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: structure
68 reports, newest first. Show all
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
Structure, Aug 21, 2014
MY CHEVY TRUCK IS A C1500.I ALSO HAVE A CRACK IN THE DASH ABOVE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DASH.I NOTICED IT WHEN MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 10,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S NOT FROM THE SUN BECAUSE MY TRUCK STAYS IN THE GARAGE.IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OF US THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, HEARD A NOISE AND THEN NOTICED THE DASH ABOVE THE AIRBAG HAD DEVELOPED AN OBVIOUS CRACK THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH LONG. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE DASH, NOTICED THAT THERE IS ALSO A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE DASH ABOVE THE AIRBAG APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE FIRST NOTICED CRACK. *TR
Structure, Jul 3, 2014
2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH 15000 MILES. TWO CRACKS ON DASH ONE BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, AND ONE RIGHT ABOVE GAUGE CLUSTER(SPEEDOMETER). VERY COMMON ON THESE TRUCKS. *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
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 1, 2013
AFTER UNLOCKING THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK ON THE TRUCK THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THE LOCK WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE INTERIOR LOCKING MECHANISM, EFFECTIVELY TRAPPING ME IN MY VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME I UNROLLED THE WINDOW AND USED THE KEY IN THE OUTSIDE DOOR TO TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, BUT THE LOCK WAS JAMMED AND I WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE USING EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE HANDLE OR LOCKS OR THE DRIVER DOOR. I WAS FORCED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST OFTEN AFTER RAINFALL OR A CAR WASH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, CAR FIRE OR WATER CRASH OR OTHER EMERGENCY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM BEING TRAPPED IN THEIR VEHICLES. IT IS ALSO NOTABLE THAT CONSUMER REPORTS HAS LISTED "LOCKS AND LATCHES" AS A COMMON PROBLEM AREA FOR A 2009 SILVERADO. I CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED FULLY COVER THE REPAIR COST, WHICH WAS WELL OVER $250 AND THEY STATED THAT THE "DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE". THE CORPORATE GM PHONE CALL CENTER WAS NOT HELPFUL AND TOLD ME IT WOULD NOT BE FULLY COVERED BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2013, crash
ON 6/23/13 MY FATHER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OVER A 4 LANE STREET. HE WAS HIT BY A 2008 NISSAN ROUGE GOING BETWEEN 37-40MPH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. MY FATHERS TRUCK WAS IN MOTION AT 4-6MPH. THE TRUCK SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, AND MY DAD PASSED AWAY HOURS LATER AT THE HOSPITAL DUE TO INTERNAL BLEEDING OF PELVIC AREA. THE TRUCKS DRIVE SHAFT WAS CUT IN A HALF. THE TRUCK HAS A 5 STAR SIDE CRASH SAFETY RATING, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR THAT WAS NOT EVEN SPEEDING CRUMPLED THE TRUCK THAT BADLY. THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS PUSHED SO FAR BACK THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL WERE ONE. *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2013
CPSC:I13B0038A. 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD RECENTLY CRACKED AFTER A RECENT COLD SNAP OF WEATHER. *LN GM OFFERED THE CONSUMER A 50% DISCOUNT, OFF THE $1,000 IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR IT. HOWEVER, THY WOULD NOT ADMIT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW.
Structure, Aug 17, 2013
2009 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB PASSENGER DASH CRACKED RIGHT IN BETWEEN AIRBAG. REALLY CONCERNED IF AIRBAG IS ENGAGED/DEPLOYED THE DASH WILL INTERFERE OR CAUSE HARM OR BODILY INJURY DUE TO CRACKED DASH PIECES TO BECOME PROJECTILES INTO THE CAB. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY GMC THEY WONT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT WILL CHARGE A GOODWILL FEE. PRICES VARY FROM DEALERSHIP TO DEALERSHIP DEPENDING ON LOCATION. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MASS PHENOMENA AND A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jul 13, 2013, fire
MY 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS. IT WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UP UNTIL IT WAS PARKED..AFTER TWO DAYS OF BEING PARKED IN THE RAIN,THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SUDDENLY WENT ON BY ITSELF. I OPENED THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND LIFTED OFF THE FUSE PANEL COVER,BECAUSE THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING. THEN,THERE WAS SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. AFTER PICKING IT UP TODAY,THEY CHARGED ME $1555 TO REPAIR,YET COULD NOT PROVIDE A LOGICAL REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED! THEY SAID"CORROSION" IN THE FUSE PANEL. HOW COULD A VEHICLE MADE IN 2009 WITH 72,000 MILES HAVE A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS WITHOUT A MAJOR ISSUE BEING WRONG? I FEAR FOR OTHER'S SAFETY,AS I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE GOING ON. PER MY RESEARCH,THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM. PIT-5090. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH WATER BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FUSE PANEL BOX DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND THE POOR INSTALLATION FROM THE FACTORY OF A RUBBER SEAL. VERY SERIOUS ISSUE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!! I HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN MY POSSESSION AND CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED! SHOULD BE RECALLED OR OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLE INSPECTED ASAP. *TR
Structure, Jun 24, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LARGE FRACTURES LOCATED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD AND A LARGE FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FRACTURES WERE LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 58,000.
