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Exterior lightingPart report

2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 234 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, 1% of the 234 complaints for this model year.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Dashboard instrument panel all lights and gauges goes out while driving down the road when vehicle is turned off a clicking noise is made in the dash. This issue causes when driving down the road, not knowing the speed because the speedometer is out or how much gas the vehicle has, or any other readings, and at night all lights go out, not able to see while driving down the road.”

NHTSA complaint #11501692, filed 2023-01

“The dash on my truck has cracked by the passenger airbag and also by the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Online forums prove that gmt900 vehicles (tahoe, suburban, yukon, silverado, sierra) have this issue. The headlights keep blowing and have replaced them 8 times. This is a safety problem due to having to drive at night. Also both right side doors will not unlock and this is a major problem when you have a small child.”

NHTSA complaint #10863183, filed 2016-05

“Headlamps are dull and visibility is limited at nighttime due the dullness that is caused by head lamp covers oxidizing and having moisture buildup inside.”

NHTSA complaint #11321827, filed 2020-04

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202532%
2024154%
2023112%
202210%
202120%
202031%
2019112%
201831%
201793%
201641%
20159313%
201414820%
201333%
201152%
201021%
200931%
200821%
200721%
200653%
200542%
200431%
200321%
200232%
199812%
199711%

Other parts of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500

Air bags
122 complaints
Other or unknown
38 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Body and structure
20 complaints
Engine
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Engine cooling
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology