This informational bulletin provides information on removing paint stains on the under side of protective shipping film
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 GMC Sierra body problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 22 body complaints filed for the 2009 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have Diagnostic Trouble Code B2555 may be found in a Driver and/or Passenger Door Module. Technician should ignore the Diagnostic Trouble Code if set in a DDM and/or PDM on a vehicles not equipped with front door panel courtesy lights.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have tailgate may not lower slowly like the New 2014 Silverado 1500 / Sierra 1500 models. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: THE WINDOWS, FRONT AND REAR, WOULD BIND, POOR FIT, MISALIGNMENT, MAKES RATTLE OR SQUEAKING NOISES, MOVES SLOWLY AND IS INOPERATIVE. MODEL 2008-2014 VEHICLES AND TRUCKS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that are unable to override the automatic door locking feature. Technician will update the Body Control Module on 2006 to 2007 model years. On 2010 to 2014 model years technician will need to contact Techline Customer Support for calibrations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Dashboard cracking dominates these complaints—the pattern is consistent and alarming. Cracks appear spontaneously on vehicles that have never been in accidents, often first noticed while the truck is parked. They concentrate around the passenger airbag area, instrument panel, and across the dash top, then spread and worsen over time. Multiple owners express fear that broken plastic could turn into projectiles if an airbag deploys. GM has not issued a recall or meaningful warranty coverage once the vehicle is out of original ownership.
Beyond the dash, owners cite brittle plastic everywhere: knee bolster rivets break, door handles fracture at low mileage, and interior chrome plating separates sharply enough to cut hands. The spare tire carrier assembly cracked at 34,000 miles with a loud failure, and another owner's spare tire detached while driving—both serious safety events.
Frame rust stands out as exceptionally aggressive for a truck that started rusting heavily within the first year of ownership, forcing owners to replace fuel lines and brake lines. One owner calls it too dangerous to drive with their family.
The accelerator pedal guard catching on footwear and delaying brake application is flagged as a hidden hazard with collision potential. Across the board, GM's response has been denial or silence—no recalls, no TSBs, no help for secondary owners.
Same GMC Sierra body reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking
The dashboard develops cracks that appear spontaneously, often without any collision or accident. Cracks commonly form above the instrument panel, around the passenger airbag area, and across the top of the dash. Owners report the cracks progressively worsen over time. No accident or collision history is reported in these cases. Owners express concern that plastic fragments could become projectiles during airbag deployment or collision, potentially causing injury.
When: As early as 36,015 miles; some report discovery while vehicle is parked or stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks in dashboard spreading over time; Multiple cracks at different locations (instrument panel, airbag area, dash top); Cracking occurs without collision history; Visible damage to defrost grille in at least one case; Dashboard rattles due to cracks
Repairs/costs cited: Full dashboard replacement required; cost and parts availability not specified in narratives. One dealer quoted replacement but customer did not proceed. Warranty does not cover damage once vehicle is out of original ownership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GMC refuses assistance outside of warranty and for non-original owners. No recalls or TSBs mentioned. Manufacturer notified of failures by some owners but no resolution offered.
Knee bolster plastic molded rivets breaking
Plastic molded rivets that secure the knee bolster (which holds a metal safety shield intended to guard against steering column injury in a crash) are breaking. Once rivets fail, the shield begins to rattle. Owners report the shield will eventually fall away entirely. The plastic is noted as brittle and unsuitable for this safety-critical application.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic molded rivets fracture; Metal shield behind knee bolster begins to rattle; Shield becomes loose and at risk of detachment
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed by owners. One owner notes installing bolts through the knee bolster as a workaround but considers this unacceptable for a safety item.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall mentioned.
Door handle fracture
The front driver side door handle fractured, rendering the door unable to be opened from inside the vehicle. The handle came in one piece from the factory and required complete replacement as a single assembly.
When: At 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle fractured; Door could not be opened from inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Entire door handle assembly replacement required. Repair was not completed per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified. No recall or TSB mentioned.
Chrome plating separation from interior door handles
Chrome plating separates from interior door handles on multiple doors. The separated edges are sharp enough to cause minor cuts to occupants' hands.
When: At approximately 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Chrome plating separating from all interior door handles; Sharp edges created by separated plating; Minor lacerations sustained by occupants
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified.
Spare tire carrier assembly fracture
The spare tire carrier assembly fractured, producing a loud banging sound audible from inside the vehicle while parked. The failure involved a steel spring that independently fractured as part of the carrier assembly.
When: At 34,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging sound under vehicle while parked; Steel spring in spare tire carrier fractured
Repairs/costs cited: Spare tire carrier assembly replacement performed by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Spare tire detachment
The spare tire detached from the vehicle while driving at approximately 5 mph. The mechanism of detachment is not detailed in the narrative.
When: At approximately 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spare tire detached while vehicle in motion
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Accelerator pedal cover interference with brake application
A vertical plastic cover on the right side of the accelerator pedal catches on the sole of the driver's shoe, delaying foot movement to the brake pedal. Owner characterizes this as a serious safety hazard that could cause injury or death due to delayed brake application.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Shoe sole catches on vertical plastic cover next to accelerator; Delay in reaching and applying brake pedal
Repairs/costs cited: No repair mentioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response mentioned.
Frame rust deterioration
The frame began rusting severely within the first year of ownership (new vehicle purchase). Rust has spread extensively, affecting not only the frame but also secondary components. Rust-induced failures have required replacement of fuel lines and brake lines. Owner characterizes the vehicle as unsafe to drive and a danger to family.
When: Within first year of ownership on a new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Severe frame rust; Fuel line corrosion requiring replacement; Brake line corrosion requiring replacement; Rust spreading to multiple vehicle systems
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports extensive out-of-pocket repairs for fuel lines, brake lines, and other rust-related failures. Owner states they can no longer afford repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No mention of warranty coverage, recall, or manufacturer assistance despite owner requesting GMC repair.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Dash is cracking everywhere. It look piss poor for $35000 truck. It's started with a small crack. I tried to bond it together. Then eventually it spread leaving large holes and cracks. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 GMC sierra. The contact stated that the chrome plating was separating from all of the interior door handles. The contact mentioned that the parts that were sticking out were very sharp. The contact sustained minor cuts on the right hand. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Had body trouble with your 2009 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2009 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 36,015 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 65,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,015; a quarter make it past 85,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.