Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado are in line with other Silverado years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Silverado owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 62 (38%) | 60k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 15 (9%) | 50k–102k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 14 (9%) | 36k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (7%) | 27k–91k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 48 (30%) | 44k–81k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 18 (11%) | 25k–67k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 10 (6%) | 28k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 162 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado: 2
A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 174
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Will uses to diagnose and repair vehicles that have low oil pressure after an oil change with the engine Regular Production Option Code L20, L77, L94, L96, L99…
Close coupled converters and there affect on newly installed engines or engines during there break in period
Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set
Help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered seepage
Neighbouring years
2007 Silverado: 183 complaints, keep it · 2009 Silverado: 76 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All Silverado years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Silverado years. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (62), engine (15), body structure (14), transmission and drivetrain (12), electrical system (48).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 08V-441), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.