CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 4 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 SILVERADO 3500 is air bags with 13 filings, followed by electrical system (4) and unknown or other (4). 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 4 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 3500, 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.

35
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2
ENGINE2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
SUSPENSION1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1

Recalls (4)

15V32400028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped

20V01100010/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for p

10V24000004/06/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUT

14V40700002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowing

Recent Complaints

20230912AIR BAGS

Airbag and steering wheel problems. Neither driver's nor passenger's airbag deployed in a major crash. Our truck was hit by a fully loaded dump truck, speed unknown. Our driver had "mustang sign," bruising to chest. Passenger had seatbelt bruising. No warning lights or other indication was present to indicate that there was any problem with the airbags. We are the original owners and there was no previous use of, nor work done on the airbags. Steering wheel collapsed onto driver's legs, which we were told is common for adjustable steering wheels. Vehicle was totaled and is at junk yard. We have requested the collision report and can provide upon request.

20230912UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Airbag and steering wheel problems. Neither driver's nor passenger's airbag deployed in a major crash. Our truck was hit by a fully loaded dump truck, speed unknown. Our driver had "mustang sign," bruising to chest. Passenger had seatbelt bruising. No warning lights or other indication was present to indicate that there was any problem with the airbags. We are the original owners and there was no previous use of, nor work done on the airbags. Steering wheel collapsed onto driver's legs, which we were told is common for adjustable steering wheels. Vehicle was totaled and is at junk yard. We have requested the collision report and can provide upon request.

20190823ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED UPON STARTING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT DROVE TO TEAM CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (404 JAKE ALEXANDER BLVD S, SALISBURY, NC 28147, 704-212-2019) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF*JB

20181203AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE AIR BAGS AND PASS LOCK SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TERRY THOMPSON CHEVROLET (1402 US-98, DAPHNE, AL 36526, (251) 626-0631) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20181001VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. THE MOTOR FOR THE WIPERS WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE CIRCUIT BOARD UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BLADE CHEVROLET & RVS (1100 FREEWAY DR, MT VERNON, WA 98273, (360) 424-3231) WHERE THEY INITIALLY REPLACED THE MOTOR AND THEN REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WIPERS. THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE WIPER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT UPDATED 11/28/18*JB

20180302AIR BAGS

COX CHEVROLET IN BRADENTON FLORIDA IS REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALLED ITEM ON MY TRUCK

20170817UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH HAS CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIR BAG AND BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL

Mileage: 206,000

20170724AIR BAGS

DASH HAS SEVERELY CRACKED. IF AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY, THE HARD PLASTIC OF THE CRACKED DASH COULD VERY LIKELY INJURE OCCUPANTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN SMOOTH ROADWAY, WE STARTED HEARING CRACKING NOISES AND FOUND THE DASH CRACKING.

Mileage: 66,558

20170724UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH HAS SEVERELY CRACKED. IF AIR BAG WAS TO DEPLOY, THE HARD PLASTIC OF THE CRACKED DASH COULD VERY LIKELY INJURE OCCUPANTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN SMOOTH ROADWAY, WE STARTED HEARING CRACKING NOISES AND FOUND THE DASH CRACKING.

Mileage: 66,558

20170609ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A RECALL FOR THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC MODULE. THE CONTACT CALLED HARDY CHEVROLET AT (770) 532-4389 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE VIN'S EXCLUSION AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF . UPDATED 10/20/2017*JS

Mileage: 230,000

20170608FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STARTED VEHICLE, DROVE 100 YARDS, CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM POPPED UP ON DISPLAY, SMOKE IMMEDIATELY STARTED POURING IN VENTS AS IT BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. GOT KIDS OUT AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE BURNED FROM THE MOTOR TO THE BOX WHILE WAITING FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Mileage: 248,000

20170524ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM APPEAR ON THE DIC AND THERE IS THE LOSS OF ALL TRAILER BRAKES FUNCTION, WHICH DETERS THE VEHICLES STOPPING ABILITY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, RURAL HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE SYSTEM MUST RESET AND RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION. NOTICED WHEN GOING TO CHEVROLET FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE, FOUND THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS ISSUED A RECALL BULLETIN #14514B DATED JANUARY 2015 ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE, BUT WHEN AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATE THAT IT IS VIN SPECIFIC AND WILL NOT REPAIR. CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME AND THAT MY VEHICLE BY IT'S VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL LIST. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU AS I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO FATAL OR SERIOUS INJURY ON THE ROADWAYS.

Mileage: 82,700

20170207AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); 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 NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20161106AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" - WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL ON JULY 2015 AND STILL WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT. AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2016 IT SAYS PARTS TO REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

20161026AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WOULD SUPPLY THE REMEDY AND PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161017AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2015 CONTACTED GM DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD NO PARTS AVAILABLE THEY WOULD CONTACT US WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. CALLED ON 3/23/2016 AND GOT THE SAME STORY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. WE HAVE 5-1 TON TRUCKS AND DRIVE ALL ACROSS THE U.S. THIS TRUCK INVOLVED IN THE RECALL WE MADE IT A SHOP TRUCK FOR LOCAL RUNS ONLY UNTILL THIS RECALL GETS FIXED.

20160617AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB

20160617AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160513AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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.

20160412AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY OR PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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 NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 2008CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 35 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
Yes, the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is AIR BAGS with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 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.