NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2008 CHEVY SILVERADO TRUCK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME TO THE DEALER FOR MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. ONE SPECIFICALLY, BRAKES. THE BRAKES HAVE GIVEN ME A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE. AFTER REPLACEMENT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS NORMAL. A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR ALL MY CONCERNS. NOW THEY SAY ITS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. AFTER I'VE TAKEN IT SO MANY TIMES, NOW THEY SAY THAT'S WHAT IT IS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IS RIGHT. I HAVE ALL PAPERWORK OF ME TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR MY CONCERNS. I BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT SO MANY TIMES, THAT MY CASE SHOULD BE HANDLED. I HAVE CALLED THE BANK THAT HAS THE LOAN OF THE TRUCK, AND HAVE CALLED CHEVY AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. NO FOLLOW UP IS ATTEMPTED FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICES. NOW I DO NOT HAVE FAITH IN THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRUCK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHENEVER THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, A SULFURIC EGG ODOR EXPELLED THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER EXPERIENCED NAUSEA AND VOMITING DUE TO BEING EXPOSED TO THE ODOR. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TESTED FOR THE SYMPTOMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIFTEEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT THE HIGH OX-FUEL MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,033. UPDATED 4/16/09 *CNN THE GAUGES WERE ACTING ERRATIC. THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM RATTLED, THE RIGHT AND LEFT BLINKERS DIDN'T WORK. UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB
DEALER STATES THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.IT HAS BEEN 4 YRS SINCE I FIRST TRIED TO GET THIS AIR BAG REPLACED.
MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED 9 TIMES IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED SOME OF THE CENSORS. THE DEALER HAS RECEIVED A CODE FOR THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING BUT CAN'T AND WON'T DO ANYTHING TILL IT IS HAPPENING AND THEY CAN CHECK THE ERROR CODE. IT HAPPENS ALL DIFFERENT TIMES AND IN DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TR
I EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN MY 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1/2 TON 4X4 AFTER HAVING MY WHEELS ROTATED. AFTER REBALANCING DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF THE WHEEL REVEALED THAT IT WAS BROKEN. A LONG CRACK HAD DEVELOPED. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 177,000 MILES. THIS FIRST WHEEL FAILURE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 170,000 MILES. IN MAY AFTER HAVING MY WHEELS ROTATED I AGAIN EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. CLOSER INVESTIGATION OF THE WHEEL REVEALED THAT I HAD A SECOND WHEEL THAT HAD BROKEN. I CALLED CHEVROLET AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE WHEEL TO A CHEVROLET DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND HAD A PICTURE TAKEN OF THE DEFECT WHICH WAS SENT TO CHEVROLET. MY TIRE DEALER ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH BROKEN WHEELS HAD OCCURRED WITH ANOTHER CUSTOMER WHO HAD 4 BROKEN WHEELS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR
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.
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 AND THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. ONE CRACK IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DIRECTLY OVER THE AIR BAG. THE OTHER CRACK IS ABOVE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. EVERY 2008-2013 CHEVROLET PICKUP OR SUV THAT I HAVE SEEN HAS ONE, IF NOT BOTH, OF THESE CRACKS. I FEEL THAT IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE ANY DAMAGE IN OR AROUND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM WILL NOT FIX AN ISSUE THAT IS THEIR FAULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY CONSUMING FUEL RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NEVER INFORM HIM OF HIS FINDINGS AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT FOUR OF THE CYLINDERS HAD NO COMPRESSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,932.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND FLIP THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER INJURED HIS UPPER BODY AND THE PASSENGER'S HEAD WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,250.
MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A STOCK DUAL CAB CHEVY 2008 SILVERADO, NOT SURE WHAT THE STOCK TIRES FOR THIS TRUCK IS. WAS BOUGHT IN LUCEDALE, MS AT WALT MASSEY CHEVROLET. HE WAS FORCED OFF THE NORTH SIDE OF ROAD TRAVELING WEST AT APPROX. 60 MPH AND WHEN REENTERING PAVEMENT OR DURING YAWING (STILL UNCERTAIN, BUT PICTURES WERE TAKEN BY INVESTIGATORS), THE RIGHT TIRE DETACHED FROM THE AXLE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OTHER SIDE OF ROAD AND HIT A LARGE OAK. THE ONSTAR SERVICES, WHICH WERE FUNCTIONING, DID NOT NOTIFY EMS OR FAMILY. THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN WITNESSES WENT TO ASSIST HIM. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING INSIDE THE TRUCK, WHICH MADE WITNESSES LEAVE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE BLEW UP AND NOTHING WAS LEFT TO IDENTIFY HIM OR THE VEHICLE TO NOTIFY FAMILY OF HIS WHEREABOUTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ON STAR; HOWEVER, IF THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH, ON STAR IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CRASH SITE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD, AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 5,300. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WAS INFORMED BY VAN CHEVROLET THAT ONSTAR TOOK THE CALL. UPDATED 04/23/08 *TR
FELL ASLEEP HIT TELEPHONE POLE TOTALED OUT TRUCK FROM THE FRONT NO AIR BAG ...NO ON STAR. SOME SAFETY FEATURES,AND YOU PAY FOR THIS, AND GET LOWER INSURANCE RATES FOR SOMETHING THAT DID NOT WORK. WAS TOLD TO CONTACT GM AND AN AGENT WOULD COME OUT AND CHECK BAGS FOR DEPLOYMENT. IF THEY DID NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A WRECK, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THEY ARE WORTHLESS! *TR
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 THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. I SAW HEAVY SMOKE AND FLASHES OF FIRE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND THE SMOKE CLEARED AND/OR STOPPED AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. AFTER THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CLEARED THE VEHICLE TO BE MOVED, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND GOT TOWED BACK. AFTER A BRIEF INVESTIGATION THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT "A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS EITHER IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY DURING ASSEMBLY OR IMMEDIATELY FAILED IN THE FIRST 30 MILES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING SPRAYED DIRECTLY ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEREBY CAUSING THE FIRE." *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE PARKING ASSIST MECHANISM FAILED. THE RED WARNING LIGHTS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FREEZE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES AND WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSORS BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO TO ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ATTACHED TRAILER CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEM, WHICH CONNECTS TO THE TRAILER'S COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES FOR AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
I OWN A 2008 SILVERADO THAT I BOUGHT NEW BEFORE THE BAILOUT AND EVERYTHING AT CHEVY WAS BEING GIVEN AWAY. MY PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS TO FIX ITSELF, I HAVE HAD THE A/C NOT WORK ABS LIGHTS FLASH,POWER DOOR LOCKS FLUCTUATE AND ALL THAT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT IS PARKED I WILL UNLOCK IT USING THE KEY FOB EVERYTHING WILL LIGHT UP TRUCK WILL UNLOCK GET PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START AND EVERYTHING WILL SHUT OFF. IT IS AS IF SOMEONE TOOK OUT THE BATTERY, I HAVE NO HORN NO 4WAYS NO POWER OF ANY KIND. NOW IT DOES NOT DO THIS ALL THE TIME BUT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE TECH TOLD ME IT FIXED ITSELF HE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE DID,BUT TOLD ME TO GET RID OF IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THAT WAS WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY NOW IT WILL COST ME A SMALL FORTUNE FOR THEM TO TELL TO GET RID OF IT. *TR
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
AIRBAG IN VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE WITH TAKATA INFLATORS.
DESIGN DEFECT - EXTENDED CAB - LOW TO HIGH VOLUME HIGH PITCH WIND HOWL WHEN DRIVING INTO A HEAD WIND DEPENDING ON INTENSITY & DIRECTION OF WIND. LOUD ENOUGH THAT AN ONSTAR OPERATOR COULD HEAR IT & IT COULD BE RECORDED ON THE DEALER"S GENERAL MANAGERS VOICE MAIL. MAKES CONVERSATION DIFFICULT. DEALER DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT TO DO TO FIND & CORRECT IT. A SECOND DESIGN BLUNDER WAS REPLACING THE CHARCOAL GRAY INTERIOR IN PREVIOUS YEARS WITH THE EBONY INTERIOR. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP CLEAN & ATTRACTS LINT & DIRT LIKE A MAGNET. THE GRAY INTERIOR WAS THE PERFECT COLOR COMBINATION WITH THE TWEED PATTERN SEAT INSERTS. A THIRD BLUNDER IS THE RAISING THE TRUCK BODY 3 INCHES HIGHER OFF THE GROUND PLUS ADDING 2 INCHES TO THE DEPTH OF THE BED MAKING THE BED RAIL 5 INCHES HIGHER OFF THE GROUND. THE COMBINATION MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS OBJECTS IN THE BED FROM THE SIDES OF THE TRUCK. TO MAKE THE TRUCK USABLE FOR MY WORK I AM HAVING TO HAVE IT LOWERED 2 INCHES IN FRONT & 3 IN THE REAR. *TR
NO REMEDY FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS NO NOTICE OF FIXING UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH THEM FROM MANUFACTURE OWNED TRUCK SENCE NEW
2008 CHEVY SILVERADO (LEASED) HAS SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS IN TIRES AND REAR TIRES WITH CHUNKS OF TIRE MISSING. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED A LACK OF TRACTION AFTER A LIGHT RAIN. *JB
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