2009 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 GMC Sierra sits mid-pack among Sierra years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 67, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (25% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Sierra years?

Sierra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 GMC Sierra problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	12	25%	▼ down
Airbags	10	21%	▼ down
Body & Structure	6	13%	▼ down
Engine	4	8%	▲ up
Other	3	6%	— flat
Latches & Locks	2	4%	▼ down
Speed Control	2	4%	▲ up
Steering	2	4%	— flat
Brakes	2	4%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	1	2%	▼ down
Suspension	1	2%	— flat
Lighting	1	2%	— flat
Fuel System	1	2%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 2009 GMC Sierra have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AFTER BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE. AT THE REPAIR SHOP TEXAS THEY STATED " THIS WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE CRASH BUT A KNOWN DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 19, 2011 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 15, 2013 · crash

“3 CRACKS APPEARED IN THE TOP OF THE DASH. ONE 2" LONG RUNNING FROM THE AIR BAG COVER FORWARD TO EDGE OF DASH SECTION. 2 CRACKS ON BACK OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONE ON RIGHT SIDE 4" LONG, AND ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE ABOUT 6" LONG. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 28, 2014

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 2, 2016

“THE SPRING ON THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER BROKE AND I FOUND IT ON THE GROUND. THE SPRING ITSELF IS NOT AVAILABLE AND I HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF NEARLY $300. HAD THIS TIRE COME LOOSE DURING HIGH SPEED TRAVEL IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. I GUESS I'M LUCKY I…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 1, 2015

2009 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2009 GMC Sierra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 48 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sierra year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), airbags (10 complaints), body & structure (6 complaints).

Does the 2009 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2009 compare to other Sierra years?

What are the most common 2009 GMC Sierra problems?

Does the 2009 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2009 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2009 GMC Sierra reliable?

What are the most common 2009 Sierra problems?

Does the 2009 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

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