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GMC Sierra 2008 — Reported problems

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote. 🇺🇸 Local data

40 owners reported problems with the 2008 GMC Sierra to NHTSA, most often about air bags.

All reports

40
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2026-08-27 · NHTSA 11759983

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and towing a camper, the vehicle began to bounce while navigating curves. The traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine variable displacement lifter pins had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000. The VIN was unavailable.

SEAT BELTS 3 injured 2026-08-17 · NHTSA 11757393

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH with her husband and grandson inside the vehicle and entering the driveway at the residence, there was an abnormally loud explosion coming from inside the vehicle and the driver’s side seat belt tightened unexpectedly. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The contact sustained bruising to the chest. The contact looked at her husband and became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt had tightened and there was blood dripping on the left side of the face, and her grandson had a bruise on the inner thigh. The contact took her husband to the Emergency Room for several fractured ribs. The contact’s grandson smelled an abnormal burning odor and became aware that the front passenger’s side seat belt was smoking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a seat belt pre-tensioner failure. The contact was informed that the seat belt pre-tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 208,809.

SEAT BELTS 2026-03-23 · NHTSA 11726399

I was driving down the highway at 70 mph, when there was a loud bang followed by a gun powder smell. My seatbelts went tight...hazard lights automatically came on...radio went dead...and the Airbag light came on. The pretensioners in both driver and passenger seats had deployed. I pulled over and shut the truck off, to get out and inspect it. There was no warning, and luckily I was composed enough to not wreck into anyone or anything. I see there have been a few similar incidents, so I'm glad this isn't just a solitary incident.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 2026-03-16 · NHTSA 11724596

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, diesel fuel started leaking onto the garage floor. The contact recently purchased the vehicle, inspected the source of the leak, and discovered that the fuel lines were completely rusted. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the fuel level lowered to half a tank the following day, creating a hazard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

AIR BAGS 2025-10-07 · NHTSA 11691910

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact about the disclaimer about the dashboard possibly being damaged. The dealer informed the contact that there were no loaner vehicles, but then called back and offered a loaner. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a clai,m and referred the contact to another local dealer. The contact called the other local dealer, Ferman Chevrolet of Tarpon Springs (43520 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689), who confirmed there was a disclaimer related to the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

AIR BAGS 2025-08-27 · NHTSA 11683498

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2025-08-25 · NHTSA 11682921

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,498. It was later discovered that the mileage on the title was approximately 250,205.

AIR BAGS 2025-08-21 · NHTSA 11682073

I have contacted Blaise Alexander in muncy pa 17756 in 2020 or 2021 and they told me that the part was on back order they would contact me when the part has come in 5 years later they still have not contacted me I have reached out by phone through email and Facebook messenger to set up a time to fix my 2008 gmc sierra and haven’t heard anything well last week my service air bag soon light came on and I am very nervous about that so I will not drive the truck I would like to file a formal complaint and have this taken care of please

AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2025-06-13 · NHTSA 11666843

Driving down the road on way home from work airbags blew out. The one in the steering wheel and the one on the passenger side. It busted windshield on passenger side. Shards of stuff all over dash on passenger side. That airbag popped 2 times.

AIR BAGS Crash 2025-05-31 · NHTSA 11664061

Air bags did not deploy when another vehicle hit truck on front passenger side at 35-40 mph

SEAT BELTS 2025-01-02 · NHTSA 11633611

I was driving in a parking structure at low speed when a loud bang went off inside the cab. The hazard lights went off, there was an acrid electrical smell, and fine dust was coming from the steering wheel area. I stopped the truck and got out to look for a collision, but there was none. When I restarted the truck, the air bag light came on and I noticed that the seatbelts were retracted and no longer functional. I was not injured, but I believe that if this had happened in traffic or on the highway, I and my passenger could have been seriously hurt. The vehicle was towed to the GMC dealership, where they identified an error with the module that sends a signal to the airbags and seatbelts to deploy. Prior to this occurrence, I had no indication that the airbag/seatbelt system was faulty or in need of service.

WHEELS 2024-10-25 · NHTSA 11621886

No accident happened as the wheel was never installed due to not meeting the load weight capacity rating of the vehicle. The wheel is marked max load 1150kg (2230 per axle) and the vehicle weight loading label shows the rear axle capacity at 2706kg. The wheel is also marked as SAE J2530 compliant but does not meet J2530 section 3.5 due to the low load capacity. These wheels are widely available in the aftermarket and list most of the 2000-2010 GM 2500HD/3500 pickups as the application but do not meet load capacity on any of them. Please note that the VIN is for a typical 2008 Sierra 2500HD pickup in a scrap yard. I do not own that vehicle. It is a weight label photo from Hollander parts finder on that pickup.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2024-09-17 · NHTSA 11615058

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after the dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and GM's Emission Recall: N140581 (Carbon Monoxide Emissions), the vehicle nearly caught on fire. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact turned on the A/C, and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Additionally, the vehicle made abnormal sounds, jerked, and stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, the dealer discovered that the catalytic convertor was extremely hot and glowing red. The dealer determined that the exhaust system and catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 151,071.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2024-04-22 · NHTSA 11584445

Multiple cracks in dash

STRUCTURE 2024-03-22 · NHTSA 11578944

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the spare tire detached from underneath. After a visual inspection of the underneath of the vehicle, he observed that the spare tire hoist and frame were severely corroded, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 197,000.

AIR BAGS 2023-08-28 · NHTSA 11541202

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off at the residence, the front windshield cracked. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's and passenger's side air bags had deployed without impact. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that a short circuit was caused by water damage in the air bag modules underneath the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The vehicle was then towed to a body shop for the air bags to be replaced; however, the replacement parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

SERVICE BRAKES 2023-05-03 · NHTSA 11520296

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph when another vehicle suddenly got in front of their vehicle causing them to depress the brake pedal. The brake pedal failed to press downward. The contact had to continue to press the brakes a total of 8 times. The trailer brakes would cause the vehicle to decelerate but it would continue to accelerate and increase in speed. By the 8th attempt and with the trailer brakes activated the vehicle eventually decelerated and came to a stop. The tire pressure warning had been illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

TIRES 2023-03-09 · NHTSA 11511042

Tire sizes: 245/70r17. Three tires went bad between November 2022 and March 9th 2023. First tire, the front right, replaced because its outside tread was going bad really quickly. I could see the metal sticking out of it. Two tires need replacing because they are bulging. The back left tire bulged so bad my car was shaking up and down until I took it off. Thought everything was fine but the back right began to shake the car two days later.

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2023-02-28 · NHTSA 11509607

Where the passenger airbag is at, there is some cracking around it

STRUCTURE 2023-01-26 · NHTSA 11503763

left side frame is defective, I have welded 4 patches on frame.from the bend by wheel well and fuel tank to front wheel well all by were frame has bracket welded and bottom of inside of frame . if hit on left side can cause frame to crumble and fuel tank to explode. it needs to be looked at for recall. i have spoken to many oweners of 2007 to 2009 gm trucks. and all have same problem. my truck only has around 112 thousand on it this is 3rd year i had to repair.

SEAT BELTS 2023-01-25 · NHTSA 11503720

Cranked my truck yesterday and put it in drive. Slowly drove about 300 feet and the pretensioner’s discharged in my seatbelts. I fortunately did not have it on yet, but the seatbelts are now unusable.

SEAT BELTS 2022-12-20 · NHTSA 11498238

UNKNOWN. Front side passenger safety belt won't buckle, the latch appears to be blocking the buckle when in the open, unlatched position.

TIRES 2022-05-16 · NHTSA 11464884

Tire size: 265 75 R16. All four tires inside wall has failed about two inches all the way around the rim. The tires were purchased sometime in 2018 and are a little above the 50.000 mile warranty. They were inspected by NTB technicians in Lancaster and also in Canal Winchester Ohio. They will only replace one tire for free but l think and believe l can’t be the only one with 4 of these tires failing in the same vehicle. All four tires have failed. No inspection by police or insurance has been performed. No warning signs at all other l got under the vehicle to inspect a small oil leak and that is when l saw the problem. I want to reiterate, what are the odds am the only one with all four tires failure?

SEAT BELTS 2022-01-27 · NHTSA 11449143

I started my 2008 GMC Sierra, crew cab and began to pull my drivers side seat belt across my body to latch it. I was about 1/2 way when I heard a loud bang that sounded like a gun going off to my right, the seat belt that I had in my hand pulled back tight pulling my hand with it. There was smoke and the smell of gun powder coming from the bottom of the passenger seat by the seat belt. With my heart pounding in my chest I got out of my truck as quickly as I could (my driver's side door was still open). Both the driver's side and passenger side seat belts were pulled tight and I was unable to get either to release. The truck is now sitting, unable to be driven safely with the seat belt on. The dealership said it would be just under $1,000 to fix plus towing and has no idea how or why it happened. This truck has never been in an accident and currently has about 140,000 mostly highway miles on it and I am the original owner. Searching online I found that there are other people on blogs who have had similar problems with exploding seat belt modules with a range of 40,000 miles to over 150,000 miles.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-11-09 · NHTSA 11439857

Dashboard is completely broken and it moves everywhere. It’s not even attached to the screws cause it’s broken. I’ve put 10,000 miles on the in the last 5 years and the dash is basically falling apart on its own

AIR BAGS 2021-09-22 · NHTSA 11433947

2008 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL.

