VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 221 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Silverado year — the 2008 model ranks #15 of 35 Silverado years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 62 reports (28% of the total).

221

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

21

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Silverado years?

Silverado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted2,104 complaints1980: 2 complaints1982: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 3 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 18 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 37 complaints1991: 18 complaints1992: 51 complaints1993: 77 complaints1994: 235 complaints1995: 331 complaints1996: 230 complaints1997: 365 complaints1998: 335 complaints1999: 2,104 complaints2000: 1,614 complaints2001: 1,048 complaints2002: 853 complaints2003: 852 complaints2004: 723 complaints2005: 361 complaints2006: 223 complaints2007: 253 complaints2008: 221 complaints2009: 103 complaints2010: 91 complaints2011: 99 complaints2012: 91 complaints2013: 87 complaints2014: 195 complaints2015: 111 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 156 complaints
Silverado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silverado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Silverado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6228%
Electrical System5123%
Latches & Locks188%
Engine157%
Body & Structure146%
Transmission125%
Other105%
Brakes105%
Tires & Wheels63%
Seat Belts52%
Speed Control52%
Lighting42%
Fuel System42%
Suspension21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Steering10%

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

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 WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2011 · crash

“ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARS AND SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE APPEARS,BOTH. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE. BURNING ODORS APPEAR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE G.M. DEALERSHIP LOCATED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED PART OF THE CARPET ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE KICK PLATE. $2,400.00 TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 25, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS ON BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHENEVER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 7, 2012

“CYLINDER 4 MISFIRE CODE WHICH LEAD DEALER TO DIAGNOSE A BAD LIFTER WITH CAM DAMAGE, NEW PISTON RINGS NEEDED, ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $7,000 + AFM CONTRIBUTED TO PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL YEAR PER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TRUCK NEVER HAULED, OR PLOWED WITH. REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 29, 2015

“ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARS AND SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE APPEARS,BOTH. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE. BURNING ODORS APPEAR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE G.M. DEALERSHIP LOCATED THE WIRING HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED PART OF THE CARPET ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE KICK PLATE. $2,400.00 TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 25, 2015 · fire

2008 Chevrolet Silverado — common questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 221 complaints put the 2008 model at #15 of 35 Silverado years. It is one of the Silverado years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Silverado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (62 complaints), electrical system (51 complaints), latches & locks (18 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014. The cleanest record among Silverado years belongs to 1987.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.