2008 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (64% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The curtain airbags on both the passenger and driver side deployed while driving down the road. The truck is available for inspection although the deployed bags have been cut off in order to drive it home. Pictures were taken before doing so and are available for inspection. My son is pretty shaken up and has injuries to his shoulder, face and his ears are ringing.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while researching the history of the vehicle it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 166,521 and while researching online, it was discovered that the mileage was 207,759.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
“High speed collision with a cement truck destroyed most of the front portion of the vehicle. Neither passenger nor driver airbag deployed and seat belts did not lock up, injuring the driver. No warning lights indicating an airbag problem appeared prior to crash. The vehicle is now impounded at towing company yard pending insurance investigation.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving around a corner when the steering locked its self in position causing the truck to not turn, almost as if when you shut the vehicle off and turn the wheel it locks in position. This caused the vehicle to leave the road and hit a tree. The driver side airbag did not deploy. The passenger side airbag did deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Dash board severely cracked,second time it happened, gmc refuses to repair again. If airbag goes off entire dash will likely explode.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Takata recall I received a recall notice july 2015 saying parts were not currently available and I would be notified when they become available. I have not heard anything since. I do not think it should take more than 2 years to get this problem corrected. Today I received a notice that takata is filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, so what are our chances to get this problem corrected? I am quite disturbed that gm would let a problem like this to continue this long. I have been a faithful gm customer ever since I purchased a 1951 chevy back in 1958. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this safety issue. There has been no accident with this vehicle!!”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Takata recall - we were told yesterday that a local dealership would not take our truck on trade because of the outstanding recall that has no remedy available. How do we have to wait for this remedy?”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Takata recall??? Recall came out may 28 2015. Airbag defect can be very serious. Dealer in september 2016 says there is no resolution for recall. They do not have any airbags? How does one get replaced once deployed if none exist? If a replacement does exist then there is no excuse for not replacing them in a recall that is over a year old. Recall status: recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available we need to get gmc on the ball with a possible defect causing possible injury. This recall is taking too long to complete. That is my complaint.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Takata recall. It has been since may 2015 that I received a recall notice and to this day there is no remedy. This is my daughter truck and I would like it fixed. It is disappointing to see that it takes this long to find a solution.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“My dash panel has cracked. This panel goes around the passenger airbag and could pose a safety hazard. There are nearly 5000 complaints about these dash panels on facebook page 07-13 gmc cracked dashes safety hazard for all trucks.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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, 2008. 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 15438 and 15817.
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 an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.
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 that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N192290990.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is air bags (64% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,900 miles or less.
Does the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.