2011 GMC Sierra 1500: check engine light

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · AZ

My truck keeps getting code p2138, when it happens I get reduce engine power alerts, check engine light and it stalls. It's been doing it for years now. It's very unsafe, last time it it did it I was on the freeway and had to pull to the side, but the car has no acceleration so vehicles are passing me by at 75- 80mph and I almost had a very bad accident.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Airbags, Transmission · 114,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Nov 12, 2018 · Engine · 92,000 miles · CA

I was accelerating on to the freeway when I heard a pop then the engine light came on. The vehicle starting knocking and lost power. I called onstar and they gave me the code p0300: the emissions system is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the exhaust emissions system which monitors and controls exhaust gases released into the air from the engine. If the vehicle is continually driven with this light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, the engine might not run as smoothly and could lead to future repairs. I was towed to greiner gmc in victorville, ca. I was told a lifter failed and the cam shaft is damaged. I'm looking at $5800 in repairs.

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 60,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2016 · Fuel system · 64,000 miles · PA

The throttle body and pedal chip went bad causing a rough running engine, loss of power, check engine light, and loss of traction control. Mechanic stated he's been replacing 5-12 a month on the same engine (5.3 liter v8). Other models are supposedly under recall. Repairs cost in excess of $500.

Filed Mar 4, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 41,375 miles · CO

Pulling out of a snow covered parking lot the engine light came on dic then the message, reduced engine power, the engine began to run very rough at a lower idle speed, as began to happen the truck lurched forward and I had to press hard on the brakes very hard like I was fighting the engine speed to slow, then the message changed to service traction control, I had no control over the gas pedal and could only move at about 5mph, then the message changed to service stabilitrak, I got to another area of the parking lot, parked and shut off the engine for a few minutes and the issue would not go away. I was more than two hours from my home. I removed the red battery cable then replaced it and was able to start the engine and it operated normally for a while. One and a half hours later while driving 60mph it happened again and I cost off the interstate and could not get it running again. Had to be towed to a dealership. They said there was a service bulletin to replace the throttle body but want to charge me $215 to clean the other fuel related parts. This needs to be a recall. If it was a recall I would not have to pay $215 to complete the work properly.

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 38,958 miles · VA

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.