2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-267 the manufacturer reports only 14% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 12, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags31
Engine10
Seat belts10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Engine and engine cooling10
Electrical system11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

28%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-050 · Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles · 734,119 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

38%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-052 · Feb 5, 2021 · 557,023 vehicles · 212,499 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

43%repaired · 2023 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 21V-053 · Feb 5, 2021 · 692,526 vehicles · 298,205 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

14%repaired · 2019 Q3

Equipment

Recall 18V-267 · Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles · 844 repaired

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
33%repaired · 2015 Q4

Electrical system

Recall 14V-407 · Jul 2, 2014 · 9,371 vehicles · 3,088 repaired

Risk. If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other Silverado 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Silverado 3500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 safety ratings

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Silverado 3500 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the remedy may cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he had to…
Complaint 11424343 · Jul 12, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE BEING NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL…
Complaint 10893412 · Aug 5, 2016
RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 10/9/12 NEAR FAIRVIEW, PAA RAILROAD…
Complaint 10483791 · Nov 9, 2012

Own a 2009 Silverado 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.