This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production Option Code HP2. With a battery maintainer installed on the vehicle use brake pressure bleeder that maintains 30 psi for the entire bleed procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 GMC Sierra electrical problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 17 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: ON SOME VEHICLES AND/OR TRUCKS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND/OR SES LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2007-13 CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON, CTS-V, ESCALADE, AVALANCHE, CAMARO SS, COLORADO, CORVETTE, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin communicates GM wiring repair strategy information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2011 GMC Sierra report a constellation of electrical gremlins that can render the truck unsafe. The most dangerous are complete engine shutdowns while driving—no warning, just dead. One owner had to steer onto a curb; another was stranded in traffic. Along with shutdown come loss of steering assist and braking, turning the truck into a hazard to everyone on the road.
The ignition switch sticks or binds so badly some owners jiggle the key for 30 minutes just to start the engine. Dealerships have replaced it under recall 14V827000, but at least one owner's problem came right back.
Dashboard warnings go haywire: all lights illuminate at once, gauges drop to zero, warning lights cycle on and off regardless of actual vehicle state (washer fluid warning despite full tank, outside temperature reading wrong). These failures happen randomly, rain or shine, whether driving or parked.
StabiliTrak and traction control light up and suddenly cut engine power to about 10 mph on the highway—mechanics say this is electrical in nature and becoming common. Headlights short randomly; daytime running lights won't shut off even with key out and only pull-the-battery fixes them. One owner's rear defrost failed with a melted fuse in the panel.
Dealerships struggle to diagnose these issues across multiple visits. Some owners aren't even covered by existing electrical recall 14V614000.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition switch/lock actuator failure
Key sticks, binds, or gets stuck in start position; owners report having to jiggle repeatedly (30+ minutes in one case) to get vehicle to start. One owner had the ignition lock actuator repaired under recall 14V827000 but the problem recurred at 25,000 miles.
When: Intermittent; one reported at 25,000 miles; another at 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key won't turn in ignition; Key stuck in start position; Ignition binding/hard to turn; Repeated jiggling needed to start vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had ignition lock actuator repaired under NHTSA 14V827000; failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V827000 (Electrical System) issued; at least one owner's repair under this recall did not resolve the problem
Dashboard warning lights and gauge failures
All instrument panel lights illuminate simultaneously or selectively; gauges drop to zero; warning lights for oil, airbag, washer fluid, check engine, service lights cycle on and off. One owner was not covered by recalls 13V315000 (air bags) or 14V614000 (electrical system) despite experiencing these failures.
When: Random, intermittent; occurs while driving or stationary, in rain or dry conditions
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument panel warning lights illuminate; Gauges drop to zero; Oil warning light on; Airbag warning light cycling on/off; Washer fluid warning light (despite full fluid); Service lights cycling; Check engine light and emergency checks cycling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose or replicate in multiple service visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 13V315000 and 14V614000 exist but owner's vehicle not included; manufacturer notified but no remedy provided
Complete engine shutdown while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power and engine shuts down with no warning while in motion; owner steered onto curb to avoid accident. Another owner's vehicle dead-stopped with no notice, stranded in traffic. One narrative mentions 'hybrid system not responding' after complete power loss. Multiple owners report dealerships unable to diagnose after multiple visits.
When: Random, with or without warning; occurs regardless of weather or driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out completely while driving; Loss of all electrical power; Loss of steering assist; Loss of braking assist; Vehicle unable to restart even with jump start; Airbags shut off before shutdown; Gauges drop to zero before shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple certified GMC dealership visits unable to diagnose; one shop mentioned 'hybrid system not responding' (vehicle is not a hybrid)
StabiliTrak/traction control malfunction
StabiliTrak warning light and traction control light illuminate; vehicle engine power suddenly reduced to ~10 mph without driver input. Occurs while driving highway speeds, creating dangerous condition. Mechanic reports this is becoming common in these trucks and is electrical in nature.
When: Random, during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: StabiliTrak warning light on; Traction control light on; Engine power reduced to ~10 mph; ABS light on (in one case with 4WD engagement); Dashboard alternates between 'traction control off' and 'service stabiltrak' messages
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic advised it's an electrical issue; owner took vehicle to dealership for repairs
Headlight electrical failures
Low beam headlights short randomly; daytime running light stays on and won't shut off (junction box issue per one owner). Dealership unable to replicate or diagnose.
When: Random; one owner reports issue since 2011; another daytime running light failure
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlights short randomly; Daytime running light stays on continuously; Daytime running light won't shut off even with key out
Repairs/costs cited: Dim headlamps stay on with key out; only way to turn off is pull battery. Junction box suspected/reported in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer recommended taking to second dealer after first dealer could not diagnose; no resolution provided after years of waiting
Fuse melting and rear defrost failure
Rear defrost failed; owner inspected fuse line and found it had melted in the panel box at 140,000 miles. Dealer and manufacturer confirmed vehicle not included in any recall for this issue.
When: 140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear defrost inoperative; Fuse melted in fuse panel box
Repairs/costs cited: Owner identified melted fuse; vehicle not officially diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall coverage; manufacturer confirmed dealer statement
Airbag system electrical malfunction
Airbag warning light cycles on and off; outside air temperature sensor reading erroneously (shows 55°F when it's 92°F outside). One owner in rear-end collision reports no airbag deployment despite impact. Owner attributes to Takata recall issue.
When: Intermittent; collision incident
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light on/off cycling; Outside air temperature sensor malfunction; No airbag deployment in collision (rear-end impact at complete stop)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned by owner but airbag failed to deploy in collision scenario
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When I put the truck in 4wd the dash says service stabilitrak and the traction control light and abs light come on
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle's rear defrost had failed. The contact inspected the fuse line and noticed that it had melted on the panel box. The dealer (don brown Chevrolet, inc. 2244 s kingshighway blvd, st. Louis, mo 63110; (314) 222-0363) who stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall regarding this matter. The vehicle had not…
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 70,400 and 136,000 miles, with the median around 120,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,400; a quarter make it past 136,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.