RoadVitals

2009 GMC Sierra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest Feb 16, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 GMC Sierra, 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

  • Airbags920.0%
  • Body & structure613.3%
  • Engine48.9%
  • Driver assistance48.9%
  • Other / unspecified36.7%
  • Steering24.4%
  • Interior & seats24.4%
  • Brakes24.4%
  • Suspension12.2%
  • Fuel system12.2%
  • Exterior lighting12.2%
  • Seat belts12.2%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number - 09184C (Material Over Sensing and Diagnostic Module Retaining Moisture) . The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed as a corroded air bag control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID 11507624 · filed Feb 16, 2023

2009 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE AIRBAG RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFOMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE AIRBAG SENSOR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 11478744 · filed Aug 11, 2022
All 9 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AS DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 1/21/16 *SS *CN

NHTSA ID 10790762 · filed Nov 16, 2015

I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK, HAD LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, WALKED OVER TO GET SOMETHING OFF THE GROUND AND HEARD THE HORN BLOW. I WALKED BACK OVER TO THE TRUCK TO GET BACK IN AND IT WAS LOCKED. I CALLED ON STAR AND THEY COULDN'T UNLOCK IT SO THEY HAD TO SEND A LOCK-OUT SERVICE TO UNLOCK THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THREE IN WHICH ON STAR HAD UNLOCKED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10683376 · filed Feb 13, 2015
All 9 reports naming electrical

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AS DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 1/21/16 *SS *CN

NHTSA ID 10790762 · filed Nov 16, 2015

DASHBOARD CRACKING

NHTSA ID 10779162 · filed Oct 1, 2015

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10849999 · filed Mar 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED TO 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITH SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID 10671026 · filed Jan 8, 2015

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE STABILITRAK ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. WHENEVER IT GETS COLD ( BELOW APPROX. 38 DEGREES) THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. EVEN IF I TURN IT OFF IT STILL AFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE (LOW SPEED, ENGINE HESITATING). THE TRUCK RUNS FINE IN WARMER WEATHER JUST CRAPS OUT WHEN ITS COLD. I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER INSTANCES OF DISTRESSED DRIVERS WHO ARE HAVING THEIR 'TRAC ' 'STAB, ABS LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHTS EITHER GOING ON ONE AT A TIME OR SIMULTANEOUSLY BECAUSE OF THIS SYSTEM. THIS IS A STUPID SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED OR ELIMINATED ALL TOGETHER. IN ANY EVENT I DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH I SHOULD BE THE ONE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURES MISTAKES IN DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10672449 · filed Jan 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED TO 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE RESTARTED WITH SLOW ACCELERATION AND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID 10671026 · filed Jan 8, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10849999 · filed Mar 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE WHEEL COVERS BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND EACH TIME, THE WHEEL COVERS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SO OFTEN THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER REPLACE THE COVERS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,500.

NHTSA ID 10495079 · filed Jan 29, 2013

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I STATED MY TRUCK TO WARM IT UP WHEN I GOT IN AND STARTED TO DRIVE I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I REVVED THE MOTOR A LITTLE AND I COULD HEAR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKE A NOISE AND IT STARTED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ID 10486130 · filed Nov 26, 2012

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND BUMPED THE CURB WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AT LESS THAN 1/2 MPH. PULLED FORWARD AND THEN BACKED OUT AGAIN WITHOUT CURB CONTACT. DROVE LESS THAN 50 FEET AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT INNER TIE ROD HAD FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE OF THE TIE ROD SHOWED A FATIGUE FRACTURE THAT HAD PROPAGATED TO OVER 1/3RD OF THE CROSS SECTIONAL AREA. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE WERE SENT TO A WORLD RENOWNED METALLURGIST AND WAS CONFIRMED TO BE A FATIGUE FRACTURE. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING MY SAFETY CONCERNS AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE NUMBER [XXX]. GM WAS COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED IN THE FACT THAT THE ROD FAILED AND HAD A PRE-EXISTING FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE ROD. I SUGGESTED THAT THEIR ENGINEERS SHOULD EXAMINE THE PARTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER MY CONCERNS WERE VALID. AGAIN, THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WAS COMPLETELY UNINTERESTED IN EVALUATING THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE FAILURE OR ACCESSING THE PARTS FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS. HAD THE ROD END FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THIS EVENT WOULD LIKELY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND ENDED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. GM STATED THEY WOULD NOT PURSUE THE ISSUE FURTHER BECAUSE THERE WAS AN IMPACT INVOLVED IN THE FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT WAS LESS THAN 1/2 MPH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID 10463331 · filed Jun 27, 2012

