Verdict
2011 GMC Savana: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2011 GMC Savana — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Not enough federal data to rank this one yet.
Complaint data for this model year is still being compiled. Air Bags leads the reports (25%). 5 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2011 vans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
4
Reports to NHTSA, 2011
Safety recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
14
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Peer ranking not yet available for this model year.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (25% of 4 reports), followed by electronic stability control (esc) (25%).
Share of all 4 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10628348.
Recalls(5)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemJun 2023 · 23V247000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
Fuel System · 13V225000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) and IMPCO Automotive Division of IMPCO Technologies, Inc. (IMPCO) are recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo vans that have a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system installed as original equipment by IMPCO. The fuel systems, manufactured February 14, 2011, through February 20, 2013, have a fuel shut-off solenoid connector to the CNG tank that may corrode and form a short.
Risk: A short at the connector may cause overheating, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and GM dealers/fleets will perform the remedy which will include replacing the solenoid assemblies and fuel pump fuses and adjusting the wiring routing. The recall began on August 5, 2013. GM's number for this recall is 13139. Impco's number for this recall is FA13GM001. Owner's may contact GM Fleet Action Center at 1-800-353-3867.
Air Bags · 14V117000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.
Fuel System · 14V500000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG)vehicles manufactured September 10, 2010, to April 28, 2014, and GMC Savana CNG vehicles manufactured May 23, 2011, to April 21, 2014. The affected vehicles may leak natural gas from the CNG high pressure regulator.
Risk: A natural gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire or explosion.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure regulator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14321.
Equipment · 18V267000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savana 1500 2WD (cargo) | 4.3L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| Savana 1500 2WD (cargo) | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 18 | 15 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger) | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Savana 1500 2WD Conversion (cargo) | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Savana 1500 2WD (Passenger) | 5.3L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Savana 1500 AWD Conversion (cargo) | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (cargo) | 5.3L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 14 |
| Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger) | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 16 | 13 |
| Savana 1500 2WD (Passenger) | 4.8L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 17 | 13 |
| Savana 3500 2WD (Passenger) | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 11 | 16 | 12 |
| Savana 3500 2WD (cargo) | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
| Savana 2500 2WD Conversion (cargo) | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
| Savana 2500 2WD (cargo) | 6.0L 8-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 10 | 16 | 12 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2011 GMC Savana: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2011 GMC Savana?
Owners filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the 2011 GMC Savana. Among the 15 model years of this Savana, that ranks #7 by complaint volume, where #1 has the fewest.
What are the most common problems on the 2011 GMC Savana?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (25% of complaints) and electronic stability control (esc) (25%).
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Savana have?
5 recalls have been issued that affect the 2011 GMC Savana, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2011 GMC Savana get?
The EPA rates the 2011 GMC Savana between 12 and 17 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.