH BRANCHING LEFT OF CRACK. WEATHER WAS AROUND 90 DEGREES AND I USE A SUNVISOR AND TYPICALLY CRACK MY WINDOWS. HAVE NOT CLEANED OR TOUCHED DASH IN THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP, OTHER THAN SLIDDING THE SUNVISOR TO WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP TODAY CLAIMED THEY CANNOT AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL GMC ISSUES RECALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON COMPLAINT IN ALL GMC TRUCK MODELS FROM 07-13. CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF AIRBAG PROJECTILING SHARDS OF DASH IF DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 94,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, OVER TIME, THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK IN VARIOUS PLACES, BEGINNING ON THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AS THERE WAS NO RECALL, BUT COULD POTENTIALLY PROVIDE SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

DASH CRACK ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

Mileage: 56,000

CRACKED DASHBOARD. CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. ONE NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND ONE ABOVE THE STEREO.

Mileage: 58,000

DASH CRACKED AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG UNIT. SAFETY HAZARD IF DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 30,127

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN THREE DIFFERENT AREAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETED DUE TO THE DEALER'S REFUSAL TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT CONSIDER THE RECALL VALID AND WAS TRYING TO GET THE RECALL OVERTURNED IN COURT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,308. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 93,308

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL CRACK THAT EXTENDED TO THE FAR LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE DETACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A CRACK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIR BAG OPENING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

DASH BOARD CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG, WORRIED THAT PLASTIC PIECES WOULD DAMAGE THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAG THUS INJURING PASSENGER AND DRIVER.

Mileage: 70,000

I PURCHASED A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 IN NON. OF 2014. THE DASH BOARD IS NOW CRACKING. IT INITIALLY STARTED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND NOW THERE IS A CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS WELL AS ONE STARTING OVER THE GAUGES. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO AN ACCIDENT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS SENDING SHARDS OF THE DASH BOARD FLYING DIRECTLY INTO THE PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE.

THERE IS A 4" STRESS CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD JUST HEAD OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER WHICH DEVELOPED A WEEK AGO. MY CONCERN IS TWO FOLD 1) THE CRACK WILL INCREASE IN SIZE REDUCING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, 2) IN A IMPACT SITUATION, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DASH MAY BE COMPROMISED ALLOWING PIECES OF PLASTIC TO BECOME PROJECTILES, POSSIBLY DAMAGING OCCUPANTS OR DEFLATING THE AIRBAGS THEREBY REDUCING THERE EFFECTIVENESS IN A CRASH.

Mileage: 95,867

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING AND GOING INTO THE CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL EIGHT FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT RECEIVED THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ UPDATED 10/05/16.*JB

Mileage: 25,000

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE AIR BAG, I AM CONCERNED THAT PLASTIC PIECES OF DASHBOARD WILL BECOME DANGEROUS FLYING OBJECTS IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT THAT DEPLOYS THE AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH GM AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR MONTHS NOW AND THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A CONTINUING SAFETY ISSUE EXPERIENCED BY GMC SIERRA OWNERS

Mileage: 40,000

BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR MANY ISSUES, ONE OF WHICH WAS THE SIDE MOLDING STARTING TO COME OFF ON ALL 4 DOORS, THEY HAD TO ORDER AND PAINT THE MOLDINGS SO IU RETURN OVER A HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THEM TO REPAIR. WHEN I SHOWED UP, THEY HAD ONLY DONE ONE SIDE AND IT WAS CROOKED, AND NOT THE SIDE THAT WAS WORSE. THAT WAS 2012 AFTER ONE YEAR, THEY SOON CAME OFF IN 2014 CURLING OFF THE TRUCK, THE REPLACED ONES, I TOOK CARE OF THE OTHER TWO AND THEY LOOKED GREAT.

Mileage: 6,000

DASHBOARD CRACKING ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AS WELL AS ALONG THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACKS GROW WITH EVERY CRACK IN THE ROADWAY AND ARE SEEMINGLY NOT ABLE TO BE PATCHED AS THEY GLUE THEY USE JUST WEARS OFF FROM THE DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 61,000

MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE DASH, STARTING AT THE TOP LEFT-HAND CORNER OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. IT HAS CRACKED ENTIRELY THROUGH TO THE DASH TRIM PIECE ROUGHLY 3-4 INCHES AWAY. NOT ONLY IS IT A TREMENDOUS EYE-SORE, THAT MOST OF MY PASSENGERS NOTICE AND COMMENT ON... BUT HAS ME EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY. IF THIS VEHICLE WERE TO BE IN A COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED, I AM SURE THAT FRAGMENTS OF PLASTIC WOULD BE PROPELLED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE AIRBAG FIRED. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATE IT IS NOT COVERED, AND HAVE QUOTED ME A REPAIR COST OF JUST OVER $1,000. THIS DEFECT IN THE DASH PIECE SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING INCIDENT IN A LOT OF 2007-2013 GM TRUCKS. MY DASH POPS AND CREAKS WHILE DRIVING, AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE INSANE REPLACEMENT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REPAIR. GM NEEDS TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS SITUATION.

Mileage: 40,000

THE DASH BOARD HAS A CRACK BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND A RACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE CAVING IN. I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIRBAG WILL GO OFF AT ANYTIME OR WILL NOT GO OFF AT ALL.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND HEARD A POP. I LOOKED OVER AND MY DASHBOARD HAD CRACKED RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG. ON A NON RELATED INSTANCE MY ENGINE IS NOW MAKING A TICKING NOISE THAT I WILL BE TAKING TO A DEALER TO CHECK OUT.

Mileage: 75,000

A CRACK HAS APPEARED ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. FAILURE IN THIS AREA SHOULD BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THIS WEAK POINT COULD BE AN AREA OF PROJECTILE. A NUMBER OF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. ...UPDATED 03-10-16 *BF

Mileage: 50,000

MY 2011 GMC SIERRA HAD 40000 MILES ON IT AND THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE AIRBAG HAS CRACKED. I AM AFRAID OF WHAT MY HAPPEN TO THE DASH IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE DASH MAY SPLINTER AND BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND 1500+ PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED A PETITION ABOUT IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO HAVING GM RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY INJURED. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND RELEASING IT, THE HOOD LATCH OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000