2008 GMC Sierra 3500 air bags problems
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 — 68% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Started the truck in driveway waiting on woman to get in on passenger side BOOM! AIR BAG EXPLODED didn't know what happened and then the passenger side airbag exploded. Shut the truck off got out 5 minutes later passenger side airbag exploded again and it was smoking they are very loud thank God no…”
filed Jul 18, 2026
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra ld. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags), however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…”
filed Feb 7, 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra 3500. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Greenville motor co (169 interstate dr, greenville, al 36037, (877)…”
filed Apr 9, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term…Campaign 20V011000 · Jan 10, 2020
- Affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be…Campaign 15V324000 · May 28, 2015
Air Bags problems in other Sierra 3500 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 4% |
| 2022 Sierra 3500 | 2 | 7% |
| 2020 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 5% |
| 2015 Sierra 3500 | 3 | 10% |
| 2011 Sierra 3500 | 8 | 40% |
| 2002 Sierra 3500 | 2 | 10% |
| 2001 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 3% |
| 1999 Sierra 3500 | 1 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 GMC Sierra 3500
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.