2009 GMC Sierra

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
42,000 milesMedian miles at failure

33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System7
101
Air Bags7
100
Engine3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Structure › Body2
000
Steering2
000
Wheels1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
100
Suspension1
000
Structure › Body › Door1
001

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Electrical System10V240000
Filed Jun 4, 20101,365,070 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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 OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Filed Feb 16, 202370,000 milesCO

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 11, 2022NY

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.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 4, 202140,000 milesAR

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 contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact stated while driving at 75 MPH on a wet road, the brake pedal was depressed and the front and rear tires inadvertently locked. The vehicle slid off the road and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he did not sustain any injuries and drove to his residence. A police report was not filed. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000

Air Bags
Filed Oct 14, 202168,895 milesTN

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 22, 2021UT

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.

Engine
Filed Mar 16, 201660,000 milesNM

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 1, 201527,844 milesGA

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 201547,000 milesOH

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

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 1, 201565,200 milesTX

DASHBOARD CRACKING

Air Bags
Filed Sep 9, 2015TX

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 201543,000 milesMI

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.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 201537,000 milesFL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 13, 201593,801 milesWV

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Feb 12, 201540,000 milesOH

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 14, 201550,000 milesOH

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

Electrical System
Filed Jan 10, 201555,000 milesTX

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

Engine
Filed Jan 8, 201562,000 milesKY

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.

Structure › Body › Door1 injured
Filed Dec 15, 201420,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME PLATING WAS SEPARATING FROM ALL OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PARTS THAT WERE STICKING OUT WERE VERY SHARP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS ON THE RIGHT HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 23, 201423,000 milesSC

I' M WRITING IN TOO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER ON MY 2009 GMC SIERRA. I SEE THAT A RECALL ALONG WITH A LAWSUIT WITH THIS SAME ISSUE WAS SUBMITTED. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH GMC ON THIS ISSUE SINCE 2011. THEY STATED IT WAS A FUSE AND REPLACED THE FUSE , BUT MY DASHBOARD ALONG WITH ALL THE GAUGES GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY DID. THIS ISSUE WAS NOTED AFTER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED IN 2011. THE LAST TIME MY DASHBOARD WENT OUT (WHILE DRIVING) WAS 10/14/2014. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 28, 201489,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

20 of 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201761010Routine
20166210Routine
201553610Routine
20141011220Do not drive
201339310Routine
201229220Routine
201143200Routine
201034120Routine
2009 — this page37100Routine
200868200Routine
200759220Routine
200653630Routine
20051171120Routine
20041881050Routine
2003206912Fatalities reported
2002249720Above average
2001264725Fatalities reported
20004431232Fatalities reported
1999600921Fatalities reported
1998190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 4, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.