2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Routine

Owners filed 191 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
56,000 milesMedian miles at failure

91 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags105
101
Electrical System13
030
Structure › Body12
101
Power Train10
101
Unknown or Other8
000
Steering4
101
Engine and Engine Cooling4
001
Tires3
000
Seat Belts3
010
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V011000
Filed Jan 10, 2020699 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module15V324000
Filed May 28, 2015330,198 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

Electrical System14V407000
Filed Jul 2, 20149,371 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner09V456000
Filed Nov 19, 2009269 vehiclesCues, Inc.

Defect. 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 ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Risk. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed May 1, 202689,671 milesSD

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at an auction. The contact stated that although the odometer indicated 89,671 miles at the time of purchase, there was a mileage discrepancy discovered during the vehicle registration. The title was marked exempt; there was no official documentation verifying the actual mileage. The discrepancy was attributed to an inoperable odometer or due to the condition of the frame of the vehicle.

Tires
Filed Feb 4, 2026169,508 milesID

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire line: Dueler A/T Revo 3, Tire size: LT265/75/R16, DOT Number: 9BW8 RE3. The contact stated that the tires were purchased in California. The vehicle was driven back home to Idaho, where the TPMS alarm sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change and the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the rear tire was flagged and was informed that the tire needed to be removed. The tire was not removed. The contact notified the manufacturer, and the contact was referred to a Firestone location for an inspection. The manufacturer was informed that there were no Firestone locations nearby. The manufacturer approved the contact to take the vehicle to a Commercial Tire shop for an inspection. The vehicle was taken to the Commercial Tire Shop, and the contact was informed that all four tires were dangerous and needed to be replaced. The tread on the rear passenger’s tire was worn, the sidewalls of another tire were falling apart, and the tread and sidewalls on the other tires were separating. All four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified that the tires were replaced, and a claim was filed. The vehicle failure mileage was 169,508.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 16, 2025IN

The truck randomly shuts off whether just running or driving, the fuel pump fuse blows, as long as we switch the fuses it starts right up and runs again, sometimes it happens several times a day, other times it doesn't happen for a week or two. When driving it shuts down without warning and lose of everything.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2025OR

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. I just today brought it in and they said they did the second half of the recall but the component was not communicating. I was informed they would charge me to investigate why. I am writing to complain and seek resources. I cant afford to have the airbag problem investigated especially since it is likely their fault/negligence. The airbag light remains on and it is still a danger to me, also they were super rude and disorganized. Please help

Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2022224,752 milesLA

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the contact and her husband both heard an explosion coming from the vehicle and a white smoke was coming from the rear seat in the vehicle. The contact also stated the that the vehicle stalled and the seat belts locked up. Additionally, the hazard lights independently activated and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to pull over and inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the cruise control no longer operated as needed, the seat belts remaining locked; however, the vehicle resumed normal operation. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 224,752.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 17, 2021125,000 milesWA

MY DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. ONE BY THE AIR BAG AND ANOTHER ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 27, 2020MD

VEHICLE'S AIRBAG RECALLED IN 2016 9GM 49152). I CALLED DEALER- WIN KELLY- IN JULY, 2017 . KATHY SAID "NO UFLORIANREASONABLE DANGER' .. BE SAFE. GM SOLUTION BY AUGUST. CALLED NHTSA ON 9/12/17 TOOK COMPLAINT # 11022868. GOT A FILLED OUR COMPLAINT FORM 100148 NOTING MANUFACTURER "PARTS NOT AVAILABLE". !2/27/2020 SAME STORY.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 19, 2020GA

MY DASH HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE AIRBAG SURROUND. SHARDS OF THE DASH HAVE NOW BEGUN TO BREAK OFF - CLEAR INDICATION OF AN UNSAFE CONDITION. SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY SHARDS OF THE SHATTERING DASH COULD RUPTURE THE AIRBAG OR WORSE STRIKE AND IMPALE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I AM IN THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE BUSINESS AND THE FAA AND NTSB WOULD NEVER ALLOW SUCH AN OBVIOUS HAZARD IN AN AIRCRAFT. MY DASH STARTED CRACKING YEARS AGO AND DESPITE STOP DRILLING THE CRACKS AS WE DO IN AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ON LEXAN TRANSPARENCIES THE CHEAP PLASTIC THE DASH IS MADE FROM CONTINUES TO PROPAGATE NEW AND BIGGER CRACKS. ATTEMPTS TO USE A PLASTIC WELDING REPAIR KIT ALSO FAILED. A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IS WAY PAST DUE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 29, 202090,000 milesCA

MY DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY BROKEN BY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ALSO COMPLETELY BROKEN BY THE DRIVERS CLUSTER EXPOSING WIRES AND OTHER MECHANICAL STUFF

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 14, 202070,000 milesUT

DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S WHEEL TOWARDS WINDSHIELD

Power Train
Filed May 28, 2020212,000 milesNV

THIS IS A 2008 CHEVY SILVERADO HD Z71 4X4 WELL TAKEN CARE OF. AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO LIMP MODE ON FAST STOPS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF A LOAD IS ON BOARD AND IT GOES INTO LIMP MODE THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR ALL BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND AROUND. WHICH COULD BE A THREAT TO ALL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING UNDUE HARM TO OTHER WHILE IN CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE. AND VEHICLE SENDS OUT A CODE. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 21, 2020156,000 milesNY

