RoadVitals

2008 GMC Sierra Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest Sep 22, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
43%
of 68 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 GMC Sierra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Sep 22, 2021

2008 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11433947
Incident
Sep 22, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jun 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
Airbags
Filed Apr 21, 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 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
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2016

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
Airbags
Filed Mar 9, 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
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10839268
Incident
Jul 29, 2015
Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10825775
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 10, 2016

MY SIERRA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHER GM VEHICLES HAVE. THE DASH IS CRACKING, CREATING LOOSE PIECES. IT IS CRACKED AT THE AIRBAG. THIS SHARP EDGES COULD IMPAIR THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I AM AFRAID THE LOOSE DASH PIECES COULD POST A DANGER TO THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA ID
10825428
Incident
Feb 10, 2016
Mileage
64,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 3, 2016

TAKATA INFLATORS- PULLED TRUCK INTO GARAGE AND PUT INTO PARK. DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG BLEW OUT THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER PASSENGER AIRBAG BLEW OUT. HAD BEEN DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS WITH NO ISSUES OR WARNING.

NHTSA ID
10824076
Incident
Jan 9, 2016
Mileage
171,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 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 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
10823135
Incident
May 28, 2015
Airbags
Filed Jan 15, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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 PART NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/26/2016*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10820457
Incident
Jul 7, 2015
Airbags
Filed Nov 5, 2015

TL* 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10788658
Incident
Jul 15, 2015
Airbags
Filed Sep 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,180. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR FAILED PREMATURELY. UPDATED 2/10/2016*JS, UPDATED 03/23/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10778859
Incident
Sep 28, 2015
Mileage
39,180 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 22, 2015

I START MY TRUCK ONE NICE SUMMER DAY AND MY "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON, STRANGE I THOUGHT, SINCE MY 2008 SIERRA 1500 ONLY HAS 57,XXX MILES ON IT. . NO ACCIDENT, NO PRIOR ISSUES, NOT EVEN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSTIC COST WAS $132.93, AND THAT WAS TO JUST FOR PLUGGING IN THE TECH 2 SCAN TOOL AND RUNNING THE SIR AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS NOT THRILLED ABOUT IT. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILURE OF THE FRONT LEFT AIR BAG SENSOR. THE DEALER SAID "OH WE HAVE ONE IN STOCK AT OUT OTHER LOCATION, WE CAN GET IT SHIPPED OVER, AND IT WOULD COST $550 BUT WE COULD HAVE THE TRUCK BACK TO YOU LATER THIS EVENING." HOW DOES ONE OF THESE JUST FAIL? IF ITS DUE TO CORROSION SHOULDN'T GM PICK UP THE TAB ON THAT? THIS SAFETY COMPONENT IS WHAT SENSES IMPACT THEN CAUSES THE AIRBAG TO ACTUALLY DEPLOY AND THIS PART JUST RANDOMLY FAILS? HOW IS THAT ACCEPTABLE FOR ANY MANUFACTURER, IF THERE IS A CORROSION ISSUE, FIND A MEANS TO PREVENT FURTHER FAILURES AND COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT FOR THOSE THAT DO FAIL. FOR A GMC TRUCK THAT USES THE PHRASE "WE ARE PROFESSIONAL GRADE" AS THE BACKBONE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS, WHY WOULD THEY USE PARTS THAT FAIL SO EASILY? SINCE SOME OF THEIR TRUCKS USED TO BE BE ASSEMBLED IN WISCONSIN, AND THEIR HEAD QUARTERS IS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, IT'S VERY HARD TO OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT THESE PLACES ARE NOT KIND TO VEHICLES. SO WHY IS IT THAT A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM, A KEY COMPONENT CAN FAIL SO EASILY, AND THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT?

NHTSA ID
10726636
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
57,688 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 20, 2015

MY VEHICLE AIR BAG SENSORS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT BOTH FRONT AIR BAG SENSORS ARE PART OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE THE FACTORY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS TOO FAR MAKING THE SENSORS PRONE TO CRACK AND COLLECT MOISTURE. THIS MOISTURE THEN FREEZES AND THE SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY AT OVER $200 PER SENSOR AND BOTH SENSORS NEED REPLACED. THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ITEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10689578
Incident
Feb 19, 2015
Mileage
33,635 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jan 28, 2015

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHICH CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO TEAR AND OR FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY IN A ACCIDENT. IN RESEARCHING THIS SUBJECT ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN ALL GMC AND CHEVROLET LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS FROM 2007-2012. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679558
Incident
Jun 25, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 26, 2014

PLACED TRUCK IN PARK, WHILE RUNNING, SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. GOES ON AND OFF FOR TWO DAYS. ON SECOND DAY LOOSE BOTH LOW BEAMS WILL NOT TURN ON. WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. SWITCH DOES NOTHING, RUNNING LIGHTS WORK, HIGH BEAMS WORK, FOG LIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668412
Incident
Dec 24, 2014
Mileage
76,767 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 25, 2014

