FaultScore

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 airbag problems

243 of the 440 complaints about the 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 are about the airbag system — 55% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,735 miles.

F

243

Complaints

9

Crashes

0

Fires

9

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 241 99.2%
Frontal 2 0.8%

Airbags across every GMC Sierra 1500 year

2005 15 1.7%
2007 145 16.8%
2008 243 28.1%
2009 122 14.1%
2010 77 8.9%
2011 113 13.1%
2012 42 4.9%
2013 35 4.1%
2014 24 2.8%
2015 37 4.3%
2016 11 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Odessa, FL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact about the disclaimer about the dashboard possibly being damaged. The dealer informed the contact that there were no loaner vehicles, but then called back and offered a loaner. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a clai,m and referred the contact to another local dealer. The contact called the other local dealer, Ferman Chevrolet of Tarpon Springs (43520 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689), who confirmed there was a disclaimer related to the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11691910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Le Mars, IA

AIR 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.

NHTSA complaint #11683498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cogan Station, PA

AIR 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

NHTSA complaint #11682073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bogalusa, LA

AIR 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.

NHTSA complaint #11666843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, OR Crash

AIR BAGS

Air bags did not deploy when another vehicle hit truck on front passenger side at 35-40 mph

NHTSA complaint #11664061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Paducah, KY

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off at the residence, the front windshield cracked. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's and passenger's side air bags had deployed without impact. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that a short circuit was caused by water damage in the air bag modules underneath the front driver's and passenger's side seats. The vehicle was then towed to a body shop for the air bags to be replaced; however, the replacement parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA complaint #11541202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Ana, CA

AIR BAGS

Where the passenger airbag is at, there is some cracking around it

NHTSA complaint #11509607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Brainerd, MN

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel air bag and driver seat belt air bag were inadvertently deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and cut the air bags. The contact also stated she could no longer use the driver's seat belt as it was locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that they could not determine the cause of the failure. However, the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not share the diagnostic of the vehicle because it was confidential. The manufacturer also offered to buy back the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #11433375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midlothian, TX

AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11426471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conroe, TX

AIR BAGS

I'm frustrated with the dash being cracked. the big issue is that i believe it is a safety issue. the dash is cracked around the airbag area. if this airbag should deploy someone could be hurt or killed. I would like to get this corrected because I'm afraid to operate the vehicle. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Regards, [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *cc

NHTSA complaint #11418065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arbor Vitae, WI

AIR BAGS

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V052000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11417504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,393 miles Hemphill, TX

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING FROM LUFKIN TO HEMPHILL AT 70 MPH. SOMETHING BLEW UP, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HIT ME. ENGINE DIED, BRAKES STARTED, EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON, AND SEATBELT LOCKED DOWN, TRUCK STOPPED, I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HIT ME. NOTHING! WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE TRUCK A WHITE POWDER (NOT SMOKE) WAS COMING OUT OF THE SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN SEAT BELT LOCKED DOWN I HAD TO BACK SEAT UP TO GET OUT OF THE BELT. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HIT SOMEONE.

NHTSA complaint #11408218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,735 miles Florence, SC

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KING BUICK GMC (1700 W EVANS ST, FLORENCE, SC 29501) AND A CASE WAS OPENED WITH THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT GMC WAS UNABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES AND TO RESOLVE MATTERS THROUGH THE INSURANCE PROVIDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE STICKING BY THE RESULTS FROM THE INVESTIGATION IN 2019, THAT PRODUCED NO MERIT FOR THE ALLEGATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,735. ## VIN PASSED ## GMC 2008 SIERRA ##

NHTSA complaint #11405029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Fennville, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

IN THE CITY STOPPED AT A LEFT TURN LANE WAITING FOR THE GREEN. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STATED TO TURN LEFT AND WAS HIT ON RIGHT FRONT HARD ENOUGH TO SEND ME TWO LANES OVER, ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND INTO A BRICK WALL CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE TO BRICK BUILDING. I DO NOT REMEMBER BEING HIT OR HITTING THE BRICK WALL. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION.

NHTSA complaint #11398207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles THE Woodlands, TX

AIR BAGS

THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 21V050 HAS BEEN IN LIMBO FOR YEARS. THIS HAS BEEN THE RECALL STATUS FOR YEARS WITH NO UPDATES: RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

NHTSA complaint #11397300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Omaha, NE

AIR BAGS

CONCERNING : TAKATA AIRBAG GM RECALL #: 2049152, NHTSA # 16V383. STILL NO ACTION TAKEN BY GM, 4 YEARS NOW.

NHTSA complaint #11394446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 195,000 miles Santa Rosa, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY THAT THE AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,000.

NHTSA complaint #11391074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, NC

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MOORE BUICK GMC (2445 N MARINE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546, (910) 455-1414)) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11388855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,723 miles Breaux Bridge, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON COLLISION WITH TWO CONCRETE WALLS, CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING TBI AND ALSO SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT ARM WHICH RESULTED IN IT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL/USE BELOW THE ELBOW, AND ESPECIALLY THE HAND. THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY THAT WAS CAUSED WHEN THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. I HAVE ATTACHED THE REPORT FROM POLICE AND INSURANCE COMPANY (WITH PHOTOS).

NHTSA complaint #11384655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union City, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FREMONT CADILLAC (5939 AUTO MALL PKWY, FREMONT (510) 686-8969) INFORMED HIM THAT REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11376354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Fayetteville, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER NALLEY CHEVROLET (4200 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (770) 969-1001) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. ## VIN PASSED ## GMC 2008 ##

NHTSA complaint #11376120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mckinney, TX

AIR BAGS

CONTACTED LOCAL MCKINNEY BUICK GM DEALERSHIP PER GMC WEBSITE DIRECTIONS TO REPAIR THE GM RECALL NO. 2049151 AND WAS INFORMED THAT GM HAS NOT AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO CONDUCT THE AIR BAG REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #11376138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moulton, AL

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE LOCAL DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11376139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Springfield, CO

AIR BAGS

SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND ICON ARE SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE WARNING COMES ON EVERY TIME I START THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11375918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hessmer, LA

AIR BAGS

GMC HAS FAILED TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR MY STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IN A TIMELY MANNER. I BOUGHT THIS USED TRUCK BACK IN FEB 2020 AND HAVE BEEN CHECKING MONTHLY FOR A RESOLUTION ON THE AIRBAG SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #11375948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Dickinson, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP AND ON OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED NOR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11372842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Copper Hill, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11365095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,709 miles Cumberland, MD

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIMBROOK BUICK GMC (10201 MOUNT SAVAGE RD NW, CUMBERLAND, MD 21502) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,907.

NHTSA complaint #11361541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 240,000 miles Aransas Pass, TX

AIR BAGS

MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM STORE IN A 08 GMC SIERRRA. AS SHE APPROACHED RED LIGHT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! NO ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE. PAVED ROAD AND TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20 MPH. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DESTROYED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE TRIED TO THROW A BRICK THRU IT.

NHTSA complaint #11353422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whitewright, TX

AIR BAGS

RECEIVED STANDARD TAKATA RECALL LETTER IN 2016 & BEGAN CONTACTING GMC & CHEVY DEALERS IN MY AREA, BUT THEY JUST KEPT SAYING WAITING FOR PARTS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED MY VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED, BUT 'NO PARTS AVAILABLE'. ONLINE SEARCH ALSO SAYS MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. NOW (6/2020)I CONTACTED SAME DEALER (MCKINNEY GMC BUICK, MCKINNEY, TX), WHO CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. I THINK THEY'RE BLOWING SMOKE.

NHTSA complaint #11342165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

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