general problems of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500

Transmission won’t shift.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. . .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.