CHEVROLET SILVERADO · model year

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

221 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008CHEVROLETSILVERADO carries 221 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 18 crashes, 6 fires, 21 injuries, and 2 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 SILVERADO is air bags with 62 filings, followed by electrical system (44) and latches/locks/linkages (17). 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 57 investigation files overlapping the 2008 SILVERADO, and 2 remain open. 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.

221
Complaints
18
Crashes
6
Fires
21
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

221 filings

Crashes Reported

18 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS62
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES17
POWER TRAIN11
ENGINE11
STRUCTURE:BODY8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEAT BELTS5
STRUCTURE5
TIRES4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SERVICE BRAKES4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3

Recalls (2)

08V44100028/08/2008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIP

08E05000011/08/2008

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A

Recent Complaints

20230308AIR BAGS

2008 CHEVROLET 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATION ISSUE AND SEVERE RUSTING TO THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE TRUCK TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED OR PROVIDING A TRUCK WHERE THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST.

20230308STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

2008 CHEVROLET 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATION ISSUE AND SEVERE RUSTING TO THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THE TRUCK TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED OR PROVIDING A TRUCK WHERE THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST.

20220829FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while the husband was driving, a warning message indicating the hood was unlatched had been displayed and the front headlights were not operable. Smoke was seen coming from under the hood and after lifting the hood to inspect the engine compartment flames and smoke were present. The husband extinguished the flames with water and the vehicle was pushed to a work sight. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the battery cable and electrical wiring harness were melted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The fire department was not called to the scene. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

20220531AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's and passenger's air bags deployed without warning, causing the front windshield to explode and damage the passenger's side dashboard. There was no impact to the vehicle that could have caused the air bags to deploy. The contact was not injured; however, his fiancée, who was a passenger, had bruises on her knees, legs, and arms, as well as burns and cuts on her legs. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Air Bags) associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Mileage: 240,000

20220502CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle went off the roadway and hit a tree on the front end on the passenger side. The driver's side airbag deployed, however, the passenger side air bag did not. The contact recently received a recall letter from the manufacturer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that her son did not remember any warning lights being illuminated. The contact's son sustained back injuries and neck injuries as well as lacerations to his brows and forehead and eyes. The police arrived on the scene and wrote an incident report. The contact's son was driven to seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and declared a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20211227FireFIRERELATED

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught fire from the dashboard. The fire department was able to put out the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and remained in the parking space. The insurance company was not made aware of the failure to deem the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but the manufacturer disconnected the call. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

Mileage: 260,000

20211005CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an unknown rate, he fell asleep behind the wheel and hit a tree. The passenger-side air bag did not deploy upon impact; the contact stated that was uncertain if any other airbags were deployed in the crash. The police were called and a police report was filed. The contact's son was not injured and did not receive medical attention. The vehicle was towed from the scene by her insurance provider to an independent mechanic. The contact recently received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (AIRBAGS) which she linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

20210702AIR BAGS

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO C1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.

Mileage: 150

20210621AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the service air bag light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the service air bag warning light was not related to the recall and the dealer informed the contact that he would need to pay for the air bag repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 89,000

20210525CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, when he fell asleep and crashed into a pillar. The contact stated the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained neck injuries but did not seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repairs. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (AIR BAG). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20160415AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160411SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS EXTRACTION BUCKLE EXPLODED AND EMITTED SMOKE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE EXTRACTION BUCKLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. THE SEAT BELT AND SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT BUMPER SENSORS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,581.

Mileage: 107,581

20160408ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLUCTUATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

Mileage: 66,000

20160407AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

20160407AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL..I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER A YEAR AND STILL NO FIX FOR MY TRUCK. ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS. SOMEONE DIED TONITE ON THE NEWS. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH YOUR AUTO INDUSTRY. A YEAR, A YEAR LATER AND NOTHING.. HOPE NO ONE IN MY FAMILY IS HURT OR WORSE BEFORE YOU GET OFF YOUR BUTTS AND DEAL WITH THIS. WHAT A DISGRACE TO THIS COUNTRY, AN AMERICAN CAR, YEAH RIGHT. I WANT A FIX AND I WANT TO KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE NEGLECT ON YOUR PART OF THIS PROBLEM AND SAY THEY'RE SORRY. I WANT AN ANSWER TO WHEN THIS IS GOING TO BE REMEDIED. PLEASE CONTACT ME SOON!!

Mileage: 26,500

20160331AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DEALER WOULD NOT RELEASE IT UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALER DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE RELEASED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160328AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" IT HAS BEEN OVER 8 MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS. AS OF TODAY THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION FROM GM. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE CONSIDERING "IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH". THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION IN SOME FASHION SO I AM NOT RISKING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE WAITING.

20160328UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A 2008 SILVERADO 2500HD WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT AND JUST NOTICED TWO CRACKS HAVE FORMED ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY CHEVROLET AT NO CHARGE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED SUN PROTECTED EXCEPT WHEN TRAVELING. AT THAT TIME A DASH SCREEN IS USED FOR SUN PROTECTION. I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IMMEDIATELY AND THEY HAD ME TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER FOR EXAMINATION. I HAD MY VEHICLE EXAMINED AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 21, 2016. THEY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, TOOK PHOTOS AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITH THE DECISION. THEY DID SO LATER THAT DAY BUT THE DECISION WAS TO REPLACE THE DASH WHICH WOULD BE $1000.00 OF WHICH GM WOULD BE WILLING TO PICK UP HALF, SO MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WOULD BE $500.00. I REFUSED THIS OFFER AND TOLD THE DEALER I WOULD BE CONTACTING THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO DISPUTE ME HAVING TO PAY $500

Mileage: 48,000

20160310AIR BAGS

WE RECEIVED NOTICE JULY 2015. WE HAVE YET TO GET APPROVAL FOR PARTS TO GET THIS ITEM REPAIRED. WE HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL! WE OUR RETIRED AND TRAVEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THIS DEFECT IS CONSTANTLY ON OUR MIND. WITH THE MILES WE TRAVEL WE STAND A GREATER RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING. WHO DO WE TURN TO? THE MEDIA?

20160302UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED AROUND THE LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG.

Mileage: 65,300

Compare 2008CHEVROLETSILVERADO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO have?
The 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO has 221 NHTSA complaints, 18 crashes, 6 fires, 21 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO?
Yes, the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO?
The most-complained component for the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO is AIR BAGS with 62 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Is the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 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.