2009 GMC Sierra 3500: common problems

Owners of the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 5

What fails most often

1 Powertrain 40% of all complaints
2 Air bags 20% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
4 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
5 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
6 Tires 20% of all complaints
7 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Powertrain: 2 complaints (40% of all).
Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (20% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

loss of power / limp mode1 · 20%
transmission slipping1 · 20%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Powertrain	2	0	0
Air bags	1	0	0
Electrical system	1	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	1	0	0
Tires	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

I keep going back to get the recall done and they keep telling me they don't have parts .This has gone on for years
Air bags · 2026-06-26 · NHTSA complaint #11746826
Feb 7, 2011, with just 11,200 miles replaced two glow plugs. Sept 6, 2013, in millersburg, ohio, with 26,632 another glow plug was replaced and was advised we should have the turbo checked when we returned home in california. March 20, 2014, with 31,986 miles, turbo was replaced.
Engine and cooling · 2014-04-01 · NHTSA complaint #10576425
I drove my wife to the pharmacy and after pulling out of the parking lot onto palmdale road in victorville the truck went into to limp mode. The transmission locked up into park at 25mph almost causing a rear collision behind us.
Powertrain · 2012-09-09 · NHTSA complaint #10474392
Tl contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 3500. The contact stated that while getting a service inspection at the dealer, they found that there was a transmission line leak. The dealer advised him that the line needed to be replaced and that it was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was repaired.
Powertrain · 2011-02-09 · NHTSA complaint #10381306
I have replaced lights rt and lt 4times at the dealer . My warranty 36000mils expired and the lights are burnout ,I can also smell burn solder inside truck cab. Also my tires are no good after 10000 miles tires wore out general tires aw . Tires should have lasted more specially coming from the dealership. Please help.
Exterior lighting · 2010-08-12 · NHTSA complaint #10349015

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20101
20111
20121
20141
20261

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 14,283 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sierra 3500 has 19 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.

What to check before buying

Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (20%), transmission slipping (20%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2009 GMC Sierra 3500 from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2009 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.