2008 GMC SIERRA 1500

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    118 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    121
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,500–120,000 mi

    Median 81,500 mi, based on 80 reports (46% had no usable mileage)

    • "DASHBOARD BY AIRBAG HAS CRACKED FOR NO REASON AND NOW IT HAS CRACKED OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE TWO CRACKS JUST KEEP HAPPENING TO THE DASHBOARD I AM CONCERNED THAT IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT PASSENGER OR DRIVER WILL DIFFENDLY WILL BE HURT BY PEACIES OF PLASTIC T…"~20,032 mi, complaint #1629874
    • "JAN 2015 THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. ALSO JUNE OF 2015 THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED ACTING UP. PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK NOW THE DRIVER DOOR IS ACTING UP ALSO... MANY COMPLAINTS SEEN ON BOTH THESE CONCERNS."~47,000 mi, complaint #1256709
    • "VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON COLLISION WITH TWO CONCRETE WALLS, CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING TBI AND ALSO SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT ARM WHICH RESULTED IN IT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL/USE BELOW THE ELBOW, AND ESPECIALLY THE HAND. THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRACHIA…"~81,723 mi, complaint #1715044
    • "ENGINE LIGHT SERVICE AIR BAG-FRONT END CRASH SENSOR DIVER SIDE -REPLACE FRONT END CRASH SENSOR MAY 10TH 2016 . JULY 7TH 2016 ENGINE LIGHT SERVICE AIR CAME ON AGAIN GOING IN FOR SERVICE JULY 8TH AGAIN FOR SAME ISSUE. VEHICLE STATIONARY IN MAY 10TH 2016 , MOVI…"~111,000 mi, complaint #1296148
    • "MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM STORE IN A 08 GMC SIERRRA. AS SHE APPROACHED RED LIGHT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! NO ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE. PAVED ROAD AND TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20 MPH. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DESTROYED THE WINDSH…"~240,000 mi, complaint #1690280
  2. #2

    power windows and locks

    16 unsafe, 7 broken, 2 annoyance

    25
    incidents
    Typical range: 26,000–64,500 mi

    Median 39,000 mi, based on 34 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ON VEHICLE, WHETHER USING KEY FOB, OR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT; DIFFERENT LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT DIFFERENT TIMES. *TR"~600 mi, complaint #847551
    • "THE DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH BACK SEAT DOORS OF MY CREW CAB HAVE FAILED AND PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE NOR CAN THE DOORS BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND AND UNSAFE FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. THE TRUCK…"~29,840 mi, complaint #1737632
    • "3 OF MY 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. BOTH REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED EXCEPT MANUALLY FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. REACHING OVER THE SEAT TO UNLOCK A CHILD'S DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD. IN MY OPINION, GMC SHOULD STEP UP A…"~39,521 mi, complaint #1130624
    • "PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING FIRST. AFTER 6 MONTHS OR SO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING ALSO. THEN WITHIN MONTHS AFTER THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK FAILING BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LO…"~57,880 mi, complaint #1016586
    • "ALL OF MY DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN. THEY STARTED FAILING ONE AT A TIME. NOW NONE THEM WORK. YOU CAN PUSH THE REMOTE AND HEAR THEM TRYING TO WORK BUT THEY DON'T. THINK IT MIGHT BE THE ACTUATORS FOR EACH DOOR."~194,000 mi, complaint #1276833
  3. #3

    interior trim

    18 unsafe, 3 broken, 2 annoyance

    23
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 80,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "2008 GMC SIERRA DENALI HAS 2 CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD, ONE BY THE AIRBAG AND THE SECOND OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURES DEFECT THAT GMC IS TOTALLY IGNORING. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE MAIMED OR KILLED BEFORE THEY TAKE REASONABLE…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1289541
    • "I BOUGHT A 2008 GMC SIERRA IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND UPON TAKING OWNERSHIP, NOTICED TWO CRACKS IN THE DASH. ONE IS BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER ON THE LEFT-HAND CORNER OF THE AIRBAG. THE CRACKED DASH PIECES COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL IN THE EVENT OF AN AI…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1285157
    • "I HAVE A LARGE SECTION OF MY DASH PAD BROKEN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I ALSO HAVE A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED FROM ABUSE BUT FROM INFERIOR MATERIALS. IT APPEARED SOMETIME IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 130,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE NEW. MY…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1350789
    • "THE UPPER DASH PANEL CRACKED AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE BROKE IN AND HIT IT WITH SOMETHING, IT IS CRACKED DOWN CENTER OF INSTRUMENT PANEL TOWARD WINDSHIELD THEN ACROSS TO AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. MY FEAR IS THAT IF THE AIR BAG THAT IS PENDING R…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1303310
    • "SEVERELY CRACKED DASH. CRACKED IN 5 PLACES. WORRIED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS EVER DEPLOYED."~195,000 mi, complaint #1551803
  4. #4

