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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 GMC Sierra 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
40%of 5 total for the year
Median mileage
67,942miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500, 40% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,942 miles.

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.

“I drove my wife to the pharmacy and after pulling out of the parking lot onto palmdale road in victorville the truck went into to limp mode. The transmission locked up into park at 25mph almost causing a rear collision behind us. The Gmc sierra 3500hd 2009 came to a screeching stop causing a bit of whiplash to my wife and daughter on board. The TCM transmission control module along with the allison transmission failed causing this close accident. The vehicle is inoperable at this time. This is a dangerous defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10474392, filed 2012-09, 73,883 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Gmc SIERRA 3500. The contact stated that while getting a service inspection at the dealer, they found that there was a transmission line leak. The dealer advised him that the line needed to be replaced and that it was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted and advised him to contact NHTSA and file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10381306, filed 2011-02, 62,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026240%
202516%
20241325%
20231450%
2022619%
2021735%
20201937%
201918%
201817%
2017323%
2016211%
201513%
2014114%
2013214%
2012333%
2011210%
2009240%
200814%
2007213%
2006327%
200414%
2003114%
2000312%
1997220%

Other parts of the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500

Air bags
1 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 GMC Sierra 3500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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