Model year guide

2009 GMC Sierra 1500

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 172 on record.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints280
Typical price$16,920

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V052000 · 05/02/2021

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, N…

Fix: 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 notific…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V050000 · 05/02/2021

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 …

Fix: 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 notific…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V053000 · 05/02/2021

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, G…

Fix: 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 notifi…

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #18V267000 · 26/04/2018

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 e…

Fix: 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. G…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

What's a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 worth?

Low
$12,000
Typical price
$16,920
High
$22,250

From 168 comparable 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 listings.

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 trims & engines on record

Trims
SLE · Work Truck · SLT · SL · Denali
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 4.8L 8-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl · 6.2L 8-cyl

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles on record

Other GMC Sierra 1500 model years

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500?

Based on 280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, engine.

What is the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

How much is a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 worth?

Comparable 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 listings run roughly $12,000–$22,250, typically around $16,920 (from 168 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.