The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Not enough data. Only 16 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Dodge Nitro 1882008 Mazda CX-7 1922008 Jeep Liberty 194
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V421000 (visibility) and 10V179000 (body structure) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Hummer sent dealers 909 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent mil/ses, dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip) to…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hummer's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 16 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 39K miles (5K to 64K km) on the car (15 of all 16 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Side air bags deployed without contact with anything.
2008 Hummer H3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10329859
More owner reports
Driving 08 Hummer h3 down city road, hit section dug up and covered with dirt/gravel; medium pothole sizes. Going 20 mph; side air bags deployed. Gm says it was supposed to do that.
NHTSA complaint 10321820
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2006–2010 Hummer H3
Most-watched topics
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4222K views
How to Use Four-Wheel Drive 4X4 Control System on Hummer H3 Adventure Package 2009-2010Newroad · 190K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical100K views
2005 - 2010 Hummer H3 Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 87K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service81K views
Change Engine Oil and Filter 2006-10 Hummer H3 Removing Shield Guards – Resetting Change Oil WarningJohn C RV · 45K views · 4 videos - Timing chain & engine61K views
2008 Hummer H3 Misfire Case Study (Part 4) Leak down test revisitedScannerDanner · 61K views
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition57K views
2008 Hummer H3 no crank no start fixNestor Auto Repair · 57K views - Steering & suspension44K views
Front Differential Bushing Replacement | 2007 H3 Hummer 3.7L (Chevy Colorado - GMC Canyon)John C RV · 22K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter37K views
2008 HUMMER H3 Transmission replacement made easy. DIY Hummer H3 Transmission. (4L60)TheGrayMechanic · 21K views · 2 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers32K views
HOW TO REPLACE a HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR | 2007 Hummer H3 - Ticking noise in DashJohn C RV · 32K views
Before you buy, watch
Hummer H3 2006 to 2010 common problems, issues, recalls, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 81K views
Top 5 Problems Hummer H3 SUV 2006-2010 1st Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 50K views
2008 hummer h3 3.7L oil pressure problemswhatz next · 19K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Hummer told dealers about
Hummer sent dealers 909 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent mil/ses, dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip) to…
- Low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant)
- Intermittent mil/ses/ dtc p2138 with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.
- Body structure · recall issued 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Hummer H3 year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Hummer H3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hummer-h3/?y=2008" title="Hummer H3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hummer-h3/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Hummer H3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Hummer H3 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Hummer H3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (31%), body structure (19%) and steering (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Hummer H3 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Hummer H3 get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Hummer H3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Hummer H3 cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Hummer H3 have?
3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Hummer H3 year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works