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. THE BAG ITSELF DID NOT DEPLOY. JUST A LOUD EXPLOSION FILLING THE CAB WITH BLACK SMOKE. VIOLENT BLAST OF AIR/SMOKE AGAINST THE DRIVER. WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS IF NOT DRIVING AT LOW SPEED ON A SIDE ROAD AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668222
Incident
Dec 24, 2014
Mileage
30,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 3, 2014

AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT AND MESSAGE APPEARED. DEFECTIVE 15297468 SENSOR CAUSED SYSTEM FAILURE. PART BADLY DAMAGED BY CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10630466
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
79,454 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 28, 2014

BOTH PART NUMBERS152974468 (FRONT FRAME MOUNTED CRASH SENSORS) FAILED WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER ON MY 2008 GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCK. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HERMETICALLY SEALED UNITS BUT BOTH SHOW SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION, CORROSION AND SWELLING. WHEN THESE FAIL THE SIR SYSTEM IS SHUT OFF. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PARTS IF YOU WOULD WISH TO SEE THEM. UPDATED 5/8/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID
10616877
Incident
Jul 16, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 22, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON OCTOBER 15, 2013, APPROX 7:45 AM, SINGLE OCCUPANT, WAS ENTERING THE EXIT RAMP FROM FREEWAY WHEN TRUCK CRASHED AND ROLLED TWICE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED. OCCUPANT REQUIRED MEDICAL TRANSPORT TO HOSPITAL AND WAS KEPT FOR A WEEK FOR TESTING AND TREATMENT FOR INJURIES. COUNTY SHERIFF ATTENDED TO CRASH SITE AND SUBMITTED TRAFFIC REPORT. WITH ALL THE RECENT RECALLS OF GM PRODUCTS - LIKE IN OTHER CRASHES, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615324
Incident
Oct 15, 2013
Mileage
78,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 21, 2014

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT AIR BAG, TOOK TO GMC DEALER AS GMC HAD NO RECALL ON THIS WARNING GMC DEALER RAN TEST DETERMINED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAD CORRODED AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT AND IT WAS NOT COV BY WARRANTY, SO PD 317.00 TO HAVE REPLACED. SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT IN THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND SENSOR MOVED TO OTHER LOCATION AS IT WAS CORRODED FROM WEATHER? GMC DEALER TOLD ME 2 THINGS COULD HAPPEN IF I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED, COULD GO OFF RANDOMLY OR WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF IN ACCIDENT THEREFORE BOTH OF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FATALITY IF HAPPENED IN OPERATION. WOULD LIKE COMPLAINT FILED AS I WILL NOT GET MY MONEY BACK, BUT GMC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS IN THIS YEAR TRUCK. MAYBE SAVE SOME LIVES IF IT IS RECALLED AND MOVED TO WHERE WEATHER CANT GET TO IT. GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS OF NO HELP IN GETTING THIS REPLACED OR EVEN A REPORT MADE OF THIS INCIDENT, I HAD THIS REPLACED IN OCT. 2013 AND WAS TERRIFIED EVERYDAY DRIVING IT THAT IT WOULD GO OFF, AND CAUSE ME AN ACCIDENT, AND DEALER ADVISED ME THAT I HAD 2 OF THESE BAGS, SO AT LEAST THEY (SENSOR) DID NOT GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME...THIS WAS A LOT OF MONEY TO ME TO HAVE THIS FIXED PLUS THE 39.00 TO HAVE THEM RUN COMPUTER TEST ON IT. NEEDS TO PROB BE A RECALL ON THIS PART, AND RELOCATION OF WHERE THE SENSORS ARE. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10615045
Incident
Aug 23, 2013
Mileage
108,787 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 21, 2014

DASH IS CRACKED AT PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SHARP PLASTIC DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10593181
Incident
May 21, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2014

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING CAME ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573232
Incident
Mar 8, 2014
Mileage
39,059 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 19, 2014

THE SAFETY DURING A COLLISION OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FROM SHARP PLASTIC EXPOSED DUE TO THE CRACKS IN THE DASH CUTTING THE AIRBAG OR SHARDS OF PLASTIC BECOMING PROJECTILES POTENTIALLY CAUSING INJURY TO OCCUPANTS. I JUST HAD A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE OVER AT GM AND THEY ARE GOING TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT COULD COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POTENTIALITY, CAUSE GREATER INJURY TO THE PASSENGER(S) IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO NOTED TO GM THAT MY CASE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS AND THIS FACEBOOK PAGE WHERE GM VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE POSTED PICTURES OF DEFECTIVE DASHBOARDS ALL WITH SIMILARITIES, SHOWING CRACKS IN THE SAME GENERAL AREAS,MANY OF WHOM HAVE BEEN EXPRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THIS DASHBOARD DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564952
Incident
Feb 18, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .