2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

Early October my passenger side airbag deployed and I was sitting in the drivers seat and had just put the key into the key hole but did not turn the key to start the vehicle. 3 weeks later I was going into the passenger side of the vehicle and the key was in my pocket and the drivers side airbag deployed. Both times the vehicle was not started and the airbags deployed I called GMC and they had the vehicle towed to a dealer to investigate why the airbags deployed. They said it was a sensor that was corroded and that’s why the airbags deployed. I asked GMC, why didn’t the sensor left the driver know that it was going bad, just like it notifies the driver if you have low tire pressure or needs an oil change. I had no notifications that the airbags were going to deploy. I’m so grateful that no one was driving the vehicle when they deployed. GMC said the vehicle is not safe to drive so they had it towed from my house to the dealership and then back to my house however they said they are not taking responsibility for the deployment and said it’s my responsibility to get the airbags fixed. I told GMC that I was filing a complaint with you all. Thank you for looking into this matter.

General Published an article about the Takata Airbag recall stating that the dashboard would be inspected prior to doing the recall work and if already cracked or damaged the dashboard would not be replaced. My dash board is like new with no damage or cracks. The dealer told me (contrary to this article) that if their service men damaged my dashboard while doing the recall replacement I would be responsible for any replacement even if my dashboard is in perfect condition prior to the work. I find this unacceptable and will not have my airbag replaced under these conditions. The dealer/GM should be responsible for any damage they cause during the repair.

Dashboard cracked

The dash is cracked and busted to the point it rattles no matter what road you are on. The dash was maintained. Just cheap plastic in an expensive truck. The defrost grille is totally broke out. GM should take care of this problem if they want repeat business.

TCM and electrical transmission grounded out TCM IN MY RESEARCH a lot of people are having issues with these. Dealers are of no help “backordered” so having to rebuild them. This is an expensive failure!

While driving on Saturday, July 29th, I went to make a right turn @ intersection of Nottingham Way onto Ledo Rd. The vehicle started jerking and suddenly shutoff. I had no power steering, No power brakes. I had to manually steer and stop the truck into the median, while avoiding oncoming traffic. I got the vehicle to stop. I tried to restart and the engine turned over, but would not start. I contacted the local Chevrolet dealership, and was told they don't work on anything older than 2013 vehicles. I had the truck towed to the house. After further investigation, there was a service bulletin 14515B, that replaced 14515A. The Safety recall stated CHASSIS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE INTERNAL CONTAMINATION. So GM is aware of this issue, that could have caused an accident. The local dealership is denying that my truck is involved in this recall. They knew of the problem and never contacted me about this issue. This is a severe SAFETY issue. GM should be responsible for repairing a defective Control module as they knew of contamination as of January 2015. This almost cause multiple head on collisions.

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.

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)

Dashboard instrument panel all lights and gauges goes out while driving down the road when vehicle is turned off a clicking noise is made in the dash. This issue causes when driving down the road, not knowing the speed because the speedometer is out or how much gas the vehicle has, or any other readings, and at night all lights go out, not able to see while driving down the road.

Transmission Control Module Since the summer of 2020 the vehicle has at least half a dozen times, without warning, experienced the following symptoms (most recently July 27, 2021 when I captured it on video). 1. power door locks begin cycling open and closed 2. intermittent chime operation 3. transmission locks into a single gear and won't shift or will shift harshly 4. gauges fluctuate 5. traction control and stabilitrak turn off 6. service traction control and service stabilitrak messages appear 7. transmission position indicator disappears

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.

VEHICLE STARTS, RUNS FOR A FEW MINUTES, STARTS RUNNING ROUGH, MISSING, AND THEN ABRUPTLY STALLS, NO SPUTTER OR ANYTHING. AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR A WHILE, SOMETIMES HOURS.

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.

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).

AT AROUND 4,000 MILES THE FRONT BRAKES SQUEALED OFTEN, MOSTLY WHEN IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE. (BRAKE PADS HAD A LOT OF MEAT LEFT). AT AROUND 10,000 MILES THE BRAKES STARTED GRABBING WHILE DRIVING. I PLAYED WITH THE E-BRAKE SOME SINCE THIS IS THE MOST COMMON CULPRIT, AND THE GRABBING WENT AWAY SOON AFTERWARDS. FAST FORWARD TO 80,000 MILES WHERE I CHANGED OUT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS. THE SPRING RETAINER CLIPS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND THE PADS HAD SIGNS OF GRABBING (HAD UNEVEN WEAR). MY NEW PADS ARE SQUEALING JUST LIKE THE FIRST SET OF PADS DID. I'M ASSUMING THE SPRING RETAINERS ARE HITTING THE ROTOR, SQUEALING, AND EVENTUALLY BREAKING. I CAN ONLY GUESS THAT MY NEW PADS WILL BE GRABBING IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES.

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.

DASH HAS CRACKED IN 5 PLACES THE DASH IS ALSO PEELING PAINT. ALSO THE CRIME INTERIOR HANDLES THE CHIME IS PULLING OFF AND EXTREMELY SHARP. MY EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PAINT IS FALLING OFF IN CHUNKS ON ALL 4 DOORS. MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT THE LUMBAR SUPPORT BROKE 3 TIMES.

DRIVERS DOES NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED. THE MOTOR CLICKS DURING OPERATION AND AT TIMES DOES NOT OPERATE AT ALL.

TRAIN HORN AT HWY US 1 IN BUNNELL AT BELLE TERRE IS TOOO LOUD DAILY. THIS IS IS BETWEEN 2200HRS AND 0400 HRS DAILY ITS TOO MUCH. IT WAKES FAMILY, BABY, WIFE.

THANKFULLY I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH. WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SQUEAK AND A LITTLE NOISE. I THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE FALLEN IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED IN MY MIRROR AND SAW MY SPARE TIRE LAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO CARS FOLLOWING. I TURNED AROUND AND FOUND THAT THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UP UNDER THE BED OF THE TRUCK HAD BROKEN AND DROPPED THE TIRE AND THE COMPONENTS THAT HOLD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE WHERE LAYING ON THE PAVEMENT. I NORMALLY DRIVE ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE ROAD AT 70 MPH. I CAN NOT EVEN IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THAT ROAD! I AM SURE THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! I HAVE CONTACTED A DEALER AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME TO FIX THE ISSUE. *JS

I own the 2009 GMC this truck was bought new by me and it only has 41,000 miles on a 13 year old truck it is very well maintained. Both upper shock mounts rusted off and the rear spring shackles have holes in them I had a service center look at it and he said there maybe not enough metal to weld to. The whole frame and cross members are badly rusted and although it is not a safety issue both cab corners are rusting out, and the left rear wheel opening I really feel there is no reason any vehicle should rust so bad and be undriveable.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DAMAGED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. INVALID VIN.

Dashboard instrument panel all lights and gauges goes out while driving down the road when vehicle is turned off a clicking noise is made in the dash. This issue causes when driving down the road, not knowing the speed because the speedometer is out or how much gas the vehicle has, or any other readings, and at night all lights go out, not able to see while driving down the road.

HEADLAMPS ARE DULL AND VISIBILITY IS LIMITED AT NIGHTTIME DUE THE DULLNESS THAT IS CAUSED BY HEAD LAMP COVERS OXIDIZING AND HAVING MOISTURE BUILDUP INSIDE.

HEADLAMPS ARE DULL AND VISIBILITY IS LIMITED AT NIGHTTIME DUE THE DULLNESS THAT IS CAUSED BY HEAD LAMP COVERS OXIDIZING AND HAVING MOISTURE BUILDUP INSIDE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. DURING AN ICE STORM, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE WAS FOUR INCHES AWAY AND DOES NOT TOUCH THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE WIPER CANNOT REMOVE ICE OR SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DEFROSTER DOES DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,553. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

This letter serves as a formal notice of concern and demand for accountability regarding the 2009 GMC Sierra LD, VIN [XXX] , owned by [XXX] . There are numerous documented complaints and safety investigations concerning premature tie rod failure in 2009 GMC Sierra models. While the 2009 model year may not have been subject to a sweeping, industry-wide recall specific to tie rods in the 1500 series, it is undeniably and consistently associated with premature steering component failure — including both inner and outer tie rods. The refusal to proactively address this defect, assign a broader recall, or take ownership of the recurring issue reflects a troubling disregard for consumer safety. Documented and Reported Issues Include: • Premature Wear: Tie rods becoming loose or failing between 50,000–100,000 miles, resulting in steering wander and excessive play in the steering wheel. • Clunking/Knocking Noises: Audible front-end knocking at low speeds, a well-known symptom of failing tie rod joints. • Severe Safety Risk: Instances where tie rods have separated or become dangerously compromised, directly affecting steering control. • Uneven Tire Wear: Excessive inner or outer tire edge wear caused by steering instability. • Recall 14V-246000: A related recall acknowledging improper tightening of tie rods where they thread into the steering gear rack — a defect that could cause separation and loss of steering control. The common symptoms — steering vibration, looseness, clunking when turning, and vehicle pulling due to misalignment — are not minor inconveniences. They represent serious safety hazards that endanger drivers, passengers, and the public. It is unacceptable for GMAC and General Motors to minimize or compartmentalize this issue when patterns clearly demonstrate a systemic steering component weakness in this model year. The presence of Recall 14V-246000 further demonstrates that the manufacturer was aware of tie rod-related risks ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

TWICE THE STEERING IN SIERRA HAS LOCKED UP WHILE TURNING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TAKING A CURVE TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO CURVE RIGHT. IT WOULD STILL ALLOW ME TO TURN LEFT. AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND PARKING THE TRUCK, THE ISSUES RESOLVED ITSELF. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AS I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN. I HAD COMPLETED THE LEFT TURN, AND AS THE WHEEL WAS RETURNING TO THE CENTER(TURNING BACK TO THE RIGHT), THE WHEEL LOCKED. I WAS FORCED INTO THE NEXT LANE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO USE A LOT OF STRENGTH, AND I EVENTUALLY FORCED IT. WHEN IT BROKE FREE, IT MADE A LOUD POP SOUND. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT EXPERIENCED TROUBLE LATCHING. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.