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2008 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

The most common problem on the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 is airbags. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical Sierra 3500 model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
64/100
Owner complaints
25
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
479
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    17
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    17
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 10, 2020 · 699 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑866‑522‑9559. GM's number for this recall is N192290990.

Recall number 20V011000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 330,198 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 15438 and 15817.

Recall number 15V324000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported July 2, 2014 · 9,371 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Risk
If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.

Recall number 14V407000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500

Defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Non-crash engine compartment firesOpened June 12, 2008, closed September 8, 2008

In a letter dated august 27, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population. According to gm, a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the windshield washer fluid heater module may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor or cause smoke and in rare cases it may cause a fire.as a remedy, gm dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse. In addition to the subject vehicles, several other gm models with the heated windshield washer fluid option are included in recall 08v‑441: my 2006-2008 buick lucerne (manufactured august 2005 through november 2007); my 2008 buick enclave (manufactured february 2007 through april 2007); my 2006-2008 cadillac dts (manufactured may 2007 through november 2007); my 2007-2008 saturn outlook (manufactured august 2006 through april 2007); and my 2007-2008 gmc acadia (manufactured august 2006 through april 2007) vehicles.gm is instructing owners to take their vehicle to a dealer for service if they experience symptoms of windshield washer heater module short circuits. Gm's recall resolves the safety defect concerns pursued by this investigation.this engineering analysis is closed.

EA08010

Non-crash engine compartment firesOpened February 4, 2008, closed June 12, 2008

In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, gm provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative of reports provided by gm, alleging non-crash engine compartment fires in the subject vehicles.in total, odi is aware of 41 non-crashengine compartment fires in the subject vehicles that are unrelated to arson.eight of the 41 fire allegations also allege property damage as a result of the fires.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-010) to further assess the scope, frequency, origin and cause of the alleged non-crash related engine compartment fires in the subject vehicles.

PE08010

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 479

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 479 bulletins for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500

What 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Airbags · IN

Started the truck in driveway waiting on woman to get in on passenger side BOOM! AIR BAG EXPLODED didn't know what happened and then the passenger side airbag exploded. Shut the truck off got out 5 minutes later passenger side airbag exploded again and it was smoking they are very loud thank God no one was injured or we were driving down the road and that happened that would have been terrible.

Filed Feb 7, 2020 · Airbags · GA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra ld. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags), however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (chrysler dodge jeep ram fiat of south savannah 8701 abercorn st, savannah, ga 31406 (912) 330-4132) was contacted and confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue but no further assistance was taken. The contact had experienced a failure with the airbag warning light illuminated. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Airbags · AL

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Greenville motor co (169 interstate dr, greenville, al 36037, (877) 364-4812) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · 118,000 miles · VA

The dashboard is cracked in multiple locations including around the passenger side airbag. The material appears brittle and could potentially shatter in an accident.

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Airbags · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 3500. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 11, 2017 · Airbags · AZ

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 03/07/17*lj

Filed Nov 27, 2016 · Airbags · ME

Takata recall the gmc dealer disconnected air bags 2 years ago because of the danger of the malfunction. The defect has still not been repaired. My wife and I travel alot towing a fifth wheel trailer. Two years is way too long to wait. I want action taken on this repair immediately.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Airbags · FL

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc silverado 3500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Airbags · TX

Takata airbag recall: I had sent complaint #10821862 but no response. I received a letter about the recall in july 2015. Recall has been in effect since may 2015. I called the gmc dealer here in january 2016 and was told no parts available. I called the dealer again today (nov 2016) and was told the same thing. No part available. And was told to call back between 2-3 months. Complaint: too long for a recall. Safety issue.

Filed Aug 25, 2016 · Airbags · 202,000 miles · CA

Takata recall. This recall is taking an excessively long time. I have contacted gmc product support at 8004628782 to submit a tier 1 escalation on july 27th. As of august 25th, they still fail to expedite the parts to complete a safety recall. Since my wife is pregnant she cannot sit in the front seat. Once our second child arrives in mid september we will not be able to ride in this vehicle together. I am unclear how to resolve this issue.

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Questions about the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500

Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500, 1.3 times a typical Sierra 3500 model year.

What is the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 year score?

The 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 scores 64 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500?

Airbags, with 17 complaints. Next is fuel system (3).

How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 20V011000, 15V324000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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