2009 GMC Sierra 1500 airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

25 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, 51% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 110,250 mi.

Airbags complaints
25
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
3
Median mileage
110,250 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags25

Airbags complaints across GMC Sierra 1500 years

32005314520082511201021192012191120143282016362018662020632022222024
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2009 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k330k–60k60k–100k3100k–150k1150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 21V050000Feb 5, 20212,641,272 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, 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." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    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 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

  • Recall 21V053000Feb 5, 2021692,526 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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, 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 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 2009 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 Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

    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 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

  • Recall 21V052000Feb 5, 2021557,023 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    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 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    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 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.

What owners say

  1. Filed Nov 4, 2025SCAirbags
    Early October my passenger side airbag deployed and I was sitting in the drivers seat and had just put the key into the key hole but did not turn the key to start the vehicle. 3 weeks later I was going into the passenger side of the vehicle and the key was in my pocket and the drivers side airbag deployed. Both times the vehicle was not started and the airbags deployed I called GMC and they had the vehicle towed to a dealer to investigate why the airbags deployed. They said…
    NHTSA complaint #11697435 · source
  2. Filed Dec 23, 2024MSAirbags
    General Published an article about the Takata Airbag recall stating that the dashboard would be inspected prior to doing the recall work and if already cracked or damaged the dashboard would not be replaced. My dash board is like new with no damage or cracks. The dealer told me (contrary to this article) that if their service men damaged my dashboard while doing the recall replacement I would be responsible for any replacement even if my dashboard is in perfect condition…
    NHTSA complaint #11632137 · source
  3. Filed Apr 25, 2023LACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    The contact's father owns a 2009 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while his father was making a left turn at 20 MPH, another vehicle from the opposite direction ran the red light and struck the contact's father's driver's side front end. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's father suffered rib, pelvis, and spine fractures and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11518943 · source
  4. Filed Oct 18, 2021TXAirbags
    Received a air bag recall notice . I scheduled a appointment with Hall Buick GMC in Tyler Texas 10-18-21 at 11:00 am . We showed up to service Dept. The young guy checking us in told us that 92% of the time they will crack the dash when getting it removed to do the the air bag recall work and the dealer is not responsible for any damage. I told him to get his manger so he did. We talked to service manger John Mackey he told use the same thing that the dealer is not…
    NHTSA complaint #11437197 · source
  5. Filed Jul 13, 2021131,667 miTNAirbags
    The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the service air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 131,667
    NHTSA complaint #11424663 · source
  6. Filed Jul 6, 2021COAirbags
    There was no incident, yet. However, this recall was issued on February 5, 2021, today is July 6, 2021. My safety and the safety of passengers are at risk because there is no resolution from the manufacturer thus far, over five months. This recall also negatively affects the resell/trade-in value of my vehicle. Because of the active recall, dealers will not trade for my vehicle for a reasonable value. So, due to the manufacturer being unable to fix the problem in a timely…
    NHTSA complaint #11423600 · source
  7. Filed Apr 13, 2021150,000 miLAAirbagsOther / Unknown
    Hello, i was just at mossy gmc in new orleans,la., where i went to see about getting my recalled airbag ordered and replaced. The service rep told me that when they change out the airbag, most of the time the dashboard cracks even more, where they willbe working, but they will not replace the broken dashboard. I feel that this is totally rediculous! If i didn't have that damage before going into a service center, and now i have damage caused by the service center, i should…
    NHTSA complaint #11407870 · source
  8. Filed Apr 8, 2021COAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 gmc sierra 1500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v053000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called alpine buick gmc, littleton/denver (3106 w county line rd, littleton, co 80129, [phone removed]) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11407126 · source
  9. Filed Apr 7, 2021TXAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 gmc sierra 1500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v050000 (air bags). The contact stated that heritage buick gmc located at 930 east i-30 frontage rd, rockwall, tx 75087, [phone removed], informed him that any damages while facilitating the recall repair would result in out of pocket expenses to the vehicle owner. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was available for the repair. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11406913 · source
  10. Filed Mar 31, 2021TXAirbags
    Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 gmc sierra 1500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v050000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact was frustrated that there had not yet been a remedy for the recall. The contact called bert ogden buick gmc (4216 south expressway 281, edinburg, tx 78542, [phone removed]) and was informed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11405785 · source
  11. Filed Mar 16, 202148,000 miMDAirbagsOther / Unknown
    Takata passenger airbag gm recall n212328780. Gm safety recall letter dated 02/2021 indicating part is not currently available and i will be notified once parts are available. I request, with concern, an investigation be performed on the airbag propellant components for signs of expansion problem which may have caused a crack/split in vehicle dash surface. This complete crack/split is located near upper left corner of recalled passenger airbag/cover. Dash appears to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11403317 · source
  12. Filed Mar 2, 2021FLAirbags
    I keep receiving the letters about my recall but the air bag is never in stock, i also have a chevy tahoe 2011 with same issue
    NHTSA complaint #11398646 · source

Other 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 problem areas

  • Electrical System (6)
  • Other / Unknown (6)
  • Body & Structure (5)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (4)
  • Suspension (2)
  • Engine (2)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Lighting (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)
  • Brakes (1)
  • Steering (1)

Back to all 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology