STARTER SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY SHORTS OUT AND ENABLES THE PASS LOCK MODULE OR SECURITY AND YOU HAVE WAIT TEN MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE
2008 Hummer H3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Hummer H3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all H3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
87 reports with mileage · 26 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsMY HUMMER WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. I CALLED AAA THINKING IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY. THEY CAME OUT, GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THEY TESTED ALL ELECTRICAL AND FOUND NO ISSUES. THE BATTERY IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I DROVE A SHO…
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MY HUMMER WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. I CALLED AAA THINKING IT WAS A DEAD BATTERY. THEY CAME OUT, GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THEY TESTED ALL ELECTRICAL AND FOUND NO ISSUES. THE BATTERY IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE, PARKED AND TURNED OFF MY HUMMER. LESS THAN 1 MINUTE LATER, I GOT IN AND IT WOULD NOT START. THIS TIME, NO CLICKING NOISE, NOTHING. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES, SINCE I REMEMBERED THAT IT STARTED UP THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED. A FEW TRIES AND ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, THE HUMMER STARTED. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK-COST $110.00. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE, AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO FIX. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE ALMOST FROM DAY ONE WITH THE KEY FOB SETTING OFF THE ALARM WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE HORN BLOWS, BUT NOT STRONGLY LIKE IT WOULD IF THE CAR IS BEING BROKEN INTO. IT'S A VERY WEAK HONK, AND IT WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND THE KEY INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. MY DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THIS AND SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE THE FOB BATTERY. IT'S NOT, IT DOES IT WITH NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED. THE CONSENSUS OF READERS ONLINE IS THAT THIS NOT STARTING ISSUE IS A FLAW IN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE THINKS IT'S BEING STOLEN AND THEREFORE WILL NOT START. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS THE CASE, BASED ON THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THE KEY FOB. GETTING STUCK SOMEPLACE IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING, BUT CAN BE DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN ARIZONA WITH TEMPS IN EXCESS OF 110 DURING THE SUMMER. LIKEWISE FOR PEOPLE THIS HAPPENS TO IN AREAS OF FRIGID COLD AND SNOW.
IT STARTED ONE MORNING I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START I WAS GETTING A (NO CRANK NO START).I TESTED THE BATTERY THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY MONTHS BEFORE AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE, I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK MY IGNITION AND STARTER FUSES AND RELAYS ALL WERE REPLACED. I NOTICED I HAD A DASH LIGHT ON THAT WAS A CAR …
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IT STARTED ONE MORNING I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START I WAS GETTING A (NO CRANK NO START).I TESTED THE BATTERY THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY MONTHS BEFORE AND THE BATTERY WAS FINE, I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK MY IGNITION AND STARTER FUSES AND RELAYS ALL WERE REPLACED. I NOTICED I HAD A DASH LIGHT ON THAT WAS A CAR SYMBOL NOT EVER DEALING WITH IT I TALKED TO A GARAGE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ANTI THEFT PASS LOCK SYSTEM AND THAT I COULD CHECK BY LETTING THE KEY ON FOR 10 MINS THEN WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT START IT WORKED AS THEY SAID. THEY SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE LOCK ASSEMBLE WHICH INCLUDED THE LOCK HOUSING,KEY CYLINDER,AND PASS LOCK MODULE.I GOT THE PARTS FROM MY LOCAL DEALER AND HAD THEM REPLACED AND RE LEARNED CAR WORKED FINE NO LIGHT ANY MORE FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS. AT THAT TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING I GOT IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AN IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY KEY OFF AND TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN WHEN I DID SO I NOTICED THAT STUPID RED DASH LIGHT SHAPED LIKE A CAR WAITED THE 10 MINS AS DID BEFORE AND STARTED RIGHT UP TOOK IT RIGHT HOME NOW THE SAME THING BUT IT JUST BLINKS AND WILL NOT GO OFF ANYMORE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM NOT STARTING SOMEWHERE IS ONE THING THAT'S BAD ENOUGH BUT TO HAVE IT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHEN DRIVING IS SCARY. I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE REGULARLY AND I'M FINDING OUT THAT THEIR ARE MULTIPLY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES NOT ONLY HUMMER'S BUT MOST GM PRODUCTS. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING SECURITY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. KEEPS ME STRANDED AT TIMES UNTIL THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF. MY HOOD IS RATTLING AND AM AFRAID ONE DAY IT WILL COME OFF. DON'T WANT TO TRADE IT IN BUT MAY NOT HAVE A CHOICE. IF COMPANIES ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY NEED TO FIX THEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS …
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING SECURITY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. KEEPS ME STRANDED AT TIMES UNTIL THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF. MY HOOD IS RATTLING AND AM AFRAID ONE DAY IT WILL COME OFF. DON'T WANT TO TRADE IT IN BUT MAY NOT HAVE A CHOICE. IF COMPANIES ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY NEED TO FIX THEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT IS A TOTAL SHAME THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND BY THE WAY PAYING HIGH CAR OR TRUCK NOTES A MONTH AND HAVING TO DEAL WITH EXTRA PROBLEMS WE DON'T NEED OR WANT. FIX EVERYTHING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND THERE WON'T BE SO MANY COMPLAINTS COMING YOUR WAY. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN MORE THAN ONCE FOR RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SUED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, THE ABS, FOG, TRACTION, AND TPM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT MORE TIME WAS NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, THE ABS, FOG, TRACTION, AND TPM INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT MORE TIME WAS NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY) DID NOT ADDRESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,500.