    other

    11 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    23
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 132,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD IN HIS GARAGE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COUL…"~13,202 mi, complaint #661293
    • ""TAKATA RECALL". CALLED A CERTIFIED GMC DEALER FOR AIRBAG REMEDY AND THEY SAID GM HAS NOT MADE ANY REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE. I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THEY DO...WHICH MAY BE NEVER?!?!?"~82,000 mi, complaint #1424992
    • "MY DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE DASH. THESE CRACKS ARE IN VARIOUS PLACES ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND IT IS CURRENTLY IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DASH) I A…"~131,879 mi, complaint #1314500
    • "THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 21V050 HAS BEEN IN LIMBO FOR YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN THE RECALL STATUS FOR YEARS WITH NO UPDATES: RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE"~145,000 mi, complaint #1728551
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 126,498. It was later discovered that the mileage on…"~250,205 mi, complaint #2123882
  5. #5

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK IN TO THE RECEIVER ON SIDE OF SEAT. DEALER SAID I MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSES AND REPLACEMENT PLUS PARTS. I SAY IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED FOR FREE. WONDER IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM. *TR"~46,000 mi, complaint #1162922
    • "I WAS SLOWLY GOING ACROSS A PARKING LOT WHEN A LOUD BANG LIKE A GUN SHOT HAPPENED AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT PULLED ME TIGHT AGAINST THE SEAT. THERE WAS A SMELL OF A CHEMICAL GAS IN THE CAB AND THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS CAME ON. I AM SURELY GLAD I WAS ONLY GOI…"~75,842 mi, complaint #1675596
    • "DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT A LOT OF EFFORT THE REAR SEAT BELT PASSENGER SIDE, MIDDLE SEAT - THE PLASTIC GUIDE BROKE OFF MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HOOK BELT TO CHILD SEAT PARK ASSIST IS NOT OPERAT…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1146553
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO FASTEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SANDS CHEVROLET ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SURPRISE, AZ 85388, [REDACTED PHONE]) AND WAS INFO…"~181,000 mi, complaint #1525205
    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH with her husband and grandson inside the vehicle and entering the driveway at the residence, there was an abnormally loud explosion coming from inside the vehicle and the driv…"~208,809 mi, complaint #2236195
  6. #6

    instrument cluster

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER DISPLAY WAS DIM AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE CONTACT ADJUSTED THE DIMMER SWITCH, DID NOT IMPROVE THE VISIBILITY FOR ALL OF THE OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS EXCEPT THE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1082289
    • "MY DASH HAS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES!! ONE BEING BY THE AIRBAG. I'M AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS DEBRI WILL BE THROWN AT THE PASSENGER!"~89,000 mi, complaint #1313839
    • "DASH IS CRACKED IN THE "COMMON PLACE" FOR THESE VEHICLES. CORNER ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO A ISSUE, THE 3/4 GEAR PACKET HAS WENT OUT AND THE HOUSING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION IS CRACKED, SO IT WOULD…"~115,006 mi, complaint #1647571
    • "DASH CRACKING NEAR AIRBAG STORAGE AND ON DRIVERS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS HAS BEEN A PROGRESSIVE PROBLEM STARTING IN JANUARY OF 2016. VEHICLE IS GARAGED ON A REGULAR BASIS."~135,000 mi, complaint #1290758
    • "DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. THE PASSENGER SIDE CRACKED ON THE PORTION COVERING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I AM WORRIED THAT IF INFLATED, THE PLASTIC SHARDS WILL IMPALE ANY PASSENGER. ALSO THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTE…"~145,000 mi, complaint #1425933
  7. #7

