Most common 2009 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2009 GMC Sierra recalls (1)
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
What 2009 GMC Sierra owners say
Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, he crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not know whether a warning light illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries and drove the vehicle to his residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist with the air bags failure unless he had a recall notification. The contact also stated while driving at 40 MPH, his vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injuries and drove to his residence. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of his vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. …
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.
Electrical system
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
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.
Body & structure
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
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
2009 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 21 / 22 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 20 / 20 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Sierra rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra at the same age. It is one of the best Sierra years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 GMC Sierra?
The air bags — 11 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the electrical system (9) and body & structure (8).
How many recalls does the 2009 GMC Sierra have?
There is 1 recall for the 2009 GMC Sierra, the most recent from June 4, 2010 (electrical system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 53% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.