Structure, May 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD THE CHILD LOCK ACTIVATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE OTHER SIDE IN ORDER TO GET THE CHILD OUT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE CHILD LOCK WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE CHILD LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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
Structure, Nov 23, 2012
YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS WITH THE HANDLE FROM INSIDE THE TRUCK IF DOORS ARE LOCKED. PULLING ON HANDLE WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO UNTIL YOU USE THE UNLOCK BUTTON. IF YOU ARE IN A CRASH YOUR INSTINCT WOULD BE THE USE THE HANDLE NOT TO UNLOCK IT FIRST. *TR
Structure, Jul 20, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE REAR BUMPER BENT SEVERELY AFTER CRASHING INTO A RAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT MENTION IF THE POLICE WERE CALLED OR IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2009 CHEVY PICKUP WITH A EXTENDED CAB WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS SHUTTER AND FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO OPEN THE DEALER IS SAYING THERE WAS A NATIONAL RECALL FOR STRIKER PLATES THEY PUT THEM ON WITH NO CHANGE I AM AFRAID TO PUT MY KIDS IN THIS TRUCK BECAUSE THE DOORS MIGHT OPEN AND GAS PEDAL DOESN'T SEEM TO RESPOND CORRECTLY [XXX] *TR
Structure, Mar 4, 2009, crash
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 CREW 4X4. I RECENTLY HAD COLLISION BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I COLLIDED WITH A TOYOTA CAMRY BACKING OUT OF A SPACE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AISLE. WE BASICALLY HIT REAR CORNER TO REAR CORNER. MY COMPLAINT IS THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK ON SUCH A LOW SPEED COLLISION. VISUAL DAMAGE: RIGHT BUMPER END (3 PIECE OUTER BUMPER) IS BENT IN AND UP SLIGHTLY. REAR OF BED SIDE PANEL IS BENT IN AND UP SLIGHTLY REAR LIGHT IS CRACKED THERE IS A DENT(BUCKLE) IN THE BED SIDE PANEL ABOVE THE WHEEL WELL, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HAND. 3 ESTIMATES: (1 DEALER, 1 PRIVATE SHOP, 1 GM PREFERRED COLLISION CENTER) PARTS NEEDED; NEW REAR BUMPER NEW BUMPER RE INFORCEMENT NEW TAIL LIGHT NEW TRUCK BED SIDE PANEL.(YES, THE WHOLE SIDE PANEL!) ESTIMATES FOR DAMAGE REPAIRS; $2600 DEALER $2600 PRIVATE $3200 GM AUTHORIZED COLLISION CENTER ABOUT 50/50 PARTS & LABOR THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE A TRAILER HITCH BRACE THAT IS MOST LIKELY BENT. DUE TO LIABILITY OF POTENTIAL FAILURE, ALL SAY IF THIS EVEN LOOKS DAMAGED, WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. ADD $400. DEALER AND GM COLLISION CENTER GEN MGR SAY THE BUMPER DESIGN OF THE NEW SILVERADO BODY STYLE "SUCKS"! THE CENTER SECTION OF THE BUMPER CAN TAKE DIRECT, FLUSH IPACT JUST FINE. THE END SECTIONS WILL BE DESTROYED IN EVEN A LOW SPEED IMPACT. THE KILLER IS THE DAMAGE TO THE SIDE BED PANELS. BECAUSE THE REAR OF PANEL IS A SINGLE WALL OF SHEET METAL, UN REINFORCED, IT BUCKLES LIKE FABRIC AT EVEN THE LIGHTEST TOUCH. YOU COULD BEND IT IN BY HAND IF YOU PUSH HARD ENOUGH. SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO PULL OUT THIS PANEL DUE TO ITS UN REINFORCED SHEET METAL DESIGN, THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PANEL. THEY SELL THE TRUCK CHEAP! THEY MAKE A FORTUNE ON REPLACEMENT PARTS BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP DESIGN QUALITY. WORD TO THE WISE: GET THE REAR BACKING SENSORS! IT WILL SAVE YOU $3000. IT WOULDN'T HELP IN MY CASE AS I STILL HAD ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE. NO FAULT COLLISION. *TR