CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

10 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 SILVERADO 3500 is air bags with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2009 SILVERADO 3500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

10
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

10 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ENGINE1
SEAT BELTS1

Recalls (6)

18V26700026/04/2018

EQUIPMENT

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 'Pin

21V05300005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaba

21V05200005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally s

10V24000004/06/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUT

14V40700002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowing

Recent Complaints

20210712AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the remedy may cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he had to sign a waiver to ensure that the dealer would not be held responsible for any damages to vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the issue and confirmed that the dealer would not be held responsible for any cracks or damages to the dashboard. The contact declined to sign the waiver and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the dashboard because of the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20190916SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT BELT SECURED THE CONTACT, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAMPION CHEVROLET OF HOWELL (5000 E GRAND RIVER AVE, HOWELL, MI 48843, (866) 354-3325) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 233,000.

Mileage: 233,000

20181207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES AND I'M AFRAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IT MAY SEND PART OF THE DASH INTO THE PASSENGER.

Mileage: 85,000

20180124ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE DUE TO A SHEARED CAMSHAFT PIN. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY MAIN STREET. I FEEL THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO WHICH A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED.

Mileage: 47,655

20160805AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE BEING NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20140816UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ON 2009 CHEVY SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVEING THE GRAND KIDS TO SCHOOL THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER. THE GRANDSON DID ADMIT THAT HE HAD HIS HAND ON DOOR HANDLE. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED ON THIS DOOR. WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE INFORNCE THE SEATBELT RULES OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED GM AND HAD THE VECHILE LOOKED AT. THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR HAS FAILED AND THE DELAER TOLD ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE CHANGED 100'S OF THEM. I CONTACTED GM AND OPENED A CASE BUT GM SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER LOCK HAS FAILED AND AGAIN GM WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. I SEE THAT THERE ARE 1000'S OF POSTS ON THE WEB ABOUT FAILED DOOR LOCKS ON THIS YEAR VECHICLE.

Mileage: 40,000

20121109CrashAIR BAGS

RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 10/9/12 NEAR FAIRVIEW, PAA RAILROAD EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING VEHICLE ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN IT STRUCK A STANDING EQUIPMENT AT APPROX. 15 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES EXTEND APPROX. ONE FOOT OF STEEL FRAMEWORK AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES MIGHT INADVERTENTLY BE AFFECTING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRASHES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AND ON PUBLIC ROADS. *TR

20110518SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SPONGY WHEN HE DEPRESSED THEM AND THEY EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE BEFORE HE COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND HE HAD TO USE MORE PRESSURE WHEN DEPRESSING THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.

Mileage: 6,000

20101013FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK HAD A FIRE IN THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FIRE WAS ON THE TOP SECTION OF THE DASH OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. *TR

Mileage: 6,100

20100716ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND PULLING A 40 FOOT TRAILER LOAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 76,000

Compare 2009CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 10 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
Yes, the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.