2009 GMC Sierra 2500 problems & reliability
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500, alongside 5 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 23% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 16% |
| Structure | 4 | 13% |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 6% |
| Engine | 2 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 6% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Unknown OR Other | 2 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 42,648 miles (middle 50% between 21,420 and 78,750 miles), based on 26 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Local dealer is not repairing my recall. I keep getting told parts are not available and this has gone on for years.”
Air Bags · filed Aug 5, 2025
“Service airbag warning light came on, and is still on. Vehicle had been running then parked for about 2 hrs. When started the light came on with the bulb check suite then stayed on when all the other lights went out”
Air Bags · filed Sep 10, 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc sierra 2500. The contact stated that after driving for 45 minutes, the vehicle was parked for two hours and the service air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called ballas buick gmc (5715 central ave, toledo, oh 43615, (567) 202-1198) and provided a fee for the diagnostic…”
Air Bags · filed Sep 10, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
Technical service bulletins
1,175 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures being set to the "Tire…
PIT4506J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 16, 2026
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition…
PIT5161L · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 31, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures being set to the "Tire…
PIT4506H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 21, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2009 GMC Sierra 2500 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 GMC Sierra 2500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 42,648 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.