2008 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
74,629 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 31 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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 | 13 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control | 1 |
| Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer | 1 |
Air Bags: 13; Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control: 1; Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 13 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 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10244640 · 2008-10-07 (October 7, 2008)
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SQUEALING BRAKES SINCE ABOUT NOT EVEN A WEEK OF OWNING IT. WE CALLED IT IN AND TOOK IT IN TO KOONS CHEVROLET OF WHITE MARSH IN WHICH THEY TOOK IT FOR LESS THEN 2 MILE TEST DRIVE AND DIDN'T EVEN REMOVE THE TIRES (WE COULD TELL BECAUSE ITS A DUALLY AND NOT 1 FINGER PRINT ON THE DIRTY HUBCAP). THEY CLEARED TICKET OUT AND CLAIMED NO NOISE. WE TOOK IT HOME STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SQUEALING AND WE TOLD THEM SO AND EXPRESSED OUR DISGUST THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN CHECK THE WHEELS. TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AGAIN AND TOOK F…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991366 · 2017-05-24 (May 24, 2017)
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 #…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508980 · 2013-04-21 (April 21, 2013)
THE DASH CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ELECTRICAL POWER. FREEZING THE ALL GAUGES WHERE THEY ARE AT THE TIME. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT SEEMS TO WORK. AFTER RETURNING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD WILL REMAIN LIT UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH IS CYCLED OFF THEN ON AGAIN. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IT WAS ONLY TWICE AS A MOMENTARY CONDITION AND WOULD RETURN NORMAL BEFORE I COULD GET TO A DEALERSHIP. NOW AT 140,000 MILES IT CAN LAST SEVERAL DAYS AND VERY FREQUENTLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10994116 · 2017-06-09 (June 9, 2017)
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 [phone removed] 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.…
Owner-reported narrative. 230,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230911 · 2008-06-13 (June 13, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT RUNS ROUGHLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND THE TAIL SHAFT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GET 6.8 MPG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,873 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,232.
Owner-reported narrative. 113,873 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155553 · 2018-12-03 (December 3, 2018)
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, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11155553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544161 · 2023-09-12 (September 12, 2023)
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 wheel…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544161 at NHTSA ↗