14648A - Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles have a performance issue with their OnStar modules that could impact the vehicle?s battery life. If the vehicle?s OnStar module contains this condition, the OnStar green telltale light will be illuminated even when the vehicle is off. This condition can drain the vehicle?s battery if the vehicle is not started for approximately four days. The condition may also render the OnStar system inoperative, which would disable all OnStar services, including automatic crash response and emergency roadside services. This condition can occur even if the vehicle is not actively subscribed to OnStar. Dealers are to remove the fuse for the OnStar module to r
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 GMC Sierra electrical problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 28 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 28 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 electrical 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 the technician with the additional steps that are needed to help perform a successful brake bleed on the 2-Mode Hybrid with Regular Production Option Code HP2. With a battery maintainer installed on the vehicle use brake pressure bleeder that maintains 30 psi for the entire bleed procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: ON SOME VEHICLES AND/OR TRUCKS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND/OR SES LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2007-13 CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON, CTS-V, ESCALADE, AVALANCHE, CAMARO SS, COLORADO, CORVETTE, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2009 GMC Sierra describe electrical failures that range from annoying to life-threatening. Battery cable degradation causes cruise control to disengage without warning, door locks to cycle erratically, and dashboard lights to flicker while driving—all documented at 32,000–40,000 miles. More serious: the chassis electronic control module can fail from internal contamination, shutting down the engine, power steering, and power brakes while the truck is in motion. GM issued a safety bulletin for this but did not notify all owners, and dealerships have denied coverage.
The instrument cluster fails repeatedly, going completely dark while driving so owners cannot see speedometer or fuel gauge. Dashboard lights flicker and gauges become unreadable. These failures were reported starting in 2011; owners note GM acknowledged the defect only after a class-action lawsuit was filed.
Door lock actuators fail repeatedly on the same vehicles. Owners have replaced multiple units and report GM mechanics acknowledge replacing thousands of these parts but refuse to recall them. Stabiltrack and traction control systems cut off unexpectedly, and the transmission control module shorts out, locking the transmission in one gear and disabling shifting. Ignition switches stay in the 'on' position after key removal. Fuse boxes have melted internally with burning odor. Several owners note these problems appear on internet forums, suggesting the issues are widespread and known to the automotive community.
Same GMC Sierra electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Battery/Power Cable Degradation
Positive and negative battery cables deteriorate, causing intermittent power loss, cruise control disengagement, door lock cycling, and dashboard light flickering while driving.
When: 32,000–40,000 miles; mid-April on a 1-year-old truck
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disengages while driving at highway speeds; Door locks cycle on and off; Dashboard lights flicker on and off; Speed drops when any electrical event occurs
Repairs/costs cited: $1,069.71 for diagnosis and replacement of all positive and negative battery cables
Chassis Electronic Control Module (ECM) Contamination and Failure
ECM internal contamination causes complete loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes while driving. Service bulletin 14515B replaced 14515A; GM issued a safety recall for this issue but did not contact affected owners or honor the recall on all vehicles.
When: Reported failures not specified; GM was aware of contamination as of January 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; No power steering; No power brakes; Complete loss of electrical power; Engine will not restart
Codes mentioned: Service bulletin 14515B, Service bulletin 14515A
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to honor recall; vehicle required towing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Safety recall issued (bulletin 14515B replaces 14515A) for chassis electronic control module internal contamination; dealership denying coverage despite known issue
Fuse Box Melting and Burning
Fuse box overheats, melts, and charred internally, causing burning odor, smoke, and complete failure to start. Circuit harness also damaged.
When: 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal smoke and burning odor when attempting to start; Vehicle fails to start; Check engine light illuminated; Fuse box melted and covered in black char
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse box and circuit harness required repair; vehicle not repaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign 10V240000 (electrical systems) and referred owner to NHTSA
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Door lock actuators fail intermittently or completely. Owners report multiple replacements on the same vehicle; GM mechanics acknowledge they have replaced thousands of these units but refuse to recall the defective parts.
