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EnginePart report

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
5%of 381 total for the year
Median mileage
109,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the engine of the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500, 5% of the 381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving from lufkin to hemphill at 70 MPH. Something blew up, I thought something hit me. Engine died, brakes started, emergency lights came on, and seatbelt locked down, truck stopped, I got out to see what hit me. Nothing! When I got back in the truck a white powder (not smoke) was coming out of the seat belt on drivers side. When seat belt locked down I had to back seat up to get out of the belt. I was lucky that I did not hit someone.”

NHTSA complaint #11408218, filed 2021-04, 169,393 miles

“I have the 5.3l engine and it is consuming 3-5 qua of oil about 3 times between oil changes. I have a small leak but doesn't warrant the oil being lost a”

NHTSA complaint #11395173, filed 2021-02, 195,000 miles

“Vehicle was in (d) drive and I was able to turn the ignition off. Is this normal? I checked with my Gmc dealer and they said it had to be put on the computer to be checked, however was not covered by any posted recall. Is this relative to the ignition recall? Thank you”

NHTSA complaint #10650960, filed 2014-10, 110,000 miles

“Collapsed afm lifter at 108000 miles. I was driving down the highway and all of the sudden my check engine light came on, service traction control and service stabilitrak. My engine was idling rough at low RPM. Took vehicle to the dealership and was told that it had a collapsed lifter on the #6 cylinder. I have always had the oil changed regularly at the dealership. Was told it would be 4800 to replace all the lifters, 5300 if the cam was bad also and 7300 for a new engine.”

NHTSA complaint #10876035, filed 2016-06, 108,000 miles

“Driving and warning came on and it said engine hot A/C turned off had this vehicle only one week when this happened, towed back to the dealer the said wasn't under warranty, I told them to keep the truck. They put on a new thermostat, two weeks later same thing. Took truck to my mechanic and he replaced the thermostat. Good for about two months, warning keeps coming on. Looked on line many people have had this happen, a mechanic at a chevrolet garage told me it is probably in the cluster panel/ computer?? Big money. …”

NHTSA complaint #11005043, filed 2017-07, 44,073 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202610169%
20255948%
202419051%
202321142%
202224140%
202132254%
202024451%
201931348%
20186722%
20175816%
20163911%
20158412%
2014699%
201387%
201266%
2011166%
2010117%
2009136%
2008195%
2007197%
200653%
200563%
200452%
200332%
200121%
200011%
199911%

Other parts of the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500

Air bags
243 complaints
Other or unknown
42 complaints
Electrical system
31 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
23 complaints
Seat belts
13 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology