The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2009 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 66 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 24, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 591 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 100K miles on the car (334 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 46K–110K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 37K–106K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 40K–99K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1703 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 14262 - special coverage
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Engine just shuts down. No power. Have to pull over and wait 5 minutes or so and then it will restart. No pattern. Has happened traveling on hwy.
2009 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10329367
More owner reports
At 46,487 miles had to spend $415.75 to correct engine light coming on. Now door chime comes on at random times when key is not in ignition.
NHTSA complaint 10437644
2009 Chevrolet Silverado truck had a fire in the dash board on the passenger side while the truck was parked and in the off position. The fire was on the top section of the dash over the passenger airbag area.
NHTSA complaint 10360220
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 24; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (17%), speed control (15%) and brakes (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,100 miles, from 334 complaints.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works