The Lemon Index2008 GMC Sierra.
The 2008 GMC Sierra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 60 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 36, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about doors, locks & latches, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 14 to 17 mpg combined. The best GMC Sierra year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 555 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Sierra year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 110K miles on the car (300 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 48K–119K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 39K–120K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 37K–100K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALAN…
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON X…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 1617 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear leaf spring slap or clunk noise (replace spring inserts) *tt updated 10/18/07
- Slip condition in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
- Ei07082 - power steering fluid leaking from power steering gear/rack assembly
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2008 GMC Sierra owner · NHTSA complaint 10390535
More owner reports
2008 GMC Sierra 1500 truck electric lock actuators are defective - there are several complaints on line - mine are no longer working and 2 of the 4 have already been replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10358273
Gmc door lock actuators fail at a very high rate. Doors will not automatically lock/unlock when you put the vehicle park/drive.
NHTSA complaint 10413366
Quick answers
Is the 2008 GMC Sierra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Sierra year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 GMC Sierra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are doors, locks & latches (22%), brakes (13%) and airbags (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 GMC Sierra have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Sierra get?
14 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 GMC Sierra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,000 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 69,000 miles, from 300 complaints.
Does the 2008 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 GMC Sierra cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 GMC Sierra have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What GMC Sierra year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works