Makes›GMC›Sierra›2008

2008 GMC Sierra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
1500 Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4, 1500 Ext Cab L/Box 2WD, 1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4
Engines
4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
Length
224.4–243.3 in
Curb weight
4,923–5,410 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints418 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 51 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 GMC Sierra is a standard pickup truck offered with 4 engines (4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 224 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 144-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,148 lb (1500 Crew Cab S/Box 2WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 11% better than the 2008 standard pickup truck average of 15.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 418 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

  • No hybrid version any more
  • Lightest version 558 lb heavier

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Sierra →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1500 Crew Cab S/Box 2WD224.4 in79.9 in74 in143.7 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,148 lb58/42
1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4X4224.4 in79.9 in74 in143.7 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,326 lb58/42
1500 Ext Cab L/Box 2WD243.3 in79.9 in74 in157.5 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,218 lb58/42
1500 Ext Cab L/Box 4X4243.3 in79.9 in74 in157.5 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,410 lb58/42
1500 Ext Cab M/Box 2WD224.4 in79.9 in74 in143.7 in68.5 / 67.3 in4,923 lb58/42
1500 Ext Cab M/Box 4X4224.4 in79.9 in74 in143.7 in68.5 / 67.3 in5,267 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sierra C15 2WD4.3L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17+11%$3,950523
Sierra C15 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17+11%$3,950523
Sierra C15 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17+11%$3,950523
Sierra C15 2WD4.8L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16+5%$4,200555
Sierra K15 4WD4.8L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16+10%$4,200555
Sierra K15 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16+10%$4,200555
Sierra K15 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16+10%$4,200555
Sierra C15 2WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-2%$4,450592
Sierra C15 2WD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 15-2%$5,500592
Sierra K15 4WD4.3L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15+3%$4,450592
Sierra K15 4WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-4%$4,800635
Sierra K15 AWD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-4%$5,850635
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
15.3 MPG2008 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 GMC Sierra under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 GMC Sierra (this car)17 MPGNot rated6
2008 Chevrolet Silverado17 MPGNot rated6
2008 Toyota Tundra17 MPGNot rated10
2008 Nissan Titan14 MPGNot rated3
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup17 MPGNot rated6
2008 Dodge Dakota Pickup18 MPGNot rated2
2008 Mitsubishi Raider Pickup18 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V052000 · 557,023 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · 2,641,272 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V011000 · 699 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. 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 front passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N192290990.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 28, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V324000 · 330,198 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 15438 and 15817.
Electrical System · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V407000 · 9,371 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Risk
If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.
Electrical System · Jun 4, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Problem
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 AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). 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 DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 GMC Sierra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

418Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
98,577 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags308
Unknown Or Other55
Structure › Body23
Engine21
Electrical System19
Seat Belts14
Power Train6
Service Brakes5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 221/11: 122/01: 122/05: 122/12: 123/01: 223/02: 123/03: 123/05: 123/08: 124/03: 124/04: 124/09: 224/10: 125/01: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/08: 325/10: 126/03: 226/05: 126/07: 126/08: 221/0922/0523/0223/0824/0925/0425/0826/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 GMC Sierra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 308 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 23 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Engine — 21 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 98,577 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 GMC Sierra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sierra years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Sierra25241.3 inNot rated6169
2025 Sierra26241.3 inNot rated4178
2024 Sierra25233.1 inNot rated8538
2023 Sierra26229.5 inNot rated4558
2022 Sierra26241.3 inNot rated8674
2021 Sierra26241.3 inNot rated10668
2020 Sierra26241.3 inNot rated16624
2019 Sierra21225.6 inNot rated17729
2018 Sierra20235.4 inNot rated12371
2017 Sierra20235.4 inNot rated11481
2016 Sierra20235.4 inNot rated13457
2015 Sierra20235.4 inNot rated23915

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →