2009 Chevrolet Silverado problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado has 520 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado has 520 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 240 complaints, typically surfacing around 83,350 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Silverado | 774 | 10 |
| 2007 Silverado | 1,056 | 4 |
| 2008 Silverado | 1,075 | 2 |
| 2009 Silverado (this page) | 520 | 0 |
| 2010 Silverado | 422 | 1 |
| 2011 Silverado | 638 | 2 |
| 2012 Silverado | 283 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the body was repaired or replaced.
- 1 fatality report and 3 crash-related complaints on the body
- Electrical system: 49 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 48,000–105,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Silverado? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 240 owner reports · tends to show around 83,350 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- body — 50 owner reports · tends to show around 67,890 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- electrical — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 83,042 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 32 owner reports · tends to show around 70,178 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 83,350 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Chevrolet Silverado
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Chevrolet Silverado
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~26,500 mibrakes~$450
- ~39,289 micruise control~$600
- ~52,083 misteering~$700
- ~58,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~72,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~72,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~75,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~77,000 miairbags~$1,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My dash board and panels are cracked and falling apart. Dealer cannot replace air bags without doing more damage to dashboard and will not be responsible. Only 52000 miles On this Vehicle and dash board is cracked and broken. A compliant has been filed several years ago for a…
Airbag light on airbags disabled safety concern vehicle is not as potentially as safe as it was designed to be. The sdm (airbag module) has water intrusion and caused corrosion inside the sdm and caused the circuit board to burn out no fuses were blown which is a concern as well…
2000 Chevrolet silverado 1500. Consumer states his wife was involved in an accident and the airbags did not deploy *tgw
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 520 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the body was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 3 crash-related complaints on the body; Electrical system: 49 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 48,000–105,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Silverado?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 240 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 520 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 83,350 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 240 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,350 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 67,890 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 520 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.