2008 GMC Sierra 3500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500: 3 recalls, 25 owner complaints.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V407000 · 2014 · 9,371 vehicles
What's wrong: Owners May unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Why it matters: If the fusible link melts it May come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental owner manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V324000 · 2015 · 330,198 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that May be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V011000 · 2020 · 699 vehicles
What's wrong: These inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (17): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (2): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
- Fuel system (diesel) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 has 25 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 31 Sierra 3500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 19). Complaints peaked in 2016 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 59,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (16 complaints, 3 recalls), 2009 (5 complaints, 5 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (17), tires (2), fuel system (diesel) (1).
Where can I get a 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.