2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER COMPLAINS ABOUT GAS MILEAGE, TRUCK BOUNCING ON HIGHWAY, AND FRONT ROTORS *GR THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCKS, RACK AND PINION AND MACHINED THE ROTORS. *JB
2008 Chevrolet Silverado
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silverado years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
118 reports with mileage · 44 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
162 reportsTHE 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
TL* THE CONTACT 2008 OWNS A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN LEAF SPRINGS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE SPRINGS BROKE OFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE SPRINGS B…
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TL* THE CONTACT 2008 OWNS A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN LEAF SPRINGS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH WHEN THE SPRINGS BROKE OFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH. THE RIGHT WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE SPRINGS BROKE AND CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP COMPLETELY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36185 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36185. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED TWO CLIPS WERE OMITTED FROM THE LEAF SPRING. UPDATED 06/04/10
2008 SILVERADO LTZ-44.000 MI. UPON STOPPING VEH. ENGINE WOULDN'T STOP WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, PLACING ENGINE IN NEUTRAL RPM,S WENT TO 3X100, PLACE BACK IN DRIVE IT DROP INTO NORMAL ZONE. I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH A VEH. IN FRONT OF ME ALSO RAN A RED LIGHT AT ANOTHER TIME AS ENGINE GOT A LIFE OF ITS OWN. CHEVY DLR INSPD SAME S…
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2008 SILVERADO LTZ-44.000 MI. UPON STOPPING VEH. ENGINE WOULDN'T STOP WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, PLACING ENGINE IN NEUTRAL RPM,S WENT TO 3X100, PLACE BACK IN DRIVE IT DROP INTO NORMAL ZONE. I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH A VEH. IN FRONT OF ME ALSO RAN A RED LIGHT AT ANOTHER TIME AS ENGINE GOT A LIFE OF ITS OWN. CHEVY DLR INSPD SAME SAID A PIP HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR FAULTY THROTTLE CARBON BUILD UP. REPAIR SAME TO NO AVAIL. THIS HAPPENS NOT ALL THE TIME. SO FAR CHEVY IS UNRESPONSIVE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
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.…
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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.
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 SOO…
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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 FEEL A PAUSE AND THEN IT WOULD CLANK AND START TO MOVE. AGAIN THIS CAN BE HEARD WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME AND WAS TOLD "THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION". NOW THE TRUCK CLANKS WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO THIRD GEAR. *TR
LTR RE PROBLEMS HE HAVING WITH HIS 2008 CHEVORLET SILVERADO 3500 IN WHICH HE SAYS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT LIFE SAFETY ISSUE; HE WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE CONDUCTED. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED WITH NO ACTION FROM THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT SOON T…
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LTR RE PROBLEMS HE HAVING WITH HIS 2008 CHEVORLET SILVERADO 3500 IN WHICH HE SAYS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT LIFE SAFETY ISSUE; HE WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE CONDUCTED. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED WITH NO ACTION FROM THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT SOON THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND SMOKE STARTED EMANATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER AFTER A DIAGNOSES, NO CODES WERE FOUND TO DETERMINE THE RAPID ACCELERATION. *JB
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 …
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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 MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I HAVE ON MY BRAKES, IF MY BRAKES ARE ON SO SHOULD MY LIGHTS. THE REASON I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS IS BECAUSE I HAD SOMEONE NEARLY RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. ALSO IF I AM SITTING AT A REDLIGHT AND EASE UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT STILL AT A FULL STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE I AM SITTING THERE, I HAVE TO PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GET THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ONE, IF I HAVE ANY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL THE LIGHTS SHOULD STAY ON. THIS HAS SCARED ME PLENTY OF TIMES AT NIGHT BECAUSE I WILL BE STOPPED AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAS TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITH MY 08 SILVERADO. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER TO GET THIS FIXED AS A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT THEY SAY "FAILURE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM." SO THAT IS WHY I AM FILLING OUT THE COMPLAINT. *TR
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 DE…
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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 TOWING A TRAILER, THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN BRAKING. THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES SEEMED TO FUNCTION OFF OF THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS, WHICH CAUSES THE TRAILER BRAKES TO DISENGAGE EVEN WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE BRAKING. UPDATED 07/02/09.*JB
RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHEN WE WENT TO HAVE THEM REPLACED WE NOTICED A BUMP IN ALL FOUR TIRES, UPON CALLING GENERAL WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO SEARS (AUTHORIZED DEALER) TO LOOK OVER THE TIRES, SEARS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A BELT SEPARATION IN ALL FOUR TIRES. WE WERE TOLD BY GENERAL TIRES THEY WOULD GIVE US A 60% RE…
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RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHEN WE WENT TO HAVE THEM REPLACED WE NOTICED A BUMP IN ALL FOUR TIRES, UPON CALLING GENERAL WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO SEARS (AUTHORIZED DEALER) TO LOOK OVER THE TIRES, SEARS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A BELT SEPARATION IN ALL FOUR TIRES. WE WERE TOLD BY GENERAL TIRES THEY WOULD GIVE US A 60% REPLACEMENT ON ONE TIRE. WE THEN CALLED GENERAL MOTORS TO REPORT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED. AFTER LEAVING THE TRUCK ALL DAY THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT THE REPLACED TIRE WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL TIRE (IT WAS THE ONE WE HAD FIXED DUE TO BLOW OUT) AND THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE WARRANTED. AT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX ANY OF THE TIRES. WE WERE TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE AT GENERAL MOTORS THAT THERE WERE OTHER REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. A SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DENIED THAT OTHER PROBLEMS HAS BEEN REPORTED. THERE IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN ALL FOUR TIRES. *TR
Official recalls
108V441000 · Electrical System
Aug 28, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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