MYRModel Year Report

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
258
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

51% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2002: 444 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2008: 258 complaints 2008 258 2009: 76 complaints 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints
2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 444 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2003 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2007 2008: 258 complaints 2008 258 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2011 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints 2013
2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 444 complaints 2002 2003: 204 complaints 2003 2004: 165 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 377 complaints 2007 2008: 258 complaints 2008 258 2009: 76 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 127 complaints 2011 2012: 36 complaints 2012 2013: 82 complaints 2013

2008: 258 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
20002
20012
2002444
2003204
2004165
200571
200611
2007377
2008258
200976
2010111
2011127
201236
201382

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

51% · 132 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received an unknown recall notice for the Takata air bags.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-17

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact state that while driving 50 MPH, a drunk driver crashed into her vehicle and none of the air bags deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-25

Coming home from lacrosse practice with my two sons, we hit a 900 lb cow running across the main road at night. Crushed front end all the way to windshield, very violent blow. We traveling approx. 45 MPH at night on a dark road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-03-19

Structure

17% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My 79 year old wife badly cut her finger while opening the door of our vehicle. The door handle of my vehicle is plated in chrome. This chrome is now coming undone, and is razor sharp.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-07

The plating on the interior door handle is peeling to the point where it is cutting my finger each time I open the door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-31

This afternoon while going out shopping I badly cut my finger while opening the door of my vehicle. The door handle of my vehicle is plated in chrome. This chrome is now coming undone, and is razor sharp.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-09-12

Electrical system

8% · 21 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My wife drove the truck to walmart to get a couple of items with her were my son in law and daughter. Once arriving there(Approx. 3 mi) they noticed some smoke coming from under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-17

Also filed under Engine

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and independently turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-17

Also filed under Engine

Engine

6% · 15 reports
FIRE

Latches/locks/linkages

5% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 258 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-09-08 Non-crash engine compartment fires
  3. R
    2008-09-12Electrical system08V441000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-03-01Air bags21V050000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500,...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2021-09-20Air bags21V052000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 132 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 44 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V441000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 21V050000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V052000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.