2009 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 280 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 7 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
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
EquipmentApr 26, 2018
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 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
Campaign 18V267000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
134 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Sep 9, 2015
ABOUT A YEAR GO STARDED TO SEE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD BY THE AIR BAG
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014
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.
Air bags, Structure, Jul 7, 2014
THE DASH IS CRACKED IN THE AIRBAG AREA AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT FLYING OFF AND POSSIBLY CAUSING AN INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *JS
Air bags, May 23, 2014
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
Air bags, Structure, Apr 25, 2014
THERE IS A CRACK IN MY TRUCK'S DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,RIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG SECTION.THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON ITS OWN,AS IT WAS NEVER SUBJECTED TO ANY KIND OF AN IMPACT OR FORCE. MY REASONABLE DOUBT IS THAT IT CRACKED DUE TO BEING MADE OF LOW QUALITY MATERIAL. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP,SAME PLACE WHERE I ALWAYS TAKE MY TRUCK FOR ANYTHING CONCERNING MY TRUCK. WHEN I BROUGHT MY TRUCK AND SHOWED A SERVICE DEPT. EMPLOYEE, I WAS TOLD THAT NEITHER MY REGULAR,NOR MY EXTENDED VEHICLE WARRANTY COVERED THE DAMAGE,AND IF I WANTED IT REPLACED I WOULD NEED TO PAY ~$250!!! I WAS STUNNED AND APPALLED THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT WAS CLEARLY A LOW QUALITY PRODUCT,SOMETHING I ALREADY PAID FOR WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THAT DEALERSHIP, OR ANOTHER GMC DEALERSHIP AS A MATTER OF FACT, EVER AGAIN, JUST OUT OF SPITE. I FEEL CHEATED AND CONNED, AS NOT ONLY DID THE GMC NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD,IT WAS NOT EVEN COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. I SUSPECT GMC KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO THEY INTENTIONALLY DID NOT COVER IT UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. MY REAL CONCERN ISN'T IN THE AESTHETICS OF A CRACKED DASHBOARD,IT IS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS THAT DRIVE IN MY TRUCK. IF,GOD FORBID,I WAS TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THERE IS A VERY REAL CHANCE THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT GET PUNCTURED ON THE EDGE OF THE CRACKED DASHBOARD AND FAIL TO DO ITS FUNCTION AS IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY DEFLATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND ONE THAT MIGHT COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE,DO WE REALLY NEED TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN (LIKE THE GMC ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH COST PEOPLE THEIR LIVES AFTER THEIR GMC VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY!!) BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE AND GMC DOES THE RIGHT THING AND OWNS UP TO ITS MISTAKE? *TR
Air bags, Jul 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER OFFERED LITTLE INSIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 84,300.
Air bags, May 31, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC AND WOULD RECUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG FUSE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CONTINUOUS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jul 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN THEY WERE ENGAGED. THE ENGINE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE AIR BAG SENSOR ALSO CAUSED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE AND AIR BAG SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND ONLY OFFERED HER A FREE OIL CHANGE FOR ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2010, crash
ON 2-28-09 PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 2 WD EXT. CAB TRUCK IN EARLY DECEMBER 2009. NOTICED ON 4 OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL STICKING AND NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO STOP ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. WITNESSES WERE IN THE TRUCK. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED AFTER 2 DAYS THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH TRUCK. "JUST DRIVE THE TRUCK" ON DECEMBER 11 THE 2009 STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE BREAKING THE POLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NEITHER DID ON STAR RESPOND. DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT I HAS SUSTAINED NECK INJURY, AND NEITHER GMAC OR THE DEALERSHIP WILL RESPOND TO THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING FROM A FRONT END COLLISION OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR DOING $5000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR EVEN LOOKING AT THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. DUE TO THIS THE DRIVER DOES NOT FELL SAFE DRIVING THIS TRUCK OR PUTTING HIS FAMILY IN TRUCK.*CW