    brake hydraulics

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "09/2009 ' BEGAN TO HEAR FRONT BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY SQUEAKING WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. 10/2009 - TOOK VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR INSPECTION. TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, TRUCK HAD APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES…"~24,000 mi, complaint #776139
    • "2008 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB. THE VEHICLE IS 18 MONTHS OLD, HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES TO REPLACE OR REPAIR FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX PROBLEM. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, MAJOR VIBRATION…"~25,474 mi, complaint #737509
    • "IN COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKES MAY STAY ENGAGED, EVEN UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WILL HAPPEN SPORADICALLY, AND USUALLY UPON STARTING FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A GIVEN DAY. I WILL START DRIVING, THEN BRAKE WHEN REQUIRED, RELEASE THE BRAKE WHEN I WANT TO RE…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1286455
    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 mph when another vehicle suddenly got in front of their vehicle causing them to depress the brake pedal. The brake pedal failed to press downward. The contact had t…"~116,000 mi, complaint #1892396
  8. #8

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "LIFTERS FAILED AT 98,000 CAUSING ENGINE REPLACEMENT."~98,370 mi, complaint #1532593
    • "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 TH…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1292067
    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and towing a camper, the vehicle began to bounce while navigating curves. The traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an indepen…"~157,000 mi, complaint #2240070
    • "DRIVING AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A HITTING SOUND AS IF SOMEONE WAS BEATING A METAL OBJECT AGAINST METAL. *TR"~177,000 mi, complaint #1169620
  9. #9

    engine oil consumption

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. BEGAN USING IN JUNE OF 2015. USES MORE THAN 1 QT PER 3000 MILES OF DRIVING."~75,000 mi, complaint #1364728
    • "LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE BURNED 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN UNDER 3000 MILES. 105K MILES ON 5.3 LITER V8. DEALER SAID TYPICAL FOR THIS ENGINE TO HAVE CARBON BUILDUP AND NEEDS NEW PISTON RINGS AND PISTONS. A…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1361846
    • "LOW OIL PRESSURE WHILE IN MOTION. SPLIT O-RING ON OIL PUMP PICK UP TUBE, METAL DEBRIS IN SCREEN FOR OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/ AFM VALVE LIFTER MANIFOLD. NO VALVE SHIELD ON AFM VALVE IN OIL PAN. HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. "~108,000 mi, complaint #1343786
    • "MY SIERRA DEVELOPED A NOISE ON DECELERATION. TOOK IT TO THE GMC DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A WORN CAM. $5500 TO REPAIR, $7750 TO REPLACE ENGINE. I KNEW THAT A WORN CAM WOULD CAUSE LIFTER NOISE ALL THE TIME SO THAT WAS WRONG INFO. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I…"~163,000 mi, complaint #1563124
    • "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"~195,000 mi, complaint #1725594
  10. #10

    corrosion and rust

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "FRAME AT SWAY BAR MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER RUSTING AWAY ON BOTH SIDES OF TRUCK"~75,000 mi, complaint #1324389
    • "FAILURE OF UNDERBODY/FRAME RUST UNDERCOATING. THE UNDERCOATING HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OFF THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK WITH 90K MILES. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE DAY ONE. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO RUSTING THRU FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1361278
    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the spare tire detached from underneath. After a visual inspection of the underneath of the vehicle, he observed that the spare tire hoist and frame were severely corrode…"~197,000 mi, complaint #1977523
  11. #11

    engine stall or no start

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "OUT OF NOWHERE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE ERRATICALLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT AN INTERSECTION, IF I HADN'T CAUGHT IT AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES THE TRUCK WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THAT THE IDLE BEGAN TO DROP AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STA…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1195582
    • "ENGINE CUTS OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY 2008 GMC SIERRA. SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS HAD BY MANY OTHERS SINCE 2001...VERY DANGEROUS AND DUE TO A STICKY THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR. *TR"~45,500 mi, complaint #841678
    • "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 RECAL…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1125063
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CODE: P069-E ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1520530
  12. #12

    wiring harness

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHEN THE TRUCK SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR AND WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE USED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. CONTACTED GM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL IN ALL VEHICLES. ALSO HAVE HAD 3 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND 1 WINDOW M…"~12,000 mi, complaint #741219
    • "POWER SURGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM... VOLTAGE METER WILL DROP BELOW 9 VOLTS THEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, RADIO SHUTS OFF, CLIMATE CONTROL SHUTS OFF, DASH LIGHTS FLICKER, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES, SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING POPS UP, AND TRUCK STALLS O…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1238099
    • "WIRE BROKE GOING TO THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG CAUSING IT TO BE INOPERABLE. WIRE WAS IN THE LOOM FOR THE DRIVERS DOOR WIRING HARNESS"~100,000 mi, complaint #1495458
    • "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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WIRES WE…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1426993
  13. #13