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL FAILURE INSIDE OF THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 3, 2020150,000 milesTX

CRACKED DASHBOARD, SEVERAL PLACES DASH IS FALLING APART, LARGE CRACK NEAR GAGES, AT AIR BAG, AND ACROSS FRONT OF GAGES.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 16, 2020PA

AIR BAG RECALL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUE

Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 2020GA

MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. THERE WAS NO INDECENT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK - I JUST GOT IN THE TRUCK ONE DAY AND NOTICED A SMALL CRACK. OVER THE PAST YEAR IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT THAT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD ALSO HAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THE DANGER PRESENTED BY AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THAT COULD EASILY SEND SHARDS OF SHARP PLASTIC SHRAPNEL INTO THE FACE OF MY PASSENGER OR THAT IT COULD DAMAGE THE AIRBAG AND PREVENT IT FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT DASHBOARDS WERE PADDED AS A SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK. SOMEHOW THE SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLOWED GM TO GET AWAY WITH INSTALLING DANGEROUS, BRITTLE, CHEAP PLASTIC DASHBOARDS THE ARE PRONE TO CRACKING - A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF ACCORDING TO MY DEALER. IT IS A FAILURE OF OUR CONSUMER SAFETY AGENCY TO ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE AND A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IS IN ORDER AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED RIGHT AWAY. HOW TAKATA AIRBAG MANUFACTURER CAN BE REQUIRED TO RECALL MILLIONS OF AIRBAG PARTS BUT GM IS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS IS INEXCUSABLE.

Power Train
Filed Apr 8, 2019130,000 milesMA

MOTOR :6.6 L DEISEL TRANSMISSION ALLISON 1000 REAR ENGINE COVER CRACKED VEHICLE NOT RETAINING COOLANT (PART NUMBER 12622693) TRUCKS COOLANT LOW LEVEL INDICATOR CAME ON ( IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY) COULD CAUSE MOTOR TO OVERHEAT AND LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING IF DEFECT WAS UNDISCLOSED AND NOT KNOWN ABOUT - I HAD A DEISEL TECHNICIAN FIND THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION PULLED OUT IN ORDER FOR THE LEAK TO BE FOUND . PICTURES ATTACHED - THE DEFECT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING AT THE DRIVETRAIN

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 2019202,000 milesAL

THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM FAILURE.... HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED DUE TO NOT STARTING AFTER BEING TURNED OFF AT A DRIVE THROUGH TO ORDER FOOD. AFTER TESTING, THE SHOP SAID THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IS KEEPING IT FROM STARTING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 2, 2019OR

CARHEROS.COM RECEIVED $4.95 TO PERFORM VIN SEARCH. THE SAME VIN NUMBER AS I GAVE HERE, (XXXXX), WAS GIVEN TO THEM, WITH DEBIT CARD PAYING FOR THE SEARCH. THE RESULTS THEY GAVE ME HAD ONLY 2 THINGS ACCURATE, THE YEAR AND IT WAS A CHEVROLET. ALL INFORMATION WAS 4'4, GAS ENGINE, 6 CYLINDERS, 2 DOORS, AND IT WAS TRIM LT1. I HAVE REQUESTED THEY RETURN THE $4.95. COULD YOU HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM? PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 12, 201980,000 milesTX

MY DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED ALL OVER.THE VEHILCE IS MOSTLY PARKED UNDER A CAR PORT.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 6, 2018TX

LIKE MANY OTHER CHEVROLET SILVERADO OWNERS MY DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES; ONE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER RIGHT NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WHAT?S THE MOST CONCERNING TO ME IS THE CRACK NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, BECAUSE IF IT EVER DEPLOYS THE SHRAPNEL FROM BROKEN DASH WILL BE DEADLY PROJECTILES THAT CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL THE OCCUPANTS. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 54000 MILES. I BELIEVE GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD RECALL OR COMPENSATE THE OWNERS OF THESE DEFECTIVE TRUCKS AND SUVS. THE WAY IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I GOT IN MY TRUCK ONE DAY I HAD A CRACK AND A WEEK OR TWO LATER, I HAD ANOTHER. ANOTHER ANNOYING PART OF IS MY TRUCK IS IT IS EQUIPPED WITH DIESEL ENGINE WITH INCREASED VIBRATION AND WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD THERE IS LOUD RATTLING OR RUBBING THAT RESONATES THROUGH THE WHOLE CAB BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS ON THE DASH. *TR

20 of 191 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266200Routine
202528100Routine
2024139410Routine
202347120Routine
202294320Routine
202184610Routine
20201051030Routine
201974760Routine
201852520Routine
201754550Routine
2016123520Routine
2015176660Routine
201440220Routine
201351310Routine
201253300Routine
2011104420Routine
201021510Routine
200961530Routine
2008 — this page191440Routine
2007204390Above average
2006177180Routine
20052691150Above average
20043682102Fatalities reported
2003449280Above average
2002351361Fatalities reported
2001300130Above average
2000132340Routine
199981221Fatalities reported
199873230Routine
199764213Fatalities reported
19962000Routine
19953000Routine
19943000Routine

Compare every Silverado 2500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 10, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.