The Lemon Index

All cars · GMC Sierra · 2009

2009 GMC Sierra. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index36100 = average car
Complaints35NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold111,842U.S. model year
Per 100K sold31complaints
Year rank#6 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 14

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
4.3L 6-cylAuto 4-spdRWD15 / 20 / 17Regular$3,650
4.3L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
4.8L 8-cylAuto 4-spdRWD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
4.8L 8-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spdRWD14 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD14 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
5.3L 8-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4Wheel or AWD14 / 20 / 16Regular$3,900
6.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
6.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4Wheel or AWD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
6.0L 8-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)RWD21 / 22 / 21Regular$2,950
6.0L 8-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)4Wheel or AWD20 / 20 / 20Regular$3,100
6.2L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD13 / 19 / 15Regular$4,150
6.2L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4Wheel or AWD12 / 19 / 14Regular$4,450

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 91,400 miles. Median 62,000, from 185 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags82,20049,900–120,50042
Electrical54,40038,900–73,90030
Body structure51,00027,000–82,50025
Engine74,30047,500–103,00015
Speed control42,0008,800–70,70014

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control20%
Electrical14%
Engine14%
Body structure11%
Airbags11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
31484503

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 21V052000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain

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

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-

  • 21V050000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-200

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

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-2

  • 21V053000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT,

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

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-45

  • 18V267000 Apr 2018 Equipment

    Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could ca

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

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

  • 10V240000 Jun 2010 Electrical System

    Defect. 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 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN N

    Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

    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 DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SA

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 1657

GMC filed 1657 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…
  • This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20064973210,736Transmission & drivetrain
20073768208,243Electrical
20083660168,544Doors, locks & latches
20093635111,842Speed control
20101521129,794Engine
20113052149,170Transmission & drivetrain
20122441157,185Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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