2008 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 has 25 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by airbag complaints (68% of total) tied to Takata recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Sierra 3500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 25
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags17 (68%)
- Fuel System3 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (8%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Electrical System1 (4%)
- Engine1 (4%)
- Other1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the water-in-fuel sensor triggering a dealer visit for fuel system flushing, sometimes without a warning light ever activating.
- Some describe backup indicators failing intermittently while in reverse, with the dealer unable to find a permanent fix after multiple visits.
- Owners describe a chatter or lockup in the rear axle when turning, where the rear tires fail to spin at separate speeds, risking an unexpected skid.
- Front and rear tire pressure mismatches in four-wheel drive made it difficult to maintain traction, and dealers made repeated attempts to diagnose the issue.
- Undercarriage rusting affecting brake and fuel lines was reported even on a garage-kept truck.
- Some owners report the Duramax diesel losing power and dropping to very low speed on the highway, sometimes stalling and needing a tow.
2008 GMC Sierra 3500 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 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable based on NHTSA data?
- NHTSA lists 25 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2008 Sierra 3500, giving it a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, worse than most other years of this model.
- What is the top problem area for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500?
- Airbags make up 68% of complaints, mostly tied to Takata inflator recalls, with a median mileage at failure of 126,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V011000 and 15V324000 both cover front passenger airbag inflator replacement for this model year.
- How does the 2008 model compare to other Sierra 3500 years?
- It ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 55, better than 2015, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which are all rated Avoid.
- What other recalls affect the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500?
- A third recall, 14V407000, covers an electrical system jumper harness fix involving a 40 amp inline fuse.