Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2021.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 20 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
330.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
220.0%
Median failure at 62,500 miles
Engine & Cooling
220.0%
Median failure at 61,827 miles
Seat Belts
110.0%
Median failure at 233,000 miles
Brakes
110.0%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 6,100 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
228.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
228.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
150,000+ miles
114.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2010peak 1Jul 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Washington, DCCrash
AIR BAGS
RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 10/9/12 NEAR FAIRVIEW, PAA RAILROAD EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING VEHICLE ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN IT STRUCK A STANDING EQUIPMENT AT APPROX. 15 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES EXTEND APPROX. ONE FOOT OF STEEL FRAMEWORK AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES MIGHT INADVERTENTLY BE AFFECTING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRASHES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AND ON PUBLIC ROADS.
NHTSA complaint #10483791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,100 milesCambridge, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK HAD A FIRE IN THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FIRE WAS ON THE TOP SECTION OF THE DASH OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10360220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
New Port Richey, FL
AIR BAGS
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that the remedy may cause the dashboard to crack. The contact was then informed that he had to sign a waiver to ensure that the dealer would not be held responsible for any damages to vehicle. The manufacturer was then notified of the issue and confirmed that the dealer would not be held responsible for any cracks or damages to the dashboard. The contact declined to sign the waiver and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the dashboard because of the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11424343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 233,000 milesHowell, MI
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT BELT SECURED THE CONTACT, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT CALLED CHAMPION CHEVROLET OF HOWELL (5000 E GRAND RIVER AVE, HOWELL, MI 48843, (866) 354-3325) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 233,000.
NHTSA complaint #11255816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBattle Ground, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN SEVERAL PLACES AND I'M AFRAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IT MAY SEND PART OF THE DASH INTO THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #11156815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,655 milesCheshire, CT
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE DUE TO A SHEARED CAMSHAFT PIN. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I NARROWLY MISSED HAVING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY MAIN STREET. I FEEL THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO WHICH A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11064689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE BEING NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10893412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesTroutdale, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR PASSENGER DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ON 2009 CHEVY SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVEING THE GRAND KIDS TO SCHOOL THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE GOING AROUND A CORNER. THE GRANDSON DID ADMIT THAT HE HAD HIS HAND ON DOOR HANDLE. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED ON THIS DOOR. WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE INFORNCE THE SEATBELT RULES OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A REAL ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED GM AND HAD THE VECHILE LOOKED AT. THE DOOR LOCK MOTOR HAS FAILED AND THE DELAER TOLD ME THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE CHANGED 100'S OF THEM. I CONTACTED GM AND OPENED A CASE BUT GM SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER LOCK HAS FAILED AND AGAIN GM WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. I SEE THAT THERE ARE 1000'S OF POSTS ON THE WEB ABOUT FAILED DOOR LOCKS ON THIS YEAR VECHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10625735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DCCrash
AIR BAGS
RAILROAD HYRAIL VEHICLE EQUIPPED, AFTER MARKET, WITH HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WHICH ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE ON RAILROAD TRACKS. ONCE HYRAIL (FLANGED) WHEELS ARE RETRACTED, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED OVER THE HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC ROADS LIKE ANY OTHER VEHICLE. ON 10/9/12 NEAR FAIRVIEW, PAA RAILROAD EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING VEHICLE ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN IT STRUCK A STANDING EQUIPMENT AT APPROX. 15 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONCERN IS THAT THE INSTALLATION OF HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES MIGHT BE IMPACTING THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THE HYRAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLIES EXTEND APPROX. ONE FOOT OF STEEL FRAMEWORK AHEAD OF THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THE PLACEMENT OF THESE ASSEMBLIES MIGHT INADVERTENTLY BE AFFECTING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CRASHES ON THE RAILROAD TRACK AND ON PUBLIC ROADS.
NHTSA complaint #10483791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesBernard, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SPONGY WHEN HE DEPRESSED THEM AND THEY EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE BEFORE HE COULD STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND HE HAD TO USE MORE PRESSURE WHEN DEPRESSING THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600.
NHTSA complaint #10401392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,100 milesCambridge, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCK HAD A FIRE IN THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE FIRE WAS ON THE TOP SECTION OF THE DASH OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10360220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesHumble, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND PULLING A 40 FOOT TRAILER LOAD, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10343661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.