2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 191 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (54% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at an auction. The contact stated that although the odometer indicated 89,671 miles at the time of purchase, there was a mileage discrepancy discovered during the vehicle registration. The title was marked exempt; there was no official documentation verifying the actual mileage. The discrepancy was attributed to an inoperable odometer or due to the condition of the frame of the vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2026
“The truck randomly shuts off whether just running or driving, the fuel pump fuse blows, as long as we switch the fuses it starts right up and runs again, sometimes it happens several times a day, other times it doesn't happen for a week or two. When driving it shuts down without warning and lose of everything.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2025
“I had my truck serviced for the airbag recall in 2021 at Clint Newell auto in Roseburg Oregon, they did not have a necessary part to complete the job at the moment and I had moved out of town by the time they got it in. I just today brought it in and they said they did the second half of the recall but the component was not communicating. I was informed they would charge me to investigate why. I am writing to complain and seek resources. I cant afford to have the airbag problem investigated especially since it is likely their fault/negligence. The airbag light remains on and it is still a danger to me, also they were super rude and disorganized. Please help”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle's airbag recalled in 2016 9gm 49152). I called dealer- win kelly- in july, 2017 . Kathy said "no uflorianreasonable danger' .. Be safe. Gm solution by august. Called NHTSA on 9/12/17 took complaint # 11022868. Got a filled our complaint form 100148 noting manufacturer "parts not available". !2/27/2020 same story.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
“This is a 2008 chevy silverado hd z71 4x4 well taken care of. And the transmission goes into limp mode on fast stops. This is extremely dangerous due to the fact that if a load is on board and it goes into limp mode this could be dangerous for all behind the vehicle and around. Which could be a threat to all unexpectedly causing undue harm to other while in control of this vehicle. And vehicle sends out a code. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 2500. The contact stated was having electrical issues with the vehicle such as the lights would randomly fail to illuminate. The contact stated that the fuses were melted into the fuse box. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an unknown electrical failure inside of the fuse box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer nor the dealer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
“My dashboard is completely broken by the passenger air bag also completely broken by the drivers cluster exposing wires and other mechanical stuff”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2019
“Theft deterrent system failure.... Had to have the vehicle towed due to not starting after being turned off at a drive through to order food. After testing, the shop said the theft deterrent system is keeping it from starting.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“Carheros.com received $4.95 to perform VIN search. The same VIN number as I gave here, (xxxxx), was given to them, with debit card paying for the search. The results they gave me had only 2 things accurate, the year and it was a chevrolet. All information was 4'4, gas engine, 6 cylinders, 2 doors, and it was trim lt1. I have requested they return the $4.95. Could you help with this problem? Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2019
“Motor :6.6 l deisel transmission allison 1000 rear engine cover cracked vehicle not retaining coolant (part number 12622693) trucks coolant low level indicator came on ( in motion on the highway) could cause motor to overheat and lock up while driving if defect was undisclosed and not known about - I had a deisel technician find the problem and had to have the entire transmission pulled out in order for the leak to be found . Pictures attached - the defect was not visible from the outside looking at the drivetrain”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.
Remedy: CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 15438 and 15817.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery. Owners may unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 14260.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N192290990.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 2500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 191 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The most complained-about area is air bags (54% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:appliance:air conditioner. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.