2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:26:35.675Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 64 complaints 1998: 73 complaints 1999: 81 complaints 1999 2000: 132 complaints 2001: 300 complaints 2002: 351 complaints 2003: 449 complaints 2004: 368 complaints 2004 2005: 269 complaints 2006: 177 complaints 2007: 204 complaints 2008: 191 complaints 2008 2009: 61 complaints 2009 2010: 21 complaints 2011: 104 complaints 2012: 52 complaints 2013: 51 complaints 2014: 40 complaints 2014 2015: 175 complaints 2016: 122 complaints 2017: 54 complaints 2018: 51 complaints 2019: 72 complaints 2019 2020: 99 complaints 2021: 82 complaints 2022: 89 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2024: 135 complaints 2024 2025: 19 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
2008: 191 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19943
19953
19962
199764
199873
199981
2000132
2001300
2002351
2003449
2004368
2005269
2006177
2007204
2008191
200961
201021
2011104
201252
201351
201440
2015175
2016122
201754
201851
201972
202099
202182
202289
202342
2024135
202519
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 55%

55% of complaints: air bags — 106 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HAVE 2008 CHEVY EXT CAB SILVERADO,HAD A HEAD ON ACCIDENT,THE TRUCK WAS SERVICED THE 17 OF FEB,ACCIDENT HAPPENED THE 18,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED,THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20100301

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250630

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200421

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A NOISE LIKE A VEHICLE TRYING TO START AND WHEN SHE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW SHE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100730

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 LT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD HEAR THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO START INDEPENDENTLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100712

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 16 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CRACKED DASHBOARD ONCE WAS REPLACE. PAINT CRACK. DOOR LATCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180123

CHROME PLATING/PAINT ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATED LEFT HAND. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130125

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY TRUCK HAS 69,755 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO PROTECTION MODE. JERRY SMITH GARAGE OF ANACORTES WA. FOUND LOSS OF PRIME OF FLUID DUE TO POSS STICKING LUBE REGULATOR VALVE IN PUMP COVER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180118

STEERING 4%

4% of complaints: steering — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2008 — complaint volume: 191
I 20080204 — PE (closed 20080612)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080612 — EA (closed 20080908)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20100105 — equipment

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

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.

Campaign 09V456000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140829 — electrical system

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...

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.

Campaign 14V407000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150727 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 15V324000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200211 — air bags

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)...

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.

Campaign 20V011000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (106 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V456000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V407000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V324000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V011000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2014 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2013

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.