ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2008 GMC Sierra
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 68 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 GMC Sierra, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 320 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 4 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 7 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 8 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2012 | 3 | 13 |
| Nov 2012 | 2 | 15 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 16 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 17 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 18 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 19 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 22 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 23 |
| Mar 2014 | 3 | 26 |
| May 2014 | 2 | 28 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 29 |
| Jul 2014 | 6 | 35 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 37 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 39 |
| Dec 2014 | 4 | 43 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 46 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 47 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 48 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 49 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 50 |
| Jan 2016 | 4 | 54 |
| Feb 2016 | 5 | 59 |
| Mar 2016 | 3 | 62 |
| Apr 2016 | 4 | 66 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 67 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 68 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags2936.3%
- Electrical1518.8%
- Body & structure1215.0%
- Interior & seats1113.8%
- Driver assistance33.8%
- Powertrain (other)22.5%
- Brakes22.5%
- Fuel system22.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION(ODI) DURING PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE08-010, GM PROVIDED ODI WITH 41 ALLEGATIONS OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES INCLUDING 16 ALLEGATIONS OF FIRES ORIGINATING WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.ONE OF THE FIRES WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY AN ARSON EVENT.ODI HAS ALSO RECEIVED 5 REPORTS, 4 OF WHICH ARE OF DUPLICATIVE OF REPORTS PROVIDED BY GM, ALLEGING NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN TOTAL, ODI IS AWARE OF 41 NON-CRASHENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT ARE UNRELATED TO ARSON.EIGHT OF THE 41 FIRE ALLEGATIONS ALSO ALLEGE PROPERTY DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRES.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-010) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED NON-CRASH RELATED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
2008 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11433947
- Incident
- Sep 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V052000 (Air bags) The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall was serviced; but, a week later the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to have it diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,398.
- NHTSA ID
- 11421851
- Incident
- Jun 19, 2021
- Mileage
- 159,398 mi
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10860703
- Incident
- May 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND EXPANDED TO A GAPING HOLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10859772
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2016
- Mileage
- 104,000 mi
PURCHASED MY 2008 GMC SIERRA TRUCK IN NOVEMBER 2015 AFTER HAVING FOR ONLY 5 MONTHS DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL ONLY LOCK OR UNLOCK SOMETIME, MAKING IT UNSAFE IF YOU NEEDED TO EXIT QUICKLY DUE TO ACCIDENT OR FIRE. SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS.
- NHTSA ID
- 10854215
- Incident
- Mar 15, 2016
- Mileage
- 99,550 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10853775
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2015
DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK.
- NHTSA ID
- 10851972
- Incident
- Mar 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10845791
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2015
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
ENGINE
This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production Option Code L20, L77, L94, L96, L99, L9H, LC8, LC9, LH9, LMF, LMG, LY6, or LZ1. Vehicle may have Service Engine Soon lamp with Diagnostic Trouble Code P0521 or Low Oil Pressure message on the instrument panel. Dealer will need to determine if bulletin 10-06-01-008 was completed. If the bulletin was performed inspect the left rocker cover. Dealer will insure the left rocker can hold water without leaking. If leaks are found apply room temperature vulcanization silicone to the rocker cover if possible or replace the left rocker cover.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a list of modules to check for communication with the scan tool, if the navigation radio does not display the current Hybrid mode. Dealer will use a scan tool to check communication with Accessory Direct current Power Control Module, Air Condition control module, Drive Motor Generator Power Inverter Module, Engine Control Module, Battery Energy Control Module, and Transfer Case Control Module. Repair the loss of communication with the affected module and the power flow should return to the radio display.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 37.8 |
| 2016 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 53 | 6 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2014 | 101 | 12 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2013 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2012 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2011 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 42.2 |
| 2010 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 45.6 |
| 2009 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 41.7 |
| 2008Viewing | 68 | 2 | 2 | 50.8 |
| 2007 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2006 | 53 | 6 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 2005 | 117 | 11 | 0 | 48.1 |
| 2004 | 188 | 10 | 0 | 51.8 |
| 2003 | 206 | 9 | 5 | 58.4 |
| 2002 | 249 | 7 | 8 | 65.4 |
| 2001 | 264 | 7 | 9 | 66.2 |
| 2000 | 443 | 12 | 9 | 65.4 |
| 1999 | 600 | 9 | 10 | 65.3 |
| 1998 | 190 | 0 | 2 | 46.8 |
| 1997 | 238 | 0 | 0 | 34.6 |
| 1996 | 246 | 2 | 3 | 58.9 |
| 1995 | 261 | 6 | 3 | 60.6 |
| 1994 | 190 | 3 | 0 | 48.9 |
| 1993 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 51.6 |
| 1992 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 1991 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 39.9 |
| 1990 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 1989 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 54.7 |
| 1988 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.