AIR BAGS 2021-09-17 · NHTSA 11433375

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel air bag and driver seat belt air bag were inadvertently deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and cut the air bags. The contact also stated she could no longer use the driver's seat belt as it was locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. However, the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not share the diagnostic of the vehicle because it was confidential. The manufacturer also offered to buy back the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

AIR BAGS 2021-07-26 · NHTSA 11426471

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

AIR BAGS 2021-06-22 · NHTSA 11421851

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V052000 (Air bags) The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall was serviced; but, a week later the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,398.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-06-10 · NHTSA 11420478

Dashboard is completely broken. It started by the airbag area in 2010 and now completely broken in all areas.

AIR BAGS 2021-05-21 · NHTSA 11418065

I'm frustrated with the dash being cracked. the big issue is that i believe it is a safety issue. the dash is cracked around the airbag area. if this airbag should deploy someone could be hurt or killed. I would like to get this corrected because I'm afraid to operate the vehicle. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Regards, [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *cc

AIR BAGS 2021-05-17 · NHTSA 11417504

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V052000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE 2021-04-15 · NHTSA 11408218

I WAS DRIVING FROM LUFKIN TO HEMPHILL AT 70 MPH. SOMETHING BLEW UP, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HIT ME. ENGINE DIED, BRAKES STARTED, EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELT LOCKED DOWN, TRUCK STOPPED, I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HIT ME. NOTHING! WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE TRUCK A WHITE POWDER (NOT SMOKE) WAS COMING OUT OF THE SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN SEAT BELT LOCKED DOWN I HAD TO BACK SEAT UP TO GET OUT OF THE BELT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HIT SOMEONE.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-03-30 · NHTSA 11405688

THE DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH BACK SEAT DOORS OF MY CREW CAB HAVE FAILED AND PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE NOR CAN THE DOORS BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND AND UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. THE TRUCK IS AT THE GM DEALER BEING REPAIRED FOR $670.00 PLUS TAX AND SHOP CHARGES.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2021-03-27 · NHTSA 11405139

THE DASH IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES

AIR BAGS 2021-03-26 · NHTSA 11405029

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KING BUICK GMC (1700 W EVANS ST, FLORENCE, SC 29501) AND A CASE WAS OPENED WITH THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT GMC WAS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES AND TO RESOLVE MATTERS THROUGH THE INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE STICKING BY THE RESULTS FROM THE INVESTIGATION IN 2019, THAT PRODUCED NO MERIT FOR THE ALLEGATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,735. ## VIN PASSED ## GMC 2008 SIERRA ##

AIR BAGS Crash 1 injured 2021-02-27 · NHTSA 11398207

IN THE CITY STOPPED AT A LEFT TURN LANE WAITING FOR THE GREEN. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STATED TO TURN LEFT AND WAS HIT ON RIGHT FRONT HARD ENOUGH TO SEND ME TWO LANES OVER, ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND INTO A BRICK WALL CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO BRICK BUILDING. I DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT OR HITTING THE BRICK WALL. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION.

AIR BAGS 2021-02-22 · NHTSA 11397300

THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 21V050 HAS BEEN IN LIMBO FOR YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN THE RECALL STATUS FOR YEARS WITH NO UPDATES: RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

ENGINE 2021-02-08 · NHTSA 11395173

I HAVE THE 5.3L ENGINE AND IT IS CONSUMING 3-5 QUA OF OIL ABOUT 3 TIMES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I HAVE A SMALL LEAK BUT DOESN'T WARRANT THE OIL BEING LOST A

AIR BAGS 2021-02-03 · NHTSA 11394446

CONCERNING : TAKATA AIRBAG GM RECALL #: 2049152, NHTSA # 16V383. STILL NO ACTION TAKEN BY GM, 4 YEARS NOW.

Specifications, safety and listings for this car

Questions

What do owners report most on the 2008 GMC Sierra?
Problems with air bags: 18 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 2 and a fire in 0. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.