2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a code reader and discovered a misfire in cylinder #4, and performed a compression test, which verified that cylinder #4 was failing to maintain compression. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was discovered that there was a failure with the lifter in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11681424

Incident

Jul 8, 2013

Mileage

56,000 mi

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this report regarding repeated engine and valve lifter failures in my 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3L V8 engine, VIN: [XXX] . 1. Component/System Malfunctioned: Both the original engine and a replacement engine—professionally installed by a Chevrolet dealership—experienced valve lifter failure related to the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. The most recent failure was sudden and unexpected. The engine may be available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety Risk: Engine failure puts driver and passenger safety at serious risk, particularly if the vehicle loses power unexpectedly while in motion. In both instances, the failure created unsafe driving conditions. 3. Reproduction/Confirmation: The issue was confirmed by a Chevrolet dealership during the initial engine failure and again more recently on the current engine, which is now exhibiting the same failure. 4. Inspection Status: The vehicle has been inspected by the same dealership that performed the original engine replacement. To my knowledge, it has not been inspected by GM corporate, police, or insurance representatives. 5. Warning Signs: There were no warning lamps, messages, or clear symptoms prior to the failure. The problem occurred without advance notice and did not provide an opportunity to address it before damage occurred. This is the second engine failure my truck has suffered from the same issue, even after dealership installation of a new motor. I urge the NHTSA to investigate whether this represents a broader defect in GM 5.3L AFM-equipped engines. It is unacceptable that repeated critical failures can occur in these engines with no warning and no resolution, even after following proper replacement procedures. Thank you for your attention. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11667844

Incident

Jun 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (189 STONEBRIDGE BLVD, JACKSON, TN 38305, (888) 380-6149) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT, AND REPROGRAMMED THE MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED, WHICH HAD NOT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11194576

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE TACHOMETER GAUGES FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN, THE AIR BAG AND TRANSMISSION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,540.

NHTSA ID

11130208

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

47,540 mi

AT AROUND 100,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND INDICATE LOW OIL PRESSURE. CHANGING THE SENSOR OUT DID NOT EFFECT THE SITUATION. CHANGING THE OIL WOULD HELP BUT USUALLY ONLY FOR AROUND 3,500 MILES. THE ENGINE WAS LOSING OIL MORE THAN IT SHOULD. THEN AT AROUND 129,000 MILES, THE TRUCK STARTING SHAKING BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CYLINDER 7 MISFIRE. CHANGING THE COIL PACK, SPARK PLUG, AND SPARK PLUG WIRE DID NOTHING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS IRREPARABLE AND NEEDED REPLACING. UPON RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2008-2012 GM ENGINES WITH THE AFM SYSTEM. GM SHOULD ABSOLUTELY ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE ENGINES OR OTHERWISE REIMBURSE THE OWNERS FOR THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11034520

Incident

Oct 2, 2017

Mileage

129,000 mi

ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT FAILURE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. P0304 DTC. HAS A LOUD TICKING NOISE AND A MISS ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND AS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, IT APPEARS TO BE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT TO AFFECT THESE TRUCKS.

NHTSA ID

10971531

Incident

Apr 4, 2017

Mileage

184,000 mi

AT 80000 MY TRUCK IS GOING THROUGH 4 TO 6 QTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. AS A MASTER TECHNICIAN THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE POOREST EXCUSE FOR ENGINEERING I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS WITH THIS AFM SYSTEM THEY HAVE. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST AN ENGINE BY 100000 MILES. WITH TODAYS TECHNOLOGY THAT'S A BAD JOKE ON THE CONSUMER. WITH SHORTER INTERVALS AND SOME ADDITIVE'S I HAVE MANAGED TO GET TO 1 QT EVERY 1900 MILES AND THAT'S AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

NHTSA ID

10967667

Incident

Oct 26, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

STABILITY CONTROL. THE STABILITRACK WARNING APPEARS. ALL OF THE GAUGES GO TO ZERO, THE POWER LOCKS ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE NO CODES ARE SHOWING. THIS NEEDS TO BE A MAJOR RECALL. IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, GOOGLE IT AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION. FORCE GM TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THIS KNOWN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10927513

Incident

Nov 22, 2016

LIFTER FAILURE! EXPENSIVE REPAIR! COMMON ISSUE ON AFM 5.3 V8 ENGINES. DRIVING DOWN HWY. JUST HAD HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE ISSUES AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS THE VERY DAY BEFORE (CLEANED SMALL SCREEN THAT PICKS UP OIL TO SEND PRESSURE TO DASH GUAGE) CHANGED OIL AT DEALERSHIP, ONLY TO DRIVE TRUCK LESS THAN 75 MILES AND LOUD KNOCKING IN ENGINE OCCURED, TRUCK WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR A FULL LIFTER REPLACEMENT. AGAIN, COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED/REPAIRED BEFORE DRIVERS ARE LEFT STRANDED FACING HUGE EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS.

NHTSA ID

10885481

Incident

Aug 15, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

10862758

Incident

Dec 2, 2014

Mileage

74,259 mi

I HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON VEHICLE FROM CERTIFIED GMC DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY LOW ENGINE WARNING AND LOSING ALMOST ALL ACCELERATION. TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS CHARGED NEARLY $800 FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10840455

Incident

Mar 3, 2016

Mileage

142,000 mi

I HAVE THE ENGINE WITH ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INSTATE THE ENGINE GOES IN TO FAILURE MODE. LIFTER COLLAPSED TEARING THE CAM UP AS WELL. SPENT ABOUT 3000 DOLLARS HAVING ISSUE FIXED WITH NEW GM PARTS ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN. CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IT'S FROM FAULTY PARTS AND IT WAS THE CUSTOMERS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE SMOKES BAD AND BURNS OIL AND RAW GAS SITS ON THE PISTON WITHOUT BEING BURNED OFF PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID

10840123

Incident

Feb 10, 2016

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,908.

NHTSA ID

10702842

Incident

Feb 28, 2015

Mileage

99,908 mi

DRIVING ONLY 20 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE UP TO APPROX 25 MPH. STOPPED AGAIN AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. RE-STARTED ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SENSOR KI.

NHTSA ID

10535940

Incident

Nov 29, 2012

Mileage

34,276 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAILURE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,300.

NHTSA ID

10410839

Incident

Jun 8, 2011

Mileage

12,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE OIL WAS ADDED TO THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL LIFTER OPERATED AS A 4 OR 8 CYLINDER AND WHEN IT SHUT OFF, THE OIL SUPPLY RELEASED SMOKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,040.

NHTSA ID

10329253

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

Mileage

6 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTERS INSIDE THE MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A TICKING AND RATTLING SOUND. OCCASIONALLY, A GRAY CLOUD OF SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE IN THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY REPAIRS UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,020. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.

NHTSA ID

10328920

Incident

Apr 30, 2009

Mileage

100 mi