This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 GMC Sierra brakes problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provide policy information on a revised customer concern not duplicated/verified labor operation numbers and how to submit CCND.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an Antilock Braking System lamp followed by a Service Stability message in the Drivers Information Center. Technician my find Diagnostic Trouble Code C0710 set in the Electronic Brake Control Module. Technician may or may not find Diagnostic Trouble Code C0455. Technician will need to ensure the steering wheel is properly installed to the steering shaft.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a clear pattern of premature brake wear starting well below 30,000 miles. The most common failure is rotor warping—rotors fail at 15k miles, get turned or replaced, then warp again at 30k miles. One owner documented this twice at exactly 15k-mile intervals with uneven pad wear (one pad at 2mm while others were nearly new), suggesting a brake design or caliper hang-up issue. Another owner's truck overheated brakes dramatically coming down a mountain at 24k miles, with the front driver-side wheel smoking and caliper boots melting from extreme heat; discs turned blue. Multiple owners report brake pedal becoming soft or unresponsive. One driver at highway speed had to pump the brakes eight times to stop; another heard a ticking noise and couldn't stop at 30 mph, resulting in a rear-end collision. One truck at just 21 miles had faulty brakes that caused a crash.
Another recurring complaint is severe vibration when braking at highway speeds—one owner's 18-month-old truck visited the dealer eight times for front and rear brake work without resolution. One owner reports brakes staying engaged in cold weather even after releasing the pedal. Dealers turned rotors, replaced pads, and inspected calipers, but GM denied warranty coverage on repeat failures. A recall campaign (14V459000, Service brakes, air) was identified in one case, but repair parts were unavailable at the dealer.
Same GMC Sierra brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Rotor warping and premature wear
Rotors warp repeatedly, often within 15k-mile intervals, sometimes paired with uneven pad wear. Owners report brake fluid overheating, discs turning blue, and caliper boots melting from excessive heat.
When: 15k miles, 30k miles, 20k-30k miles; one case at 10.4k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes soft; Front wheels smoking and extremely hot; Pouncing and vibrating brakes; Rotors blue-discolored; Melted caliper boots; Uneven pad wear (one pad worn to 2mm while others nearly new)
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor turning/replacement, brake pad replacement ($200 cited in one case), brake fluid exchange. One owner had calipers inspected; dealer found burnt boots but deemed caliper acceptable. Aftermarket parts used in one case without solving repeat warping.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied warranty coverage for repeat rotor/pad work at 30k miles despite first failure at 15k miles. Dealer advised rotor replacement was recommended. One owner called GM customer service (incident #71-814348680) requesting caliper replacement due to burnt boots; caliper was not replaced.
Brake fade and loss of pedal pressure
Brake pedal becomes soft or fails to respond during braking, requiring multiple brake applications to stop vehicle. In one case at highway speed, pedal failed to press downward at all on first application.
When: At 24k miles, 116k miles; unknown mileage for one case
Symptoms owners cite: Soft brake pedal; Brake pedal fails to depress or build pressure; Requires multiple brake applications (8 times reported) to stop vehicle; Vehicle accelerates after braking attempt; Ticking noise heard during brake failure
Codes mentioned: NHTSA campaign 14V459000 (Service brakes, air) referenced in one complaint
Repairs/costs cited: Brakes diagnosed as needing replacement. In one case, parts required for the recall repair were not available at dealer, so vehicle was not repaired despite multiple failure recurrences.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 14V459000 (Service brakes, air) identified in one complaint but repair parts not available. Manufacturer not notified of failures in two cases.
Brake vibration and pulsing at highway speeds
Vehicle exhibits major vibration when brakes are applied at highway speeds, making vehicle difficult to control. Problem recurs despite multiple dealer visits and brake service.
When: Starting at 25,474 miles; at 30 mph in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Major vibration when brakes applied at highway speeds; Vehicle hard to hold on the road; Brake pulsing sensation; Problem persists after 8 dealer visits over 18 months
Repairs/costs cited: Front and rear brakes replaced/repaired multiple times at dealership; problem not resolved.
Brakes remaining engaged in cold weather
In cold weather, brakes may remain engaged even after the brake pedal is released, happening sporadically on initial startups.
When: Cold weather, on initial start of day
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes stay engaged after pedal is released; Occurs sporadically on cold-weather startups; Happens first time vehicle is driven for the day
Brake system failure resulting in collision
Vehicle rear-ended another vehicle at low speed due to faulty brakes, with police report filed. Brakes were faulty from time of purchase at 21 miles.
When: At 21 miles (failure); collision at 850 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes failed to stop vehicle; Resulted in rear-end collision
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated they were unaware of failure and requested owner pay for repair despite pre-existing condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed unawareness of defect; refused to cover repair under warranty.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 GMC Sierra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 24,000 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 26,832. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,000; a quarter make it past 59,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.