2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years
Typical for this model
40/100 0.8× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.8× that of a typical Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 4 of its 37 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Air bags (16 complaints, median 98,945 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The part named most often is air bags, with 16 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and other or unknown (7). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 246 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 52 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 40 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags16 43%
- Electrical system7 19%
- Other or unknown7 19%
- Brakes2 5.4%
- Engine2 5.4%
- Body and structure2 5.4%
- Exterior lighting1 2.7%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall . I've contacted at least 2 Chevrolet dealerships in my area and asked them both to contact me asap , since they both claimed no parts were available. Neither have contacted me since and I made the 1st phone call last year. It seems as though Chevrolet has no true intentions to fix my airbag issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11042058, filed 2017-11, 140,000 milesElectrical system: “Driving 60mph and lost all lights power motor everything the vehicle came back on and repeated this over and over till it was parked GM's said my truck wasn't covered so I asked for the recalled part number and was rushed off the phone”
NHTSA complaint #11207583, filed 2019-05, 120,000 milesOther or unknown: “The issue I have is with the dash pad on our 2008 chevy avalanche. We bought it used and paid $525 to have it replaced and approximately two and a half years later it cracked again in the same area others have mentioned. It seems to be a quality issue and GM would help the owners.”
NHTSA complaint #10956254, filed 2017-02, 62,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “At about 30,000 miles I notice that the rear driverside door lock would not work properly sometime,but I did not take to shop.at about 34,000 miles it quite working altogether,hardly ever using that door I let the miles go by without taking in for repairs. Also the front driver side lock sometimes does not work properly. Now I guess at 38,000 miles I will have to pay if I want it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10438862, filed 2011-12, 34,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
48% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 97,890 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Avalanche 1500 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Avalanche 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 246 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
Other model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 29 | 49,688 | 1 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 16 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 28 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 17 | 56 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 6 | 112,500 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 20 | 72,500 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 37 | 50,000 | 0 | — | 16 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 113 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 39 | 84,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 129 | 62,450 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 144 | 79,500 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 182 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 154 | 97,500 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 16 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.
Has the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 97,890 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.