2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
24/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Chevrolet Silverado 3500 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.
- 5 of its 31 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Air bags (14 complaints, median 66,558 mi).
- 4 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
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
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 74,629miles, 18 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The part named most often is air bags, with 14 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and other or unknown (4). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,629 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 523 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 102 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 24 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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 bags14 45%
- Electrical system6 19%
- Other or unknown4 13%
- Engine2 6.5%
- Engine cooling2 6.5%
- Fuel system2 6.5%
- Brakes1 3.2%
- Body and structure1 3.2%
- Suspension1 3.2%
- Tires1 3.2%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Dash has severely cracked. If air bag was to deploy, the hard plastic of the cracked dash could very likely injure occupants within the vehicle. While driving down smooth roadway, we started hearing cracking noises and found the dash cracking.”
NHTSA complaint #11010407, filed 2017-07, 66,558 milesElectrical system: “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. The semi slammed on his breaks, trailer crossed two lanes, other vehicles skidded off the freeway. I was almost killed, as was others. Turns out a rodent had chewed a sensor wire and the wires crossed detecting a condition with the engine. Over 20 vehicles were involved in this near fatal crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10379810, filed 2011-02, 8,500 milesOther or unknown: “Dashboard cracked in two places like many other 2007-2011 GM. Concerned of safety issue if airbags were to deploy.plastic from dash could injure or possibly pierce airbag rendering it useless.”
NHTSA complaint #10764461, filed 2015-09, 130,000 milesEngine: “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. = = this issue has continued and seems to be getting worse whether pulling a trailer or not; flat or hills makes no difference. = = took the chevy dealer in terre haute, in (spent hundreds of dollars) and local dealer in clinton twp., mi and they could not correct this dangerous performance issue. = = this problem should be a recall as I've it will cost me approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10504900, filed 2013-03, 24,960 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,648 and 130,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V011000Jan 10, 2020Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2007–2008, Silverado 2500 2007–2008, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2008 +1 more
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…
- 15V324000May 28, 2015Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2007–2008, Silverado 2500 2007–2008, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2008 +1 more
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…
- 14V407000Jul 2, 2014Electrical systemCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2007–2011, Silverado 2500 2007–2011, GMC Sierra 2500 2007–2011 +1 more
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…
- 10V240000Jun 4, 2010Electrical systemCovers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2007–2009, Buick Lucerne 2006–2009, Cadillac DTS 2006–2009 +15 more
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 ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc…
Recall details for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 → · Check a 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. 523 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11028931Feb 16, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures…
- 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…
- 11021308Jul 31, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a bump feel or clunk noise at a stop or on launch. Dealer should communicate to the…
- 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.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014457Feb 21, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some owners of Heavy Duty Trucks and Utilities may ask if they can lower their tire pressures. Tire pressures…
Other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 1,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 51 | 2,800 | 3 | — | — | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 16 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 27 | 53,500 | 3 | — | — | 43 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 41 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | 64 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 42 | 40,000 | 8 | — | — | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 22 | 7,390 | 7 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 23,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 13 | 22,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 51 | 24,486 | 7 | — | — | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 52 | 34,461 | 7 | — | — | 79 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 10 | 37,900 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 26 | 56,000 | 4 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2012 | 23 | 46,962 | 4 | — | — | — | Rising |
| 2011 | 29 | 54,588 | 5 | — | — | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 10 | 47,655 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 31 | 74,629 | 4 | — | — | 24 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2007 | 39 | 34,500 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 52 | 52,036 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2005 | 46 | 56,633 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 41 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 42 | 84,728 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 50 | 44,844 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 72 | 68,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 80 | 47,974 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 47 | 52,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 67 | 71,200 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 61 | 61,517 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 14 complaints (45% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reported?
Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,629 miles and the middle half falls between 19,648 and 130,000 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.