MYRModel Year Report

2008 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 428 complaints 2016: 218 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 187 complaints 2022: 113 complaints 2023: 117 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2024
2008: 213 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015428
2016218
2017141
201881
201976
202044
2021187
2022113
2023117
202439

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

AIR BAGS 45%

45% of complaints: air bags — 96 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH, she started to choke and was unable to breathe, which resulted in the driver fully colliding into a cement wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250603

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE SUPPRESSED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210331

Also filed under POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because she no longer owns the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240724

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT'S WIFE PROCEEDED TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE CHROME PAINT ON THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND CUT HER HAND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151117

CHROME PLATING ON INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES PEELED OFF FROM THE PLASTIC BASE MATERIAL AND CAUSED FINGER INJURY . *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20150107

MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE INTERIOR SILVER COATED DOOR HANDLES IN MY 2008 SUBURBAN. THE COATING HAS SPLINTERED AND IS CUTTING OUR HANDS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE IN THE 2007 AND 2008 MODEL, WHEN I LOOK IT UP ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140321

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 25 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 22 distinct reports on file.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 9%

9% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 213
R 20080912 — electrical system

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, SI

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 HTTP://WW

Campaign 08V441000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100611 — electrical system

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

R 20210301 — air bags

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.

Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20210920 — air bags

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.

Campaign 21V052000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (96 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V441000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V052000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

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

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.