2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (45% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · 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 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 162,000. It was later discovered upon checking a Carfax report that the mileage was 270,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Airbag and steering wheel problems. Neither driver's nor passenger's airbag deployed in a major crash. Our truck was hit by a fully loaded dump truck, speed unknown. Our driver had "mustang sign," bruising to chest. Passenger had seatbelt bruising. No warning lights or other indication was present to indicate that there was any problem with the airbags. We are the original owners and there was no previous use of, nor work done on the airbags. Steering wheel collapsed onto driver's legs, which we were told is common for adjustable steering wheels. Vehicle was totaled and is at junk yard. We have requested the collision report and can provide upon request.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 3500. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered upon starting. The failure also occurred while driving various speeds. The contact drove to team chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (404 jake alexander blvd s, salisbury, nc 28147, 704-212-2019) where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinder was faulty. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. *bf*jb”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Started vehicle, drove 100 yards, check charging system popped up on display, smoke immediately started pouring in vents as it burst into flames under the hood. Got kids out and called fire department. Vehicle burned from the motor to the box while waiting for fire department.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 3500. Upon starting the vehicle, the service trailer brake system warning indicator illuminated and remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found a recall for the chassis electronic module. The contact called hardy chevrolet at (770) 532-4389 and was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v614000 (electrical system). The manufacturer confirmed the VIN's exclusion and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000..updated 07/31/17 *bf . Updated 10/20/2017*js”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“"takata recall" - was notified about the recall on july 2015 and still waiting for the replacement. As of november 5, 2016 it says parts to repair your vehicle are not currently available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v324000 (air bags); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 08/16/16*lj updated 08/17/16.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Dash has severely cracked. If air bag was to deploy, the hard plastic of the cracked dash could very likely injure occupants within the vehicle. While driving down smooth roadway, we started hearing cracking noises and found the dash cracking.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2015
“Takata recall received recall notice in july 2015 contacted gm dealer ship and was told no parts available they would contact us when the parts came in. Called on 3/23/2016 and got the same story from the dealership again. We have 5-1 ton trucks and drive all across the u.s. This truck involved in the recall we made it a shop truck for local runs only untill this recall gets fixed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The most complained-about area is air bags (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,350 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. 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.