2008 Hummer H3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
113 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
77,079 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 87 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 113 complaints (27.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
Electrical System: 31; Engine: 18; Air Bags: 13; Visibility/Wiper: 12; Unknown Or Other: 8; Structure:Body: 6; Air Bags:Side/Window: 4; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 26 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 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 8; 2011: 2; 2012: 9; 2013: 10; 2014: 8; 2015: 21; 2016: 13; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10216059 · 2008-01-26 (January 26, 2008)
2008 HUMMER H3 ALPHA NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FIRST 30-DAYS OF OWNERSHIP. ALIGNMENT REPAIR 3 TIMES, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID REPAIR, 2 TIMES, BELT REPLACED 2 TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224652 · 2008-04-15 (April 15, 2008)
I OWN A BRAND NEW BASE MODEL 2008 HUMMER H3 NOT EVEN DONE 300KMS ON THE METER AND I HEAR AND FEEL A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE CAR TRAVELS 10 MILES OR SO OR WHEN ITS VERY HOT, I LIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST DUBAI AND ITS ALWAYS HOT HERE... SO PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE I THINK ITS THE STEERING SHAFT,,,, AND FIND A SOLUTION THANKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230204 · 2008-06-07 (June 7, 2008)
TRACTION FAILED, SERVICE STAB SYS, SERVICE 4WD, TRACTION LIGHT CONSTANTLY LIT, 4WD LIGHT NO LONGER LIT ON TRANSFER CASE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 11 WEEKS, AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE (APRIL AND MAY) FOR THESE PROBLEMS WHICH HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. ONSTAR SAYS THAT THE ABS/TRACTION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND VEHICLE NOW HAS TO GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN (JUNE) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON THE THIRD 4WD SWITCH AND I ONLY HAVE 1344 MILES ON IT! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 421 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246668 · 2008-10-24 (October 24, 2008)
I WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER DRIVER IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I DISCOVERED THAT THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AFTER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN EVERY FEW MILES! THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR HOURS OF DIAGNOSIS, AND FINALLY IT WAS DISCOVERED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A BAD "SIR COIL". THE "SIR COIL" IS ON SPECIAL ORDER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,363 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282080 · 2009-08-28 (August 28, 2009)
THE HARNESS WIRE LOCATED BETWEEN BODY AND REAR BUMPER RUBBED THROUGH ON BODY CAUSING RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP BULB AND FUSE TO BLOW -- THIS OCCURRED AT MILEAGE 8146 ON MY 2008 HUMMER H3. HUMMER STATES ON THE PAPERWORK "REPAIRED HARNESS WIRE AND REPOSITION HARNESS; REPLACED BULB AND FUSE." *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,146 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295189 · 2009-12-10 (December 10, 2009)
I HAVE A 2008 HUMMER H-3. ON NOVEMBER 3RD 2009 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR ON A SHARP LEFT CURVE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK IN THE FRONT END AND THE TRUCK PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT MAKING THE VEHICLE GO DOWN INTO THE DITCH. SEVERAL WEEK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT WHILE IN A PARKING LOT MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN( LESS THAN A MILE PER HOUR) THERE WAS A REAL LOUD CLUNK IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE, THIS HAPPEN TWICE INCLUDING A WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER THE FRONT END I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE HUMMER …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10315722 · 2010-03-02 (March 2, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD SPOTS AND BUBBLES WHICH DOESN'T ALLOW THE CONTACT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD CLEARLY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS CRACKED ALONG THE BASE OF THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RUST SPOTS COMPLETELY COVERED THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37550.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10315722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321820 · 2010-03-24 (March 24, 2010)
DRIVING 08 HUMMER H3 DOWN CITY ROAD, HIT SECTION DUG UP AND COVERED WITH DIRT/GRAVEL; MEDIUM POTHOLE SIZES. GOING 20 MPH; SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. GM SAYS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321820 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V179000 · Structure:Body:Hood
Reported: 2010-04-30 (April 30, 2010)
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTEGRAL CLIP-TABS ON THE LOUVER ON THE HOOD MAY FRACTURE, CAUSING THE HOOD LOUVER RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD AND BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS INDICATOR IS UNNOTICED, ADDITIONAL CLIPS COULD FRACTURE AND THE HOOD LOUVER COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY AN ADHESIVE TO THE HOOD LOUVER TO SECURE IT TO THE HOOD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V421000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
Reported: 2015-07-01 (July 1, 2015)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence: If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace part of the blower motor connector and harness, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Hummer customer service at 1-800-732-5493. GM's number for this recall is 15042.
NHTSA campaign record ↗