When: Not specified; occurs repeatedly on same vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks do not operate via door buttons; Door locks fail to lock or unlock despite key fob working; Intermittent locking and unlocking; Doors fail to unlock when parked; Multiple actuators fail on same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple replacements per owner; parts cost not specified by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware of defect (dealers have replaced numerous units) but refuses to issue recall despite widespread failure
Dashboard Instrument Cluster Failure
Instrument cluster lights, gauges, and displays flicker, dim, or go completely dark while driving. Failures recur despite fuse replacement and module reprogramming. GM was aware of this issue; a recall and class-action lawsuit were filed.
When: First reported 2011; recurring every couple of months through 2014 and beyond; 53,843–96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights and gauges go out while driving; Speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge become unreadable; Instrument panel blinks on and off intermittently; Clicking noise in dash when vehicle is turned off; In cold weather, cluster does not work except backlight
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse replacement unsuccessful; ignition switch and body control module replaced but failure recurred; owners state this is a very expensive fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuit filed; recall noted in complaints; issue was not addressed until after lawsuit was filed
Stabiltrack/Traction Control and Related Module Malfunction
Stabiltrack and traction control systems cut off intermittently while driving. Warning lights illuminate, and critical systems including power steering and engine power are reduced or disabled. Multiple trips to dealership have not resolved the issue.
When: Starting at 66,000 miles; persisted through 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stabiltrack warning signal appears randomly; Door locks cycle up and down; Airbag light and ABS light illuminate; Engine power reduced to 20 mph; Gauges kill while driving; Traction control and stabiltrack turn off; Service traction control and service stabiltrack messages appear
Repairs/costs cited: Numerous dealership visits failed to correct the issue
Transmission Control Module (TCM) Electrical Failure
TCM shorts out or becomes grounded, causing erratic transmission shifting, gauge fluctuation, and multiple warning lights. Owners report the issue occurs repeatedly without warning and dealers cite backorder delays for replacements, requiring rebuilds.
When: Summer 2020 onward; multiple episodes through 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Power door locks cycle open and closed; Intermittent chime operation; Transmission locks into single gear or shifts harshly; Gauges fluctuate; Traction control and stabiltrack turn off; Service traction control and service stabiltrack messages appear; Transmission position indicator disappears; Speedometer and tachometer fluctuate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report parts backordered; requiring TCM rebuild at significant expense
Ignition Switch Failure
Ignition switch remains in the 'on' position after the key is removed, keeping the engine running. Engine will not turn off and vehicle may surge or accelerate sporadically.
When: 21,000–24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine remains on after key is removed from ignition; Vehicle surges forward when braking to a stop; Sporadic acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate the failure
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power
Engine stalls or loses power intermittently while driving at various speeds. Root causes identified include wiring harness rubbing against driveshaft causing loose connections, and ECM communication loss with fuel pump module.
When: 47,540–103,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning while driving; Engine power lost while driving at various speeds; Engine power reduced message appears; Transmission does not shift or shifts harshly; All warning indicators flash after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness repositioned and damaged wires replaced; fuel pump module, throttle body, and fuel pump sending unit replaced; module reprogrammed
Miscellaneous Wiring and Labeling Errors
Factory wiring harness incorrectly marked; trailer power feed wire labeled incorrectly at fuse panel, causing confusion during installation and loss of trailer power.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: No power at trailer connection despite wire connected to fuse panel marked 'trailer power feed'
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer disconnected incorrectly marked wire and connected correct wire to restore trailer power
Electrical System Intermittency—Audio and Power Accessories
Audio system speakers cut in and out; power door lock buttons do not work despite key fob functionality; cruise control engages and disengages sporadically. Issues persist despite fuse replacement.
When: Over 1+ year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Speakers go off and on sporadically; Power lock buttons on door do not work; Key fob still operates locks; Locks still engage when truck shifts between park and drive; Cruise control cuts out and fails to re-engage for extended periods
Repairs/costs cited: All fuses replaced; issues persisted
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Seatbelt recall. And tire pressue light contiue to come on
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2009 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 40,000 and 73,000 miles, with the median around 53,843. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 73,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.