2008 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems
Compared with other GMC Sierra 3500 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
0/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.3× that of a typical GMC Sierra 3500 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 25 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Air bags (17 complaints, median 126,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 59,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500. The part named most often is air bags, with 17 complaints (68% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and tires (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 478 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 28 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 4 GMC Sierra 3500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags17 68%
- Fuel system3 12%
- Tires2 8.0%
- Brakes1 4.0%
- Electrical system1 4.0%
- Engine1 4.0%
- Other or unknown1 4.0%
- Body and structure1 4.0%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall for passenger side air bag inflator issued july 2015. I have contacted dealership and Gmc repeatedly since receiving this recall and as of today they have no idea when parts will be available. Their suggestion was to not let anyone ride in the front passenger seat. I want something else to drive until issue resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10882071, filed 2016-07, 50,000 milesFuel system: “While driving in a one lane construction zone with no place to pull over, the vehicle lost power and would not go over 10 MPH, requiring it to be towed to the nearest dealership. This durmax diesel engine had only 84,000 miles and had excellent service maintance. Cost to repair is 3860.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10760769, filed 2015-09, 84,000 milesTires: “My 2008 Gmc sierra 3500hd has a chatter when turning, GM is aware of the problem and has a bulletin for a repair, however the repair may or may not completely solve the issue it didn't on mine. While turning the rear axles stays in a lock position and doesn't allow the rear tires to turn separate speeds this can cause the vehicle to go into a skid without notice and they set front and rear tire pressures different and the door stickers confirm that this is like driving a 4 wheel drive with small tires on the front and big tires on the back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10372001, filed 2010-12, 2,600 milesMileage when problems were reported
40% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 37,673 and 84,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V011000Jan 10, 2020Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: GMC Sierra 3500 2007–2008, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 2007–2008, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2008 +1 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant…
- 15V324000May 28, 2015Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: GMC Sierra 3500 2007–2008, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 2007–2008, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2008 +1 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29…
- 14V407000Jul 2, 2014Electrical systemCovers: GMC Sierra 3500 2007–2011, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 2007–2011, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2011 +1 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with…
Recall details for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 478 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11028931Feb 16, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11021308Jul 31, 2025Other or unknown. 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…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014457Feb 21, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 2,250 | 2 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 17 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 50 | 36,000 | 3 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 28 | 33,800 | 1 | — | — | 47 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 32 | 31,154 | 3 | — | — | 54 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 20 | 101,500 | 5 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 51 | 28,700 | 8 | — | — | 95 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 13 | 53,004 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 14 | 53,800 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 13 | 21,000 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 19 | 27,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 31 | 38,500 | 7 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 7 | 68,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 14 | 49,218 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 9 | 31,200 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 20 | 77,250 | 5 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2009 | 5 | 36,600 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 25 | 59,000 | 3 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 16 | 36,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2006 | 11 | 49,974 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 24 | 50,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 24 | 84,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2003 | 7 | 60,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 20 | 79,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 63,540 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 26 | 57,007 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 19 | 59,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 12 | 128,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 10 | 95,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 17 complaints (68% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.
Has the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 37,673 and 84,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.