HUMMER H3 · model year

2008 HUMMER H3

153 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008HUMMERH3 carries 153 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 8 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 H3 is electrical system with 31 filings, followed by engine (18) and air bags (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2008 H3. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

153
Complaints
4
Crashes
8
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

153 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
ENGINE18
AIR BAGS13
VISIBILITY/WIPER12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
STRUCTURE:BODY6
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR4
VISIBILITY4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
STEERING3
SEATS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3

Recalls (2)

10V17900030/04/2010

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTEGRAL CLIP-TABS ON THE LOUVER ON THE HOOD MAY FRACTURE, CAUSING THE HOOD LOUVER RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD AND BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS INDICATOR IS UNNOTICED, ADDITIONAL CLIPS

15V42100001/07/2015

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for

Recent Complaints

20260130FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel level sensor stopped working now it say I’m on E These go out on these cars And are on the recall list, but not on my vehicle yet

20250713ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The pass lock in this vehicle is faulty. On numerous occasions, it has left me unable to start the vehicle, but if you wait 10 minutes each time, it will start again, but it happens all the time. I've seen numerous complaints online and GM needs to do something about it.

20250519VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V421000 (Visibility); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair due to the age of the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the blower motor had become inoperable. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 178,000

20240529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The last dealership I went to they advised to come th the dealership but when I got there nobody wasn’t trying to work there instead the said that it was going to be hard to work on it cause nobody work on those cars anymore and then they said they were going to order the part but never call me back for it. Call them but gave me the runaround basically.

20240529ENGINE

The last dealership I went to they advised to come th the dealership but when I got there nobody wasn’t trying to work there instead the said that it was going to be hard to work on it cause nobody work on those cars anymore and then they said they were going to order the part but never call me back for it. Call them but gave me the runaround basically.

20240529UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The last dealership I went to they advised to come th the dealership but when I got there nobody wasn’t trying to work there instead the said that it was going to be hard to work on it cause nobody work on those cars anymore and then they said they were going to order the part but never call me back for it. Call them but gave me the runaround basically.

20240204STRUCTURE:BODY

Engine was replaced at 163,000 miles now at 168,000 miles the frame is rusted beyond repair and is about to give at any moment nothing really left near rear axels. This could have definitely caused a horrible accident to myself or others having a big car just give way and collapse. Took it to mechanic who warned me first then next day took it to body shop that said nothing could be done. Basically both said get rid of it for parts as fast as you can and don’t look back. After the body shop guy actually showed me the rusted out areas i was scared to even drive it like the 10miles back to my house. It sucks after spending all that money on an engine and now having this issue and now having to buy a new car.

20240204ENGINE

Engine was replaced at 163,000 miles now at 168,000 miles the frame is rusted beyond repair and is about to give at any moment nothing really left near rear axels. This could have definitely caused a horrible accident to myself or others having a big car just give way and collapse. Took it to mechanic who warned me first then next day took it to body shop that said nothing could be done. Basically both said get rid of it for parts as fast as you can and don’t look back. After the body shop guy actually showed me the rusted out areas i was scared to even drive it like the 10miles back to my house. It sucks after spending all that money on an engine and now having this issue and now having to buy a new car.

20240204WHEELS

Engine was replaced at 163,000 miles now at 168,000 miles the frame is rusted beyond repair and is about to give at any moment nothing really left near rear axels. This could have definitely caused a horrible accident to myself or others having a big car just give way and collapse. Took it to mechanic who warned me first then next day took it to body shop that said nothing could be done. Basically both said get rid of it for parts as fast as you can and don’t look back. After the body shop guy actually showed me the rusted out areas i was scared to even drive it like the 10miles back to my house. It sucks after spending all that money on an engine and now having this issue and now having to buy a new car.

