This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 GMC Sierra fuel system problems
severe Owners of the 2011 GMC Sierra have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Sierra | 4 |
| 2008 Sierra | 5 |
| 2009 Sierra | 3 |
| 2011 Sierra (this page) | 3 |
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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.
GM: GAUGE FLUCTUATION, VARIOUS DTCS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY BE CHAFING/RUBBING ON A/C LINE. UPDATED 5/22/12. UPDATED 2/5/16.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides dealership personnel with information on flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the usage of E85 fuel in GM vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin states that it no longer valid and refers to a new bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2011 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 52,781 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.