2008 Gmc SIERRA 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
381 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 195 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 241 of 381 complaints (63.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 241 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 23 |
| Engine | 19 |
| Structure:Body | 19 |
| Seat Belts | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
Air Bags: 241; Unknown Or Other: 41; Electrical System: 29; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 23; Engine: 19; Structure:Body: 19; Seat Belts: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 42 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 52 |
| 150,000 and above | 24 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 52; 150,000 and above: 24
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (52). 186 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 53 |
| 2017 | 90 |
| 2018 | 60 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2008: 12; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 11; 2012: 6; 2013: 10; 2014: 14; 2015: 9; 2016: 53; 2017: 90; 2018: 60; 2019: 31; 2020: 31; 2021: 17; 2022: 3; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 7; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10230525 · 2008-06-10 (June 10, 2008)
I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP ON MARCH 1 2008 AND CURRENTLY HAS 10, 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE POUNCING AND VIBRATING BRAKES AND HAD THEM CHECKED AT A GM DEALER IN MY TOWN, THE BRAKE ROTOR HAVE MEASUREMENTS OF 1.17 AND 1.16 LEFT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ROTORS BE REPLACED AT A MEASUREMENT OF 1.1. VEHICLE IIS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE WITH ROTORS IN THIS CONDITION AND HAVE TO BE MANUFACTURES DEFECT TO BE IN THIS CONDITION ALREADY. THE VEHICLE AS AT A REGISTERED GM DEALERSHIP IN LIGONIER PA BUT THIS DEALER IS A BUICK AND PONT…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241117 · 2008-09-05 (September 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY BRAKES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKES WERE FAULTY FROM THE MECHANIC. THE DEALER WANTS THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD FAULTY BRAKES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 850 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21.
Owner-reported narrative. 21 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221026 · 2008-03-13 (March 13, 2008)
WHILE DRIVING A BRAND NEW 2008 GMC SIERRA, 4 DOOR, 4 WHEEL DRIVE WITH ONLY 872 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH, THE STEERING KNUCKLE HOLDING THE TIE ROD BROKE ON DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. THE DRIVER IMPACTED A PULL CAMPER TRAILER EXPLODING THE TIRE UPON IMPACT WITH THE CAMPER. THE WHEEL RIM WAS TURNED SIDE WAYS AS IT IMPACTED THE TIRES OF THE CAMPER FLATTENING 2 TIRES CURLING THE CAMPER WHEEL RIMS AND CAUSING DAMAGE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE CAMPER. THEN IMPACTED A FORD CAR DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT WAS FOLLOWING THE CAMPER. …
Owner-reported narrative. 872 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289804 · 2009-10-26 (October 26, 2009)
HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHEN THE TRUCK SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR AND WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE USED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. CONTACTED GM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL IN ALL VEHICLES. ALSO HAVE HAD 3 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND 1 WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED. HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT STEERING/RACK AND PINION REPLACED. CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEM WITH FRONT DOOR NOT OPENING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10731776 · 2015-07-02 (July 2, 2015)
OUT OF NOWHERE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE ERRATICALLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT AN INTERSECTION, IF I HADN'T CAUGHT IT AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THAT THE IDLE BEGAN TO DROP AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL, THEN WOULD KICK BACK UP TO ABOUT 900-1000 RPM. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, NOW VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. IT IS WORSE WITH A/C ON AND IT EFFECTS ENGINE TEMP GAUGE AS WELL.
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10790331 · 2015-11-13 (November 13, 2015)
POWER SURGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM... VOLTAGE METER WILL DROP BELOW 9 VOLTS THEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, RADIO SHUTS OFF, CLIMATE CONTROL SHUTS OFF, DASH LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES, SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING POPS UP, AND TRUCK STALLS OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING AND IF THIS IS ELECTRICAL MAY CAUSE FIRE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURS AT ANYTIME FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON REGARDLESS OF WEATHER/TEMPERATURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10790331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10903689 · 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)
MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE DASH. THESE CRACKS ARE IN VARIOUS PLACES ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND IT IS CURRENTLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DASH) I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO BE DEPLOYED THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD WOULD EXPLODE AND EXPOSE MY PASSENGERS OR MYSELF TO ADDITIONAL HAZARDS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY DASH BOARD IS NOW EXPOSED TO ADDITIONAL HAZARDS DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL E…
Owner-reported narrative. 131,879 miles reported. Look up ODI 10903689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448301 · 2012-02-17 (February 17, 2012)
POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED ON DRIVER DOOR. YOU CAN NOT OPEN DOOR WITH OUT LIFTING HAND LATCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS-- MEANING YOU CAN NOT OPEN DOOR BY DOOR HANDLE-- THERE IS NO OVERRIDE LIKE PROVIDED ON OTHER VEHICLES. OTHER DOOR FAILED 2 MONTHS LATER. TRUCK LOCKS AND UNLOCKS DOORS WHEN MOVING SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THERE IS NO PROGRAM OPTION TO DELETE THIS OPTION. SO YOU LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS EVERY TIME YOU SHIFT TRUCK TRANSMISSION TO PARK OR IN DRIVE. THIS IS NOT NEEDED IN MY CASE, SINCE YOU CAN MANUALLY DO SAME. THIS IS MANUFACTURE DEFECT…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10914978 · 2016-10-09 (October 9, 2016)
FRAME AT SWAY BAR MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER RUSTING AWAY ON BOTH SIDES OF TRUCK
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10914978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066963 · 2018-02-05 (February 5, 2018)
REGARDING RECALL FOR GM 14515B. OR NHTSA 14V614 I HAVE A 2008 GMC SIERRA SLT WITH A 5.3 LITRE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE FAILS TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE PART 20759945 THE SAME PART NUMBER THAT IS MENTIONED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. I ALSO HAVE SAME CONDITION MENTIONED IN CURRENT RECALL. BUT WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL GYM CANADA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND DEALER JUST SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN WHAT VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY RECALL AND WHY. …
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316092 · 2020-03-04 (March 4, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MONTH AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THAT ONLY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM THE REPROGRAMMING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOLYE CHEVROLET LOCATED AT (115 W MAIN ST, HONEOYE FALLS, NY 14472), AND WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316092 at NHTSA ↗