VehicleVerdict

2008 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2008 GMC Sierra sits mid-pack among Sierra years: 84 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 67, with 2 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 30 reports (36% of the total).

84

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Sierra years?

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3036%
Electrical System1720%
Body & Structure1214%
Latches & Locks1113%
Other34%
Steering22%
Fuel System22%
Brakes22%
Transmission22%
Engine11%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2008 GMC Sierra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CONTRIBUTING TO THE INJURY OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 9, 2012 · crash

WHILE DRIVING PULLING A BOAT TRAILER TRUCK LOST ALL POWER DOORS STARTED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING CONTINUALLY,ALL GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS COME ON TRUCK LOST POWER AND CUTS OFF LOOSING BREAKING AND STEERING, RADIO RESETS , SPEAKERS NOT WORKING. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING COMES UP SERVICE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 6, 2012

MY 2008 GMC DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THIS CRACK(S) ARE A CHRONIC DEFECT IN THE 07/08 GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS AND SUV'S. NO REASON FOR THESE CRACKS, NO IMPACT, ETC... THERE IS A COMMON CONCERN THE OWNERS SHARE THAT THIS DEFECT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 10, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FRO INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · February 18, 2014

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING, PART OF THIS IS AROUND THE AIRBAG AND I THINK IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE ALREADY DEFECTIVE AIR DEPLOYS IT COULD SEND SHARDS OF BROKEN DASHBOARD INTO MY OR A PASSENGERS FACE, THIS IS COMMON IN 2007-PRESENT TRUCKS MADE BY GM, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT DO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 23, 2016

2008 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2008 GMC Sierra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra: 84 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (30 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints), body & structure (12 complaints).

Does the 2008 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 GMC Sierra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.