YearToAvoid

2008 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

55/100

#10 most-complained of 21 Sierra 3500 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 has 25 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 55 out of 100 — #10 highest of 21 Sierra 3500 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (17 complaints, 68% of the total).

Complaints
25
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags17 (68%)
  2. Fuel System3 (12%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (8%)
  4. Brakes1 (4%)
  5. Electrical System1 (4%)
  6. Engine1 (4%)
  7. Other1 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
2008 GMC Sierra 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2010Jan 2011Sep 2015Apr 2016Aug 2016Feb 2017Feb 2020
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2010 to Jul 2026; peak Nov 2016 (3).

2008 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good25110—
2007Good40163—
2008Caution55253—
2009Best555—
2010No verdict025—

All GMC Sierra 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 ranks #10 of 21 among Sierra 3500 model years (Complaint Index 55/100, verdict: Caution). It has 25 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (17 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (2 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 59,000 miles.
Does the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags and electrical system.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.