2009 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 most often report dashboard cracks near the passenger air bag cover, and worry that the cracks could affect air bag deployment. Takata air bag inflator recall repairs that stayed unavailable for years, sudden power loss or no-start events, and failing power door locks also come up in the complaints. Some dash cracks are described as appearing without any accident, and mileage in the reports spans a wide range.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracking near the passenger air bag

   • 23 complaints (42%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners describe the dashboard cracking near the passenger air bag cover, sometimes with pieces breaking or falling out. They worry that cracked or sharp dash pieces could interfere with air bag deployment or become flying debris in a crash. Some describe cracks appearing without any accident, and an owner was initially told the crack was cosmetic. A complaint says the manufacturer reportedly stated that related models had no dashboard issue. Where mileage is given, reports range from 50,000 to 145,000 miles, and some describe cracks appearing without any accident.

   What to check: Inspect the dashboard around the passenger air bag cover for cracks, splits, or loose pieces, and ask whether any repair was done. Check that the passenger air bag status light behaves normally at start-up, since some complaints mention air bag messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The dash broke between airbag and forward edge of dash. I am concerned about the safety of passengers if the airbag is deployed and that sharp dash corner hits a person or the airbag. The dash to the left of the break is sinking down to where the clip holding on the airbag cover is visible. The dash vibrates excessively now while the car is moving. I expect more cracks due to this vibration.”

   NHTSA complaint #10631484, filed 2014-09, 80,000 miles

   “A crack suddenly appeared on my dashboard at the top left corner of the airbag the driving on the freeway. Since that time I have been getting random service airbag messages on my dash display and the passenger airbag will not frequently not go on when I have a front seat passenger.”

   NHTSA complaint #10887860, filed 2016-07, 81,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Takata air bag recall remedy still unavailable

   • 14 complaints (25%)
   • median 73,100 mi at 9.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2019

   Owners describe Takata air bag inflator recalls that stayed open for years because the replacement part was not available. Some say they were told parts were on order or would arrive, and the dealer later said the remedy was still not available. A report says the dealer recommended that no one sit in the front passenger seat until the repair was done. Another complaint says the manufacturer described the air bags as safe for driving while the recall was open. Where mileage is given, reports range from 49,878 to 160,100 miles, and an owner in a hot, humid climate raises concern about inflator degradation.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether Takata recall 16V381000 or the related inflator recall has been completed on this vehicle, since complaints describe the remedy as open for years. Ask for a parts date in writing and whether any loaner or interim arrangement is offered while the recall stays open.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: I have been in contact with GM about the recall since 10/20/16 and nothing has been done about replacing the inflators until now. Gm keeps telling me they are trying to select a vendor to do the work but have not yet and that they consider the airbags safe for driving. When is this going to be resolved?”

   NHTSA complaint #11101464, filed 2018-06, 49,878 miles

   “Takata recall - I object to GM filing a petition for inconsequentiality. Gm's own website states the propellant in some types of takata airbag inflators can degrade over time, especially after long term exposure in hot and humid regions. If the propellant degrades to a certain level, the inflators may rupture during deployment, causing serious or fatal injuries. As the vehicle has been located in southeast florida since I purchased it new, it has been subject to both heat and humidity nearly continually since original purchase. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11152645, filed 2018-11, 160,100 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden power loss, stalling, or no-start

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 103,089 mi at 6.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe the engine losing power or stalling, including while turning and at highway speed. Another describes the electrical system resetting on highway trips, with door locks cycling and the engine losing power until the vehicle was powered down and restarted. Other complaints describe limp mode with a traction control message in cold weather, and a report says the engine seized after a stability system message, leaving the car stopped in traffic. Some describe no-start conditions after long cranking or a cold start, and reconnecting the battery was described as the way to start the vehicle. Where mileage is given, reports range from 16,000 to 260,000 miles, and some describe cold weather or cold starts.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, watch for hesitation or power loss at highway speed and for stability, traction, or engine warning messages. Ask the dealer to scan for stored codes, including throttle position codes, and whether any open GM recall covering the fuel system or engine has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway with no ice or adverse weather conditions. While driving my 2009 Chevrolet suburban, the computer flashed the stabilitrak is disabled and the engine is powering down. I was driving 75 miles per hour in rush hour traffic and all the cars around me had to slam on their brakes and go up on to the median to avoid me. My engine seized up and the car was motionless. This is highly dangerous and I could have been killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10369008, filed 2010-12, 29,268 miles

   “I recently experienced the conditions described by the GM recall 14515 in my 2009 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500. In the past 6 weeks, the car has failed to start. The first incident required nearly 10 minutes of starting the car before it would start. Once started the car was fine. It was a cold start - first thing in the morning. About a month later it failed to start gain, after being parked for approximately 2 hours. Again, after about 10 minutes, the truck started and drove fine afterwards. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11202992, filed 2019-04, 260,000 miles
4. 4
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Power door locks and latches failing to operate

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 61,600 mi at 3.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2018

   Owners describe power door locks that stop responding to the switch or remote, sometimes on individual doors. Some doors would only open by pulling the latch manually, and a rear door would not unlock from inside or by remote, making it difficult to exit quickly. Dealers reportedly replaced the lock actuator in some cases, but owners say the problem repeats. Owners also describe the issue as common and say no recall has been issued. Where mileage is given, reports range from 21,000 to 67,000 miles.

   What to check: Test every power lock and the manual unlock from inside and by remote, including each rear door. Ask whether the door lock actuators have been replaced and check the service record for repeated lock or latch repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The door lock on the driver side second row would not unlock when the car was parked either by the inside unlock mechanism or the remote control door unlock button. Had to manually unlock in from the inside which was difficult because of having a carseat back there. Should there have been an issue where I needed to get my child out in a hurry, there could have been a major issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10524759, filed 2013-07, 67,000 miles

   “Door lock/unlock actuators are failing to operate, which poses safety concern for children in these vehicles. I've had two fail. This is a common and wide-spread issue with many 2007-2013 GM trucks and suvs. Just for my particular vehicle (2009 suburban) I counted 13 other complaints (with NHTSA id #s) on this website for this issue. Apparently the electric motor in the actuator module for each door lock is poor quality and prone to failure. Given the safety risk and number of vehicles involved, I'm surprised that a recall has not been issued.”

   NHTSA complaint #10995503, filed 2017-06, 66,200 miles

Buying note. Inspect the dashboard around the passenger air bag cover and ask whether a Takata air bag recall remedy has been completed for the vehicle, since complaints describe long waits for parts. Test drive for power loss and power door lock operation before buying, and ask for any repair records on the locks and engine.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 43 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.