2008 GMC Sierra 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 has a Complaint Index of 55 and ranks 10th out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 62% of its 63 complaints, backed by 3 recalls, with failures reported around 75,000 median miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Sierra 2500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 63
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags39 (62%)
- Other11 (17%)
- Engine5 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Electrical System3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger and driver frontal airbags sometimes fail to deploy during crashes, including high-speed collisions.
- Steering columns have separated at the tilt pivot joint after set screws worked loose, causing total loss of steering.
- Seat belts have failed to lock or secure occupants during rear-end collisions, resulting in injury.
- Door lock actuators fail repeatedly, leaving doors stuck locked or unlocked and raising concerns about doors opening while driving.
- Fuel gauges give inaccurate readings, and some owners report exhaust manifold bolts breaking off, allowing unfiltered exhaust to escape.
2008 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V011000Jan 10, 2020Airbags699 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 15V324000May 28, 2015Airbags330,198 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 14V407000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System9,371 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
2008 compared with other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2008 Sierra 2500 a Complaint Index of 55 and a Caution verdict, ranking 10th out of 21 model years. Airbag-related complaints make up the majority of reports.
- Does the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 have airbag problems?
- Yes. Airbags are the top problem area, with 39 complaints (62% of the total) and 2 recalls addressing passenger frontal airbag inflators. Median mileage at failure for airbag issues is 75,000.
- What recalls affect the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls: two for passenger front airbag inflators (campaigns 20V011000 and 15V324000) and one for an electrical jumper harness fuse issue (campaign 14V407000).
- How does the 2008 model compare to other Sierra 2500 years?
- The 2008 model's Complaint Index of 55 is worse than the 2006 (35, Good), 2009 (20, Good), and 2010 (0, Best) model years, but better than 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025, all rated Avoid with higher indexes.