repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 GMC Sierra 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 234 owner complaints about the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 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 February 11, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 has problems
234 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
122Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
20Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
20Structure
13Engine
12Vehicle speed control
9Power train
9Fuel/propulsion system
4Suspension
4Engine and engine cooling
2913 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 122 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 1 |
| Structure | 20 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 |
| Power train | 9 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 2 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 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.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Equipment
Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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 GMC.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
101kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 32 air bags complaints. 47% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles15under 100k miles17100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Sierra 1500 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 Sierra 1500 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 GMC Sierra 1500 safety ratings
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (18.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Sierra 1500 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
The contact's father owns a 2009 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while his father was making a left turn at 20 MPH, another vehicle from the opposite direction ran the red light and struck the contact's father's driver's side front end. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. None of the air…
Own a 2009 Sierra 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.