2008 GMC Sierra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 GMC Sierra: 2 recalls, 68 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #08V441000 · 2008 · 857,735 vehicles
What's wrong: A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater May overheat the control-circuit ground wire.
Why it matters: This May cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008.
Electrical Vehicle recall #10V240000 · 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles
What's wrong: A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor…
Why it matters: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire May occur.
The fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on June 11, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (29): the most common themes are fails to deploy (5), warning light on (4).
- Electrical (15): the most common themes are door / lock issues (12), stalls / loses power (2), warning light on (2).
- Body & structure (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Latches & locks (11): the most common themes are door / lock issues (11).
The 2008 GMC Sierra has 68 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 28 Sierra model years for complaints (well below the 140 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 66,850 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (59 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (37 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 19 | 15 | Premium |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 18 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 GMC Sierra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 GMC Sierra. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 GMC Sierra problems?
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (29), electrical (15), body & structure (12).
What gas mileage does the 2008 GMC Sierra get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 12 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 GMC Sierra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.