Most common 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 63 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2008 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Electrical system
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500:
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
What 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Air bags all 39 →
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.
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.
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to wilkinson automotive (3335 nc-87 south, sanford, nc 27332) where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the mechanic noticed that the vehicle was unable to start and diagnosed that the fuel filter housing needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred 2 days later. The contact mentioned that there was a delay while starting the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact about a manufacturer fuel injector recall and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Faulty hoses sweating out transmission and steering fluids. Replaced once by dealership, then an independent shop after dealership used same OEM parts that fail. Dashboard crack top left corner of air bag panel Takata defective equipment all three complaints are similar to thousands of other vehicles
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to wilkinson automotive (3335 nc-87 south, sanford, nc 27332) where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the mechanic noticed that the vehicle was unable to start and diagnosed that the fuel filter housing needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred 2 days later. The contact mentioned that there was a delay while starting the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact about a manufacturer fuel injector recall and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Check engine light comes on in mid June 2010...referred to owners manual which was possibly due to the exhaust filter...owners manual stated specifics to clear which it did. Light appeared again and repeated owners manual procedures then scheduled appt at dealership to look at in which we received washer fluid recall at same time. Dealership repaired recall but could not duplicate reason for the "maintenance required light" issue. About a week later truck became hard to start...glow plug indicator would not work and fuel began leaking from the fuel filter. Returned vehicle to dealership in which they found the fuel filter leaking and fuel sensor cracked in which they cannot find a replacement part and are doing a worldwide search. They also told us that our truck was not equipped with a glow plug indicator which we strongly advised that it was and verified with purchasing dealership. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Sierra 2500 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500?
The air bags — 39 complaints, 62% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (5) and fuel & propulsion system (4).
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from January 10, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.