This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 GMC Sierra fuel system problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 5 fuel system complaints filed for the 2008 GMC Sierra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of GMC Sierra in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 dealership personnel with information on flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the usage of E85 fuel in GM vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that after refueling the fuel gauge will show empty. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P2636 has set. Technician should be advised that the vehicle is being refueled with the engine running or ignition on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some vehicles may have a Service Engine Soon lamp, engine misfire on cylinder 1, 4, 6, or 7 and/or tick noise. Technician will follow service information diagnosis first. If service information diagnosis does not isolate the cause of this concern perform a cylinder deactivation active fuel management system compression test in service information. If the running compression of the misfiring cylinder stays below 25 Pounds per Square Inch regardless of the active fuel management solenoid being commanded on or off, an active fuel management lifter is mechanically collapsed/stuck or unlocking as soon as the en
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Began to smell faint raw gas fumes around the vehicle in the summer. In the autumn months the raw gas odor smell intensified and was very strong with an overcoming presence in the cabin while driving. I brought the vehicle to my shop for diagnostic. The mechanic (non GMC garage) called back several hours later and said I had been driving a potentially disaster. He asked me to see for myself.…
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2008 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 98,667 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.