2009 GMC Savana Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 6, 2023 · 2 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Savana years
Not enough data 20th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 GMC Savana. That ranks 20th out of 31 Savana model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 50%), typically at around 72,000 miles. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

GMC Savana
A 2012 GMC Savana 3500 Extended photographed in Queens, New York , USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2009 GMC Savana problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System1 · ~72,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~2,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System150%72,000——
Fuel/propulsion System150%2,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 1 complaints
2014: 1201412019: 120191

n = 2 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2009 GMC Savana recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:wiringApr 6, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V247000 · 150,830 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

EquipmentApr 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V267000 · 6,154 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

Air bags:frontalMar 17, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V117000 · 303,013 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans manufactured January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2014 with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and less and equipped with front passenger air bags. In the affected vehicles, during a frontal impact below the air bag deployment threshold, if an unbelted front passenger's head hits the instrument panel above where the passenger air bag is located, the panel may not sufficiently absorb the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Risk: In the event of a crash below the air bag deployment threshold, an unbelted front passenger seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the passenger instrument panel free of charge. Notices to the owners of the heavy duty vans were mailed on April 28, 2014. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14082.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityApr 17, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V169000 · 34 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling certain conversion vans built on model year 2008-2010 chevrolet express, 2009 gmc savana, and 2010 ford transit connect chassis, and fitted with certain braun wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the wheelchair liftâ’s outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairâ’s occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Fix: Main mobility is working with braun to notify owners, and braun dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. Main mobility has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityMay 13, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V205000 · 133 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 conversion vans built on chevrolet express and gmc savana chassis from october 2007 through may 2010 and fitted with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts. Due to a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function, should the "up" button be released before the floor level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue its upward travel and may overrun the floor level cut off point.

Risk: When the platform overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle from 15-20 degrees, it is possible for a person in a wheelchair to tip over and for someone standing on the platform to fall, possibly resulting in injuries.

Fix: Main mobility will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers free of charge. A software solution for this safety defect is under investigation. Until the software solution is available, ricon will provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper wheelchair lift operation and will ship owners a dvd-based training aid to promote proper lift operation at no cost. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac systemMar 12, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V096000 · 9,137 vehicles

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 chevrolet express and gmc savana vehicles for failing to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield wiping and washing systems." these vehicles were built with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (hvac) control knobs that may fracture and spin on the control shaft. The driver may no longer be able to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle.

Risk: If this condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver's visibility, and could possibly result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace all hvac control knobs free of charge. The safety recall began on march 11, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityJul 6, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V270000 · 185 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityJul 6, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V272000 · 185 vehicles

Problem: Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

There is a strong fuel smell in the passenger cabin. I have taken it back to the dealer, and the fuel lines have been replaced, but the fuel smell continues. It happens on start, when stopping after driving, when idling. It has happened since i have owned the vehicle for 3 years. It makes the…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Dec 8, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11287738

Key comes out of ignition while running and is hard to turn on after turning it off. Have to wiggle the key. *tr

Electrical System · received Apr 1, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10576525

Other GMC Savana years

← 2008 Savana · 2010 Savana →

See all GMC Savana problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 GMC Savana?

Owners most often report electrical system, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2009 GMC Savana?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2009 GMC Savana a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Savana model years, the 2009 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.