Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 corroded, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 197,000.
left side frame is defective, I have welded 4 patches on frame.from the bend by wheel well and fuel tank to front wheel well all by were frame has bracket welded and bottom of inside of frame . if hit on left side can cause frame to crumble and fuel tank to explode. it needs to be looked at for recall. i have spoken to many oweners of 2007 to 2009 gm trucks. and all have same problem. my truck only has around 112 thousand on it this is 3rd year i had to repair.
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 brachial plexus injury that was caused when the airbags did not deploy as they were supposed to. I have attached the report from police and insurance company (with photos).
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 am concerned that if the air bag were to be deployed the plastic dashboard would explode and expose my passengers or myself to additional hazards within the vehicle. I am also concerned that the electrical system in my dash board is now exposed to additional hazards due to the additional exposure to the sun. I am filing this incident with the hopes that it will help a recall to be issued. I noticed the first small crack in 2011. I have kept an eye on it over the years and as of today, there are exposed openings in the dash in several places. …
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 concern is in the event of a crash, along with the dangerous Takata airbags that I'm still waiting to be replaced, will plastic be sent through the air from airbag deployment?, or will we wait for someone to be injured or killed to get GM to resolve this situation.by the way GM has sent me a recall notice and told me they are waiting on parts. That has been over 3 months ago. I also have another truck for airbag recall.just for the record my wifes 2007 Chevy silverado 1500 received a crack in the dash at about 80,000 miles. This is an epidemic but I sure GM will escape again just like in the past. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was a fracture on the passenger side dashboard along the air bag enclosure up to the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned of the location of the fracture and the fact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
Dashboard is cracked in multiple places. One crack is along the passenger airbag and the second is along the drivers side in front of the instrument gluster. The first crack appeared as I was leaving my driveway and the other was while driving down the street. I am worried that the airbag crack could cause sharp pieces of the dash to project in the case of a deployment of the airbag.
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 hood. I have contacted GMC about this issue both in person & on the phone. They have denied any liability in this matter.
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 cluster. It is beginning to cave it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the dashboard had a crack from the dashboard to the air bags. The dealer and manufacturer stated that the contact was liable for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,197.
Body complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500, 7% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is body (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.