2009 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical822.2%
- Airbags513.9%
- Brakes513.9%
- Body & structure411.1%
- Engine38.3%
- Driver assistance38.3%
- Fuel system25.6%
- Interior & seats25.6%
- Tires & wheels25.6%
- Seat belts12.8%
- Steering12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I am driving in town I have an indication message that comes up and says engine power reduced
RECEIVING A "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE WHILE IN MOTION ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT TOW\HAUL MODE ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE #14515 ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE NHTSA SITE SAYS THAT ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. WHAT AM I TO DO?
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Local dealer is not repairing my recall. I keep getting told parts are not available and this has gone on for years.
DASH CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER WE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECEIVING A "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" MESSAGE WHILE IN MOTION ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT TOW\HAUL MODE ENGAGED. THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE #14515 ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE NHTSA SITE SAYS THAT ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. WHAT AM I TO DO?
TRUCK WAS AT FULL THROTTLE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP TRUCK DIESEL ENGINE OVER POWERED BRAKES. FOUND GAS PEDDLE UNDER FLOOR MAT LUCKLY I PUT IN NUTERAL AND TURNED OFF IGN GLAD MY WIFE OR KIDS WERE NOT DRIVING DEATH TRAP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASH. 3 ARE AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. 2 OF THOSE HAVE CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ALLOWING A PIECE OF THE DASH CAPABLE OF DISLODGING IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS CREATING A HAZARDOUS PROJECTILE. THE CRACK ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MEASURES OVER 7 INCHES IN LENGTH. PICTURES PROVIDED. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE ISSUE STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME DEVELOPED A CRACK AND SEPARATED RIGHT BEHIND THE CONTROL ARM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENT FOR THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,113.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY PICKUP HAS BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE CODE IS FOR AN EMISSION PROBLEM, G.M. WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY, AT THIS TIME THERE ARE 40,021 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
TRUCK WAS AT FULL THROTTLE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP TRUCK DIESEL ENGINE OVER POWERED BRAKES. FOUND GAS PEDDLE UNDER FLOOR MAT LUCKLY I PUT IN NUTERAL AND TURNED OFF IGN GLAD MY WIFE OR KIDS WERE NOT DRIVING DEATH TRAP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE STABILTRAK FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP AND JERKED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A SECONDARY ROAD.
I HAVE A 2009 GMC SEIRRA AND IT SHUTS OFF FOR NO REASON AT ALL WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.AND I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS.MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 THOUSAND MILES ON IT.AND OF COURSE IT STARTED HAPPENING 2-MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I am driving in town I have an indication message that comes up and says engine power reduced
I HAVE A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500HD 4X4 AUTOMATIC DIESEL LMM. WHILE TOWING MY TRAVEL TRAILER ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" ALL OF A SUDDEN. WHILE THIS WAS BEING DISPLAYED THE VEHICLE SLOWED RAPIDLY TO 35MPH AND THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE SCRAMBLING TO MOVE OVER. I LIMPED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND CONNECTED MY OBDII READER AND IT DISPLAYED THE CODE OF P0087 LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE. I LIMPED THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTO PARTS STORE AND CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AS A PRECAUTION. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE HOME THE REST OF THE WAY WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUES BUT THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMUTE WAS DOWN HILL - LUCKILY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS AND WHAT THE MANUFACTURER IS GOING TO DO IF AT ALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500 WITH 70,000 MILES. AT 39,200 MILES, THE ACTUATOR ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED. THEN AT ABOUT 46,000 MILES THE ACTUATOR ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED. MY DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WHICH CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF THE REAR DOOR LOCK BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED BY THE DRIVER WITHOUT EXITING THE VEHICLE AND CRAWLING THROUGH FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. IF YOU DON'T MANUALLY LOCK THE REAR DOOR, A YOUNG CHILD COULD OPEN THE UNLOCKED DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION; BUT IF YOU MANUALLY LOCK THE REAR DOOR, YOU