ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2008 Chevrolet Silverado
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 162 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 249 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 9 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2010 | 2 | 12 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 14 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 15 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 16 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 18 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 19 |
| Oct 2011 | 2 | 21 |
| Nov 2011 | 3 | 24 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 25 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2012 | 3 | 30 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 31 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 32 |
| Sep 2012 | 2 | 34 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 36 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 37 |
| Mar 2013 | 4 | 41 |
| Apr 2013 | 2 | 43 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 44 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 45 |
| Aug 2013 | 2 | 47 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 48 |
| Oct 2013 | 3 | 51 |
| Nov 2013 | 2 | 53 |
| Dec 2013 | 2 | 55 |
| Feb 2014 | 4 | 59 |
| Apr 2014 | 2 | 61 |
| May 2014 | 2 | 63 |
| Jul 2014 | 3 | 66 |
| Aug 2014 | 3 | 69 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 70 |
| Oct 2014 | 3 | 73 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 75 |
| Dec 2014 | 2 | 77 |
| Jan 2015 | 7 | 84 |
| Feb 2015 | 5 | 89 |
| Mar 2015 | 6 | 95 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 97 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 98 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 99 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 100 |
| Sep 2015 | 7 | 107 |
| Oct 2015 | 5 | 112 |
| Nov 2015 | 4 | 116 |
| Dec 2015 | 8 | 124 |
| Jan 2016 | 11 | 135 |
| Feb 2016 | 7 | 142 |
| Mar 2016 | 6 | 148 |
| Apr 2016 | 5 | 153 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 154 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 155 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 156 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 157 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 158 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 160 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 161 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 162 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags6229.0%
- Electrical4822.4%
- Interior & seats188.4%
- Engine157.0%
- Body & structure146.5%
- Powertrain (other)115.1%
- Brakes104.7%
- Driver assistance83.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11510794
- Incident
- Mar 8, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11481787
- Incident
- Aug 29, 2022
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11466775
- Incident
- May 31, 2022
- Mileage
- 240,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11463020
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2020
- Mileage
- 108,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11445132
- Incident
- Dec 24, 2021
- Mileage
- 260,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11435546
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2020
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11423191
- Incident
- Jul 2, 2021
- Mileage
- 150 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11421645
- Incident
- Jun 7, 2021
- Mileage
- 89,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. The bump clunk issue may be due to fuel movement in the fuel tank when not completely full. The condition is eliminated after completely filling the fuel tank.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
ENGINE
This Preliminary Information communication provides steps the technician will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production Option Code L20, L77, L94, L96, L99, L9H, LC8, LC9, LH9, LMF, LMG, LY6, or LZ1. Vehicle may have Service Engine Soon lamp with Diagnostic Trouble Code P0521 or Low Oil Pressure message on the instrument panel. Dealer will need to determine if bulletin 10-06-01-008 was completed. If the bulletin was performed inspect the left rocker cover. Dealer will insure the left rocker can hold water without leaking. If leaks are found apply room temperature vulcanization silicone to the rocker cover if possible or replace the left rocker cover.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a list of modules to check for communication with the scan tool, if the navigation radio does not display the current Hybrid mode. Dealer will use a scan tool to check communication with Accessory Direct current Power Control Module, Air Condition control module, Drive Motor Generator Power Inverter Module, Engine Control Module, Battery Energy Control Module, and Transfer Case Control Module. Repair the loss of communication with the affected module and the power flow should return to the radio display.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 76 | 7 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 2014 | 124 | 14 | 0 | 53.5 |
| 2013 | 64 | 3 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2012 | 68 | 2 | 0 | 52.0 |
| 2011 | 75 | 2 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2010 | 62 | 1 | 0 | 38.1 |
| 2009 | 76 | 0 | 0 | 37.9 |
| 2008Viewing | 162 | 2 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2007 | 183 | 4 | 2 | 58.7 |
| 2006 | 182 | 10 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2005 | 316 | 14 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 2004 | 622 | 15 | 1 | 59.9 |
| 2003 | 695 | 13 | 8 | 62.5 |
| 2002 | 710 | 15 | 12 | 66.5 |
| 2001 | 877 | 15 | 13 | 66.8 |
| 2000 | 1,305 | 20 | 13 | 66.6 |
| 1999 | 1,660 | 17 | 14 | 63.5 |
| 1998 | 279 | 0 | 2 | 43.0 |
| 1997 | 272 | 0 | 0 | 38.1 |
| 1996 | 186 | 0 | 0 | 39.2 |
| 1995 | 263 | 0 | 0 | 35.9 |
| 1994 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 37.1 |
| 1993 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 37.5 |
| 1992 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 36.9 |
| 1991 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 28.0 |
| 1990 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 |
| 1989 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 42.3 |
| 1988 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 38.7 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.