2008 Chevrolet SILVERADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
162 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 118 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 162 complaints (38.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 6.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
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 | 62 |
| Electrical System | 44 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 17 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
Air Bags: 62; Electrical System: 44; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 17; Engine: 11; Power Train: 11; Structure:Body: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Seat Belts: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 34 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 34; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 44 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 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 10; 2012: 12; 2013: 18; 2014: 22; 2015: 47; 2016: 29; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10244789 · 2008-09-30 (September 30, 2008)
2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER HAS ISSUES WITH THE RECALL 08048 AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW LOCKOUT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR MIRROR TILT FEATURE WORKED OCCASIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RADIO/CD PANEL LIGHTS WORKED SOMETIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10244789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323872 · 2010-04-05 (April 5, 2010)
THE VEHICLE HAS NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK AIRBAGS" LIGHT WILL BEGIN FLASHING, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL BEGIN ACTUATING RAPIDLY, THE GAUGES WILL FREEZE, AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10272957 · 2009-06-05 (June 5, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT IF THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER BOTH STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY RELEASED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 7,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF WHILE TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273465 · 2009-06-10 (June 10, 2009)
IF I AM GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN LET UP A LITTLE BIT SO THAT I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT. THEY GO OUT BEFORE I AM OFF OF MY BRAKES. SO IF I AM COASTING DOWN A HILL AND APPLY MY BRAKES AND THEN REALIZE THAT I HAVE APPLIED TOO MUCH PRESSURE AND I HAVE TO LET OUT A LITTLE BIT TO CALIBRATE THE PRESSURE CORRECTLY MY BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON, THEY GO OUT BEFORE THE PEDAL IS COMPLETELY RELEASED. I WANT MY BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON UNTIL I LET OFF MY BRAKES COMPLETELY, IT SHOULDN'T M…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293367 · 2009-11-24 (November 24, 2009)
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO CREW CAB THAT MAKES CLANKING SOUND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL FOR THIS TRUCK". THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE WAS "SURPRISED THAT IT HAD NOT STARTED MAKING THIS NOISE SOONER". IT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND CAN BE HEARD WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. COINCIDENTALLY, THIS IS THE SAME SOUND THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I WOULD TAKE OFF AT A STOPLIGHT/STOP SIGN. I COULD F…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,731 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297327 · 2009-12-29 (December 29, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN HE HEARD A THUMPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20000.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368753 · 2010-11-26 (November 26, 2010)
2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DOOR LOCKS CYCLING, A/C NOT WORKING INTERMITTENT, ALT GAUGE FLUCTUATING, FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATING, ENGINE STALL, ABS & TCS LIGHTS BLINKING. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY DEALER AND THE KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE 175 AMP MEGAFUSE AND BATTERY CABLES. I GOT BACK AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR A WEEK AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING PROPERLY EXCEPT THE ALT GAUGE. I INTEND ON CALLING THEM BACK NEXT WEEK SO I CAN DRIVE IT A LITTLE LONGER TO SEE IF ANY OF THE OTHER ISSUES PERSIST.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10368753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10521638 · 2013-06-25 (June 25, 2013)
LOSS OF POWER DOOR LOCKS GOING UP AND DOWN SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GOING UP AND DOWN ALL DASH LIGHTS BLINKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454263 · 2012-04-05 (April 5, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER ACTIVATED AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE ACTIVATING OF THE PRE-TENSIONER INJURED THE CONTACT'S SHOULDER DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE AND PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10565014 · 2014-02-19 (February 19, 2014)
7:10 A.M. TUESDAY MORNING, I HIT BLACK ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS THE ROAD. I THEN HIT A CLIFF WITH THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE, ONCE I HIT THE THE CLIFF MY VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED IN THE AIR AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I HAD LANDED ON THE PAVEMENT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ALONG PROCEEDING AT AROUND 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HIT THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER HIT MY HOOD DIRECTLY WITH THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE. DURING THE WHOLE INCIDENT, I HAD MY SEATBELT ON. ALS…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10565014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532250 · 2013-07-28 (July 28, 2013)
THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING. WHILE LOOKING FOR THE SOURCE, I NOTICED FUEL SPRAYING OUT UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT WAS LEAKING. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS A DEIGN FLAW, A DEFECT IN THE PART OR POOR WORKMANSHIP, BUT IT COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF THE FUEL HAD IGNITED, WHICH WAS POSSIBLE WITH THE PRESSURE AND VOLUME OF THE LEAK. IT WAS REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE DUE TO IT BEING A "SAFETY FACTOR". THE TRUCK IS NOT DRIVEN I…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650135 · 2014-10-26 (October 26, 2014)
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I FOUND AN EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CODE STORED. I CLEARED THE CODE AND WENT ABOUT MY BUSINESS. NOT LONG AFTER, I WENT TO FILL THE TRUCK WITH FUEL AND GASOLINE SPILLED OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WITHOUT COMING UP THE FILLING NECK. WHEN I GOT AROUND TO TAKING THE TANK OFF THE TRUNK TO LOOK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THE TOP PLATE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND LEFT AN APPROXIMATE 1" X 1/2" …
Owner-reported narrative. 68,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650135 at NHTSA ↗