CANNOT GET A CHILD OUT QUICKLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS THE LOCK WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2009 GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS. MY FATHER ALSO HAS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500, AND ONE OF THE FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON IT. I HAD A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 TRUCK FOR USE BY MY STAFF AND ONE OF THE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON IT. A FRIEND HAS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500, AND ONE FRONT AND ONE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED ON HIS VEHICLE. AND, A GOOGLE SEARCH LED ME TO MANY POSTINGS AND COMPLAINTS RELATED TO DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURES ON 2009 GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS AND SUVS. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONVINCE MY GM DEALER TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT - THEIR ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THE TWO ACTUATORS IS APPROXIMATELY $800.00 WHICH I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. *TR
I HAVE A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500 WITH 39,200 MILES. MY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR QUIT WORKING, SO MY DOOR NO LONGER AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. I NOTED ON-LINE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN GMC TRUCKS, TAHOES, AND SUBURBANS - AND I EVEN HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR GM TRUCKS. BECAUSE THIS IS SO VERY COMMON, AND TO ME IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SEEMS LIKE GM SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THIS. I INQUIRED WITH THE DEALER, AND THE COST FOR A SINGLE DOOR LOCK IS WELL OVER $200. BASED ON WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, I CAN EXPECT THE REMAINING LOCKS TO GO OUT OVER TIME. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NHTSA LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS I BELIEVE IT IS AFFECTING MANY OTHERS AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 85 NORTHBOUND IN GA JUST BEFORE EXIT 64 UNION CITY. FAR LEFT FAST LANE. SUDDEN REAR TIRE EXPLOSION. NO LOAD BEING HAULED 65 PSI AIR PRESSURE IN TIRE. ABLE TO REMAIN IN CONTROL AND WORK MY WAY OVER TO RIGHT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE. CHANGED TO SPARE TIRE ONLY DAMAGED RIM WHEN TRUCK FELL AND ROLLED OVER CARCASS A FEW TIMES. DID NOT STRIKE ANY OBJECT AND TIRE HAD NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE SEEN BEFORE ITS BLOWOUT. *TR
I OWN A 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500 PICKUP WITH 12,000 MILES. AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TODAY THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS WHERE THE BLOW OUT OCCURRED. I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING AND THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAD NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY DAMAGE OR REASON FOR THE TIRE SIDE WALL TO FAIL. I WENT TO A BRIDGESTONE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE TIRE AND AGREED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THEY THEN CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE BY TELEPHONE. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THE ONLY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE A 15% DISCOUNT ON A NEW TIRE. I FEEL THAT THIS IN VERY UNFAIR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A COMPLAINT ON THE SEAT BELTS IN MY TRUCK. IT IS A 2009 GMC 2500HD. WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC FROM A RAMP WHEN YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND LOOK FOR YOUR MERGE SPOT THE SEAT BELT PINS YOU BACK TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT, PUTTING YOUR SIGHT OF VIEW IN THE BLIND SPOT. TO RELEASE YOURSELF YOU HAVE TO PUSH YOURSELF BACK FARTHER TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IT ON THEIR COMPUTER AND THERE WERE NO CODES, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT, AND HE SAID I WASN'T THE ONLY PERSON COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. THIS MAKES IT DANGEROUS NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE ON THE LANE I?M GOING TO MERGE TO, BUT ALSO PEOPLE BEHIND ME. I AM NOT BRAKING HARD FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND HIT BRAKES. PEDAL DEPRESSED FURTHER THAN NORMAL AND IT TOOK EXTREME EFFORT TO STOP THE TRUCK. I TRIED TURNING TRUCK OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT TO SEE IF THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. I THEN TRIED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO LINE IT UP WITH THE ROADWAY SO IT COULD BE TOWED EASILY. I WAS BACKING UP AND TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS LOCKED. WITH EXTREME EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE CONTINUING TO BACK UP. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LITTLE CHUNK NOISE THE WHEEL KICKED SLIGHTLY IN MY HANDS. I THEN HAD FULL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT (SLOWLY) TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND THAT IT WAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT THEY COULD NOT SOLVE. BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .