2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 520 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 14 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 7 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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 Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 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 Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 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 Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
Campaign 21V053000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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 states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Campaign 21V052000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
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 sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Campaign 21V050000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
246 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Structure, Feb 10, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. CAN PRESENT A HAZARD IF PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND THE DASHBOARD FAILS IN A WAY THAT CAN SEND BROKEN PIECES, INJURING THE PASSENGER MORE SEVERELY DURING A COLLISION.
Air bags, Feb 3, 2016
CRACKSI N DASH AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG, CONCERNS ARE: FLYING SHRAPNEL DURING DEPLOYMENT
Air bags, Jan 26, 2016
#09184 AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND MESSAGE SERVICE AIRBAGS IS ON.
Air bags, Jan 22, 2016
CRACKING IDENTIFIED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DASH OF THE TRUCK. DISCOVERED WHEN REPLACING TRUCK WINDSHIELD. CRACKING ALSO SEEN ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF DASH.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
SEVERAL CRACKS IN MY DASH (4-5). ONE IS AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE DASH IS SO BRITTLE IT CRACKS FROM JUST CLOSING THE DOOR. I'M AFRAID WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT AND BROKEN DASH PIECES GO FLYING THROUGHOUT THE CAB. THIS IS NO DOUBT A SAFETY CONCERN! NOT TO MENTION AN EYE SORE AND RESALE KILLER. THIS STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
2009 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 LT HAS A BIG CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ON TOP OF THE AIRBAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 3, 2014
DASH CRACKED AT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTICED AROUND 55,000 MILES. ENGINE CONSUMING OIL, NOTICED AROUND 40,000 MILES. FRONT BREAKS VIBRATING, NOTICED AROUND 18,000 MILES. DEALER AND GM HAS REFUSED TO FIX. *JS
Air bags, Structure, Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE ANNUAL SERVICE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THAT CONTACT THAT THE FRONT BUMPER WAS EXPOSED TO WATER CAUSING A SHORTAGE IN THE SENSOR. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IT WOULD PREVENT THE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING DURING A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,600. UPDATED 12/9/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CRASH SENSOR HAD WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 6/1/2015 *JS
Air bags, Oct 30, 2014
THE DASH ON MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS CONCERNS ME AS IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS THIS WILL CAUSE PIECES OF THE DASH TO INJURE THE PERSON IT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT. THERE IS NUMEROUS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THIS TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM IN FOLEY AL AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Sep 3, 2014
DASH BOARD CRACKED AT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF PASSENGER IF BAG DEPLOYS IMPROPERLY DUE TO THIS COMPROMISED DASH. *TR
Air bags, Jun 23, 2014
THE PROBLEM; SERVICE AIR BAG ILLUMINATES AND SHOWS UP IN THE MESSAGE CENTER. WENT TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY TRIED TO CLEAR THE CODE WITH THE READER AND NO LUCK. THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, IT COULD BE ANYTHING THEY SAID. I DON'T WANT TO DUMP THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO RESEARCH A PROBLEM THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN CURE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE? 2009 CHEVROLET 2500HD DIESEL. *TR
Air bags, May 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH AIR BAG SENSORS CORRODED WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,300.
Air bags, Apr 22, 2014
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500. THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT THING IN THE YEAR AND MAKE OF MY VEHICLE. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AFTER TALKING TO A CHEVY REPRESENTATIVE THEY INDICATED THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WAS TO MAKE A CLAIM BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM SEEN IN OTHER 2009 CHEVY SILVERADOS, AND MY VIN MAY BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THE CLAIM. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN MISSOURI, A STATE THAT UNDER THE RECALL OF SOME OF THESE VEHICLES QUALIFIED. *TR
Air bags, Apr 22, 2014
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE DAY WHILE I WORKED. ENTERED AND STARTED VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED "SERVICE AIRBAGS" MESSAGE. THE MESSAGE WOULD COME AND GO WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE STAYED ON, TOOK VEHICLE IN AND HAD THE FRONT PASSANGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR REPLACED. THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. ONE MONTH LATER (DECEMBER 2013) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR. HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED, RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Feb 17, 2014
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES, FROM AIRBAGS TO WINDSHIELD, AND IN FRONT OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. ALL ON TOP OF DASH. IT IS CRUMBLING AND I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY IF I AM IN A COLLISION. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Feb 16, 2013
1.) I HAVE NOTICED THAT I HAVE TWO CRACKS ON MY DASH BOARD 2FT 8"INCHES APART . 2.) MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 1"INCH LONG INTO THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT GROVE. 3.) I HAVE ONLY 2,189 MILES ON MY TRUCK. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Traction control system, Engine, Feb 3, 2013, crash
2009 CHEVY SILVERADO LOST TRACTION ON HIGHWAY DURING SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS, VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND HIT A METAL ROPED FENCE HEAD ON AND ALSO WENT ACROSS THE MEDIAN AND SLAMMED THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE INTO A GUARD RAIL STOPPING IT INSTANTLY FROM GOING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLES DAMAGE WAS ON THE FRONT END DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER CAUSING A WEDGE INTO THE RADIATOR, ENGINE AND BENT THE FRONT OF THE FRAME. THE IMPACT WAS VERY LOUD AND SOLID. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE TRUCK TO STAND ON THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, SLAMMING THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE ON THE GROUND WITH GREAT FORCE. THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHICH AT THE SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH AND THE PLACE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN, MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED ON THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON SAID HIS RIGHT ARM WAS HURTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WITH IN THE HOUR OF HAVING THE ACCIDENT MYSELF ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A STIFF NECK AND A VERY SOAR AND BRUISED BACK, I WAS RELEASED WITH MINOR INJURIES AND I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY SON. *TR
Air bags, Feb 13, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE FELL ASLEEP AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE AIR BAG PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Air bags, Dec 29, 2010, crash
2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. CONSUMER STATES HIS WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *TGW
Air bags, Oct 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SEAT BELTS, THE HEADLINER AND THE CEILING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWDERY RESIDUE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS EXPELLED FROM THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN ENGINEER COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN TEN DAYS AND THE RESULTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN 120 DAYS OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Air bags, May 21, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE PROCEED TO TRAVEL OFF THE ROADWAY AND WENT AIRBORNE OVER AND EMBANKMENT BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE TO SEVER INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE WAS 13,800 UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10