2009 GMC Sierra Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 GMC Sierra. Part of Generation 3 (GMT900) — 2007–2013.

20082010
Complaints
48
per 10K Sold
4.3
US Sales
111,842
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2009 GMC Sierra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#18 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:50,888 mi
Crash-related:1
#28 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:45,100 mi
Crash-related:1
#33 complaints

Engine Problems

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 GMC Sierra.

Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,888
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
45,100
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 GMC Sierra

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,365,070 vehicles.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

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.

Other GMC Sierra Years

2009 GMC Sierra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2009 GMC Sierra has 48 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Airbags (8 complaints, avg 50,888 mi); Electrical Faults (8 complaints, avg 45,100 mi); Engine Problems (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 GMC Sierra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 47,994 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 GMC Sierra include 3 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,365,070 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 GMC Sierra?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2009 GMC Sierra

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