2008 Hummer H3 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while his son was driving 35 MPH, there was a loud metal rattling sound while attempting to turn left or right. The driver also heard the sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the leaf springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ID

11731630

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

Mileage

67,000 mi

The fuel level sensor stopped working now it say I’m on E These go out on these cars And are on the recall list, but not on my vehicle yet

NHTSA ID

11714487

Incident

Jan 28, 2026

The pass lock in this vehicle is faulty. On numerous occasions, it has left me unable to start the vehicle, but if you wait 10 minutes each time, it will start again, but it happens all the time. I've seen numerous complaints online and GM needs to do something about it.

NHTSA ID

11673147

Incident

Jul 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V421000 (Visibility); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair due to the age of the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the blower motor had become inoperable. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11661937

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

Mileage

178,000 mi

The last dealership I went to they advised to come th the dealership but when I got there nobody wasn’t trying to work there instead the said that it was going to be hard to work on it cause nobody work on those cars anymore and then they said they were going to order the part but never call me back for it. Call them but gave me the runaround basically.

NHTSA ID

11591369

Incident

May 29, 2024

Engine was replaced at 163,000 miles now at 168,000 miles the frame is rusted beyond repair and is about to give at any moment nothing really left near rear axels. This could have definitely caused a horrible accident to myself or others having a big car just give way and collapse. Took it to mechanic who warned me first then next day took it to body shop that said nothing could be done. Basically both said get rid of it for parts as fast as you can and don’t look back. After the body shop guy actually showed me the rusted out areas i was scared to even drive it like the 10miles back to my house. It sucks after spending all that money on an engine and now having this issue and now having to buy a new car.

NHTSA ID

11569854

Incident

Dec 29, 2023

exhaust leaking in cab of the car .Exhaust bolts broke or manifold cracked problem i heard about on line .on a long trip could make you passout with the fumes .please check it out .on most inline 5 cyclinder engines GM makes .Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11566001

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start up without warning. The contact stated that after waiting ten minutes the vehicle started. The contact stated that recently the failure had become more frequent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

NHTSA ID

11508611

Incident

Oct 31, 2008

Mileage

1,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft system warning light illuminated. The contact waited 10 minutes for the vehicle to reset, per the vehicle Owner’s Manual instruction. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly several times per day. Additionally, the vehicle had taken 45 to 90 minutes to reset and restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on two occasions; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure as the vehicle would restart as needed while at the dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,421.

NHTSA ID

11506213

Incident

Feb 8, 2021

Mileage

101,421 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure worsened while driving at highway speeds. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and notified them about the failure. The contact was informed by both that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11490662

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive (D) or reverse (R) the doors of the vehicle would unlock automatically. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that upon pressing the power master door lock switch to lock the vehicle, all four doors were unlocked. Additionally, the contact stated after refilling the gas tank at the gas station, the vehicle failed to restart and made an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that upon inspecting the hood of the vehicle, he saw flames on the positive side of the battery and the flames extended to the oil stick. The contact was able to extinguish the fire by taping it with a towel. The vehicle failed to start and remained at the gas station. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11488302

Incident

Apr 7, 2022

Mileage

132,000 mi

I saw a vehicle on sale in Indiana, via AutoTrader. I got a loan from a Federal Credit Union in Huntsville, Al. I can't get brakes repaired because frame is highly unreliable to be lifted. I need your assistance, please and Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11459300

Incident

Apr 2, 2022

I was not involved in an incident. The rear frame of this vehicle has rusted 90% away. if it were driven any further the rear axel will fall off. I was towing a boat and it and the axel and rear bumper could have flown off the vehicle. I had no idea the extent of damage. I've owned the vehicle for 11 years. I've read that other Hummer h3 owners have had the axel fall off. Please let other Hummer h3 owners know how severe this can be. Every northern tier state vehicle 2008 and older with 146,400 miles can not have this dangerous of a situation. I've attached a 2011 Buick lacrosse recall of a friend. This truly is a hazard. I had no idea how bad it is.

NHTSA ID

11424217

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

Vehicle will not crank. After 10-12 minute wait vehicle cranks. According to symbol this is an anti-theft lockdown. But it happens repeatedly for no reason. Has happened 5 times in 6 days. My concern is this could happen during an emergency or in a dangerous place for a woman alone (dark deserted parking lot for instance). For this reason I am very conscious of where I park, but the 1st time it happened, with no warning, was terrifying. From what I have read even replacing the ignition does not solve the issue permanently, the same thing begins to happen again.

