MYRModel Year Report

2008 GMC Sierra 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2008 GMC Sierra 1500
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1999: 158 complaints 1999 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 144 complaints 2007: 261 complaints 2008: 379 complaints 2008 2009: 234 complaints 2009 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 283 complaints 2012: 106 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 736 complaints 2014 2015: 711 complaints 2016: 337 complaints 2017: 350 complaints 2018: 293 complaints 2019: 601 complaints 2019 2020: 435 complaints 2021: 511 complaints 2022: 528 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2024: 312 complaints 2024 2025: 90 complaints 2026: 58 complaints 2026
2008: 379 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006144
2007261
2008379
2009234
2010167
2011283
2012106
2013115
2014736
2015711
2016337
2017350
2018293
2019601
2020435
2021511
2022528
2023408
2024312
202590
202658

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 64%

64% of complaints: air bags — 241 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Air bags did not deploy when another vehicle hit truck on front passenger side at 35-40 mph

NHTSA ODI report, 20250531

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A FENCE AND THEN A POWER POLE. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE POWER POLE ABOUT A FOOT AND MY ENGINE WAS PUSHED INTO THE INTERIOR. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT THIS IMPACT SHOULD THE AIRBAG HAVE DEPLOYED?

NHTSA ODI report, 20171216

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171214

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE VENTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171121

ON 04.12.2014 AFTER GOING TO THE STORE, PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT. THE TIME WAS 10PM. WHILE INSIDE HEARD A POP SOUND AROUND 10:15 PM. WENT OUTSIDE AND THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140415

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 6%

6% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 18 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ON 04.12.2014 AFTER GOING TO THE STORE, PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT. THE TIME WAS 10PM. WHILE INSIDE HEARD A POP SOUND AROUND 10:15 PM. WENT OUTSIDE AND THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140415

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 379
I 20080204 — PE (closed 20080612)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080612 — EA (closed 20080908)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20210301 — air bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500,...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.

Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20210920 — air bags

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.

Campaign 21V052000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (241 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V052000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.