CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

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

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 276 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 13 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 SUBURBAN is air bags with 96 filings, followed by unknown or other (38) and engine (25). 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 SUBURBAN, 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.

276
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

276 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS96
UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
ENGINE25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES19
STRUCTURE:BODY14
STRUCTURE8
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR7
POWER TRAIN6
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
SERVICE BRAKES3
SUSPENSION3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2

Recalls (4)

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

21V05200005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally s

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

Recent Complaints

20250603CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH, she started to choke and was unable to breathe, which resulted in the driver fully colliding into a cement wall. The driver sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact child was taken to the local trauma facility. The contact stated that all of the air bags located in the vehicle were deployed during the incident. A police officer was driving behind during the incident and assisted immediately after the crash. The contact was concerned that the air bags deployed violently, causing a fracture to the driver's neck, which resulted in an emergency trigonometry on the scene, who cut the trachea. The driver suffered injuries and underwent multiple operations due to the incident. The driver sustained lung and trachea injuries from the incident. A police report was filed, but the report number was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an in

Mileage: 154,000

20240724AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

20231219AIR BAGS

Took my SUV for an airbag recall and when it was completed my truck AirBag light was left on. My truck did not have that light on when I arrived at the location. Dealer mentioned not knowing what to do about it. I made a complaint and nothing was done by the dealer.

20230804SUSPENSION

The dash board in the vehicle is cracked and none is able to fix problems. The engine misfire and to figure out the problem cost lost of money. The lifters goes bad on vehicle. Suspension works always need.

20230804ENGINE

The dash board in the vehicle is cracked and none is able to fix problems. The engine misfire and to figure out the problem cost lost of money. The lifters goes bad on vehicle. Suspension works always need.

20230804UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The dash board in the vehicle is cracked and none is able to fix problems. The engine misfire and to figure out the problem cost lost of money. The lifters goes bad on vehicle. Suspension works always need.

20230512STEERING

I have a 2008 Suburban. Beginning in August, there was an accident on the highway and traffic was backed up. I was idling, waiting for the traffic to move, like every other car on the hightway and the suburban just shut off and said "Stablitrak off." It happened numerous times after this, just when idling. I took to the dealership I bought it at. They charged a ton to fix something but it didn't' take care of the problem. It's gotten so much worse. I took back a few months ago and they fixed it again, but didn't charge us this time. Now it's so much worse. Anytime I'm iding, just picking my daughter up at school or just stopped at a red light, a warning comes across, "service stabilitrak" or "stablitrak off." and the car immediately shuts off. It usually restarts in 5 minutes or so and I can usually make it to my destination as long as I don't idle again. Monday I was picking up my daughter and it stalled in the parking lot at her high school with tons of cars behind me- I waited, r

20230512ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have a 2008 Suburban. Beginning in August, there was an accident on the highway and traffic was backed up. I was idling, waiting for the traffic to move, like every other car on the hightway and the suburban just shut off and said "Stablitrak off." It happened numerous times after this, just when idling. I took to the dealership I bought it at. They charged a ton to fix something but it didn't' take care of the problem. It's gotten so much worse. I took back a few months ago and they fixed it again, but didn't charge us this time. Now it's so much worse. Anytime I'm iding, just picking my daughter up at school or just stopped at a red light, a warning comes across, "service stabilitrak" or "stablitrak off." and the car immediately shuts off. It usually restarts in 5 minutes or so and I can usually make it to my destination as long as I don't idle again. Monday I was picking up my daughter and it stalled in the parking lot at her high school with tons of cars behind me- I waited, r

20230113UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Severe crackin of dashboard in multiple places. Poses a risk to passengers in the event of a collision.

20220923UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dashboard cracked By itself

20220404FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TPS throttle position system. I’ve had issues since 2013 to present time. The car accelerates and decelerates on its own. I have replaced more than once car is not safe to drive. Need help asap

20220228AIR BAGS

I was told the air bag was defective

20211007ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact has had multiple repairs performed on the engine; however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

Mileage: 169,000

20211007POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact has had multiple repairs performed on the engine; however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

Mileage: 169,000

20210810UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Multiple cracks in dashboard

20210715UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2008 Chevy Suburban 1500 LT - the dashboard has cracked for no reason. This vehiclas has NOT been in any accident that could have caused this to happen. The cracks have speard now throughout the top of dashboard.

20210624AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000(AIRBAGS); however, upon contacting the dealer, she was informed that the remedy may cause her dashboard to crack and she would be responsible for the repair. The manufacturer was then notified of the matter and confirmed that the dealer would not be held responsible for any cracks or damages to the dashboard. The contact stated that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the dashboard due to the recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired for the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20210526UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Dash is cracked in multiple places. I am concerned that this would cause a safety issue of plastic projectiles in case of crash and airbag deployment

20210331CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE SUPPRESSED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST AND NECK SORENESS. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO HER HOME ADDRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20210331CrashPOWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE SUPPRESSED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN WRIST AND NECK SORENESS. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO HER HOME ADDRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2008CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 276 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
Yes, the 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 4 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 SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is AIR BAGS with 96 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 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.