NHTSA ID

11423048

Incident

Jun 25, 2021

THE ANTILOCK SAFETY IS PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY VEHICLE. WHEN IT DOES START, AND I GO TO AN INTERSECTION TO TURN THE TRUCK WILL THEN STALL OUT. IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, TIME CONSUMING, AND MONEY CONSUMING WHEN I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO TRY TO START MY TRUCK, OR IT DOESN'T START, I HAVE TO REPLACE IT FOR $450+ WHICH I DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT DOES LET IT START I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT WILL STALL OUT ON ANY GIVEN SECOND CAUSING A CATASTROPHE!!! THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THEIR VEHICLES. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11415729

Incident

May 9, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RAIN ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE SUN ROOF. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, WATER WAS DISCOVERED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD AS WELL AS ON THE REAR DRIVER' SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CLOGGED DRAIN TUBING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CLEARED THE CLOGGED DRAIN TUBING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.*DT *TR

NHTSA ID

11377531

Incident

May 2, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

RADIATOR HAS A 8 INCH HORIZONTAL HAIR LINE CRACK THAT LETS THE COOLANT LEAK. THE CRACK IS ON TOP RIGHT CORNER( DRIVERS SIDE). THE RADIATOR TOP IS MADE FROM PLASTIC THAT IS PRONE TO CRACKING DUE TO FRAMEWORK BUMPING INTO IT CAUSING STRAIN ON RADIATOR TOP WHICH AFTER TIME CAUSES THE TOP RIGHT CORNER TO ESTABLISH A HAIRLINE CRACK AND CAUSE THE COOLANT TO LEAK. MANY HUMMER H3 VEHICLES OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF HAVING HAIRLINE CRACKS IN TOP RIGHT CORNER. HUMMER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL HUMMER OWNERS RADIATORS AT NO COST, DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW THAT THE TOP RIGHT RADIATOR BUMPS INTO THE FRAMEWORK CAUSING STRESS ON IT AND CRACKING. GM HAS UPDATED THE RADIATOR TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT SHOWED INTEREST IN SAYING THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE. WHY WOULD THEY ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO THOUSANDS OF HUMMER H3 OWNERS IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH THEY ARE AWARE OF. MY HUMMER H3 ONLY HAS 24,400 MILES IN IT AND STREET DRIVEN ONLY HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO SOON.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND TO CONTACT GM REGARDING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11374347

Incident

Nov 9, 2020

Mileage

24,400 mi

SECURITY SYSTEM STOPS IT FROM CRANKING AND I HAVE TO STAND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH IT LOCKED FOR 15 MINUTES SO IT WILL RESET. WIRING BURNT UP AND I HAD IT REPLACED AND THE RADIO, A/C, AND TEMP GAUGE STILL DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ID

11363717

Incident

Oct 9, 2020

Mileage

124,000 mi

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT LOCKS ME OUT FOR 10 MIN, I HAD IT HAPPEN TWO TIMES IN A ROW WHERE I COULDN'T START IT FOR 20 MINUTES AND WAS LATE FOR WORK. I HAVE BEEN SUCK IN -20 DEGREE WEATHER WITH MY CHILD. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE, AND THERE ISN'T AN ERROR CODE THAT POPS UP WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!! THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THEREFORE IT HAS MADE IT VERY UNRELIABLE AND HAS PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK.

NHTSA ID

11342985

Incident

Jul 2, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON FAMILY PROPERTY (OPEN FIELD) STABLE GROUND NO INCLINES, HILLS, OR PITCHES AND GOING ABOUT 5MPH ALL OF MY SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS RANDOMLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO HIT, NO IMPACT, NO BOUNCES HIT, NO NOTHING. JUST ALL AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE STABLE AND UPRIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11320707

Incident

Mar 29, 2020

Mileage

150,940 mi

DRIVING DOWN DRIVEWAY GOING AROUND 8MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON

NHTSA ID

11320282

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

154,000 mi

IT SEEMS THAT THE H3, AND QUITE A FEW OTHER GM CARS OF THIS ERA, HAS A FUEL CUTOFF SWITCH ENABLED BY A SECURITY SYSTEM WHICH READS THE CAR'S KEY. HOWEVER, IT ALSO HAS A HUGE HISTORY OF FAILING TO OPERATE EVEN WHEN THE PROPER KEY IS USED BY THE CAR'S OWNER. THIS REPRESENTS A DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THESE CARS, NOT IN THE SENSE THAT IT CAREEN OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING OR THE LIKE, BUT THAT IT'S ALREADY STRANDED MY WIFE MULTIPLE TIMES IN DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES. THE FIX IS CURRENTLY TO REPLACE, AT A COST OF $300 PLUS, THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PART THAT'S FAILED, WHICH IS TO SAY THAT IT'S MORE THAN LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN, AS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RE-ENGINEER THE FAILED SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THAT GM NEEDS TO REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN SHRUG THIS OFF AS AN INCONVENIENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE NOT ONLY APPRISED OF THE PROBLEM (MANY, MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS), THEY ARE PLANNING TO RE-INTRODUCE THE BRAND WITH AN ELECTRIC DRIVE TRAIN. THE REPORTING PAGE REQUESTS A SPECIFIC DATE, BUT TODAY IS ONE OF MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11310406

Incident

Feb 20, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SPRINGS DISLODGED FROM THE MOUNT AND THE DRIVESHAFT DISLODGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE AXLE WAS NOT BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11253131

Incident

Sep 4, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING MODULE FAILED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIZZA CADILLAC BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 8425 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, (708) 429-6600), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11243377

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

MY VEHICLE HAS WATER LEAKING IN IT WHEN IT RAINS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE

NHTSA ID

11234869

Incident

Jul 13, 2016

Mileage

161,118 mi