PlainCars

GMC SIERRA 3500 · model year

2009 GMC SIERRA 3500

7 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009GMCSIERRA 3500 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 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 SIERRA 3500 is tires with 1 filings, followed by exterior lighting (1) and power train:automatic transmission (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 5 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 2009 SIERRA 3500. 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.

7
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

7 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1

Recalls (5)

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

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

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

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

20140401ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FEB 7, 2011, WITH JUST 11,200 MILES REPLACED TWO GLOW PLUGS. SEPT 6, 2013, IN MILLERSBURG, OHIO, WITH 26,632 ANOTHER GLOW PLUG WAS REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED WE SHOULD HAVE THE TURBO CHECKED WHEN WE RETURNED HOME IN CALIFORNIA. MARCH 20, 2014, WITH 31,986 MILES, TURBO WAS REPLACED. GIVEN THAT OUR 2005 GMC TRUCK, VIN # [XXX], BLEW UP AND BURNED UP WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES, THIS IS VERY ALARMING THAT OUR 2009 TRUCK IS HAVING SUCH MAJOR PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 11,200

20120909POWER TRAIN

I DROVE MY WIFE TO THE PHARMACY AND AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO PALMDALE ROAD IN VICTORVILLE THE TRUCK WENT INTO TO LIMP MODE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP INTO PARK AT 25MPH ALMOST CAUSING A REAR COLLISION BEHIND US. THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD 2009 CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP CAUSING A BIT OF WHIPLASH TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON BOARD. THE TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ALONG WITH THE ALLISON TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THIS CLOSE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 73,883

20120909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I DROVE MY WIFE TO THE PHARMACY AND AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO PALMDALE ROAD IN VICTORVILLE THE TRUCK WENT INTO TO LIMP MODE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP INTO PARK AT 25MPH ALMOST CAUSING A REAR COLLISION BEHIND US. THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD 2009 CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP CAUSING A BIT OF WHIPLASH TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON BOARD. THE TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ALONG WITH THE ALLISON TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THIS CLOSE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 73,883

20120909VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I DROVE MY WIFE TO THE PHARMACY AND AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONTO PALMDALE ROAD IN VICTORVILLE THE TRUCK WENT INTO TO LIMP MODE. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP INTO PARK AT 25MPH ALMOST CAUSING A REAR COLLISION BEHIND US. THE GMC SIERRA 3500HD 2009 CAME TO A SCREECHING STOP CAUSING A BIT OF WHIPLASH TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON BOARD. THE TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE ALONG WITH THE ALLISON TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THIS CLOSE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 73,883

20110209POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING A SERVICE INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LINE LEAK. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

20100812TIRES

I BOUGHT A GMC SIERRA 3500HD DUALLY AND THE TOP ROOF LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS RT AND LT 4TIMES AT THE DEALER . MY WARRANTY 36000MILS EXPIRED AND THE LIGHTS ARE BURNOUT ,I CAN ALSO SMELL BURN SOLDER INSIDE TRUCK CAB. ALSO MY TIRES ARE NO GOOD AFTER 10000 MILES TIRES WORE OUT GENERAL TIRES AW . TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE SPECIALLY COMING FROM THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20100812EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I BOUGHT A GMC SIERRA 3500HD DUALLY AND THE TOP ROOF LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS RT AND LT 4TIMES AT THE DEALER . MY WARRANTY 36000MILS EXPIRED AND THE LIGHTS ARE BURNOUT ,I CAN ALSO SMELL BURN SOLDER INSIDE TRUCK CAB. ALSO MY TIRES ARE NO GOOD AFTER 10000 MILES TIRES WORE OUT GENERAL TIRES AW . TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE SPECIALLY COMING FROM THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

Compare 2009GMCSIERRA 3500 to Similar Vehicles

SIERRA 3500 vs FORDF-150 → SIERRA 3500 vs FORDEXPLORER → SIERRA 3500 vs JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE → SIERRA 3500 vs FORDESCAPE →

NHTSA Investigations

PE07014Preliminary EvaluationClosed

FUEL TANK LEAK

PE88002Preliminary EvaluationClosed

FRCTR OF P/S PUMP BRCKT

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 GMC SIERRA 3500 have?▼
The 2009 GMC SIERRA 3500 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 GMC SIERRA 3500?▼
Yes, the 2009 GMC SIERRA 3500 has 5 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 GMC SIERRA 3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 GMC SIERRA 3500 is TIRES with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2009 GMC SIERRA 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

Understanding NHTSA Complaints → Vehicle Recalls Explained → Safest Car Brands 2026 → Most Reliable Used Cars → Lemon Law Guide →

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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.