2008 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
914 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 429 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 590 of 914 complaints (64.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 25 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 2.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 590 |
| Electrical System | 87 |
| Unknown Or Other | 86 |
| Structure:Body | 45 |
| Engine | 44 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 34 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 |
Air Bags: 590; Electrical System: 87; Unknown Or Other: 86; Structure:Body: 45; Engine: 44; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 34; Power Train: 23; Fuel/Propulsion System: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 70 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 67 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 87 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 68 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 87 |
| 150,000 and above | 50 |
Under 25,000: 70; 25,000 to 49,999: 67; 50,000 to 74,999: 87; 75,000 to 99,999: 68; 100,000 to 149,999: 87; 150,000 and above: 50
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 485 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2016 | 130 |
| 2017 | 236 |
| 2018 | 104 |
| 2019 | 93 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2008: 17; 2009: 19; 2010: 20; 2011: 35; 2012: 17; 2013: 21; 2014: 40; 2015: 27; 2016: 130; 2017: 236; 2018: 104; 2019: 93; 2020: 56; 2021: 39; 2022: 13; 2023: 17; 2024: 16; 2025: 6; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 27 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 25 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10214726 · 2008-01-14 (January 14, 2008)
UPON BRAKING HARD TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLES BRAKING ABRUPTLY IN FRONT OF ME, ALL FOUR WHEELS OF MY VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND JUST SLID ON DRY PAVEMENT. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DIDN'T WORK AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS NO PEDAL PULSATION OR RATCHETING NOISE AS USUAL WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WORKING PROPERLY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP SAFELY IF THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER SAID IF WARNING LIGHT WASN'T ON THEN THEY WERE OPERATING PROPERLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227043 · 2008-05-08 (May 8, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND WAS FINALLY STOPPED WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SCRATCHES DOWN THE SIDE AND A DENT IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND STATED THAT HE WOULD CALL HIS DOCTOR FOR AN EXAM. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 486.
Owner-reported narrative. 486 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257012 · 2009-01-31 (January 31, 2009)
INTERMEDIATE FLICKERING/DIMMING OF INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS- 3 TIMES RADIO STATIONS LOST PRE-SET-TWICE BATTERY DEAD-NO CRANK -2 POSSIBLE FUEL PUMP ISSUES-ON GOING POSSIBLE LIFTER NOISE/KNOCK WHEN STARTS-INTERMITTENT-ON GOING I HAVE TAKEN TRUCK TO 2 DEALERSHIPS, COMPLAINED TO GM AND BBB. PROBLEMS STILL ON-GOING. POSSIBLY FIX OF THE RADIO PROBLEM WITH A SOFTWARE FIC. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND ENGINE NOISE STILL AN ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285190 · 2009-09-25 (September 25, 2009)
PRELUDE TO THIS EVENT, INVOLVING MY 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 (APPROX 16,200 MILES), WAS THE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT FOR THE FAILURE OF ALL 4 POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. THE ACTUATORS FAILED ONE AT A TIME AND EACH TIME AN ACTUATOR WOULD FAIL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHOCK THE DRIVER WHEN TOUCHING THE METAL DOOR WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE LAST ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2009. ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2009, AFTER ENGAGING MY VEHICLE INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE DASHBOARD ELECTRICAL WENT DEAD. GAUGES WENT DARK AND RADIO BEGAN …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562987 · 2014-02-05 (February 5, 2014)
AIRBAGS SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT RECALL. MY TRUCK WAS WITHIN VIN RANGE BUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOLD UP NORTH THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. ONE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AND TWO DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE INJECTOR REPLACED. THE FUEL RAIL REPLACED. AC UNIT REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND CHECKED 17 TIMES FOR DEALERS TO NOT BE ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. STABILITRACK PROBLEM LIGHT BEEN ON ALONG WITH ABS LIGHT. THIS ALL STARTED WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES. DEALERS WAS HELPFUL WHILE UNDER WARRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258229 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE RISK OF A CRASH WAS INCREASED. TYPICALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER A BRIEF WAITING PERIOD. SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508609 · 2013-04-17 (April 17, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND LIFTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,663.
Owner-reported narrative. 146,663 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276051 · 2009-07-08 (July 8, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LATER RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MODERATE WRIST INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE STEERING PUMP REPAIR, THE STEERING GEARS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342150 · 2010-07-09 (July 9, 2010)
DRIVING AROUND CURVE ON RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MY 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO I CAME UPON AN ILLEGALLY PARKED CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO STEER AWAY FROM CAR WHEN STEERING LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING CAR THEN CURB THEN GARAGE. STEERING MADE A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE DURING MY ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE CAR. I HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPAIRED IN FEBRUARY 2010 AT DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED OUR TRUCK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY FOUND THE PUMP TO BE DEFECTIVE AND EFFECTED A REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 54,984 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218823 · 2008-02-21 (February 21, 2008)
I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY SILVERADO EXT. CAB 4X4 LTZ AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PROCEEDED APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 50 YARDS IN AN EFFORT TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER THE SMOKE INCREASED AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BECAME FILLED WITH HEAVY SMOKE. I STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND USED ONSTAR TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 31 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240821 · 2008-09-03 (September 3, 2008)
NORMAL OPERATION UNTIL AUGUST 25, 2008. TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET ENROUTE TO I-95. FAILED IN DRIVE AND COMPLETELY LOST REVERSE GEAR. LOUD SPINNING SOUND WAS HEARD. VEHICLE HAD 37, 351 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT MAROONE CHEVROLET SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE "CLAMSHELL". THAT IT HAD COME APART AND THERE WAS METAL THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. THEY RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION CHANGE AT THE COST OF $3, 377.07. WE WENT AHEAD WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS. SO FAR, NO PROGRESS WITH COMPLAINT RESOLUTION THROUGH GMC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240821 at NHTSA ↗