2008 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
101 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 101 complaints (39.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.0% |
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 | 40 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 14 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 |
| Structure | 3 |
Air Bags: 40; Unknown Or Other: 19; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 14; Electrical System: 11; Structure:Body: 10; Engine: 8; Structure:Body:Door: 6; Structure: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 7
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 35 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 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 7 |
2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 11; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 7; 2015: 3; 2016: 20; 2017: 22; 2018: 15; 2019: 7
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10236651 · 2008-08-01 (August 1, 2008)
REAR WIPERS ARE NOT STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE A NEAR VERTICAL REAR WINDOW, LIKE AN SUV, WHICH GETS SOILED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THAT PRACTICALLY BLOCKS REAR VISIBILITY AND CONTRIBUTES TO REAR ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS, AS WELL AS COLLISIONS WITH OTHER OBJECTS. MOST IF NOT ALL SUV'S CAN HAVE A REAR WIPER INSTALLED AS AN ACCESSORY, SO MAKING IT STANDARD WILL BE VERY EASY FOR THE MANUFACTURERS. IN FEBRUARY THE PRESIDENT SIGNED INTO LAW LEGISLATION ADDRESSING REAR ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS, AND THIS REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THAT BILL. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238660 · 2008-08-18 (August 18, 2008)
PROBLEM: UNSTABLE & INADEQUATE JACK FOR VEHICLE. I HAD A FLAT ON MY VEHICLE AND USED THE FACTORY JACK. WHILE PULLING THE TIRE OFF THE LUGS THE VEHICLE SHIFTED AND THE JACK FELL OVER. LUCKILY THE TIRE WAS STILL WITHIN THE WHEEL-WELL AND TIRE/RIM BROKE THE FALL. EVEN THOUGH I WAS ON A FLAT LEVEL CONCRETE PARKING LOT, THE STABILITY OF THE JACK IS POOR (VERY SMALL FOOTPRINT AND TOP OF THE RAM IS ALSO SMALL). NOT VERY MUCH FRONT-BACK MOVEMENT CAUSES INSTABILITY FOR THE JACK. IN ADDITION, THE MAXIMUM JACK HEIGHT PROVIDED BARELY ENOUGH CLEARANCE …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238660 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238918 · 2008-08-19 (August 19, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DOORS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS OUT OF PARK. INSTEAD, THE CONTACT HAS TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOORS. WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IS IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, SHE MUST CLIMB INTO THE BACK SEAT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND GET HER CHILD. IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED, THEY COULD POSSIBLY OPEN AND CAUSE THE CHILD TO FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275465 · 2009-07-01 (July 1, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS HAVE ROTTED, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE NOT TO BRAKE PROPERLY. WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES BEGIN TO PULSATE AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP COMPLETELY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THAT HE NEEDED TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. THE FAILURE WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME. THE MECHANIC STATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336295 · 2010-06-14 (June 14, 2010)
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING ON 08 SUBURBAN. DEALER REPLACED LOCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340440 · 2010-06-28 (June 28, 2010)
VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK A DESCRIBED OFTEN REQUIRING SOMEONE TO CRAWL IN THE BACKSEATS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IN ORDER TO GET THE KIDS OUT. THERE ARE NO KEY LOCKS ON NEW VEHICLES FOR THE BACK DOORS AND WHEN THE LOCKS MESS UP IT REQUIRES SOMEONE TO CRAWL ACROSS AND UNLOCK IT MANUALLY.. RECENTLY MY BACK LEFT DOOR LOCK MESSED UP AND I TOOK IT IN AND PAID OUT OF MY POCKET TO HAVE IT FIXED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CANNOT FIND ANY GM DEALERSHIP IN BELGIUM THAT WILL HONOR A GM WARRANTY DUE TO A FALLOUT WITH CHEVROLET. ONE MONTH AFTER I H…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,159 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341103 · 2010-07-02 (July 2, 2010)
MY PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK QUIT WORKING AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MY CHILDREN MIGHT OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD...OR THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEM OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IE..FIRE, CRASH, WATER..ETC.. DUE TO THE LOCKS ONLY BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE!! AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS, I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH ALL 2008 CHEVROLET MODELS AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE AUTHORITIES!!! DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED?? MY WARRANTY HAPPENED TO EXPIRE 6000 MILES A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10341103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349150 · 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)
2008 CHEVY SUBURBAN HAS HAD TWO OUTSIDE CHROME DOOR HANDLES BREAK DUE TO BEING HELD IN BY PLASTIC. DEALER HAS SEEN TONS OF THESE NOT ONLY ON SUBURBANS BUT OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES. SEE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #09-08-64-032. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349150 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.