MYRModel Year Report

2008 GMC Sierra 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2008 GMC Sierra 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
380
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

64% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 380 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2014 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 380 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2010 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2014 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2020 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2024 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026
1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1996 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1998 1999: 158 complaints 2000: 181 complaints 2000 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2002 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 145 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2008 380 2009: 234 complaints 2010: 167 complaints 2010 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 738 complaints 2014 2015: 719 complaints 2016: 342 complaints 2016 2017: 353 complaints 2018: 302 complaints 2018 2019: 643 complaints 2020: 469 complaints 2020 2021: 570 complaints 2022: 575 complaints 2022 2023: 470 complaints 2024: 366 complaints 2024 2025: 111 complaints 2026: 125 complaints 2026

2008: 380 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006145
2007262
2008380
2009234
2010167
2011284
2012107
2013115
2014738
2015719
2016342
2017353
2018302
2019643
2020469
2021570
2022575
2023470
2024366
2025111
2026125

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

64% · 243 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-31

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, 2017-12-16

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, 2017-12-14

Electrical system

8% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

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, 2017-11-21

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, 2014-04-15

Also filed under Engine

Structure

7% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing body.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the spare tire detached from underneath.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-22

Latches/locks/linkages

6% · 23 reports
FIRE

Engine

5% · 18 reports
FIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 380 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-06-12 Non-crash engine compartment fires
  3. I
    2008-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-09-08 Non-crash engine compartment fires
  4. R
    2021-03-01Air bags21V050000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. R
    2021-09-20Air bags21V052000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 243 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 21V050000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V052000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.