NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Hummer H3 (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,522 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Hummer H3 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Hummer H3 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Oct 312008

H3

  • 1,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Evergreen, CO, USA

problem #28

Apr 072022

H3

  • 132,000 miles
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.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #27

Oct 092020

H3

  • 124,000 miles
Security system stops it from cranking and I have to stand outside the vehicle with it locked for 15 minutes so it will reset. Wiring burnt up and I had it replaced and the radio, A/C, and temp gauge still doesn't work

- Millington, TN, USA

problem #26

Jul 022020

H3

  • 109,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When attempting to start the vehicle, it locks me out for 10 min, I had it happen two times in a row where I couldn't start it for 20 minutes and was late for work. I have been suck in -20 degree weather with my child. This is an on going issue, and there isn't an error code that pops up when I had it checked. This needs to be fixed!! there is no way to tell when it is going to happen, therefore it has made it very unreliable and has put me and my family at risk.

- Hancock, MN, USA

problem #25

Feb 202020

H3

  • 100,000 miles
It seems that the H3, and quite a few other GM cars of this era, has a fuel cutoff switch enabled by a security system which reads the car's key. However, it also has a huge history of failing to operate even when the proper key is used by the car's owner. This represents a dangerous flaw in the design of these cars, not in the sense that it careen off the road without warning or the like, but that it's already stranded my wife multiple times in dangerous circumstances. The fix is currently to replace, at a cost of $300 plus, the ignition switch with exactly the same part that's failed, which is to say that it's more than likely to fail again, as nothing has been done to re-engineer the failed system. I believe that GM needs to really fix the problem, rather than shrug this off as an inconvenience, especially when they are not only apprised of the problem (many, many owners have experienced this), they are planning to re-introduce the brand with an electric drive train. The reporting page requests a specific date, but today is one of many times this has happened.

- Marble, NC, USA

problem #24

Aug 122019

H3

  • miles
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.

- Robbins, IL, USA

problem #23

May 212018

H3

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine completely shut off while driving on a major highway. The steering wheel locked up and the car came to a stop. Luckily, each time this occurred, I was able to pull over to the shoulder. There were no error lights that came up on both occasions of this happening. The battery continue to die, even after being replaced three times in 6 months!

- Conshohocken, PA, USA

problem #22

Apr 252018

H3

  • 69,455 miles
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

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #21

Sep 192017

H3

  • 84,000 miles
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. 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.

- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA

problem #20

Jan 142017

H3 5-cyl

  • 103 miles
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.

- Lock Haven, PA, USA

problem #19

Dec 132016

H3 5-cyl

  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Monahans, TX, USA

problem #18

Apr 302016

H3

  • 70,500 miles
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.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #17

Aug 072016

H3

  • 75,000 miles
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.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 032016

H3

  • 107,000 miles
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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #15

Jun 132013

H3

  • 46,000 miles
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.

- Lake Monroe, FL, USA

problem #14

Oct 072015

H3

  • 50,000 miles
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 Hummer 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.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #13

Oct 092014

H3

  • 90,851 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the air conditioning and heating system would independently shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the blower motor and the wire harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, months later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was informed that the ac could not be charged and the radiator the ac alternator and the battery needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however a month later then the vehicle began to over heat and fail to start. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who, stated the ignition switch needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that there was a burning odor emitting from the ac ventilation system. The vehicle was taken again to the dealer who stated the wire harness was melted as a result the blower motor and wire harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V421000 (visibility). The manufacturer had not yet determine a solution for the failure. The failure mileage was 90,851.

- Tracy , CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 032015

H3

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V421000 (electrical system); 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #11

Aug 012012

H3

  • miles
An odor smell of baked, cooked, melted, chared, scorched, and roasted electrical wires and have had to twice replace the General Motors, harness, 25949869, and acdelco 15-80647 GM original equipment heating and air conditioning blower motor resistor, and once have had to replace new the heater blower motor with fan cage.

- Alamo, TX, USA

problem #10

Oct 012014

H3

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hummer H3. While driving at approximately 5 mph during a rain storm, the windshield wipers became inoperable without warning. The contact pulled over and powered the vehicle off and back on. When the vehicle was restarted, the windshield wipers failed to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the body control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

- Cary, NC, USA

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