Model year record

2009 GMC Sierra recalls & problems

The 2009 GMC Sierra has 1 safety recall and 37 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints37filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJun 4, 2010

Electrical system

Recall 10V2400001,365,070 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4-DR. Hybrid w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4-DR. Hybrid

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid

21mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid

20mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra C15 XFE 2WD FFV

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD FFV

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra C15 2WD FFV

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra K15 4WD FFV

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Air bag/restraint control module	10	1	0	55,544 mi
Electrical systemWiring	9	1	1	40,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	6	0	1	49,006 mi
Engine	3	0	0	60,000 mi
Steering	2	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	1	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	2	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
The contact owns aÂ 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.
Jan 15, 2021 · 70,000 miles
Air bags
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.
Aug 11, 2022
Air bagsCrash
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not know whether a warning light illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist with the air bags failure unless he had a recall notification. The contact also stated while driving at 40 MPH, his vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not…
May 15, 2013 · 40,000 miles
Air bags
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.
Oct 14, 2021 · 68,895 miles
Air bags
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.
Aug 1, 2020
Engine
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.
Mar 2, 2016 · 60,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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
Sep 8, 2015 · 27,844 miles
Electrical system
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
May 18, 2015 · 47,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.