Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Hummer H3 problems
Owners filed 113 complaints about the 2008 Hummer H3 with NHTSA between Jan 2008 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (34).
Complaints
113
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system34
- Engine18
- Air bags17
- Visibility15
- Visibility/wiper12
- Structure8
- Steering5
- Suspension4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Equipment4
- Seats3
- Exterior lighting3
- Wheels2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
2
8
2
9
10
8
21
13
5
4
5
7
3
3
2
3
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
34 reports1 crash4 fires
“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.”
Engine
18 reports
“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.”
Air bags
17 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING ON FAMILY PROPERTY (OPEN FIELD) STABLE GROUND NO INCLINES, HILLS, OR PITCHES AND GOING ABOUT 5MPH ALL OF MY SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS RANDOMLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO HIT, NO IMPACT, NO BOUNCES HIT, NO NOTHING. JUST ALL AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETE STABLE AND UPRIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR”
Visibility
15 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Visibility/wiper
12 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING MODULE FAILED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RIZZA CADILLAC BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 8425 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, (708) 429-6600), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Structure
8 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.