2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 has 7 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report problems related to the airbag and seatbelt system, including unexpected airbag deployment and malfunctions that affect occupant safety. Some complain about delayed recall repairs, with parts on back order preventing resolution.
- Airbag deployment failure. Airbags did not deploy when the vehicle was struck on the front passenger side at speeds of 35-40 mph.
- Spontaneous airbag deployment. Airbags in the steering wheel and passenger side deployed unexpectedly while driving, causing damage such as a busted windshield and debris inside the cab.
- Malfunctioning safety restraints. After a loud bang inside the cab, hazard lights activated, an electrical smell was present, airbag light illuminated, and seatbelts were retracted and non-functional.
- Recall repair delays. Owners report recall parts for the airbag system are on back order and repairs have been delayed for years despite ongoing safety warnings.
- Safety system warning lights. The airbag warning light comes on without immediate repair availability, causing owners to avoid driving due to safety concerns.
- Odometer discrepancy. One complaint reports a large mileage discrepancy discovered after purchase, with the title showing a significantly higher odometer reading than the vehicle displayed at purchase.
There are 5 recalls affecting the 2008 Sierra 1500. These recalls mostly involve the front passenger airbag inflator modules, which contain defective propellant that may degrade and cause the inflator to explode. This defect risks projecting sharp metal fragments inside the vehicle, creating a danger of serious injury or death.
- Passenger airbag inflator (NHTSA 21V050000). Affects over 2.6 million vehicles. The propellant in the inflator may degrade due to high humidity and temperature cycles, causing an explosion hazard. GM will replace the front passenger airbag inflator free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed February 2021. No "Do Not Drive" advisory was issued. GM recall number N212328760.
- Passenger airbag inflator (NHTSA 21V052000). Affects over 550,000 vehicles. Same defect as above with phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant degradation causing possible inflator rupture and metal fragments inside the cabin. GM will replace the inflator at no cost. Owner notifications started in September 2021. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" notices. GM recall number N212328780.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs, unresolved safety defects, or delayed recall service may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Those facing ongoing airbag system issues should consider consulting a consumer protection attorney familiar with lemon law claims.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 Summary
2008
Model Year
7
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
3198295
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
557023 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
2641272 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Complaints
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2124174AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2123327ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
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 the title was approximately 250,205.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2122082AIR BAGS
I have contacted Blaise Alexander in muncy pa 17756 in 2020 or 2021 and they told me that the part was on back order they would contact me when the part has come in 5 years later they still have not contacted me I have reached out by phone through email and Facebook messenger to set up a time to fix my 2008 gmc sierra and haven’t heard anything well last week my service air bag soon light came on and I am very nervous about that so I will not drive the truck I would like to file a formal complaint and have this taken care of please
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2099988VISIBILITY/WIPER
Driving down the road on way home from work airbags blew out. The one in the steering wheel and the one on the passenger side. It busted windshield on passenger side. Shards of stuff all over dash on passenger side. That airbag popped 2 times.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2099987AIR BAGS
Driving down the road on way home from work airbags blew out. The one in the steering wheel and the one on the passenger side. It busted windshield on passenger side. Shards of stuff all over dash on passenger side. That airbag popped 2 times.
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2095926AIR BAGS
Air bags did not deploy when another vehicle hit truck on front passenger side at 35-40 mph
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500
ID: 2052102SEAT BELTS
I was driving in a parking structure at low speed when a loud bang went off inside the cab. The hazard lights went off, there was an acrid electrical smell, and fine dust was coming from the steering wheel area. I stopped the truck and got out to look for a collision, but there was none. When I restarted the truck, the air bag light came on and I noticed that the seatbelts were retracted and no longer functional. I was not injured, but I believe that if this had happened in traffic or on the highway, I and my passenger could have been seriously hurt. The vehicle was towed to the GMC dealership, where they identified an error with the module that sends a signal to the airbags and seatbelts to deploy. Prior to this occurrence, I had no indication that the airbag/seatbelt system was faulty or in need of service.