2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 283 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 overview page.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10743510 — filed 07/26/2015
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10567896 — filed 03/08/2014
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10563813 — filed 02/11/2014
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500: 21 of 283 complaints on file (7.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 have in total?
283 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 5 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 11 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
