2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 61 |
| 1998 | 67 |
| 1999 | 47 |
| 2000 | 80 |
| 2001 | 72 |
| 2002 | 50 |
| 2003 | 42 |
| 2004 | 41 |
| 2005 | 46 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2007 | 39 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
43% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230912
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE SERVICE AIR BAGS AND PASS LOCK SENSOR ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181203
COX CHEVROLET IN BRADENTON FLORIDA IS REFUSING TO FIX THE RECALLED ITEM ON MY TRUCK
NHTSA ODI report, 20180302
13% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170608
MY 2008 3500 DURAMAX DIESEL TRUCK WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE 15 NEXT TO THE CONCRETE K-RAIL. IMAGINE HEAVY TRAFFIC, A FULLY LOADED SEMI BEHIND YOU, AND THEN SLAMMING ON THE BREAKS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20110201
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 2 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: engine — 2 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DIGITAL DASH STATED "POWER REDUCED" + "EXHAUST FILTER REQUIRES CLEANING", AND SPEED DROPPED TO NO MORE THAN 45MPH. = = AFTER A FEW MINUTES, OPERATION WAS BACK TO NORMAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130328
3% of complaints: wheels — 1 distinct report on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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 E
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 BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
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
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) 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
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 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.