    brake pads and rotors

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP ON MARCH 1 2008 AND CURRENTLY HAS 10, 400 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE POUNCING AND VIBRATING BRAKES AND HAD THEM CHECKED AT A GM DEALER IN MY TOWN, THE BRAKE ROTOR HAVE MEASUREMENTS OF 1.17 AND 1.16 LEFT, IT…"~9,950 mi, complaint #673357
    • "2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE HAS HAD TO HAVE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES. REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. AT 30,000 MILES PADS AND ROTORS ARE WORN DOWN TO METAL AGAIN. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT CALIPERS ARE WORKING BUT REAR BRAK…"~20,000 mi, complaint #798394
    • "BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AT 15K MILES, HAD THEM TURNED UNDER WARRANTY AT DEALER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM. AT 30K MILES ROTORS WARPED AGAIN, THIS TIME 1 BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN TO 2MM THICK, THE REST APPEAR ALMOST NEW IN THICKNESS. DEALER TURNED ROTORS AGAIN AND…"~33,148 mi, complaint #836780
  14. #14

    tire failure

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A GMC 2008 SIERRA 1500. THE VEHICLE HAD MICHELIN AMERITRAC TIRES, TIRE SIZE P245-70-R17. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS] PERFORMANCE WAS ROUGH WITH A NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE SNOW AND MUD TIRES WERE PREVIOUS…"~8,900 mi, complaint #779513
  15. #15

    wheel or rim

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE VEHICLE IS USED TO HAUL A TRAVEL TRAILER THAT WEIGHS 6,500 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO HAUL UP TO 8,500 POUNDS. THE MANUFACTURER PLACED SIZE 245/70/R17P PASSENGER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSES THE…"~650 mi, complaint #691172
    • "I RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW TIRES AUGUST 14. ON AUGUST 30TH MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT AS I WAS PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRE I NOTICED A KNOT AND AIR COMING OUT FROM THE RIM.I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED THIS PAST SATURDAY SEPT 14TH ON SEPT 17TH THE TIRE I HAD REPLACED D…"~54,280 mi, complaint #1010553
  16. #16

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BETTEN BAKER BUICK, [REDA…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1435193
    • "I HAVE A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. I HAVE READ ON ONE POST ALONE ABOUT A "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MESSAGE BEING DISPLAYED, AND THERE ARE OVER 400 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. THE VEHICLES FROM GM GO INTO A REDUCED POWER AND HAVE NO THROTTLE AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 75+M…"~102,900 mi, complaint #907212
  17. #17

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "APPROX 26,000 MILES. THE CHROME HANDLES ON THE DOORS, 2 HAVE COME LOOSE. I CALLED THE CHEVY/GMC DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A COST OF APPROX. $125 PER DOOR TO FIX."~26,000 mi, complaint #1230991
    • "AT 35K THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 40K THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS USED BY GMC. WITH NO ABILITY TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE P…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1112843
  18. #18

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF OVERHEATING AND THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~3,664 mi, complaint #1029940
    • "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 TH…"~44,073 mi, complaint #1391736
  19. #19

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "REGARDING RECALL FOR GM 14515B. OR NHTSA 14V614 I HAVE A 2008 GMC SIERRA SLT WITH A 5.3 LITRE ENGINE. MY VEHICLE FAILS TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE PART 20759945 THE SA…"~136,000 mi, complaint #1445393
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MONTH AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL CONTR…"~168,000 mi, complaint #1651749
  20. #20

    fuel tank and lines

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RODENT PROBLEM CAUSING A MAJOR GAS LEAK DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE, 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THIS IS THE EXPLANATION FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FOX CHEVY IN LAUREL MD. THERE SOLUTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE PLASTIC FITTING THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY EATEN…"~689 mi, complaint #667877
    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, diesel fuel started leaking onto the garage floor. The contact recently purchased the vehicle, inspected the source of the leak, and discovered that th…"~163,000 mi, complaint #2186755
  21. #21

    paint and clearcoat

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE TRUCK AT THE HOOD AND TOP OF THE TRUCK. THE HOOD PEELED FIRST 2015. THE TOP OF THE TRUCK MAY, 2016"complaint #1296958
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT JOB WAS ORANGE PEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL THE VEHICLES WERE PAINTED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10.…"complaint #688905
  22. #22