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLES PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLES THE STARTER LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF AND REENGAGES THE STARTER. THIS ISSUES SEEMS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT WILL. AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THE PASSLOCK SECURITY I…
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INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLES PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM DISABLES THE STARTER LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED FOR 10 MINUTES WHILE THE SYSTEM RESETS ITSELF AND REENGAGES THE STARTER. THIS ISSUES SEEMS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT WILL. AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THE PASSLOCK SECURITY ISSUES PROVES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE H3.
THE SECURITY LOCK SYSTEM ON MY HUMMER H3 INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES DURING START CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT CRANK. NORMALLY I HAVE TO WAIT 10 TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET ITSELF AND SHE STARTS RIGHT UP, BUT TODAY IT'S BEEN 8 HOURS. FINALLY I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TO THE GM DEALERSHIP. WE GOT LUCKY TODAY. AT 10AM MY WIFE THO…
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THE SECURITY LOCK SYSTEM ON MY HUMMER H3 INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES DURING START CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT CRANK. NORMALLY I HAVE TO WAIT 10 TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET ITSELF AND SHE STARTS RIGHT UP, BUT TODAY IT'S BEEN 8 HOURS. FINALLY I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TO THE GM DEALERSHIP. WE GOT LUCKY TODAY. AT 10AM MY WIFE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING INTO LABOR, WE GET TO THE TRUCK AND NO START. JUST A FLASHING SECURITY LOCK SYMBOL FLASHING AT ME. ENDED UP USING HER CAR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN, WHAT IF HER WATER HAD BROKE OR MY SON WAS NEEDING MEDICAL ATTENTION. I KNOW GM KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT BECAUSE I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS MADE TO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER RESISTOR AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED, MELTED TOGETHER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER RESISTOR AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED, MELTED TOGETHER, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,926. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY TWO YEARS AGO. ABOUT A YEAR AGO IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO OVERHEATING OR MELTING OF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT (OURS HAS MELTED AND IS VISIBLE) AND I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OVER A MONTH AGO BUT THE PART IS STILL UNAVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA …
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THE AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY TWO YEARS AGO. ABOUT A YEAR AGO IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. THE ISSUE IS RELATED TO OVERHEATING OR MELTING OF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT (OURS HAS MELTED AND IS VISIBLE) AND I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE OVER A MONTH AGO BUT THE PART IS STILL UNAVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE THE TEMPERATURES ARE HIGH MOST OF THE YEAR SO I HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF FULL USE OF MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO DO BETTER TO GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED AS OUR LOSS OF USE IS NOT IN ANY OTHER MEANS BEING COMPENSATED. THIS IS FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING AND WE NEED IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION. IT IS A FREQUENT, KNOWN, RECURRING AND COSTLY ISSUE.
I OWN A 2008 HUMMER H3 AND FOR THE PAST 4 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE NOT STARTING WHEN YOU FIRST GET IN. IF YOU WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES, IT STARTS JUST FINE. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIPS AND REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS CAUSING THIS INTERMITANT PROBLEM. TH…
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I OWN A 2008 HUMMER H3 AND FOR THE PAST 4 1/2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH ISSUES RELATED TO ENGINE NOT STARTING WHEN YOU FIRST GET IN. IF YOU WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES, IT STARTS JUST FINE. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIPS AND REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS CAUSING THIS INTERMITANT PROBLEM. THE COMPANY THAT INSTALLED MY ALARM SYSTEM THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE IGNITION AND/OR THE PASSLOCK. APPARENTLY, THE PASSLOCK IS WHAT THINKS YOUR CAR IS BEING STOLEN AND SHUTS IT DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES. HOWEVER, THEY ARE EACH $600 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT EITHER IS THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER READING SOME HUMMER FORUM THIS APPEARS TO BE A GLOBAL PROBLEM WITH ALL HUMMERS FROM 2006 TO 2010 AND GM REFUSES TO ADMIT THEY HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT SUBMIT A RECALL FOR THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
Official recalls
215V421000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor
Jul 1, 2015
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 the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace part of the blower motor connector and harness, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Hummer customer service at 1-800-732-5493. GM's number for this recall is 15042.
10V179000 · Structure:body:hood
Apr 30, 2010
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 COULD FRACTURE AND THE HOOD LOUVER COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY AN ADHESIVE TO THE HOOD LOUVER TO SECURE IT TO THE HOOD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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