20240117ENGINE

exhaust leaking in cab of the car .Exhaust bolts broke or manifold cracked problem i heard about on line .on a long trip could make you passout with the fumes .please check it out .on most inline 5 cyclinder engines GM makes .Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20230222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start up without warning. The contact stated that after waiting ten minutes the vehicle started. The contact stated that recently the failure had become more frequent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Mileage: 1,000

20230222ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start up without warning. The contact stated that after waiting ten minutes the vehicle started. The contact stated that recently the failure had become more frequent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Mileage: 1,000

20230208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft system warning light illuminated. The contact waited 10 minutes for the vehicle to reset, per the vehicle Owner’s Manual instruction. The contact was able to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly several times per day. Additionally, the vehicle had taken 45 to 90 minutes to reset and restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on two occasions; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure as the vehicle would restart as needed while at the dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,421.

Mileage: 101,421

20221024ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure worsened while driving at highway speeds. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and notified them about the failure. The contact was informed by both that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20221007FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that upon shifting into drive (D) or reverse (R) the doors of the vehicle would unlock automatically. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that upon pressing the power master door lock switch to lock the vehicle, all four doors were unlocked. Additionally, the contact stated after refilling the gas tank at the gas station, the vehicle failed to restart and made an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that upon inspecting the hood of the vehicle, he saw flames on the positive side of the battery and the flames extended to the oil stick. The contact was able to extinguish the fire by taping it with a towel. The vehicle failed to start and remained at the gas station. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

20220402UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I saw a vehicle on sale in Indiana, via AutoTrader. I got a loan from a Federal Credit Union in Huntsville, Al. I can't get brakes repaired because frame is highly unreliable to be lifted. I need your assistance, please and Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

20210710SUSPENSION

I was not involved in an incident. The rear frame of this vehicle has rusted 90% away. if it were driven any further the rear axel will fall off. I was towing a boat and it and the axel and rear bumper could have flown off the vehicle. I had no idea the extent of damage. I've owned the vehicle for 11 years. I've read that other Hummer h3 owners have had the axel fall off. Please let other Hummer h3 owners know how severe this can be. Every northern tier state vehicle 2008 and older with 146,400 miles can not have this dangerous of a situation. I've attached a 2011 Buick lacrosse recall of a friend. This truly is a hazard. I had no idea how bad it is.

20210701UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle will not crank. After 10-12 minute wait vehicle cranks. According to symbol this is an anti-theft lockdown. But it happens repeatedly for no reason. Has happened 5 times in 6 days. My concern is this could happen during an emergency or in a dangerous place for a woman alone (dark deserted parking lot for instance). For this reason I am very conscious of where I park, but the 1st time it happened, with no warning, was terrifying. From what I have read even replacing the ignition does not solve the issue permanently, the same thing begins to happen again.

20210509ENGINE

THE ANTILOCK SAFETY IS PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY VEHICLE. WHEN IT DOES START, AND I GO TO AN INTERSECTION TO TURN THE TRUCK WILL THEN STALL OUT. IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, TIME CONSUMING, AND MONEY CONSUMING WHEN I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO TRY TO START MY TRUCK, OR IT DOESN'T START, I HAVE TO REPLACE IT FOR $450+ WHICH I DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT DOES LET IT START I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT WILL STALL OUT ON ANY GIVEN SECOND CAUSING A CATASTROPHE!!! THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THEIR VEHICLES. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 100,000

20210509FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE ANTILOCK SAFETY IS PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY VEHICLE. WHEN IT DOES START, AND I GO TO AN INTERSECTION TO TURN THE TRUCK WILL THEN STALL OUT. IT CAN CAUSE A WRECK. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, TIME CONSUMING, AND MONEY CONSUMING WHEN I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES TO TRY TO START MY TRUCK, OR IT DOESN'T START, I HAVE TO REPLACE IT FOR $450+ WHICH I DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF IT DOES LET IT START I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT WILL STALL OUT ON ANY GIVEN SECOND CAUSING A CATASTROPHE!!! THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THEIR VEHICLES. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2008HUMMERH3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 HUMMER H3 have?
The 2008 HUMMER H3 has 153 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 8 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 HUMMER H3?
Yes, the 2008 HUMMER H3 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 HUMMER H3?
The most-complained component for the 2008 HUMMER H3 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 31 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2008 HUMMER H3 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.