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after the dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and GM's Emission Recall: N140581 (Carbon Monoxide Emissions), the vehicle nearly caught on fire. The conta…"~151,071 mi, complaint #2025562
  23. #23

    differential

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THUMP UNDER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD A CRACK IN IT AND THE REAR MIDDLE LEAF SPRING WAS BROKEN. *JB"complaint #873417
  24. #24

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY VEHICLE HAS A THUMP WHILE APPLYING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE DRIVE LINE/ SHAFT SEVERAL TIMES. NOW THE MANUFACTURER IS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO REPAIR PARTS FOR THE PROBLEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING. *TR"~7,186 mi, complaint #731362
  25. #25

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. AS OF TODAY I HAVE A TOTAL OF (3) BOLT HEADS THAT ARE BROKEN. (2) ON DRIVERS SIDE AND (1) ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE BEGINNING TO LEAK INSIDE OF THE CAB ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS."~130,000 mi, complaint #1308021
  26. #26

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM WITHIN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THEN SUDDENLY THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO…"~131,000 mi, complaint #1720901
  27. #27

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RADIO PLAYS SOME DAYS AND THAN SOMETIMES IT PLAYS NORMAL, BACKUP SAFTEY BEEPS YOU CANNOT HEAR IT, BUZZARD FOR KEYS LEFT IN THE IGNITION, YOU CANNOT HEAR IT. THE WAS STATIONARY"~37,000 mi, complaint #1419117
  28. #28

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DOORS LOCKED. UPON TRYING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE USING A SEPARATE REMOTE KEY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK. HE HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVERS…"~47,000 mi, complaint #805233
  29. #29

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GENERAL MOTOR COMPANY SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE [REDACTED ADDRESS] WAY WHEN SMOKED EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT MARK…"~120,000 mi, complaint #902163
  30. #30

    mirror

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE SLOWLY BACKING MY 2008 GMC SIERRA PICK-UP TRUCK INTO THE GARAGE, THE MIRROR SURFACE CONTACTED THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE, CRACKING THE MIRROR. INSURANCE COMPANY RECOMMENDED HAVING AN AUTO GLASS SHOP REPLACE THE MIRROR, BUT A SMALL, FLIMSY PLASTIC CLIP THAT…"~1,500 mi, complaint #694378
  31. #31

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE DRIVING A BRAND NEW 2008 GMC SIERRA, 4 DOOR, [REDACTED ADDRESS] WITH ONLY 872 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MPH, THE STEERING KNUCKLE HOLDING THE TIE ROD BROKE ON DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. THE DRIVER IMPACTED A PULL CAMPER TRAILER EXPLOD…"~872 mi, complaint #661339
  32. #32

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TOOK 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 4X4 TO TIRE STORE TO ROTATE TIRES. THEY INDICATED THAT THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE. THIS TRUCK HAS 77,000 MILES SO I WAS SKEPTICAL. TOOK TRUCK TO GMC DEALER FOR SERVICE & REQUESTED THAT THEY CHECK THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT…"~77,000 mi, complaint #873752
  33. #33

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD IN EXTREME COLD. APPROX 20 MI / HR. GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR. THREW TRUCK IN NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN & BY HAND REACHED DOWN TO LIFT THE ACCELERATOR FROM THE FLOOR. INCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN THAT DAY. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THAT…"~8,500 mi, complaint #701006
  34. #34

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS WERE DISPLAYING THE TIRE PRESSURE READINGS IN REVERSE ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1074251
  35. #35

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS EXCEEDING 45MPH. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAK…"~8,600 mi, complaint #868682
  36. #36

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TRUCK SHAKES BETWEEN 45 AND 60. DOES IT ALL THE TIME. TOOK TO GMC DEALER AND THEY CHECK IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS THE WAY THE TRUCK WAS GET USED TO IT. CALLED DETROIT AND GOT THE SAME THING. IT'S NOT RIGHT. IT ALL STARTED WITH AROUND 14,000 MILES .THE TRUCK DIDN'…"~14,000 mi, complaint #753173
  37. #37

    wiper and washer

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. IN COLD WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREEZE UP AND FAIL TO WIPE THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE PART TO THE WINDSHIELD, BUT COULD NOT FIND A WINTER BLADE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST AND…"~6,200 mi, complaint #700691

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 21V050000, 21V052000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for GMC SIERRA 1500 directly.