2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  39%
• 25k–50k
  516%
• 50k–75k
  516%
• 75k–100k
  26%
• 100k–150k
  1650%
• 150k+
  13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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 bags deployed upon impact. The contact's father suffered rib, pelvis, and spine fractures and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but was not yet inspected or deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,667

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. …

Received a air bag recall notice . I scheduled a appointment with Hall Buick GMC in Tyler Texas 10-18-21 at 11:00 am . We showed up to service Dept. The young guy checking us in told us that 92% of the time they will crack the dash when getting it removed to do the the air bag recall work and the dealer is not responsible for any damage. I told him to get his manger so he did. We talked to service manger John Mackey he told use the same thing that the dealer is not responsible for any damage done to the dash like cracks or breakage while doing air bag recall work. I told him as you can see this truck has been garage kept since new and not in the sun. He said I can see that . I told him per the paper work I received if not fixed it may cause serious injury or death to passengers .Who's going to pay for that. He said GM and Takata. …

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.

There was no incident, yet. However, this recall was issued on February 5, 2021, today is July 6, 2021. My safety and the safety of passengers are at risk because there is no resolution from the manufacturer thus far, over five months. This recall also negatively affects the resell/trade-in value of my vehicle. Because of the active recall, dealers will not trade for my vehicle for a reasonable value. So, due to the manufacturer being unable to fix the problem in a timely manner, I am financially impacted.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the front air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured back and neck that required medical attention. The vehicle was not destroyed and was towed to an undisclosed location. A police report was filed. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The local dealer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Takata recall I was notified in July of 2016 by GMC of a possible issue with Takata airbags. I was told there was no current solution and to wait. I waited one year (2017) and called again and was told nothing has changed. I did that again in 2018 as well and was told there were no updates. Around the time of my second call in 2018, I started getting airbag warning lights and message from the vehicle. I contacted GM corporate in regards to the issue assuming it has to do with the recall. I was told by GM corporate that in no way would they be willing or able to assist or pay for any of the cost of getting this resolved and that I would be required to everything myself. I might be able to get reimbursed if the recall finally went through, but if the recall went through after I sold the vehicle they would not reimburse me. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The contact was concerned for his safety and that the air bag warning indicator was related to the recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (hayes Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram baldwin, 3656 ga-365, alto, ga) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was approximately 146,431. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

On 2-28-09 purchased a new vehicle a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 2 wd ext. Cab truck in early December 2009. Noticed on 4 occasions the gas pedal sticking and not allowing the driver to stop on more than one occasion. Witnesses were in the truck. Took the truck to the dealership and they stated after 2 days that they could not find anything wrong with truck. "just drive the truck" on December 11 the 2009 struck a telephone pole breaking the pole and the air bags did not deploy neither did on star respond. Due to this accident I has sustained neck injury, and neither gmac or the dealership will respond to the concerns about the air bags not deploying from a front end collision over 40 miles an hour doing $5000.00 worth of damage to the truck or even looking at the gas pedal sticking. Due to this the driver does not fell safe driving this truck or putting his family in truck.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Sierra 1500 years