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT THE PART CAME IN ONE PIECE AND THE ENTIRE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN

NHTSA ID 10682875 · filed Feb 12, 2015

POWER LOCKS QUIT WORKING HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO OPEN DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10598656 · filed Jun 16, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I STATED MY TRUCK TO WARM IT UP WHEN I GOT IN AND STARTED TO DRIVE I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I REVVED THE MOTOR A LITTLE AND I COULD HEAR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKE A NOISE AND IT STARTED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ID 10486130 · filed Nov 26, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE BEGAN ONE WEEK AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE WHEN THEY WERE ENGAGED. THE ENGINE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE AIR BAG SENSOR ALSO CAUSED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ENGINE AND AIR BAG SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIFTEEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND ONLY OFFERED HER A FREE OIL CHANGE FOR ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ID 10344701 · filed Jul 22, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH IN FALL RIVER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LARGE BANG UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, UPON LOOKING IN THE REAR MIRROR I NOTICED A LARGE STEEL ITEM SHOOT OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE SLIDING FAST BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITH SPARKS NOTICED AS IT WAS DARK, AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND AVOID THE PROPELLED STEEL LEAF SPRING. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, LEAF SPRING WAS RECOVERED FROM THE ROAD AFTER PULLING VEHICLE OVER AND NOTED IT CAME FROM RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE WHERE IT HAD SNAPPED OFF. THIS INCIDENT CREATED AN EXTREMELY POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONDITION WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO GO INTO THE VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND US. UPON BRINGING THIS VEHICLE TO KELLY'S TIRES IN MIDDLEBORO, THEY STATED AND I QUOTE "LET ME GUESS YOUR VEHICLE IS A 2009 SIERRA, THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME". THIS PROBLEM IS SERIOUS, NOT TO MENTION VERY COSTLY FOR THE CONSUMER TO REPAIR A FAULTY PART! THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT IF IT HAPPENS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, BECAUSE AT THE LOW RATE OF 45, WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT DID NOT KILL SOMEONE. NO EXCUSE GM NEEDS TO RECALL/REPLACE/REIMBURSE ITS CONSUMERS...UPDATED 06/03/14 *BF *TT UPDATED 8/22/2017

NHTSA ID 10582926 · filed Apr 15, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,844. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/02/18*JB

NHTSA ID 10807813 · filed Dec 1, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A GMC SIERRA CREW CAB PICKUP . WHEN IT RAINS, THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT FOGS UP CREATING A HAZARD AS ON COMING TRAFFIC CANNOT SEE MY TURN SIGNAL. THE LEFT LIGHT DOES NOT FOG UP. NOW, THE LAW OF PHYSICS TELLS ME THERE IS A LEAK IN THE HEADLIGHT AND NATURALLY THE MOISTURE WILL CONDENSE ON THE COOLEST PART OF THE LIGHT WHICH IS THE GLASS . I HAVE WRITTEN GMC WITH THE COMPLAINT AND THEY WILL NOT ANSWER MY COMPLAINT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY NAME IS GAINES SMITH. TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AT HAFNER MOTORS, BATESVILLE MISS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10280425 · filed Aug 14, 2009

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. IT WILL NO LONGER LOCK AND LETS THE BELT FREE IF ENGAGED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT TEXAS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ID 10427959 · filed Sep 29, 2011

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

Data on this page last refreshed .