Total Complaints
7 filings
GMC Sierra 3500 · model year
2009 GMC Sierra 3500
7 NHTSA complaints, and 5 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 5
The verdict
The 2009 GMC Sierra 3500 posts top-10% complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 7%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 5
- recall campaigns
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.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2009 Sierra 3500 is tires with 1 filings, followed by exterior lighting (1) and power train:automatic transmission (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2009 Sierra 3500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2009 GMC Sierra 3500
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
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
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.