GMC · Sierra · 2009
1
Recall
37
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 GMC Sierra has 1 recall and 37 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (7 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
DASHBOARD CRACKING
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
ABOUT A YEAR GO STARDED TO SEE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD BY THE AIR BAG
IN COLD WEATHER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT WORK, THE ONLY THING THAT DOES WORK IS THE BACK LIGHTING. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
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.
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
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH IN FALL RIVER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LARGE BANG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, UPON LOOKING IN THE REAR MIRROR I NOTICED A LARGE STEEL ITEM SHOOT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE SLIDING FAST BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITH SPARKS NOTICED AS IT WAS DARK, AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND AVOID THE PROPELLED STEEL LEAF SPRING. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, LEAF SPRING WAS RECOVERED FROM THE ROAD AFTER PULLING VEHICLE OVER AND NOTED IT CAME FROM RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE WHERE IT HAD SNAPPED OFF. THIS INCIDENT CREATED AN EXTREMELY POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONDITION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND US. UPON BRINGING THIS VEHICLE TO KELLY'S TIRES IN MIDDLEBORO, THEY STATED AND I QUOTE "LET ME GUESS YOUR VEHICLE IS A 2009 SIERRA, THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME". THIS PROBLEM IS SERIOUS, NOT TO MENTION VERY COSTLY FOR THE CONSUMER TO REPAIR A FAULTY PART! THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT IF IT HAPPENS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, BECAUSE AT THE LOW RATE OF 45, WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT DID NOT KILL SOMEONE. NO EXCUSE GM NEEDS TO RECALL/REPLACE/REIMBURSE ITS CONSUMERS...UPDATED 06/03/14 *BF *TT UPDATED 8/22/2017
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 GMC Sierra has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 37 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 GMC Sierra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 GMC Sierra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 GMC Sierra are air bags (7 reports), electrical system (7 reports), engine (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2009 GMC Sierra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.