GMC SIERRA · model year

2009 GMC SIERRA

48 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009GMCSIERRA carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 SIERRA is air bags with 8 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and engine (3). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 2009 SIERRA. 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.

48
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

48 filings

Crashes Reported

3 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 BAGS8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
ENGINE3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR3
STEERING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
EQUIPMENT1
SEAT BELTS1

Recalls (1)

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

Recent Complaints

20230216AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number - 09184C (Material Over Sensing and Diagnostic Module Retaining Moisture) . The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed as a corroded air bag control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20220811AIR BAGS

2009 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE AIRBAG RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFOMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED.

20211104CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not know whether a warning light illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist with the air bags failure unless he had a recall notification. The contact also stated while driving at 40 MPH, his vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries and drove to his residence. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of his vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The conta

Mileage: 40,000

20211014AIR BAGS

The contact called on behalf of a GM dealer where he is employed. He stated that a customer had dropped off his 2009 GMC Sierra to be serviced for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags). As the vehicle sat on the dealer lot with the engine off, the contact witnessed both the passenger and driver side air bags deploy without incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 68,895.

Mileage: 68,895

20210622AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 GMC SIERRA. The contact stated that the "Service airbag notification" warning light had illuminated onthe instrument panel. The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000(AIRBAGS); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

20160316ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE STABILIZER TRACK CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE A CLINKING NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20160316TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE STABILIZER TRACK CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE A CLINKING NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

20151201FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,844. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/02/18*JB

Mileage: 27,844

20151116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AS DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 1/21/16 *SS *CN

Mileage: 47,000

20151116STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AS DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 1/21/16 *SS *CN

Mileage: 47,000

20151001STRUCTURE:BODY

DASHBOARD CRACKING

Mileage: 65,200

20150909AIR BAGS

ABOUT A YEAR GO STARDED TO SEE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD BY THE AIR BAG

20150712UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SPRING ON THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER BROKE AND I FOUND IT ON THE GROUND. THE SPRING ITSELF IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF NEARLY $300. HAD THIS TIRE COME LOOSE DURING HIGH SPEED TRAVEL IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. I GUESS I'M LUCKY I FOUND THE SPRING AND THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 43,000

20150519UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING. IT STARTED WITH A FEW HAIRLINE CRACKS, BUT NOW THERE ARE FIST SIZED HOLES IN MY DASHBOARD, AND IT IS FULL OF CRASKS. IF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE A FACE FULL OF PLASTIC SHARDS.

Mileage: 37,000

20150213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK, HAD LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, WALKED OVER TO GET SOMETHING OFF THE GROUND AND HEARD THE HORN BLOW. I WALKED BACK OVER TO THE TRUCK TO GET BACK IN AND IT WAS LOCKED. I CALLED ON STAR AND THEY COULDN'T UNLOCK IT SO THEY HAD TO SEND A LOCK-OUT SERVICE TO UNLOCK THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THREE IN WHICH ON STAR HAD UNLOCKED IT. *TR

Mileage: 93,801

20150212LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT THE PART CAME IN ONE PIECE AND THE ENTIRE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN

Mileage: 40,000

20150212STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT THE PART CAME IN ONE PIECE AND THE ENTIRE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN

Mileage: 40,000

20150114ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I AM HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STABILITRAK ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. WHENEVER IT GETS COLD ( BELOW APPROX. 38 DEGREES) THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. EVEN IF I TURN IT OFF IT STILL AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE (LOW SPEED, ENGINE HESITATING). THE TRUCK RUNS FINE IN WARMER WEATHER JUST CRAPS OUT WHEN ITS COLD. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF DISTRESSED DRIVERS WHO ARE HAVING THEIR 'TRAC ' 'STAB, ABS LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHTS EITHER GOING ON ONE AT A TIME OR SIMULTANEOUSLY BECAUSE OF THIS SYSTEM. THIS IS A STUPID SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED OR ELIMINATED ALL TOGETHER. IN ANY EVENT I DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD BE THE ONE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURES MISTAKES IN DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20150110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN COLD WEATHER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK, THE ONLY THING THAT DOES WORK IS THE BACK LIGHTING. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20150108ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED TO 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITH SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

Compare 2009GMCSIERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 GMC SIERRA have?
The 2009 GMC SIERRA has 48 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 GMC SIERRA?
Yes, the 2009 GMC SIERRA has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC SIERRA?
The most-complained component for the 2009 GMC SIERRA is AIR BAGS with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2009 GMC SIERRA 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.