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: power train
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Mar 11, 2025
Allison transmission - random hard shifts, random multiple DTC's, random limp mode. Clear codes and works fine until it doesn't. Might have to clear codes 3-4 times a day or it might make it a week before it goes into limp mode again.
Power train, Dec 8, 2022
Yes, the airbag has not been replaced but I have another SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM with this vehicle: The stabilitrak system does NOT work, it is NOT POSSIBLE to shift into gear, if the vehicle is put into use there is a definite possibility that the truck will go into LIMP MODE with a very limited speed (20 mph?) while trying to keep up with the traffic flow at 75+mph while the. transmission searches for which gear and wheel to apply power. This is a frightening experience to say the least. And I am without my work truck (and work) for more than 4 months because GMC has no ETA for parts to repair this problem. I guess this is NOT. safety issue in reality since I cannot/ will not drive this piece of dangerous GENERAL MOTORS engineering nightmare. When I search for solutions to this problem I find that there are many many GM vehicles (cars,suvs,vans, trucks) experiencing the same SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS situations. It is time to investigate this company before it shutters its doors and moves offshore to leave their junk in the United States without responsibility for repairs or accidents. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Jun 18, 2021
First had transmission replaced, then a second one, now third time they say transfer case, locking itself in gear, and dangerous cause wanted to take off fast in reverse. All this happening just in a couple months time. Cost 3500 for transmission, now saying transfer case will cost me more money, and I still owe 800 on the transmission replacement. It is a 2009 GMC Sierra LD, vin is [XXX]. Thank you hope you can help me out on this. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Jan 6, 2020
REAR END LOCKS UP. IF THE WHEELS SPIN THEN THE TRUCK WONT MOVE. IT GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT FORWARD UNTIL THE WHEELS START MOVING FREELY AGAIN.
Power train, Jun 8, 2017
TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE IS BREAKING. THERE IS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MINE. WHY? I ORDERED A NEW ONE.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2017
MY TRUCK DIED IN TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET STARTED AND HOME (2 MILES). MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I AM READING A CODE U0191, WHICH REFERS TO THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE. I HAD TO PURCHASE A BATTERY BECAUSE I HAD A BATTERY DRAINING ISSUE AND WAS HAVING TO JUMP IT IF IT SAT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. MY TRUCK WILL NOT START AT THIS TIME. AFTER DOING SOME CHECKING, BOTH MY FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FLOW MODULE FUSES ARE HOT EVEN WITH THE TRUCK IGNITION OFF. WHICH WOULD INDICATE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER SOME RESEARCH , I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL THAT DESCRIBES THE EXACT ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOESN'T COME UP IN THE RECALL. RECALL BULLETIN # 14515B . I GUESS WHAT I AM ASKING IS WHY WASN'T MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? APPARENTLY THIS IS AFFECTING MORE VEHICLES THAT WHAT THE RECALL INCLUDED.
Power train, Engine, May 3, 2016
EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE, HAVE HAD IT MONITORED 3 TIMES PER GM. USES OIL EVERY 2 THOUSAND MILES ,THEY ARE AWARE THAT THESE 5.3 V8 ARE DOING SO. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM, THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY OUR GOVERNMENT.
Power train, Dec 4, 2013
TRANSMISSION DELAY FROM PARK TO DRIVE. AS TRANSMISSION MOVES INTO DRIVE THE TRUCK JERKS FORWARD VIOLENTLY. PARK TO REVERSE DID NOT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. DEALER WORKED ON THE TRUCK FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 HOURS, FLUSHED TRANSMISSION, AND PERFORMED OIL CHANGE, DID NOT NOTICE ANY METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SOUGHT AN UPDATE FOR THE TCM (WAS UP-TO-DATE); HOWEVER, A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER WAS SEEN IN THE OIL PAN. DEALER PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE AND THE TRUCK APPEARED TO BE BACK IN WORKING CONDITION. OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK OUT OF THE DEALER LOT BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. OWNER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRUCK WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EVALUATION. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT THIS TIME. TRANSMISSION STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Wheels, Service brakes, Aug 18, 2013
AFTER BEING STOPPED WITH ENGINE OFF AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, STARTED ENGINE, DISENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ACCELERATED. SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET/GMC DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 43500 MILES. THIS INCIDENT FOLLOWED AN ISSUE ON 11-29-12 WHERE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH AND THE TRUCK WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. *TR