2011 Gmc SIERRA DENALI

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Gmc SIERRA DENALI has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (43% of all complaints), specifically: on july 29, 2015, while driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly downshifted itself into first gear causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly with no notice. i was able to get the vehicle off the road and into a gas station. after the fact the check engine light was illuminated. the .

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

17 complaints

43%

• ON JULY 29, 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE
• MY DASH CRACKED IN 4 PLACES FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, SPEAKER, ALONG WINDOW LINE ATTACHMENT AND UP THE DRIVERS SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS JUST TURNING A CORNER FROM ONE STREET TO THE NEXT AND I HEARD A LOUD SOUND. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HIT MY WINDOW BUT IT WAS MY DASH ITS SELF AND THE MORE I DROVE
• CRACKED DASHBOARD STARTED AT LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THEN CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFRAID OF FLYING DEBRIS AND PUNCTURE OF AIRBAG. CONSTANTLY HEAR POPPING IN THE DASH MY P/U HAD APPROX 57000 MI AT TIME OF INCIDENT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ON JULY 29, 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

10 complaints

25%

• CRACKED DASHBOARD STARTED AT LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THEN CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFRAID OF FLYING DEBRIS AND PUNCTURE OF AIRBAG. CONSTANTLY HEAR POPPING IN THE DASH MY P/U HAD APPROX 57000 MI AT TIME OF INCIDENT
• MY DASH HAS TWO CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED ONE IS AT THE TOP OF THE AIR BAG AND MAY SPLINTER OR BREAK APART WHEN AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED.
• THE DASH CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT THIS AND SAID IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. FEARING PLASTIC PIECES FLYING IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, I PAID TO HAVE THE DASH REPLACED. LATER, I DROVE INTO A POTHOLE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE SECOND DAS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CRACKED DASHBOARD STARTED AT LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THEN CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFRAID OF FLYING DEBRIS AND PUNCTURE OF AIRBAG. CONSTANTLY HEAR POPPING IN THE DASH MY P/U HAD APPROX 57000 MI AT TIME OF INCIDENT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

9 complaints

23%

• DASHBOARD CRACK ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE POSES SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL BE PUNCTURED OR OTHERWISE INEFFECTIVE DURING DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE SHARP CRACKED EDGES OF THE DASH AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH BECOMING PR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A FRACTURE IN THE DASHBOARD LEADING TO THE AIR BAG AND STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS
• DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AROUND SPEAKER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NOTICED IT AROUND 75K MILES AND HAS SPREAD SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE YEAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DASHBOARD CRACK ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE POSES SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL BE PUNCTURED OR OTHERWISE INEFFECTIVE DURING DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE SHARP CRACKED EDGES OF THE DASH AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH BECOMING PR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints

• ON JULY 29, 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE
• IN 2017 BEFORE MY VEHICLE COMPLETING TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE AT (70,000 KM) THE VEHICLE START SHUDDERING WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEED, WHEN THE SERVICE WAS DUE I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE & COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SHUDDERING ISSUE, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE THEY SAID THAT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

1 complaints

• CHROME IS SEPARATING FROM ALLOY RIMS. RIMS ARE LEAKING AIR.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CHROME IS SEPARATING FROM ALLOY RIMS. RIMS ARE LEAKING AIR.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: ON JULY 29, 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: CRACKED DASHBOARD STARTED AT LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THEN CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFRAID OF FLYING DEBRIS AND PUNCTURE OF AIRBAG. CONSTANTLY HEAR POPPING IN THE DASH MY P/U HAD APPROX 57000 MI AT TIME OF INCIDENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: DASHBOARD CRACK ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND ABOVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE POSES SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL BE PUNCTURED OR OTHERWISE INEFFECTIVE DURING DEPLOYMENT DUE TO THE SHARP CRACKED EDGES OF THE DASH AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH BECOMING PR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ON JULY 29, 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY WITH NO NOTICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE FACT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)